International trade (or as many small businesses call it, “Import Export“) can be a powerful part of a successful business plan. Whether you’re seriously considering the Import Export world, or just scouting out the possibilities, these Import Export links should help you get started in the right direction. Don’t forget to check out the great free or low-cost training opportunities, plus free professional business counseling, from your local Small Business Development Center!
How to Get Started with Import Export
- International Business Resources for Import Export on the WWW – comprehensive directory of international business, marketing, and trade resources
- International Trade and Business News and Secrets – a searchable directory for subscribers containing over 170 International Trade newsletters on Import Export
- US International Trade Commission – an information referral service containing information related to international trade and investment
Import Export Help, By Region
- Business in Europe – provides information on business development in Europe, including Ernst & Young guides, subscription required
- CIA – The 1999 World Factbook – Country Listing
- Invest in Canada
- Caribbean Basin – link to USAID site with resources, success stories about Import Export
- International Statistics - country overviews, statistics, etc.
- Made in China - contains directory of suppliers in China
- North American Transportation in Figures – statistics from NAFTA participating countries
- STAT – USA County Commercial Guides – produced by the US Government, Internet source for Country specific business and economic information.
- Strategis – Canada’s Business Information Site
- U.S. Trade and Development Agency by Region & Sector
- UK and European Information Line – If you have any questions about where to find information on business in the UK and Europe, please click on this shortened email link to send us an email: rese…@bl.uk . This service is run researchers at the British Library in the UK, who can signpost you to helpful sources and answer quick enquiries. The service is fully confidential and all emails will be answered within 5 work days
Business Etiquette
Import Export Associations & Organizations
- American Countertrade Association
- European Union
- The Federation of International Trade Associations
- International Chamber of Commerce
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- The Organization of Women in International Trade Associations
- United Nations
- United States Council for International Business
- World Chamber of Commerce Directory
- World Intellectual Property Organization
- World Trade Centers Association
- World Trade Organization
Import Export Help from Government Agencies
- Export.gov Administration – the U.S. government export portal.
- Foreign Agricultural Service
- Small Business Administration
- U.S. International Trade Commission – tremendous resource for Import Export information, tips, guides
- U.S. Trade and Development Agency
- SBDCGlobal – Trading platform for use by clients of SBDC advisors who want to enter Import Export businesses.
Import Export Directories
- Online B2B Marketplace – Millions of products, suppliers and importers information online
- Bancomext – Directory of Exporters – search for Mexican exporters by product and region.
- Europages – the European business directory
- Import Export Advertising – Import export directory for products and services
- International Import Export Exchange – providing international trade leads and international trade resources
- Trade Data - links to online trade databases for import/export leads
Logistics
- FITA – Federation of International Trade Associations – paid site for detailed data about shipping in and out of U.S.
- A-Z Freight Gateway – links and information
- PackTrack.com – free tracking for a variety of carriers
- Freightworld.com – worldwide freight transportation and logistics
- Port of Houston Authority
- United States Postal Service
- Directory of Freight Forwarding Services
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics
- ICC Incoterms
Banking
- Export-Import Bank of the United States – official import export bank of the U.S.
- International Monetary Fund – promotes exchange stability and orderly exchange arrangements among member countries
- The Universal Currency Converter – offers interactive foreign exchange rate conversion
- World Bank Group – information on development progress
Regulations
- Export.gov – Trade Information Center
- NAFTA
- US Harmonized Tariff Schedule
International Business Databases, Directories and Portals
- Business Patrol – web resources in the B2B information industry
- Food Market Exchange – Internet-based trading hub
- Global Trade Negotiations – on global trade negotiations
- Kompass – product, contact and other information for companies worldwide
- Global Trade Information Services, Inc. (GTI) – international merchandise trade data on import export including World Trade Atlas
- Import- export information
- Latin America International Business Information (IBI) Directory
- International Business Protocol
- Global business knowledge web-portal
- World’s Largest Global Trade Directory
- US Department of Commerce – online trade leads
- Economic, business, and international trade information
- Internet International Business Exchange
- Unz & Company – Import export Seminars & Documentation
- World Biz.com
