Export assistance information.
Purchasing Resources for Export Assistance
Certficate of Conformity for Export Pre-Shipment Inspection
Support for Marines and Marine Families Affected by Stress.
Learn the rules & regulations of exporting in this 2-hour webinar.
Documentation & Procedures Seminars, Live Webinars & Books
ITAR and EAR Export Training for Confidence in your Compliance
Credit, insurance, and trade finance tools for exporters.
Directory of American exporting companies listing 45,000 companies and 5,500 product categories.
Colorado International Trade Office
Agency responsible for assisting Colorado companies with all aspects of exporting, including counseling, protocol, leading trade missions, and conducting trade shows abroad.
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/govnr_dir/ITO/intl_trade_gov.htm
Export Jamaica Association (JEA)
JEA offers certified exporters technical assistance, training, export market information and export facilitation.
Information help center dedicated to the development of US exports to the world.
Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
Exporting assistance and importing information.
Import-Export Global Business-to-Business Help Center
Business-to-business resources including trade directories to 165,000 import buyers and how to information.
Mississippi Department of Economic & Community Development
Information regarding foreign trade zones, port facilities, distribution channels and international business programs provided by the International Division.
Nebraska International Trade & Investment Division
Works with existing businesses to expand their international marketing efforts, as well as foster international manufacturing investments in the state.
North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Information on business development, business recruitment, international trade, small business assistance and financial incentives in North Carolina.
Download Export Assistance White Papers
Getting Started in Exporting
Find out of you have what it takes to go global with your small businessBy Greg Brown Selling into foreign countries need not be solely the province of major multinationals, nor limited to commodity products like oil and grains. Plenty of small — even tiny — companies export things like animal vaccines, packaging, computer technology and manufactured goods. The needs are endless since in many developing countries free trade is goosing up industries that lack competitive suppliers. You can be the source for buyers big and small abroad — if your company is ready for the risks and pressures of making the deals and moving the products.
Take a quiz - seriously
There are a lot of initial questions to ask, and the U.S. government is here to help.
Try:
Export.gov has an excellent readiness assessment that rates your company based on just nine questions. Once you know where you stand, move on to the detailed guide to exporting basics by Unz & Co.
Work with resellers
Even large, established companies with resources use in-country resellers, often called a channel, to build a presence first. You'll make less, but with less cost, too. Some never shed their channel partners.
Try:
The U.S. Department of Commerce operates BuyUSA.gov, a site dedicated to matching U.S. exporters to foreign buyers and distributors. Check the U.S. Commercial Service Web site for a list of contacts by embassy abroad; it's their job to connect you with the right people in each country.
Discover customs for beginners
A small slice of U.S. exports, like defense technology, is subject to regulation. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to get an export license in advance.
Try:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the clear starting point. The Bureau of Industry and Security maintains a list of which federal agencies regulate what exports, with contact telephones.
Line up your financing
Unless you are sitting on a pile of cash, be prepared for more than the usual 90-days net from your business partners abroad. Often, it's better to spread the risk and protect your own cash-flow.
Try:
Many local lenders will buy your receivables, and the U.S. Department of Commerce can find you a good source of such funding through its export finance matchmaker program.
Find and negotiate shipping services
Depending on where you live and what you will be exporting, the company with which you will be dealing can vary.
Try:
Freightquote, and Freight Dynamics offer shipping quote services online, wile uShip matches shippers to carriers with space. Fairplay publishes has an extensive online shippers directory with address and phone contacts.
- You will end up selling the most in a country where people have money to spend. Beware exporting to places with notoriously unstable economies; a rapidly changing currency can quickly make your product ludicrously expensive in local terms.
- Take a trip before you jump into a relationship with a local buyer. Meet his or her customers. Exporting can be a lot of trouble, so the opportunity should be lucrative and blindingly obvious.
- One way to sell in a country is by striking deals with units abroad of U.S. firms. Wal-Mart, for instance, is quickly growing in foreign lands.
- Big companies generally don't consider exporting until they have exhausted their local market. Even then, they often fail - distributors are unprepared, or customs is too complex. Your expansion plan might be better off looking inward for a few more years.
Certficate of Conformity for Export Pre-Shipment Inspection
Support for Marines and Marine Families Affected by Stress.
Learn the rules & regulations of exporting in this 2-hour webinar.
Documentation & Procedures Seminars, Live Webinars & Books
ITAR and EAR Export Training for Confidence in your Compliance
North Dakota Economic Development and Finance
State agency that counsels companies on export procedures, international marketing, banking and financing.
Automatic system of commercial operations for import-export and online payment systems with more than 17 million companies and classified users in 245 countries.
SITPRO is the UK's trade facilitation agency, dealing with procedures and documentation, and helping businesses trade more effectively and simplifying the international trading process.
Small Business Knowledge Base - International Trade
Free resource providing guides, tips and new ideas to assist small businesses export successfully.
http://www.bizmove.com/export.htm
State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
International division providing information on export initiatives, international links and contact information for foreign trade representatives.
http://www.state.ct.us/ecd/international/index.html
The International Import-Export Institute
International body that certifies the proficiency of import-export trade professionals worldwide.
http://www.intlimport-export.com/
teaching tool for 'new traders', people wishing to enter the business of international trade, and as a reference guide for companies already involved in import/export with foreign countries.
http://www.ccex.org/handbook.htm
An international trading service that assists US companies in expanding and establishing manufacturing operations in Asia.
U.S. Customs Automated Export Systems (AES)
Electronic way to file the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) and the ocean manifest information directly to U.S. Customs. On these web pages you will find information on the history and future of AES, technical documentation, software vendors, AESDirect
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/impoexpo/impoexpo.htm
Provides links to the Automated Export System (AES) Shippers' Export Declaration, export licenses, information on exporting a motor vehicle, uniformity issues of enforced compliance, export documents for business travel, drawback, international travel mer
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/imp%2Dexp2/export/index.htm
U.S. Department of Commerce, Trade Information Center
Resource for information on all US Federal Government export assistance programs.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/
Assisting small and mid-sized companies trade around the world directly with overseas customers.
Washington State International Trade Division (CTED)
International trade organization with information on international trade in Washington State including trade statistics, the Import/Export Guide and contact lists for public ports and foreign trade zones.
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Export Assistance
When your company is ready to expand into exporting to other countries, seeking assistance is essential. Selling into foreign countries involves many steps, from engaging in research to dealing with customs. Getting the right information from experts is a big factor in the success of your endeavor.
There are many advantages to exporting. Exporting requires significantly lower levels of investment than other modes of international expansion. The low risk of exporting makes it a popular method. You can export by means of direct selling by use of a sales representative or direct selling through a distributor. By utilizing export assistance from one of the many available, you ... more
When your company is ready to expand into exporting to other countries, seeking assistance is essential. Selling into foreign countries involves many steps, from engaging in research to dealing with customs. Getting the right information from experts is a big factor in the success of your endeavor.
There are many advantages to exporting. Exporting requires significantly lower levels of investment than other modes of international expansion. The low risk of exporting makes it a popular method. You can export by means of direct selling by use of a sales representative or direct selling through a distributor. By utilizing export assistance from one of the many available, you enhance your business's chances of success.
Business.com has a vast database full of websites designed to help you in finding export assistance and learning all that you can regarding exporting. The needs of many businesses are endless and export assistance can be helpful to any type of industry. Doing a bit of research to gain more knowledge will prepare your business.
You can get assistance from a company that will be able to provide you with the help that suits your distinct company needs. Formulating a plan and understanding terminology and regulations is a step in the right direction. Take a look through the links provided to begin learning more about exporting.
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