| Publication | Description |
|---|---|
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"Basic Guide to Exporting" - 1998 Edition
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This publication is an authoritative and expert reference tool to enable you to find success in the international marketplace. |
| "Business Ethics": A Manual for Managing a Responsible Enterprise in Emerging Market Economies |
This manual is designed as a training tool for enterprises operating in countries that have just recently transitioned to a market economy. It will also be useful to decision-makers in any organization that is seeking to design and implement a business ethics program that conforms to global standards. |
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This publication lists the characteristics of electric current available and the type of attachment plugs used in over 150 countries. |
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"Export America" is a U.S. Department of Commerce monthly trade publication that serves as an excellent resource for any exporter seeking to enter or expand in the global marketplace. |
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"Export Programs Guide" - 2006 Edition |
The Export Programs Guide has been the most comprehensive guide to federal programs that assist U.S. exporters, detailing over 100 programs offered by 19 federal agencies. |
| International Trade Administration (ITA) Publications | This is the central source for acces to the studies and reports published by the International Trade Administration |
| "Protect Your Intellectual Property; Stop Trade in Fakes" | This booklet provides basic information on how to obtain and enforce intellectual property rights both domestically and abroad. |
| "Trade Finance Guide" | A quick reference for U.S. exporters has been written to help U.S. companies learn the fundamentals of trade finance. |
Getting Started
Determining what to do consider before exporting can be a difficult process. The following links will provide a start in the right direction for export assistance.
| Agency/Organization | Description |
|---|---|
| Export Assistance, Minnesota District Export Council | This web publication provides consolidated electronic documentation on export education, export tools, and how-to information. |
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The Trade Information Center (TIC) is a first stop for companies seeking export assistance from the government and its comprehensive export counseling programs. |
| U.S. Government's Export Portal |
Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace. |
Market Research
Companies who gain intelligence for determining the approriate foreign markets for its products or services will become better prepared for market entry. The best sources of market research and statistical gathering predominantly come from the U.S. government.
| Agency/Organization | Description |
|---|---|
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The Bureau collects and publishes comparative statistical information on labor conditions and developments abroad. |
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| Country Tariff Information | This page contains country specific tariff and tax information, as well as internet links to online sources. |
| DistributorMatch | DistributorMatch provides a global forum for manufacturers and distributors from all countries to locate and maximize global distribution relationships. |
| Foreign Agricultural Service/USDA | The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. |
| International Trade and Economic Statistics | Export.gov provides statistics on which markets are the best opportunities for your exports. |
| Kompass.com | This site is one of the best resources to find out about companies around the world. It contains over 1.8 million companies in 75 countries; 23 million product and service references. |
| MSU-Center for International Business | globalEDGE is a knowledge web-portal that connects international business professionals worldwide to a wealth of information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities. |
| ThomasNet | ThomasNet helps industrial sellers target their marketing investment to reach the most qualified industrial buyers online and convert them into customers. They have helped thousands of clients create websites that incorporate online catalogs, CAD drawings and e-commerce capabilities. |
| United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics | The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) contains detailed imports and exports statistics reported by statistical authorities of close to 200 countries or areas. The database is continuously updated with data recorded from 1962 to the present. UN Comtrade is considered the most comprehensive trade database available with more than 1 billion records. |
| UN Development Business Online | UNDB has been the only business publication providing a comprehensive source for locating sales and consulting leads for projects financed by the United Nations, governments and the world's leading development banks. |
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The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. They provide information on foreign trade statistics, regulations, and trade news. |
| U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library |
The library contains more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts. |
| U.S. Department of Commerce |
The library contains more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts. |
| U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Office of Trade and Economic Analysis | The Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (OTEA) conducts a comprehensive program of data developement, dissemination, and research and analysis on international and domestric trade and investment issues to support trade promotion and trade policy. |
Sources of information
Companies who keep up-to-date with the developments of international trade will become well-informed to conduct effective business with their international partners.
| Agency/Organization | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Trade Matters | The California Council for International Trade provides a weekly newsletter with commentary, news, and resources. This is an excellent source for businesses looking to get current on international trade issues. |
| International Monetary Fund | The IMF publishes the Direction of Trade Statistics Yearbook, which provides seven years of data for about 186 countries and two sets of world and area summaries: world and area trade seen by the reporting countries and as seen by the partner countries. |
| Office of the U.S. Trade Representative | This office is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and leading or directing negotiations with other countries on such matters. The U.S. Trade Representative is a Cabinet member who serves as the President's principal advisor, negotiator, and spokersperson on trade and related investment matters. |
| Oil and Gas International | Oil and Gas International is the world's leading online source of upstream petroleum industry news, information, and analysis. |
| World Trade Magazine | The World Trade Magazine provides a helpful monthly bulletin on features and news briefs about pending commerce and trade issues around the world. |
| World Trade Organization (WTO) | The WTO provides serveral resources for global trade statistics. this website contains selected statistics on trade in merchandise and services at the world and regional levels, developments in major product categories and historical developments in international trade at the aggregate level. |
Harmonized Number Classification
For every item, there is a customs classification number that ensures that customs authorities recognize the product and that the appropriate customs fees are assessed. Exporters need to know the HTS/Schedule B number for their products.
| Agency/Organization | Description |
|---|---|
| U.S. Census Bureau |
The Census Bureau can help classify products and search for the appropriate Schedule B number. |
Export Regulations and Standards
If an exporter does not follow the rules and regulations, they can be fined or lose their privilege to export. The following links will help direct whether you need a license.
| Agency/Organization | Description |
|---|---|
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European Union Regulations and Standards
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If you're entering the EU marketplace, this site will start you on the road to regulatory compliance and recommends websites for an introduction to the range of legislation and standards that may be applicable to your product. |
| International Organization for Standardization |
ISO is the world's largest developer of standards. Although ISO's principal activity is the development of technical standards, ISO standards also have important economic and social repercussions. ISO is the world's largest developer of standards. Although ISO's principal activity is the development of technical standards, ISO standards also have important economic and social repercussions. |
| U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security |
The mission of the Bureau of Industry and Security is to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic interests by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership. |
| U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission | The NRC is the U.S. licensing authority for exports and imports of nuclear materials and equipment. The NRC's mission is to regulate the Nation's civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials. |
| U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls | The U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls Response Team fields basic process and status questions, and assists exporters in identifying what they need to do to get answers to more complex questions involving issues substantively handled by DDTC's licensing and compliance offices. Also available are resources on ITAR, the Arms Export Control Act, and specific licensing issues. |
| U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) | OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. |