Free Import and Export Information
Entrepreneurs: Need Free Information on Important Importing and Exporting? Look No Further – You’ve Already Found All of the Import and Export Information You’ll Ever Need Here
Aug 12, 2006
You've decided your small business would benefit from importing, exporting, or some combination thereof. You have a list of questions, ideas and experiences, but need more information to move forward. (If by chance you are an entrepreneur looking to get the basics regarding importing and exporting, please read our import/export series primer on the subject first).
There is always a point when referencing the experts helps, and import/export situations are no different. Accumulated here are the best resources I was able to find on the topic to get you started. Happen to find something that you feel I've missed? Let me know and I'll add it promptly.
Commercial Information Management System (CIMS)
The US Department of Commerce houses a database of market research information, all searchable by either keyword or SIC number. Worldwide offices provide more than seven thousand reports available on CIMS providing information on a specific industry in a particular country. You'll also find UN and US census information here, which will help any entrepreneur determine what products have been imported and exported the year previous, any fluctuations and needs/demands, and how much competition there is for any given product. For a list of offices across the US, visit this site.
US Government Export Portal
An excellent free import and export resource for US-based companies.
Export Information Service (Canada)
For all entrepreneurs across Canada, this free service is available from 9-5 Monday to Friday in all Canadian time zones for questions, support and resources. 1-888-811-1119
Office of International Trade
The "SBA houses an office that provides its users with product reports for more than 2700 items. Each of these product listings offer where the items are produced (and therefore what country are being exported from). Take a peek to see if the items you plan on selling are listed here for a cornucopia of information. Furthermore, you may want to contact the SBA International Trade Specialist in your area (US only) for more personalized information. They also provide a free online book about small business exporting.
Local Port Authorities
If you already know where you will be shipping your items from/to, contact the Port Authority for each location you plan on accessing. They will gladly provide you with forms, information packages and a list of services they provide.
- American Association of Port Authorities
- Association of Canadian Port Authorities
- International Association of Ports and Harbors
