Exporting Resources
Institutional resources helping small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) conduct export:
Ohio Development Service Agency Export Assistance: Export grants, export internships, trade missions and training sessions.
US. Export Assistance Center of Northern Ohio: Counseling, trade missions, market research, trade diplomacy and trade compliance.
Ohio District Export Council: International Trade Events Calendar.
US Small Business Association (SBA): Trade finance, export working capital loans, loans and grants.
NASBITE International: Global business education, trade credentialing, training and practice. Certified Global Business Professional network and CGBP certification.
Ohio Small Business Development Center: Starting a Business, entrepreneurs, human resources, business planning and obtaining a loan.
GlobalTarget™ Program: Accelerating your company's international success through this low-cost, interactive program that helps extend your international resources to build an effective global strategy. Companies will gain the skills they need to manage global markets.Building Your Skills
Monte Ahuja College of Business: Offering Degree and Certificate Programs
CSU Professional Development: Offering Training, Courses, Certifications
World markets and trade industry resources:
UN Comtrade Database: Free access to detailed global trade data. Maintained by the United Nations.
World Bank Group: Find tens of thousands of economic indicators and global rankings for each country on risk and much more. Maintained by the World Bank, an NGO.
CIA World Factbook: A quick reference to learn the most relevant information on countries around the world. Maintained by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Trade-Passport: A library of over 50 trade education webinars. Maintained by NASBITE International, a US-based non-profit trade association. Limited videos for free. Paid subscription for full-access.
globalEDGE: A massive global business library maintained by the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Michigan State University.
Export-Import Training Videos: The basics of import and export maintained and hosted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Foreign Trade Zones: Information on what they are, and how companies can delay or forego paying for import duties.
Exporting Processed Food Products: The Food Export Association is a federally funded institution that is designed to help companies in the Midwest USA reach foreign buyers.
Exporting Agricultural Products: Maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this is the place to get help in exporting food commodities like rice, soybean, and corn, etc.
Free Trade Agreements: The US maintains FTAs with 20 foreign nations. Visit this site for the US Office Of Trade Representative that has the latest and defining information on those agreements.
Upcoming Ohio Trade Missions: Our state sponsors and promotes trade missions where Ohio companies can team up to travel together. Enter markets with the help of in-country experts who set up meetings to introduce you to interested foreign partners.
Classifying Harmonized Codes (Schedule B Lookup Tool): Every exporter should have basic knowledge of how to classify your goods for customs export.
Guide to Export Compliance: You likely know there are US regulations designed to prevent most goods from entering embargoed countries like North Korea. BUT, did you also know that certain US goods shouldn’t be sold to certain US citizens? This site gets you started on regulations that ALL US exporters should familiarize themselves with.
How the SBDC EAN can assist
Counseling & Technical Assistance
First-time exporters
Are you considering selling internationally for the first time, or only recently started selling abroad? We can help you find low-hanging fruit while avoiding riskier transactions that cause you unnecessary headaches.
Trade finance and payment options for export
Did you know there are a wide range of ways you can collect and set up payments from foreign buyers? Let us walk you through all the options.
Export controls/US government compliance
Not every export opportunity is one you should take. There are strict laws and regulations that limit certain products, countries, and buyers.
Foreign customs and regulatory requirements
Many countries will not accept US-goods for sale as-is. We can help you understand how to ensure your products are compliant with foreign requirements.
Logistics support
Shipping goods to faraway lands can be expensive and tricky. We can share basic tips on how to get your goods there safely and efficiently.
Export strategies
Most SME companies ship on an opportunistic basis - i.e., they sell to the best customers that approach them. But the better option is to be in control and go after those best accounts that you target.
Navigating cultural communication
Sometimes sales can break down at the one-on-one basis, whether face to face or via email. Let us train you on techniques to improve your skills at lowering confusion and increasing business.
International Research
New customer searches
Easily our most popularly requested service. Finding new customers in foreign lands is our specialty.
Customer validation
You’ve been approached by a prospective customer but don’t know how to tell if they’re a good candidate to become your appointed distributor.
Access to in-market trade offices
Through use of the Ohio International Market Support Program we can give you reports from on the ground contractors in 80+ markets
Market priority studies
Have opportunity brimming from all corners of the globe? We can help your company determine which countries deserve the lion share of your attention and resources.
Tariffs and free trade agreements
The USA maintains good relationships with over 20 countries on a wide range of products that can be exported at a low or free duty rate. Providing your goods qualify isn’t always a straightforward process.
Landed-cost calculations
Want to learn what your buyer pays to import your product? Pitch the margin possible to a potential reseller. We can help you establish the right price in different markets.