95% of the world’s consumers live in other countries. Advice and assistance on exporting is available at little to no cost if you know where to look. You may feel overwhelmed at the number of sources for information, but the truth is it is valuable to be familiar with all of these sources if you are thinking about starting an export based business. Let’s explore some source for information and advice on exporting.
The Trade Information Center (TIC) operates a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-USA-TRADE, for the Department of Commerce. The staff at TIC can provide information on locating and using government programs, the export process, market research, and basic export counseling.
Small Business Development Centers
The National Federation of International Trade Associations lists over 150 oranizations in the United States that help small businesses that are new to exporting enter into international markets. Most of these trade associations maintain libraries, databases, and established relationships with foreign governments.
Export Assistance Centers (EACs) are a network of international trade specialists maintained by the Department of Commerce. Trade specialists operate EACs in nearly 100 cities in the Unites States and Puerto Rico. EACs are like “one stop shops” because they combine trade and marketing expertise of the U.S. Commercial Service with the financial expertise of the Small Business Administration. They provide a wide array of services to businesses in one location.
Small Business Institutes (SBIs) provide small business owners with intensive management counseling from business students, who are all supervised by faculty members. SBIs provide a wide array of information on management challenges facing small businesses; this also includes finding the best foreign markets for specific products and services.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Development has industry and international trade specialists who work directly with individual firms to identify trade opportunities and obstacles by product or service, industry sector, and market. Trade development also has a wealth of statistical data and analysis of statistical data that can be very useful in developing an export business. The International Trade Administration (ITA) is also a valuable source of advice and information.
District Export Councils (DECs) are sponsored by the ITA and can serve as an excellent resource. The 51 DECs in the United States are staffed by 1,800 volunteers who are executives with international trade experience. The goal of the DEC is to promote small businesses that export goods.
The United States and Foreign Commercial Services (US&FCS) offices can help you acquire information about foreign markets, agent/distributor location services, trade barriers, trade leads, counseling on business opportunities, and prospects abroad.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers assistance and aid to small businesses through the Trade Assistance and Promotion Office (TAPO). This is the first contact point for business owner interest in foreign markets for agricultural products, or for assistance accessing government programs. With Trade Leads, Foreign Buyer Lists, and Buyer Alert Programs, the department offers several low-cost services to help U.S. exporters make direect contact with foreign buyers.
Most state commerce or state and local economic development agencies have international trade experts that can provide assistance to the interested entrepreneur.
Port Authorities are also a wealth of export information.
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