FAQ: Trade Information Center (TIC)
What is the Trade Information Center (TIC)? How do I get export assistance?
Does the Trade Information Center have lists of company-specific information?
What is the Trade Information Center (TIC)? How do I get export assistance?
The Trade Information Center (TIC) is the first stop for companies seeking export assistance from the U.S. Government. TIC international trade specialists:
 | Advise exporters on how to locate and use government export programs; |
| Guide businesses through the export process; |
| Direct businesses to market research, statistics, and trade leads; |
| Provide information on domestic and overseas trade events and activities; |
| Explain sources of public and private export financing; |
| Refer businesses to U.S. Export Assistance Centers as-well-as state and local trade organizations that can provide additional ongoing assistance. |
The TIC also provides export counseling for the Americas (including NAFTA), Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. TIC international trade specialists can help exporters with questions about:
| Import tariffs, taxes, and customs procedures, especially for free trade agreements; |
| Commercial standards, regulations and practices and intellectual property rights; |
| Distribution channels, business travel, and other market information; |
| Opportunities and best prospects for U.S. companies in individual markets; |
| Difficulties encountered on specific commercial transactions. |
Does the Trade Information Center have lists of company-specific information?
The TIC does not have comprehensive lists of American manufacturers and suppliers; other U.S. importers and exporters; or export trading / export management companies. For this type of information, please consider the following resources:
The U.S. Exporters' Yellow Pages™, produced by Global Publishers LLC in cooperation with the International Trade Administration's Office of Export Trading Company Affairs, is an annual directory of United States companies involved in international business. This free publication features over 20,000 U.S. export service providers, trading companies, and manufacturers that have registered their export interests through Department of Commerce U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC) located in more than 100 cities nationwide. The U.S. Exporters’ Yellow Pages™ is available on the Internet at http://myexports.com and in hard copy through USEAC offices.
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) provides country profiles, risk analyses, company lists, and reports on various topics related to business and trade. D&B can be reached by telephone at 1-800-932-0025, or on the Internet at http://www.dnb.com.
ThomasNet, powered by Thomas Register, provides listings of U.S. and foreign manufacturers worldwide. ThomasNet can be reached by telephone at 1-800-699-9822, or on the Internet at http://www.thomasnet.com.
Kompass International Trade Directories provide product, contact, and other information for 1.8 million companies worldwide. Each individual company is checked by the local Kompass publisher, usually once each year. All companies are classified under the Kompass Product Classification – one of the most comprehensive in the world with more than 53,000 products and services. You can search this site in any of 17 languages using a products and services search. Kompass USA can be reached by telephone at (203) 503-6789 or 1-877-KOMPASS, or accessed on the Internet at http://www.kompass-usa.com.
Industry associations generally have directories of their members.
Additionally, the following publications (available in many local libraries) contain lists of industry trade associations:
| Encyclopedia of Associations |
| National Trade and Professional Associations of the United States |
Private publications that list U.S. manufacturers and suppliers include:
| Harris Manufacturing Directory is published by Harris Publishing (telephone – 1-800-888-5900; http://www.harrisinfo.com). |
Other relevant publications include:
| Thomas Global Register is published by Thomas International Publishing (telephone – (212) 629-2100; http://www.thomasglobal.com). |
Directory of U.S. Importers and Exporters is published by The Journal of Commerce (telephone – 1-888-215-6084; http://www.joc.com).
Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries and Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the United States is published by Uniworld Business Publications (http://www.uniworldbp.com).
These publications are also available at many local libraries.
Note: This document does not include all private sector sources of trade information nor does it represent an endorsement of any particular service or source by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The TIC and USA Trade Center services are available to assist with export questions:
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723)
Fax: (202) 482-4473
Email: tic@ita.doc.gov
Web: http://www.export.gov/
Free Trade Agreements (FTA) Compliance Team:
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723)
(select appropriate "regional" option)
Fax: (202) 482-4473
Email: tic@ita.doc.gov
Web: http://www.export.gov/fta
China Business Information Center (China BIC):
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723)
(select “China” regional option)
Fax: (202) 482-4473
Email: chinabic@mail.doc.gov
Web: http://www.export.gov/china
Middle East & North Africa Business Information Center (MENABIC):
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723)
(select “Mid-East” regional option)
Fax: (202) 482-4473
Email: menabic@mail.doc.gov
Web: http://www.export.gov/middleeast
Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS):
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723) or (202) 482-4655
(select "NIS" option)
Fax: (202) 482-2293
Email: bisnis@ita.doc.gov
Web: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/