International Trade Resources
Trade.gov Portal: Market intelligence, practical advice, and business tools developed by the USDOC/ITA international trade specialists and economists to help U.S. companies understand how to export, connect with foreign buyers, and expand operations in new markets.
Trade Finance Guide: ITA's 2022 Trade Finance Guide: NASBITE International is pleased to join with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration to announce the release of the newly updated "Trade Finance Guide" (2022 Edition). This valuable resource serves as a quick reference for U.S. exporters, explaining the basics of trade finance so that U.S. companies can evaluate appropriate financing options to ensure they get paid for their sales.
Export Programs Guide: This comprehensive guide describes useful programs from more than 20 U.S. Government agencies that help U.S. companies export their goods and services to markets around the world.
USDA/FAS Portal: Information on U.S. agricultural sales by commodity and country. Insight and analysis on issues affecting agricultural production and trade; data on international trade in the agricultural, fish, forest, and textile products industries; and data on production, supply, and distribution of agricultural commodities for the U.S. and key producing and consuming countries.
ITCI Trade Information Database (TID Portal): An extensive one-stop source of trade information, tools, and other resources drawn from U.S., international, and non-governmental websites offering: direct links to export/import guides; trade reference tools; product-and-country specific statistics and market research; trade directories and trade opportunities; tariff and non-tariff trade barriers; trade promotion programs; guides to trade finance, documentation, and transportation; and sources of trade assistance.
ITA Commercial Service: Offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade. Through the ITA, corporations can find assistances locally in more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nation-wide.
USDOC & ITA Office of Trade Agreements and Compliance (TANC): The United States Department of Commerce's Office of Trade Agreement Negotiations and Compliance (TANC) is responsible for ensuring U.S. businesses benefit from trade agreements by overseeing their implementation and resolving trade barriers. TANC works to uphold fair trade practices and promotes American exports through negotiation support and compliance enforcement.
USDOC National District Export Council (NADEC): Advises the U.S. Department of Commerce on international trade and export development policies and programs. It also supports the expansion of U.S. exports by providing a link between the business community and government agencies.
USDOC Bureau of Census: Conducts the decennial census, providing crucial demographic data and statistics for the U.S. population, and gathers various economic and housing data to inform public policy and business decisions.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Responsible for policies related to farming, agriculture, and food. It promotes agricultural production, food safety, conservation of natural resources, and rural development.
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS): Works to promote U.S. agricultural exports, develop foreign markets, and provide food assistance and agricultural resources to international partners.
FAS Overseas Offices and Staff: The international offices of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
USDA Agricultural Research Service: Conducts scientific research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems, ensuring food safety, improving natural resources, and enhancing agricultural productivity.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: Facilitates the efficient, fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products, ensuring quality, grading, and standards, and supporting economic opportunities for producers.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Supports small businesses through access to loans, contracts, counseling, and other resources. It helps entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed in their ventures.
USDA Economic Research Service: Provides research, analysis, and data on agricultural economics and policy, helping inform decisions on agricultural production, trade, and food security.
SBA Office of International Trade: Assists small businesses in expanding their international reach by providing export financing, training, and technical assistance, and advocating for their interests in trade policy.
SBA Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): SBDCs offer free or low-cost consulting and training services to small businesses, helping them start, grow, and compete in domestic and global markets.
SBA Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): Provides free mentoring, resources, and advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs from experienced volunteer business professionals.
SBA Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN): Offers free legal advice to small businesses on exporting matters through a network of volunteer international trade attorneys.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): Administers foreign aid and development assistance to promote economic growth, improve health and education, and support democratic governance in developing countries.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA): Helps U.S. businesses compete in the global marketplace by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions that promote U.S. exports.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): Focuses on energy policies, research, and development. It oversees the nation's energy production, distribution, and conservation efforts, as well as promotes renewable energy technologies.
DOE Office of Policy & International Affairs: Develops policies and coordinates international energy activities, promoting energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability through international cooperation.
Energy Information Administration: Provides independent statistics and analysis on U.S. energy production, consumption, and trends to inform public policy and market decisions as well as provide information for any potential opportunities in International Trade.
Export-Import Bank (EXIM): Facilitates U.S. exports by providing financing and insurance to foreign buyers of American goods and services. It helps mitigate credit risks and promotes U.S. exports in global markets.
International Financial Corporation (IFC): Offers investment, advisory, and asset-management services to encourage private-sector development in less developed countries.
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR): U.S. Trade Representatives negotiate and enforce international trade agreements, advocating for U.S. economic interests and promoting fair trade practices globally.
Federal Reserve Board (FRB): The central banking system of the United States responsible for monetary policy. It oversees banks, regulates financial markets, and aims to maintain stable prices and maximum employment.
U.S. Treasury Department Small Business Programs: Supports small business growth and access to capital through initiatives like the Small Business Lending Fund and the State Small Business Credit Initiative.
U.S. Government Trade Promotion Programs and Services
ITA User Fees: The various fees incurred for services provided by the International Trade Administration (ITA).
