A Basic Guide to Exporting

A Basic Guide to Exporting is the US Department of Commerce's respected introduction to exporting. It is designed to help US firms learn the costs and risks associated with exporting and develop a strategy for success. The Guide discusses what decisions need to be made and where to get the knowledge to make them. It also directs the reader to sources of assistance throughout the US federal and state governments, as well as the private sector. The 16 chapters of the Guide are divided into three sections, covering before the sale, making the sale, and after the sale issues. The Guide also includes five appendices on export terms, US federal export assistance, US state and local assistance, US and overseas contacts in major foreign markets, and a selected bibliography.

http://www.unzco.com/basicguide/

Center for International Development - Trade Information Database

A database of international trade leads from the U.S. and other governmental agencies available for a fee.

http://elcamino.citd.org/trade_info/sections.cfm?sid=23

Doing Business

World Bank site that provides detailed information on the time, costs, and procedures required for trading and doing business in 175 countries".

http://www.doingbusiness.org

Don'ts of Exporting

Article by the law firm of Gatti and Associates listing 17 Don'ts of exporting.

http://www.gattiassociates.com/CM/Articles/Articles1275.asp

Don'ts of Importing

Article by the law firm of Gatti and Associates listing 15 Don'ts of importing.

http://www.gattiassociates.com/CM/Articles/Articles1277.asp

e-Business Trade Roadmap

Canadian government site that offers an overview of the international trade challenges posed by operating an electronic business in the global marketplace through all stages of an international transaction.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/dir-ect.nsf/en/h_uw00225e.html

E-Commerce Toolbox

US Department of Commerce ITA’s Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce (OTEC) in Manufacturing and Services recently launched an innovative web site that advises firms about how to use the Internet to export.

http://www.export.gov/sellingonline

Export 101

Export 101 provides a user-friendly introduction to many fundamental and logistical aspects of exporting. Each chapter listed contains detailed information about the topic and a list of useful web site links.

http://www.foodexportusa.org/export101/

Export Blueprint

Video course for starting and expanding an export business.

http://www.exportblueprint.com/

Export Institute USA's Ask the Experts

Website where questions can be asked about exporting.

http://www.exportinstitute.com/askthe_experts.htm

Export Plan Guides & Tools

Australian government website that offers links to guides for developing an export plan.

http://www.business.gov.au/BusinessTopics/Importingandexporting/Exporting/Pages/Developanexportplan.aspx

Exportinfo.org

Site created and maintained by students at the University of Washington Business School has practical information for small and medium-sized businesses. There are articles and tips for getting started, links to research information on industries and countries, reviews and links to trade-oriented Web sites, and "how-to" information.

http://www.exportinfo.org/

Exporting Basics Life Cycle

Flowchart of the export process.

http://www.export.gov/exportbasics/index.asp

Exporting Your Way to Success

Articles about starting and running an export business

http://www.gaebler.com/Exporting.htm

Getting Started in International Trade

Article developed by SITPRO, a UK government agency. The articles helps somebody take the first steps in the export process and exploit the opportunities of international trading. In a simple checklist format, it offers important information about developing an export strategy, the business issues needed to consider and where to go for help.

http://www.sitpro.org.uk/trade/getstarted.html

Global IQ Test

Questions to ask before considering importing and exporting.

http://www.globetrade.com/faq.html

Going Global

Articles about starting up in international trade.

http://www.going-global.com/articles/

Growing Small Business Exports

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about exporting.

http://www.sba.gov

Guide to Sources of Information on Importers

Guide aimed at assisting exporters in developing countries in locating potential importers worldwide - includes 150 profiles of importers' directories listed alphabetically by country/region and product coverage; entries provide publishers' details including e-mail and web addresses as well as indication of available media and price. Published by the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO Geneva.

http://www.intracen.org/eshop/f_e_IP_Title.Asp?ID=27230&LN=EN

How To Succeed In International Business

Course that shows how to set up a strategy to export.

