Sources of Exporting Information

April 13, 2006

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According to the U.S. Small Business Association, good sources for information and advice on exporting are:

Small Business Development Centers
Small Business Institutes, which provide small business owners with intensive management counseling from qualified business students who are supervised by faculty (SBIs provide advice on a wide range of management challenges facing small businesses — including finding the best foreign markets for particular products or services.)
Department of Commerce (The U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) International Trade Administration (ITA) is a valuable source of advice and information.)
District Export Councils (DECs), another useful ITA-sponsored resource (The 51 District Export Councils located around the United States are comprised of 1,800 executives with experience in international trade who volunteer to help small businesses export.)
the United States and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) offices, which provide information on foreign markets, agent/distributor location services, trade leads and counseling on business opportunities, trade barriers and prospects abroad
the United States Department of Agriculture (If you have an agricultural product, you should investigate the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).)
most state commerce and economic development offices, which have international trade specialists to assist you (Many states have overseas trade offices.)
Port Authorities, which are a wealth of export information
private organizations such as Exporters' Associations, World Trade Centers, import-export clubs and organizations such as the American Association of Exporters and Importers and the Small Business Exporter's Association
trade associations (The National Federation of International Trade Associations lists over 150 organizations in the U.S. to help new-to-export small businesses enter international markets. Many of these associations maintain libraries, databanks and established relationships with foreign governments to assist in your exporting efforts.)