ThinkGlobal: A news source and a blog for businesses dealing in global trade and international finance.
ITA International Partner Search: A service provided by the International Trade Administration. It provides U.S. companies with a list of up to five partners/distributors that have expressed an interest in the client’s goods/services. The service includes identification and outreach to potential matching firms, sending clients’ information to identified matching firms, preparing a profile of interested firms, and providing a report with the profile and contact information for interested firms.
ITA Gold Key Matching Services: Provides U.S. companies with matchmaking appointments with up to five interested partners in a foreign market. The full service includes identification and outreach to potential matching firms, sending clients’ information to identified matching firms, preparing a profile of interested firms, attending the appointments, and providing a report with the profile and contact information for interested firms.
ITA International Company Profiles: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with a comprehensive background report on a specific foreign company, including general business information, background and product information, key officials, references contacted by ITA, financial data/creditworthiness information, reputational information, a site visit, and interviews with principals; information sources consulted in preparing the report, and analysis of information collected.
ITA Trade Fair Certification Program: The U.S International Trade Administration's Trade Fair Certification (TFC) program is a cooperative partnership arrangement between private-sector show organizers and the U.S. government to increase U.S. exports and to expand U.S. participation in overseas trade shows.
ITA Single Company Promotion: Provides a U.S. firm or locality with a promotional event (such as a technical seminar, press conference, luncheon, dinner, cocktail reception, etc.) to help increase awareness of their locality or existing/new products/services in a specific market, including organizing the event logistics/venue; conducting a targeted direct mail or e-mail campaigns; managing the promotional campaign and event-related logistics; providing logistical and promotional support on-site during the event, and providing a post-event debriefing to discuss next steps.
ITA Featured U.S. Exporters (FUSE) Program: FUSE is an online directory of U.S. products and services featured on U.S. Commercial Service websites around the world. It gives companies an opportunity to reach prospects in the local language of the target market.
USDOC Trade Missions Program: Trade missions are led by U.S. Department of Commerce industry experts and designed for U.S. businesses who will travel to target countries. Each year, numerous U.S. companies participate in U.S. Department of Commerce-organized trade missions.
WUSATA Branded Program for Agriculture Exporters (FundMatch): Provides Financial support to agricultural and agriculture adjacent corporations throughout the United States.
Agriculture Export Help from SUSTA: A non-profit organization that facilitates trade between small to medium-sized southern U.S. companies and overseas importers.
U.S. Government Trade Regulatory Organizations
USDOC Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS): Regulates the export of sensitive goods, software, and technology to ensure national security and protect against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It also enforces compliance with export control laws and fosters strategic technological leadership.
U.S. State Dept. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC): Controls the export and temporary import of defense articles and services, enforcing the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.
U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC): Administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and other threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Protects U.S. agriculture and natural resources from invasive pests and diseases, manages wildlife damage, and regulates genetically engineered organisms to ensure the health and value of American agricultural products.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA ensures the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, food supplies, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation, thereby protecting public health.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Safeguards America's borders, facilitating lawful international trade and travel while preventing the illegal movement of people and goods, including terrorism, narcotics, and contraband.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Enforces immigration laws, conducts investigations to prevent illegal immigration, human trafficking, and cybercrime, and ensures the removal of individuals who violate immigration laws.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO): Grants patents and registers trademarks, promoting innovation and economic growth by protecting intellectual property rights and providing valuable patent and trademark information.
U.S. Copyright Office: The Copyright Office administers the national copyright system, promoting creativity by registering copyrights, recording documents, and providing guidance on copyright law and policy.
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC): Provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against unfair trade practices, including intellectual property infringement.
U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD): Promotes the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced U.S. merchant marine, supporting national security and commerce through shipping, shipbuilding, and port operations.
USDOJ Fraud Section (FCPA Enforcement): The United States Department of Justice's section on criminal fraud and what specifically constitutes as fraud from an international financial perspective.
U.S. Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Ensures the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials by pipeline and other modes of transportation, reducing risks to public health and the environment.
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC): Regulates the U.S. international ocean transportation system, ensuring a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation supply system while protecting the public from unfair and deceptive practices.
Federal Reserve Board Banking Information & Regulations: The Federal Reserve Board's Banking Information & Regulations page encompass a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines governing the U.S. banking system to ensure its safety, soundness, and stability.
U.S. State & Local Economic and Trade Development Organizations
State International Development Organizations (SIDO): The State International Development Organizations, Inc. (SIDO) is the premiere U.S. organization dedicated to supporting state international trade agencies and focuses exclusively on state international trade development. Through a close partnership with The Council of State Governments (CSG), SIDO members contribute specialized expertise, information and resources to support the overall goal of promoting state international trade programs.
National Organization of Development Organizations (NADO): A 501c4 membership association that represents the interests of regional community and economic development practitioners. NADO represents a national network of more than 500 Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) across the country and advocates for federal policies and programs that promote equitable community development, economic competitiveness, rural development, economic mobility, and quality of place.
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