Resources for Food and Beverage Importers and Exporters

International trading companies.
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers

Quickly find distributors and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages. Review listings for links to alcoholic beverage distributors supplying wholesale beer, wine, and spirits to busine… more »

Alcoholic Beverages

Producers and distributors of beer, liquor, wine, champagne, sake, hard cider, along with industry publications. more »

Beer Distributors

Beer distributors and wholesalers, including importers and exporters. more »

Breweries

US-based and international producers of beer. more »

Liquor and Spirits Professional Organizations

Industry groups, councils, associations and organizations. more »

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Liquor Licensing

Quickly find providers of liquor license services. Research liquor licensing companies that offer liquor licenses for sale. Identify liquor license specialists and brokers offering… more »

Food and Beverage Importer and Exporter Key Terms


If you're just starting out in the food and beverage importing and exporting business, you'll find that there are many new terms that you must learn in order to be successful. Knowledge of the ins and outs of exporting is important because making mistakes could involve hefty legal fines. Make sure that you know the customs regulations for every country with which you work. You should also know whether or not you need an export license and how to use the PIERS Global Intelligence Service.

PIERS Global Intelligence Service

The Port Import Export Reporting Service, or PIERS, is a global database that monitors the goods that come through various world ports. The raw data that the company provides allows import and export companies to improve their businesses.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Food importers must work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives if they wish to import alcoholic products. The ATF regulates the industry to ensure the safety of American citizens.
ATF includes much information on its website about what the division aims to do.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

The Toxic Substances Control Act is a law that prevents the import of certain unknown chemicals. If a food company is trying to export its food to the United States, it must ensure that all chemicals within the food, or used to treat the food, are included on the list of approved chemicals.
Environmental Protection Agency.

International Beverage Network

The International Beverage Network is a way for alcohol importers and exporters to connect. Companies are able to list their contact information on the site.

Customs regulations

Each country has its own customs laws, which regulate the import and export business. Goods that you can export to one country may not be acceptable to another.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For other foreign countries, you may want to contact their embassies before you attempt to import or export goods.

Export license

Some types of shipments require an export license, and it's important to know whether you need this to operate your business.
Bureau of Industry and Security.