International Trade Resources
Six Steps to Begin Exporting International Trade - Take a closer look at the export process broken down into six simplified steps, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce.Basic Guide to Exporting - Whether you’re new to exporting or just want to learn the latest ideas and techniques, this Basic Guide will give you the nuts-and-bolts information you need to establish and grow your business globally.
Export Guide (Spanish) - Esta guía es una versión en Español de “Entrando en el Juego del Comercio Internacional: Guía para Pequeñas Empresas Exportadoras”, desarrollada originalmente por la U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) para ayudar a las empresas a desarrollarse en los mercados internacionales.
Export Business Planner - A free online tool, presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), designed to serve as a roadmap for small businesses for creating an Export Business Plan, exploring foreign markets, developing a marketing plan, exploring financing, costing their products and more.
Export Needs Assessment Survey - Online survey to help identify the needs of southern Illinois businesses seeking expansion into foreign markets and to measure their interest in participating in future events, including trade missions.
International Trade Compliance Institute - A source of need-to-know information on all aspects of international trade and regulatory compliance.
Small Business Administration - Office of International Trade - The Office of International Trade works in cooperation with other federal agencies and public- and private-sector groups to encourage small business exports and to assist small businesses seeking to export.
Export-Import Bank of the U.S. - EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States with a mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services.
U.S. Export Assistance Centers/U.S. Commercial Service - The Commercial Service has a network of export and industry specialists located in more than 100 U.S. cities and over 80 countries worldwide, providing counseling and a variety of products and services to assist small and midsized U.S. exporting businesses.
U.S. Commercial Service Illinois - Connect with local Illinois trade specialists in your area who cover your industry and can help increase your export sales.
St. Louis Export Assistance Center - If you are new to exporting or looking to increase current exports, connect with local and experienced staff from the St. Louis Region to help you through every step of the process.
USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) - FAS is the foreign affairs agency with primary responsibility for the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) overseas programs — market development, international trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection of statistics and market information.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - Access information of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s trade missions, export assistance services, export leads, seminars, and foreign delegations.
USA.gov - International Trade - The official guide to U.S. Government Services and information regarding international trade.
Business USA - Learn importing and exporting basics from USA.gov.
International Trade Administration (ITA) - Access to export solutions, trade data, and virtual services from the ITA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes trade and investment.
TradePort - A repository of free information and resources for businesses involved in all aspects of global trade.
Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA) - The FITA Global Trade Portal offers a variety of trade tools, such as information on customs and tariffs, intellectual property rights, trade barriers, and more. It also includes free market reports, trade leads and resources for global business travel.
Export-U (free, web-based tutorials) - A free training website operated by the Georgia District Export Council and the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Atlanta with access to a wide list of webinars and export training resources.
NASBITE International - NASBITE is the leading authority and industry standard for global business education, trade credentialing, training and practice. It offers a portfolio of programs and services, including an annual conference and their National Small Business Exporter Summit.
Export Development Links (DCEO Site) - With headquarters in Chicago and six foreign offices around the world, the Illinois Department of Commerce's Office of Trade and Investment is dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses expand their global reach and export abroad.
