A BASIC GUIDE TO EXPORTING

For more that 30 years, A Basic Guide to Exporting, an official publication from the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, has been the standard resource used by businesses to find answers to their questions about how to establish and grow overseas markets for their products and services.  Whether a firm is new to exporting, or in need of a refresher on the latest ideas and techniques, this comprehensive guide - now completely revised and updated - provides the nuts-and-bolts information needed to meet the challenges of the world economy:  How to identify markets for your company's products; How to finance your export transactions; The best methods of handling orders and shipments; and Sources of free or low-cost expert counseling.  Businesses also will find numerous real-life examples that illustrate the principles of exporting, samples of forms needed to export, and - in two valuable appendices - detailed information on how to obtain guidance and counseling offered by the Federal Government through its domestic network of 108 Export Assistance Centers, and through commercial counselors located in U.S. embassies abroad.  The Guide is available for $19.95 from the U.S. Government Printing Office at  http://bookstore.gpo.gov/actions/GetPublication.do?stocknumber=003-009-00733-0.

SAUDI ARABIA IMPLEMENTS NEW CUSTOMS LABELING REGULATIONS

The Saudi Arabian Department of Customs has announced that circular number 99S/43M, stating all items being shipped to Saudi Arabia through Jeddah, and Dammam, Riyadh ports must have the country of origin engraved or affixed by a non-removable sticker, is effective immediately.  If the product is not labeled with the country of origin, the item wil be returned to the sender, who will be held responsible for any cost incurred in extra labor, shipping, and penalty charges.  Duty-exempted cargo must also be labeled with the country of origin.  Any items imported before January 27, 2009 that are still inside the Department of Customs and lacking a proper label must be correctly labeled within two weeks from the date of release.  For more information, please contact Ms. Sahar Nadri at the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council at 703-962-9300.

ONLINE GUIDE TO FOREIGN TRADE REGULATIONS

The U.S. Census Bureau has published a useful online guide to the Foreign Trade Regulations that may help to answer many of those “technical” questions that come up. The guide is helpful in understanding rules and requirements under the Electronic Export Information filing system that has replaced the Shipper’s Export Declarations.  To view, go to http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/regs/flipper/index.html.

MANDATORY ELECTRONIC SED FILING, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2008 

The U.S. Census Bureau has issued the final rule, which requires mandatory filing of export information through the Automated Export System (AES) or through the AES Direct for all shipments where a Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) is required. For details on this important rule, go to http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/mandatory/index.html.