North America - United States

The following links provide extensive country information by various government agencies and other external sources. The topics covered include, but are not limited to: general, economic and political information, tax and tariff information, documentation needed for exporting, and business climate.

CIA -- The World Factbook -- United States

International Trade Administration- Department of Commerce's Trade Information Center

The "Country Information" section provides country and regional trade information. The "Tariff and Tax Information" section provides tariff and tax information levied on US products exported to another country.

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Facilitates the strategic marketing of US agricultural products in domestic and international markets. AMS also administers regulations governing minimum quality requirements for certain fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops.

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

The mission of the FAS is to advance the interests of the agricultural community and the general public by working to develop and expand foreign markets for US food and agricultural products. Their web site provides foreign market research and trade leads, trade data, a wide variety of export assistance programs, detailed reports, and a foreign buyers lists.

US Trade Internet System

The FAS has announced that exporters now have unlimited access to the most up-to-date trade data on US exports and imports of agricultural, fishery, and forestry products. The US Trade Internet System, developed by the US Dept. of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, incorporates the latest export and import data supplied by the US Census Bureau.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

APHIS is responsible for enforcing regulations governing the import and export of plants and animals and certain agricultural products. The Import / Export Directory has information on plant, animal, and biotechnology importing and exporting.

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

FSIS is the public health agency in the US Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged, as required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act.

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)

GIPSA facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture.

Department of Commerce

Bureau of Export Administration (BXA)

BXA is responsible for controls of exports for reasons of national security, foreign policy and non-proliferation. The BXA oversees the development, licensing, and enforcement of export control laws. Their web site includes access to BXA's fact sheets, BXA's programs, and the List of Denied Parties fact sheets include information on Export Licenses, program descriptions, and office location and contact information.

International Trade Administration (ITA)

ITA promotes world trade and is the official U.S. government organization that coordinates all issues concerning trade development, international economic policy and programs and trade administration. The ITA web site provides access to export resources, such as tariff assistance from the Trade Information Center and access to trade specialists via the Commercial Service Export Assistance Centers.

Import Administration (IA)

IA enforces laws and agreements to prevent unfairly traded imports and to safeguard jobs and the competitive strength of American industry. The web site contains information pertaining to exchange rates, free trade zones (FTZ), antidumping, and countervailing duties. It also includes the very useful Import Library with a large number of downloadable files.

Trade Compliance Center (TCC)

TCC helps US exporters receive the fullest benefits from the more than 200 trade agreements the United States has concluded. The TCC is part of the Market Access and Compliance (MAC) unit of the ITA, US Department of Commerce.

US Census Bureau

The Census Bureau maintains international trade related statistics and provides trade information. For example, they illustrate the correct way to fill out a Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) and Country by Commodity Trade Data.

Department of Defense

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

DTRA is an agency of the Department of Defense (DoD) that is responsible for the development and implementation of policies on international transfers of defense-related technology, and reviews certain dual-use export license applications referred by Commerce. The online Export License Status Advisor (ELISA) allows you to keep track of the status of your export license. ELISA is operational 24 hours daily.

Department of Energy

The Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Export Control Division

Licenses nuclear technology and technical data for nuclear power and special nuclear materials.

Office of Fuels Program

The Office of Fuels Program licenses natural gas and electric power. This web site provides news, events, strategic petroleum reserves, and scientific and technical reports concerning fossil energy.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA covers exports that involve hazardous waste, pesticides, and toxic chemicals. The EPA's Office of Solid Waste, International and Special Projects Branch regulates toxic waste exports.

The Export Import Bank of the US (Ex-Im Bank)

The US Ex-Im Bank is the Government agency that facilitates the export financing of US goods and services. Ex-Im Banks offer four major export finance support programs: loans, guarantees, working capital guarantees and export credit insurance.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

The FMC protects shippers, carriers and others engaged in the foreign commerce of the US from restrictive rules and regulations of foreign governments and from the practices of foreign-flag carriers that have an adverse effect on shipping in U.S. trades. The web site includes tariff filing, information on freight forwarding, non-vessel operating carriers (NVOCC), and carrier agreements.

Department of Health and Human Services

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA enforces US laws that assure consumers that foods are pure and wholesome, drugs and devices are safe and effective, and cosmetics are safe. If a product is intended for export only, it must meet the specifications of the foreign purchaser and not conflict with the laws of the receiving country. The product must be properly labeled and exempt from the adulteration and misbranding provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Food and Drug Administration Import Program can supply information to those wanting to import products falling under the jurisdiction of the FDA. Please see below.

FDA Import Program

The FDA Import Program informs import brokers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers about products that have been detained or would be detained without physical examination when presented for entry into the US via ORA / FDA Import Alerts.

Department of the Interior

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Regulations administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service govern the export of endangered fish and wildlife, migratory birds, bald and golden eagles, and or any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof or the dead body or parts thereof, whether or not included in a manufactured product.

