National Exporting Resources

U.S. Government Export - Site covers information on exploring exporting, making export sales happen, financing exports, solving trade problems and finds a partner in the US to help you sell your product or represent your product.

World Intellectual Property Organization -- Individuals and businesses interested in marketing abroad should visit the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the branch of the United Nations that helps to establish intellectual property rights across borders.

Trade Mission On-line – Small Business Administration – Using the internet to bring U.S. small businesses to the global marketplace.

Office of International Trade – Small Business Administration -- Provides export information and development assistance to help small businesses take advantage of export markets, including trade counseling, training, legal assistance and publications.

U.S. Government Export Portal – Small Business Administration -- Provides online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for your international business – whether you’re just starting or expanding your global sales.

Market Access and Compliance – Export.gov -- Objectives are to obtain market access for American firms and workers and to achieve full compliance by foreign nations with trade agreements they sign with our country.

Global Resources – Global Edge -- A directory of international business resources categorized by specific orientation and content.

Office of International Trade – Small Business Administration – Encourages small business to export and assists small businesses seeking to export.

International Exposures – American International Group -- Critical insurance coverages you need to protect your assets, as well as your employees and your peace of mind.

Toll Free Numbers for Export Assistance – Iowa Small Business Development Centers.

Preparing an Export Price Quotation – Iowa Small Business Development Centers  -- Setting proper export prices is crucial to a successful international sales program.

National Agricultural Exporting Resources

Export Assistance – AgExportLinks -- A free service designed to put exporters or potential exporters in direct contact with service companies who specialize in agriculture exporting.

Livestock Transportation Export Program - USDA -- This guidebook is a comprehensive reference on transporting livestock to foreign markets. It covers a variety of topics ranging from a listing of carriers and export inspection facilities to guidelines on care and handling of livestock during export shipment.

Ag Exporter Assistance Homepage - USDA -- A complete Web site to help beginning and experienced exporters with questions, details and information.

Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook – USDA -- Details everything ag exports need to know from transportation issues to letters of credit.

Export.gov – U.S. Government Export Portal – Agriculture specific programs and services.

FoodTrader – Foodtrader.com -- Are You Looking To Buy or Sell Something In The Food & Agricultural Industries? Using this Database & Marketplace will give you access to valuable information on Companies, Inventory & world Prices on over 100,000 Buyers and Suppliers.

U.S. Export Guarantee Programs - The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers export credit guarantee programs for commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports. The programs encourage exports to buyers in countries where credit is necessary to maintain or increase U.S. sales, but where financing may not be available without CCC guarantees.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - Offers an array of valuable services that give buyers and sellers of agricultural products a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. AMS International Marketing Services include information on commodity and trading standards, product, production process, scientific and equipment certifications, scientific and intellectual property services, marketing and shipping fair trade practices.

USDA Foreign Ag Service, Food Aid Programs - The United States is the world's largest food aid donor, with a long tradition of generosity in providing humanitarian assistance to needy people throughout the world. U.S. programs help feed the hungry, improve global food security, encourage education, and promote agricultural and economic development in poor countries. Information about participating in programs is provided.

Finding International Meat Buyers – U.S. Meat Export Federation – For U.S. red meat packers, processors, purveyors or traders seeking potential international buyers.

Regional Agricultural Exporting Resources

Food Export USA Northeast - Supporting northeast food companies to compete and succeed in the international marketplace.

Food Export Association of the Midwest- Offers services to help U.S. companies promote their midwestern food and agricultural products in foreign markets.

Southern United States Trade Association - Our programs and services are open to southern exporters of food and agricultural products.

Western United States Agricultural Trade Association – A place to locate volumes of information about programs, services, and resources that can help you to reach new markets.

California Agricultural Trade Association – Centers for International Development -- The state's top source of trade assistance.

Researching Individual Countries

CIA Fact Book - Gives current information for 193 countries and territories.  Updated every year the fact books contain information on population, demographics, religion, government, politics, industries, economics of the region, transportation, trading partners, trade organizations the region belongs to, agriculture, labor force, health care, among other important areas.

Country Insights - Global Edge -- Current information on the business climate, news, history, political structure, economic landscape, and relevant statistical data are provided in a region and country-specific format, covering 196 countries.

Background Notes – U.S. State Department -- These publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.

Marketing Research Library – U.S. Commercial Service – International market research by industry, region and country.

FAS Overseas Offices – Foreign Ag Service Online – Information on various regions of the world and individual countries.

Country Profiles – TradePort -- Through an exclusive arrangement with World Trade Press, TradePort offers data on 175 countries, free of charge.

USDA Ag Attache Reports - Detailed information about market opportunities, competition and regulations affecting exporting to more than 125 countries. December 2002.

Trade Stats Express – Export.gov – Global patterns of U.S trade and product profiles of trade with selected markets.

Primers on Exporting Series – University of Florida Extension – A series of primers by country.

International Trade and Economic Statistics – Export.gov -- Researching potential markets begins with understanding trade patterns in the international marketplace.

Country Information – Export.gov -- Access short, country-specific reports and market insights.

CountryWatch – Countrywatch.com -- An information provider for corporations, government agencies, universities, schools, libraries and individuals needing up-to-date news and information on each of the 192 recognized countries of the world.

Russia and the NIS – Export.gov – the U.S. Government's primary market information center for U.S. companies exploring business opportunities in Russia and other Newly Independent States.