http://www.pierobon.org/export/

Import-Export Entrepreneur

Advice for starting and running import and export businesses.

http://www.spyglasspoint.com

Importing into the US

Resources for importing into the USA.

http://www.exportmichigan.com/importing.htm

Importsource.ca

Comprehensive resources developed by the Canadian federal and provincial governments designed to help both new and experienced importers with every stage of the import process.

http://www.importsource.ca

INC Magazine's Going Global

INC magazine's information based site on international business opportunities and other useful advice on going global.

http://www.inc.com/articles_by_topic/global

International Trade Tools

Website with links to sites with quick answers to trade-related questions

http://www.i-b-t.net/tools.asp

Introduction to the Export Process

Guide prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada intended to give new exporters an overview of the export process.

http://atn-riae.agr.ca

Small Business Guides to Importing and Exporting

Links to international trade sites; guides to importing and exporting; frequently asked questions about importing and exporting; and a list of INCOTERMS.

http://www.iexportimport.com

Small Business Knowledge Base - International Trade

Resources for starting and running a small business in international trade.

http://www.bizmove.com/export.htm

SME Toolkit

A project of the International Finance Corporation, the SME Toolkit offers free business management information and training for small businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The subjects covered are: Accounting and Finance, Business Planning, Human Resources (HR), Marketing and Sales, Operations, and Information Technology (IT). Within these categories there are many sub categories (look under Marketing & Sales for International Business). The SME Toolkit offers how-to articles, hundreds of business forms, free business software, online training, self-assessment exercises, quizzes, and resources to help entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in emerging markets and developing countries grow their businesses.

http://www.smetoolkit.org/

Starting in Import and Export

Resources for starting up in import and export.

http://business.gov/expand/import-export/

Step-by-Step Approach to Market Research

US Government Export Portal guide to starting international market research.

http://www.export.gov/mrktresearch/exp_mr_getting_started.asp

Suite101.com: International Trade

Current articles and the latest international trade news.

http://internationaltrade.suite101.com/articles.cfm

Tariff and Import Fee Information - Getting Started

Information on the first steps required to determine tariff rates.

http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/tic/tariff/getting_started.htm

Tips for New Importers and Exporters

Tips and information about complying with Customs regulations for both importing into and exporting from the USA.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/communications_to_trade/diduknow.xml

Tools of the Trade

A interactive broadcast e-seminar, with 16 free video sessions that teach the basics of exporting.

http://www.fita.org/webcasts.html

Tools of the Trade: Export Basics Webcast Seminar

Four hours of free interactive training via a "click and easy" video interfaced. offers a the step-by-step process of how a company can enter rapidly growing international marketplaces.

http://www.globalspeak.com/html/export-gov/ExportBasics.htm

Trade Helper

Templates of standard forms, contracts and agreements used in international trade, Texts of international rules for the conduct of trade, outlines of standard trade procedures and other useful resources for starting in trade.

http://www.tradegoods.com/helper/01trade/trade.html

Trade Information Database

Links to research, statistics, tips, tutorials, news, and resources about international trade. Links to trade terminology, export/import guides, international standards, market reports, trade leads, logistics tools, foreign trade offices, and more.

http://www.citd.org/trade_info/index.cfm

Trading Across Borders

A report and resources from the World Bank that explains in detail the procedures of importing and exporting.

http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreTopics/TradingAcrossBorders/

US Department of Commerce Export Decision Tree

Links to services of the US Department of Commerce's Commercial Service that can be used in the process of starting and maintaining export marketing activities.

http://fita.org/tools/doc.html

World Directory of Importers' Associations

Trilingual directory of associations grouping importers, with international coverage - lists associations by country with product groups of interest, classified according to Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Rev.2) with addresses and information on number of member importers, types of services and publications when available; includes alphabetical product index and list of countries covered in the directory. Published by the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO Geneva.

http://www.intracen.org/eshop/f_e_IP_Title.Asp?ID=18832&LN=EN