International Trade How To's

US Government Export Portal 

Portal maintained by US Government with links to numerous resources to begin exporting.

Export Compliance 

Commerce Department website for compliance with Export Administration Regulations. Links to other government agencies.

US Customs Service

U.S. Customs Service website for information on importing, exporting, compliance, and homeland security.

See also...NAFTA Customs

Trade Information Center

The Trade Information Center (TIC) is the first stop for companies seeking export assistance from the government and comprehensive export counseling programs, including counseling for Western Europe, Asia, the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and the Near East.

Treasury-Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

HAZMAT - Office of Hazardous Materials Safety 

Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, a division of the United States Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration, is responsible for coordinating a national safety program for the transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, highway and water.

HAZMAT - Dangerous Goods Institute (DGI) 

Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Transportation training specialists. DGI Training Center is an IATA Accredited Dangerous Goods Transportation Training School. Public and private seminars available in IATA, IMDG, 49 CFR, Radioactive Materials. All DGI seminars satisfy US DOT and International training law requirements. 

Illinois Packaging 

Manufacturer of wooden crates and boxes for export and domestic shipping industries. Crating services on-site throughout the US or at their Chicago facility.

Cedar Rapids Chamber - International Trade 

Articles by local businesses about international trade issues

  Int'l Trade Organizations, Business, Politics and Economics

The following resources can be particularly useful if you are considering trade in a particular country or region of the world.

The Economist

Excellent overview of world news topics, also features a nice news section featuring current international headlines and articles from CNN, The New York Times and more.

If you are looking for country stats and news, go specifically to http://www.economist.com/countries/

Embassy World Worldwide embassy and consulate listings.

European Union

ICC International Chamber of Commerce

IMF International Monetary Fund

See also the IMF's World Economic Outlook Reports, IMF's Global Financial Stability Reports, IMF Country Index

UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade &Development

United Nations

WTO World Trade Organization

The World Bank