China Business Information Center – Export.gov – This site will help open the China market for your company.

International Trade Information Resources

World Trade Organization

The Office of Foreign Agricultural Trade

US Foreign Ag Trade Data

Ag Trade Projections - USDA

Ag Trade Data - Foreign Ag Service

World Supply and Demand Estimates - USDA

Trade Policies - American Soybean Association

Export Promotion - American Soybean Association

Public Trade Policies - US Grains Council

US Meat Export Federation

Cairns Group Ag Trading Block

EU Ag Trading Block

International Trade Issues

Understanding the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement – University of Florida Extension -- International trade liberalization and the general globalization of the world economy over the past two decades has meant that growers, businesses, and community groups must become familiar with trade polices and their terminologies to reap the benefits of globalization and to minimize costs.

Understanding the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers Program – University of Florida Extension -- International trade liberalization and general globalization of the world economy have meant that growers, businesses, and community groups are constantly being presented with new opportunities and challenges.

International Agricultural Trade Disputes: Case Studies in North America – University of Florida Extension -- Border disputes between the United States, Canada, and Mexico over agricultural products as well as lumber are numerous and appear to be escalating.

Food Safety Issues in International Trade – University of Florida Extension -- Food safety regulations and their potential use as barriers and restrictions against food products in international trade have been a long-term concern.

The Role of GMOs in Trade Disputes – University of Florida Extension -- GMOs in agricultural products have met with consumer resistance both domestically and abroad, resulting in marketing and policies that could disrupt trade and international negotiations.

International Trade Resources

Trade Information Center – U.S. Department of Commerce -- Country information, export program guides, tariff and tax information, export resources, trade offices, trade events and industry information.

Trade Compliance Center – Export.gov -- Making America's Trade Agreements Work for You.

The Federation of International Trade Associations – FITA.gov -- The FITA Global Trade Portal, is the source for international import export trade leads, events, and links to 8,000 international trade (export import) related Websites.

International Trade Administration – Export.gov – Information on International Trade.

Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade (pdf) - Economic Research Service (ERS) and Foreign Agricultural Service (FSA), USDA.

USDA Economic Research Service - International Agriculture and Trade (WRS) A product of the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Reports in this series analyze the forces that are changing agriculture and agricultural trade in selected regions and trade areas. Analysis includes short- and long-term projections for productions, consumption, and trade of key commodities in the selected areas. Regions covered vary yearly; can include NAFTA, NIS and the Baltics, China, Europe, APEC, Africa and the Middle East, WTO, Western Hemisphere, etc.

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates - USDA, ERS - Issued monthly, WASDE provides the most current USDA forecasts of U.S. and world supply-use balances of major grains, soybeans and products, and cotton, and U.S. supply and use of sugar and livestock products.

Interactive Tariff and Trade Dataweb -- United States International Trade Commission -- The USITC Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb provides international trade statistics and U.S. tariff data to the public full-time and free of charge.

Trade Leads – ecplaza.net.

Show Me the Trade Data -- U.S. Trade Online -- Offering the most U.S. Foreign Trade Data.

Rules, Licenses and Other Requirements

Complete Library of Export Requirements - USDA Food Safety Inspection Service - This library provides information on foreign country export requirements for meat and poultry products.

INCOTERMS 2000 International Terms of Sale Definitions - Incoterms are standard trade definitions most commonly used in international sales contracts. Devised and published by the International Chamber of Commerce, they are at the heart of world trade. Among the best known Incoterms are EXW (Ex works), FOB (Free on Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), and CPT (Carriage Paid To).

Export Documentation – TradePort -- Below are the various trade documents that you may need for your transaction.

Export Administration Regulations – U.S. Government Printing Office.

Register with the Federal Trade Commission – Federal Trade Commission -- Request a registered identification number, and update or search existing ID numbers.

Become a Licensed Merchant Marine – U.S. Coast Guard -- Access information about U.S. mariner licensing and documentation requirements.

File a NAFTA Certificate of Origin -- Export.gov -- Classify your export product and file a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Certificate of Origin.

File a Shipper's Export Declaration -- AESDirect -- The U.S. Census Bureau's free, web-based system for filing a Shipper's Export Declaration (SED).

Trade/Investment Regulations -- Center for International Trade and Development -- U.S. and worldwide laws and regulations affecting market access and compliance.

U.S. Census Bureau Schedule B Export Classifications Codes - There are millions of trade transactions occurring each year. These transactions are classified under approximately 8,000 different products leaving the United States. Every item that is exported is assigned a unique 10-digit identification code.

Export Financing and Investment

Export Working Capital – Business.gov – The Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) was designed to provide short-term working capital to exporters.

International Trade Loans – Small Business Administration – If you business is preparing to engage in or is already engaged in international trade or is adversely affected by competition from imports, this program is designed for you.

Export-Import Bank -- The official export credit agency of the United States.  Its mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation – U.S. Government -- OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing the risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy.

Raising Money for Global Expansion – Entrepreneur.com -- Getting financing for your international venture isn't as simple as cashing a few traveler's checks.

Customs

U.S. Customs Service Exporting - Provides an overview of exporting issues related to the U.S.

U.S. Customs Service Importing - Provides an overview of importing issues related to the U.S.

Customs & Border Protection – U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Includes designated U.S. ports and forms.