US International Trade Commission (ITC)

The ITC is an independent US government fact-finding agency that reviews and makes recommendations concerning countervailing duty and antidumping petitions submitted by US industries seeking relief from imports that benefit unfair trade practices. Tariff information, petitions, complaints, and reports are available here, along with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and Federal Investigation Notices. Browse their Trade DataWeb - US imports and exports by your customized list of products or one item at a time or download their monthly calendar.

Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The DEA administers the regulations and governs the export of narcotic and non-narcotic substances. Some of these substances are not legally available in the US, some of them are only available with a prescription, and others are widely available in the US as over the counter drugs without a prescription. The DEA's International Chemical Control Unit controls the import and export of listed chemicals used in the production of control substances under the Controlled Substances Act.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

The NRC regulates the transfer of nuclear facilities, materials, and parts with uniquely nuclear applications. Its role within the US Government includes the licensing of exports and imports of nuclear facilities, equipment, material, and related commodities. The Office of International Programs licenses nuclear material and equipment.

Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

The PTO administers the laws relating to patents and trademarks. They also advise on patent, trademark, and copyright protection, and on trade-related aspects of intellectual property.

Department of State

Bureau of Nonproliferation

The Bureau leads US efforts to promote responsibility, transparency, and restraint in international transfers of conventional arms and sensitive dual-use technology.

Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs (CBA)

CBA plays a major role in coordinating trade and investment matters to support US firms doing business overseas.

Country Commercial Guides

are prepared annually by US embassies with the assistance of several US government agencies. These reports present a comprehensive look at countries' commercial environments using economic, political, and market analysis.

Office of Defense Trade Controls (ODTC)

ODTC governs the export of defense articles and defense services listed on the US Munitions List. Many goods and services which might not commonly be thought of as defense related (personal handguns and hunting rifles) are listed on the Munitions List, and their export is governed by the ODTC. This site provides firearms, country embargoes, and Defense Trade News.

US Trade and Development Agency (TDA)

The TDA assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping US companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, we enable American businesses to compete for infrastructure and industrial projects in middle-income and developing countries.

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

The Office of the USTR is responsible for developing and coordinating US international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and leading or directing negotiations with other countries on such matters. The US is a Cabinet member who acts as the principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson for the President on trade and related investment matters. Through an interagency structure, the USTR coordinates trade policy, resolves agency disagreements, and frames issues for presidential decision.

Department of Transportation

Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

BTS provides information and statistics on different types of transportation. The web site includes freight, hazardous material, and aviation information.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

In the field of air cargo, the FAA promulgates certain stress standards, which must met in the tie down of cargo in flight. The web site provides information regarding airfreight and hazardous material regulations.

Federal Highway Administration (FHA)

The FHA provides expertise, resources, and information to continually improve the quality of the nation's highway system and its intermodal connections. The FHA undertakes this mission in cooperation with all other partners to enhance the country's economic vitality, quality of life, and the environment.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

FRA promulgates and enforces rail safety regulations, administers railroad financial assistance programs, conducts research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy, and consolidates government support of rail transportation activities. FRA's web site contains legislation, regulations, and other useful information on the US railroad system.

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Promoting the US maritime industry and maintaining the US Merchant Marine, MARAD's web site has all types of international shipping related information.

St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

The St. Lawrence Seaway has been a vital transportation link for moving goods between the heartland of North America and international markets. This web site provides current toll schedules, port profiles, and annual reports.

Surface Transportation Board

The Board adjudicates disputes and regulates interstate surface transportation through various laws pertaining to the different modes of surface transportation. In this regard, the Board's general responsibilities include the oversight of firms engaged in transportation in interstate and in foreign commerce to the extent that it takes place within the US, or between or among points in the contiguous US and points in Alaska, Hawaii, or US territories or possessions.

Department of the Treasury

US Customs and Border Protection

The Customs Service serves as the Nation's principal border agency. The mission of the Customs Service is to ensure that all goods entering and exiting the US do so in accordance with all US laws and regulations. The Importing / Exporting section of the Customs web site includes extensive resources regarding rules and regulations, informed compliance, export licenses, and automated import/export systems.

Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATF)

The BATF is responsible for enforcing the Federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson.

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

The OFAC administers embargoes and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries based on US foreign policy and national security goals. Many of their regulations covering exports to embargoed countries and entities overlap with the Bureau of Industry and Security regulations. In the event that you are considering an export to an embargoed country or entity, you should inquire with both agencies to ascertain the exact regulations covering your desired transaction.

Stat-USA

This site by the US Commerce Department provides vital economic, business, and international trade information produced by the US Government. Need to subscribe for access.

Statistical Abstract of the United States

(US Census Bureau): As the National Data Book it contains a collection of statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States. Selected international data are also included.

Fedstats

More than 70 agencies in the US Federal Government produce statistics of interest to the public. The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains this site to provide easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies for public use.

Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb

US ITC: US tariff and trade data.

Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS)

An online system available to the public to allow users to research Customs rulings.

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