Embassy of the United States Spain

The U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library (MRL) is the best way to obtain country and industry specific market research. The website provides access to the MRL, which contains more than 100,000 market reports, web sites, events, and trade directory listings.

In the MRL you can find the Country Commercial Guides (CCGs), which provide comprehensive views of a selected country's commercial environment, including, market, economic, and political conditions, best export sectors, trade regulations, investment incentives, finance techniques, upcoming trade events, marketing strategies, services for exporters, business travel tips, etc. In addition, CCGs include important government and trade association contacts in a given country. CCGs are also available free-of-charge through the MRL by selecting "Market Research Library” from within the text of the webpage, then select the desired country in the <country> field and “country commercial guide” in the <report type> field of the search engine.

Additional information is also available on export and import statistics.

There are also numerous services available from the International Trade Administration that enable you to obtain customized market research reports to help determine the overall marketability of your product, identify key competitors, and possible business partners, as well as learn about distribution networks. For more information, please contact your local Export Assistance Center. Locate the Export Assistance Center nearest you or call 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) to speak to a Trade Information Center (TIC) international trade specialist.

In addition, many countries maintain their own web pages with business information specific to that country. For a list of foreign embassies in the United States posted on the Internet, visit http://www.embassy.org.

The Trade Information Center (TIC) does not have comprehensive lists such as these, but can direct callers to other useful resources, such as:

The International Partner Search,
Commercial Officers in foreign trade offices, embassies, and consulates,
Foreign Trade Associations,
The Foreign trade Register,
Kompass International Trade Directories, and
AllBusiness.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NMFS, otherwise known as NOAA Fisheries, works with fishing industry representatives and organizations to facilitate access to foreign markets. In cooperation with the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, NMFS assists exporters seeking information on export inspection services for fishery exports and issues U.S. government certifications. The NMFS can be contacted at:

• Office of Constituent Services: (301) 713-2379 for market access and standards issues. Or visit them online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/
• Seafood Inspection Services Division: (301) 713-2355 for information on export inspection services and foreign country requirements. Or visit them online at http://seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov/
• National Marine Fisheries Service website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) is the first point of contact for agricultural export advice and information on USDA export and marketing programs, foreign market research, trade data by country and commodity, trade policy and regulations, export sales, and trade leads. The FAS can be contacted at:

Office of Outreach and Exporter Assistance: (202) 720-7420.
Email: USTHelp@fas.usda.gov
Internet: http://www.fas.usda.gov

The FAS website contains many useful research materials, including World Production, Trade and Market Reports, and Attaché Reports. 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@trade.gov
Internet: http://www.export.gov

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, 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 one their website for free.

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@trade.gov
Internet: http://www.export.gov

Several legal assistance resources are available to help businesses that 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:
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723)
Fax: (202) 482-4473
E-mail: TIC@trade.gov
Internet: http://www.export.gov