Start an Export Business

Doing business internationally may seem overwhelming at first. However, there are a number of government programs that offer training, counseling, and financial assistance to small businesses wanting to export their products and services.

Basic Information

The following resources will prepare you to start exporting your products and services overseas.

• Guide to Exporting
  This guide, available for purchase from the Department of Commerce, explains exporting basics such as identifying markets, financing export transactions, and handling orders.
• Export Basics
  A primer to help you assess your business's export readiness, understand what you need to know and consider before pursuing an international sales strategy, and, when you are ready, develop and implement your export strategy
• Exporter's Guide to Trade Agreements
  A list of all trade agreements affecting U.S. businesses in the international marketplace
• International Trade: Online Course
  Free "Taking Your Business Global" course on exporting and doing business overseas
• International Trade: Take Your Business Global
  Information for businesses that are interested in expanding their presence in international markets
• Export University 101 Webinar
  Methods and strategies to help you successfully export your products abroad
  

In-Person Assistance

The federal government offers free in-person counseling services to help small business obtain export financing and locate business opportunities overseas.

• U.S. Export Assistance Centers
  Located in major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S., these centers provide small and medium-sized businesses with local, personalized export assistance by professionals from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank and other public and private organizations.
• Contact a Trade Specialist Near You
  The U.S. Commercial Service provides a network of export and industry specialists located in over 100 U.S. cities and 80 countries. These professionals provide free counseling and a variety of services to assist small and midsized U.S. business export efforts.
• USTDA Consultant Database for Small Businesses
  The U.S. Trade and Development Agency provides this database of companies and individuals providing fee-based consulting services to small businesses interested in importing and exporting.

Finding Business Opportunities

If you are looking to bid on overseas contracts, grants or business opportunities, there are a few programs available to help you with your bid.

• Advocacy Assistance for U.S. Exporters: What You Need to Know
  The U.S. Department of Commerce's Advocacy Center has helped hundreds of U.S. companies--small, medium and large enterprises--in various industry sectors win government contracts across the globe.
• U.S. Trade and Development Agency : Info for U.S. Exporters
  Find out about current contracting opportunities with USTDA grant recipients in host countries.

Export Controls and Licenses

Most export transactions do not require specific approval in the form of licenses from the U.S. government, although regulations regarding all exports must be followed. To determine whether a license is needed to export a particular commercial product or service, an exporter must first classify the item by identifying what is called it's Export Control Classification Number (ECCN). 

For general information on export licensing and regulations, visit Export.gov - Regulations and Licenses.  In addition, several other federal agencies have specific export licensing requirements.

The following resources provide further information on export controls and licensing:

• Export Controls and Licensing Requirements: An Introduction
  This page is designed to give people who are new to exporting, and, in particular, new to export controls, a general understanding of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) regulations and how to use them.
• Export Licensing Guidance
  This section is designed to assist visitors through the export licensing process and provides important information that individuals and firms need to know before exporting, including essential publications, frequently asked questions, and forms.
  
• U.S. Export Controls and Licensing: Training and Seminars
  The Bureau of Industry and Security offers a wide range of export control workshops, from complying with U.S. export controls to training sessions for freight forwarders and help in initiating an export management system.
• U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security: Export Policies and Regulations
  Provides links to regulations governing exports of dual-use commodities, software, and technology. This site also includes discussions of certain key regulatory policy areas, including policies governing exports of high performance computers, exports of encryption products, deemed exports, U.S. anti-boycott regulations, special regional considerations, the multilateral export control regimes, and the technical advisory committees.
• Governmental Rejections
  Guidelines for why goods may be rejected by the government of an importer’s country, including bans on goods and labeling.
  

Exporting Technology

The exporting of technology has its own set of rules and regulations. Technology and Source Code Exports (Deemed Export Rule) answers frequently asked questions about exporting technology and source code.

The European Commission's Directive on Data Protection prohibits the transfer of personal data to non-European Union nations that do not meet the European 'adequacy' standard for privacy protection. The Safe Harbor Portal provides assistance to U.S. companies trying to avoid interruptions in their business dealings with the European Union countries or facing prosecution by European authorities under European privacy laws.

• The Safe Harbor Program: Understand Data Privacy Laws When Doing Business in the European Union
  This brief article provides a general overview of the Safe Harbor Program, its benefits, and how your business can participate
  

Protecting Intellectual Property Overseas

Currently, there are no universal, internationally-recognized trade name and trademark protection laws, however, you can take measures to protect your business name and intellectual property rights when doing business outside of the US.

• How to Legally Protect Your Business Name on a Local, National, and International Level
  This brief article highlights some of the international systems that can help you maximize your IP protection.

Compared to their larger counterparts, small businesses are often more vulnerable to piracy and intellectual property theft due to limited resources and expertise.  The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) also provides resources dedicated to small business patent, trademark, and copyright issues, including global concerns, at Stop Fakes.Gov.

Shipping Your Products Overseas

When shipping a product overseas, an exporter must be aware of packing, labeling, documentation, insurance and other requirements of the destination country. Because of the paperwork involved, most exporters rely on a third-party international freight forwarder to perform these services.

• Get Started in Shipping
  This brief article provides practical and regulatory information for international shippers.
• Export Expenses: What to Expect When You Sell Internationally
  This brief article summarizes common export-related expenses.

To find an international freight forwarder and learn about specific requirements for international shipping, visit Export.gov's International Logistics web site.

FAQs and Publications

The following resources provide answers to common questions about exporting overseas.

• Export Library
  SBA's trade library provides information and resources to assist businesses entering and competing in the global marketplace.
• Doing Business Abroad FAQs
  The U.S. State Department offers this guide to doing business in international markets. Includes frequently asked questions about doing business abroad, facilitating overseas investment, trade restrictions, and assistance for foreign companies.
• Avoid International Financial Scams
  Provides guidelines on how to avoid international business scams when conducting business overseas.