Going International

Going international can mean setting up a business in another country, exporting your products, or importing products to sell. Importing requires following customs rules, and accounting for duties, which can vary depending on the goods and where they are coming from. Duties, or taxes paid to customs, are higher for restricted items or items from restricted countries, and can also be higher for goods from industries that are domestic priorities. Exporting usually only requires a customs declaration, and normally does not need any license or permission unless they are military-use goods or being sent to restricted countries. However, your buyers may have to pay an import fee on the other end to receive the goods.

Tips

Starting points:

Get educated about exporting.
Gauge your export readiness.
Research global markets, financing options, payment methods.
Make use of the resources from SBA, U.S. Commercial Service, EXIM Bank.

Suggested strategies:

Use the export guides on the export.gov site by International Trade Administration.
Talk to a SBA Export Assistance representative.
Find a SCORE mentor External who can help you become an exporter or importer.

Select Resources

The following materials link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are provided when available.

Import/Export Kit for Summies by John J. Capela
Call Number: HF1416.5 .C36 2016
ISBN: 9781119079675
Published/Created: 2015
This book provides entrepreneurs and small- to mid-sized businesses with the critical, entry-point information they need to begin exporting their products around the world—as well as importing goods to sell.
Start Your Own Import/Export Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc Staff
Call Number: HF1416.5 .T87 2017
ISBN: 9781599186061
Published/Created: 2017-02-14
Importing and exporting are trillion-dollar industries -- but that doesn't mean they're just for big business. In fact, small businesses make up about 96 percent of this field. Get your share of an ever-expanding economy with the essential advice in this top-selling guide. As a successful import/export agent, you can net a healthy six-figure income by matching buyers and sellers from around the globe, right from your own home. This book is loaded with valuable insights and practical advice for tapping into highly lucrative global markets. You'll learn every aspect of the startup process, including: choosing the most profitable goods to buy and sell; setting up and maintaining a trade route; using the internet to simplify your transactions; how the government can help you find products and customers; essential trade law information to keep your business in compliance; how to choose a customs broker; the latest government policies; proven methods for finding contacts in the Unites States and abroad; tricks of the trade from successful importers/exporters and hundreds of valuable resources help you become a player in the lucrative world of international exchange.
Import - Export: How to Take Your Business Across Borders by Carl A. Nelson
Call Number: HF1416 .N45 2009
ISBN: 9780071482554
Published/Created: 2009
This exhaustively revised fourth edition of Import/Export provides step-by-step guidance to show you how to take part in the booming world economy.

The subscription resources below marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

EIU Viewpoint External This link opens in a new window
EIU Viewpoint is a new fully-integrated solution for content from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Viewpoint gives you more insight with analyst-curated macro Current themes, critical to understanding core issues in today’s changing world. Explore the new intuitive interface for fast, business-critical insights and use a state-of-the-art tool to find and chart the data series you need. The platform covers 203 geographies, providing you with precision tools to seize opportunities, weigh risks, monitor policy change and assess new markets. Content includes:
- Curated macro trends and major events intelligence
- Country-specific short, medium and long-term forecasts
- Industry data and analysis for 26 sectors
- Proprietary ratings on the business environment
- Supply and demand forecasts for 40 critical goods
Trade Data Monitor (TDM) External This link opens in a new window
Trade Data Monitor is a database of international trade statistics, analysis, and reporting for data-driven answers to crucial questions in any industry, around the globe.

These are freely available online sources provided by government agencies, trade publications, and organizations.

Bureau of Industry and Security (U.S. Dept. of Commerce)
This site includes information on regulation and licensing; guidance on specific products and countries; and resources specifically for small businesses. Go to Exporter Portal that covers services to exporters and guidance to every aspect of exporting.
Business Ready (B-READY) (WorldBank) External
"Business Ready (B-READY) is the World Bank’s new flagship report benchmarking the business environment and investment climate in most economies worldwide. The report assesses the regulatory framework and public services directed at firms, and the efficiency with which regulatory framework and public services are combined in practice. The first B-READY report will be launched on September 25, 2024. "
eCommerce Resource Guide (International Trade Administration)
"The eCommerce Resource Guide describes by market what your company needs to know to take advantage of e-commerce overseas. Explore markets by region to jumpstart your eCommerce business development plan."
Enterprise Surveys (World Bank) External
An Enterprise Survey is a firm-level survey of a representative sample of an economy’s private sector. The surveys cover a broad range of business environment topics including access to finance, corruption, infrastructure, crime, competition, and performance measures.
Export and Trade Assistance (Small Business Administration)
SBA provides small businesses with the resources needed to expand into trading and exporting. Locate Export Finance Managers near you and your local U.S. Export Assistance Center for a one-stop shop, designed to provide export assistance for small- or medium-sized businesses.
Export Products (SBA)
SBA guide to exporting your products to increase your profits, reduce market dependence, and stabilize seasonal sales. Connect with Small Business Administration resources and partners to get help exporting.
Learn How to Export (International Trade Administration)
This online guide provides an overview of the fundamentals in exporting, designed for small to medium sized companies who are considering finding new market segments overseas.
Services for U.S. Exporters (U.S. Commercial Service)
The U.S. Commercial Service (CS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade. Companies can find assistance locally in more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nationwide and in more than 70 international offices.
Top Export Market Rankings (International Trade Administration)
"Through Top Export Market Rankings, ITA’s Industry & Analysis Office of Industry Engagement helps companies determine their next export market by comparing opportunities in international markets. Each market ranking will highlight leading markets and future export opportunities within a particular industry based on a sector-specific methodology.
Industry, trade, and economic experts provide detailed analysis to strengthen the export competitiveness of U.S. industry and support strategies to unlock export and investment opportunities that benefit the U.S. economy. Explore the market rankings and discover valuable insights for developing business strategy, expanding reach, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing global market."
Trade Finance Guide (International Trade Administration)
The Trade Finance Guide is a concise, simple, and easy-to-understand guide designed to help U.S. small and medium-sized exporters learn quickly how to get paid from their foreign customers in the most effective manner.

Entrepreneur's Reference Guide: International Opportunities
This section offers resources for expanding your business internationally.
International Business: Sources of Information
This guide serves as a comprehensive guide to international economics and trade resources.
U.S. Trade Policy: A Research Guide
The resources included in the guide provide information on elements of trade policy, how policy is developed, who participates in its development, what effects trade policies have on trade and industry, and the place of the U.S. in the World Trade Organization.

Small Business Hub: A Research Guide for Entrepreneurs

Going International

Tips

Starting points:

Suggested strategies:

Select Resources