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Export Assistance

Made in USA

United States Commercial Service

The United States Commercial Service (USCS) is the trade promotion arm of the International Trade Administration within the United States Department of Commerce. The mission of the USCS is to promote the export of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small- and medium-sized businesses; to represent U.S. business interests internationally; and to help U.S. businesses find qualified international partners.

The USCS helps U.S. small and medium sized business grow international sales by providing:

* Online and customized market research.

* Support for U.S. exhibitors in selected overseas and domestic trade shows to attract qualified business partners.

* Fee-based programs to introduce exporters of U.S. products to qualified buyers and distributors.

* Individualized counseling and advocacy.

* Training programs on subjects such as export documentation, export controls, and the basics of exporting.

The core of the USCS is the network of international trade specialists in U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and the USCS commercial officers, specialists, assistants and other staff located at USCS offices in U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 150 cities in 80 countries.

USCS links to assist your business:

Find an Export Assistance Center

Contact a Trade Specialist Near You

U.S. Government International Financing Programs

U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library

Common Export Documents

Export Licenses

Trade Events

Report a trade barrier

Export.gov

Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning international sales strategies and succeeding in today's global marketplace. Export.gov was also created to provide better customer service for businesses interacting with the Federal Government. The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration manages Export.gov as a collaborative effort with the 19 Federal Agencies that offer export assistance programs and services.

From market research and trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service to export finance information from Export-Import BankSmall Business Administration to agricultural export assistance from USDA, Export.gov helps American exporters navigate the international sales process and avoid pitfalls such as non-payment and intellectual property misappropriation.

Whether you are a small business or a large business, you have access to a wide range of resources to help you expand sales abroad, increase jobs and opportunity in the United States, and improve your company's profitability.

Export-Import Bank of the United States

The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) is the principal government agency responsible for aiding the export of American goods and services, and thereby creating and sustaining U.S. jobs, through a variety of loan, guarantee, and insurance programs. Generally, its programs are available to any American export firm regardless of size.

The Ex-Im Bank focuses much of its energy and resources to providing support to U.S. small businesses for export of U.S. made products. There are no transactions, in terms of dollars, that are too small for the Ex-Im Bank to consider. Programs aimed at this sector include Export Credit Insurance, and Working Capital Guarantee programs.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is an agency of the United States Government established in 1971 that helps U.S. businesses invest overseas and promotes economic development in new and emerging markets.

OPIC's mission is to "foster economic development in new and emerging markets, support U.S. foreign policy and create U.S. jobs by helping U.S. businesses to invest overseas." The agency provides political risk insurance against the risks of inconvertibility, political violence, or expropriation. OPIC also provides financing through direct loans and loan guarantees.

United States Trade and Development Agency

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is a foreign assistance agency that advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency accomplishes its mission by providing grant funding to overseas project sponsors for various activities, including technical assistance, feasibility studies, and training.  USTDA awards grants directly to overseas project sponsors who, in turn, select U.S. companies to perform agency-funded activities.  The sponsor may be a government institution at the national, state/provincial, or local level, or it may be a local private company.

USTDA activities are designed to facilitate U.S. private sector participation in overseas development projects that have the potential to generate significant exports of U.S. goods and services.  The agency also promotes overseas development by providing project sponsors with access to U.S. private sector solutions to their development needs.

Related topics:

Small Business
Trade & Development

Related links:

U.S. Commercial Service
Export.gov
U.S. Export-Import Bank
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
U.S. Trade and Development Agency