FAQ: Services

I think that my company’s product would be successful in other countries, but I’m not sure how to get started in international business. Is there help for new exporters?

What are some resources that can help with exporting U.S. food and agricultural products?

Does the U.S. Federal Government have any programs to help advertise my products?

Are there sources of legal assistance for people who are new to exporting?

Where can I find information on trade statistics?

I think that my company’s product would be successful in other countries, but I’m not sure how to get started in international business. Is there help for new exporters?

Exporting can be profitable for U.S. companies, large and small. To learn more about getting started, visit the Export Basics section on the U.S. government’s export portal, export.gov. You’ll be able to take the Export Readiness Assessment and learn how to prepare to enter new markets. You can also talk to trade specialists at the U.S. Commercial Service’s Trade Information Center. Call 1-800-USA-TRAD(E)

What are some resources that can help with exporting U.S. food and agricultural products?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides numerous online resources for agricultural exporters, including import requirements for specific products and countries. For additional assistance with agricultural exports please contact the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: (202) 690-3576.

Does the U.S. Federal Government have any programs to help advertise my products?

Commercial News USA (CNUSA) is a catalog-magazine distributed outside of the United States, free of charge to buyers, through U.S. Embassies/Consulates and trading partners worldwide. It is the official United States Department of Commerce showcase for American-made products and services. Each issue reaches an estimated 400,000 readers worldwide in 176 countries. Exporters can advertise U.S. products and services in CNUSA by calling Associated Business Publications International at 1-800-581-8533, visiting the website at http://www.thinkglobal.us/index.html, or contacting local Department of Commerce U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC). A list of USEACs is available at http://www.export.gov/ by clicking on “Find a Local U.S. Office” or by calling 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723) and speaking with a Trade Information Center (TIC) international trade specialist.

International Catalog Exhibition Program is a low-cost, efficient way for small and medium-sized firms to obtain sales leads throughout the world without leaving the United States. The U.S. Commercial Service trade specialists located in international markets will translate your company profile into the local language, display your marketing materials, collect sales leads from interested local buyers, and then assist you as you follow up with the local contacts. For more information on the International Catalog Exhibition program, contact Export Promotion Services at (202) 482-3973 and view our Trade Events.

The Export Yellow Pages is used by foreign buyers as a reference tool to find U.S. goods and services. This service enables U.S. firms to present their products to a worldwide audience at not cost. U.S. firms can register their business profiles for free at http://www.myexports.com/.

For further assistance, please contact the Trade Information Center:

Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723)
Fax: (202) 482-4473
E-mail: tic@mail.doc.gov
Internet: http://www.export.gov

Are there sources of legal assistance for people who are new to exporting?

Department of Commerce Office of Chief Counsel for International Commerce: Information on various legal issues of interest to U.S. exporters on its website at http://www.osec.doc.gov/ogc/occic.

Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN): A nationwide group of attorneys with experience in international trade. Read More on the ELAN…

District Export Councils (DEC): Community business leaders whose knowledge of international business and trade serves as a valuable source of professional advice for local companies. Read More on the DEC…

American Bar Association (ABA): The ABA publishes information on the legal aspects of doing business in specific countries, including guides to foreign law firms and law organizations. Read More on the ABA…

China Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Advisory Program: Consultations for American small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) about IPR issues in the Chinese market: how to protect and enforce intellectual property rights (IPR), such as trademarks, patents or copyrights, in China. Read More on the Chine IPR Advisory Program…

For further assistance, please contact the Trade Information Center: