Q. How do I locate the import tariff applied to a particular product?

Tariffs or duties are a tax levied by governments on the value of products imported from one country into another. Before you export to any country, you need to determine what the tariff rate is on your product(s) as well as any import fees for that country.

The U.S. government provides a database that U.S. exporters may use to identify import tariffs applied by nearly 50 countries. China's tariff rates may also be found on the Department of Commerce's Market Access and Compliance Tariff Schedule.

Q. How can I locate importers, distributors, sales reps, etc. in an overseas market?

MCC provide Premium Services to assist companies to locate global partners, our Specialists willl contact potential overseas business partners using their contacts and database, and then identify the companies that are interested and capable of becoming a potential partner for you in that market.

Learn more about this service (link to premium service)

Request this service by contacting MCC Global Network (link to info@manhattancc.org)

In addition, the U.S. Commercial Service has programs and services to help you locate potential business partners overseas. Contact your nearest U.S. Export Assistance Center and speak with an International Trade Specialist. You can also receive free export counseling and learn more about our programs and services to help you compete around the globe. Call 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) or visit export.gov to find your local Export Assistance Center.

Q. How can I learn about export licensing?

An export license grants permission to conduct a certain type of export transaction. It is issued by the appropriate licensing agency after a careful review of the facts surrounding the given export transaction. Most export transactions do not require specific approval in the form of licenses from the U.S. Government. In fact, a relatively small percentage of all U.S. export transactions require licenses from the U.S. government. It is up to the exporter to determine whether the product requires a license and to research the end use of the product, in other words, to perform “due diligence” regarding the transaction. Exporters should learn which federal department or agency has jurisdiction over the item they are planning to export in order to find out if a license is required.

Dual Use Licenses are required in certain situations involving national security, foreign policy, short-supply, nuclear non-proliferation, missile technology, chemical and biological weapons, regional stability, crime control, or terrorist concerns.
Other federal agencies also have other licensing responsibilities for specialized articles or embargoes on certain countries.
Educating yourself about the export licensing requirements that are most relevant to your company is the first step to successful exporting.

For additional guidance on export licensing or about exporting in general, please call the Trade Information Center (TIC) at (800) USA-TRAD(e) or your local export assistance center.

Q. Where can I find trade statistics?

The U.S. Commerce Department provides a trade statistics database that may be searched by industry sector or country of destination. The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database and the USITC Interactive Tariff and Trade Database are also very useful tools in searching for trade statistics.

Q. How do I find out if Company XYZ is legitimate?

If the company is located in the United States, contact the office of the Secretary of State (within the state-level government) in whichever state the company is headquartered. The Office of Authentication updates the list of Secretaries by State of the United States. If the company is located outside the United States, contact the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, part of the Department of Commerce, to get information on their International Company Profile service.

Q. How can I help my customer/client who is having problems getting a visa to the U.S.?

Comprehensive information on visa process and policy is available on the web at www.state.gov, www.travel.state.gov, or www.unitedstatesvisas.gov. You should also check the website of the consulate in which the applicant is applying -- there is a link to U.S. Embassies and Consulates from each of the above sites. The best advice is for people to apply early.

Q. Where can i find comprehensive profiles on various countries?

Country Commercial Guides (CCGs) are prepared annually to provide a comprehensive look at commercial environments, using economic, political, and market analysis.  These can be found at http://www.buyusainfo.net/adsearch.cfm?search_type=int&loadnav=no

Q. Where can I find other information and help with exporting?

A. The Department of Commerce, Trade Information Center (TIC) provides resources for export/import. Contact TIC by web at http://export.gov or http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/ or by phone at 1-800-USA-TRADE.