Resources

International Trade

Virtual International Advisor

Generate a gap, compliance, or export-ready analysis, or an import/export audit. The tool will generate applicable resources and will provide a custom report that you can bring in to discuss with your SBDC consultant at any time.

Tradeport

TradePort is a repository of free information and resources for businesses seeking to conduct international trade to and from California. Created in 1996, TradePort is backed by an alliance of regional trade associations that assist California export and import businesses. (trade)

Export Related Videos for Small Businesses

Gain information quickly on all facets of international trade, including incoterms, foreign exchange risk, importing, exporting, and supply chain management. These instructional videos will raise major points of consideration before you can expand your business across domestic borders.

U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.

US Commerce Service: Export.gov

The U.S. Commercial Service is the lead trade promotion agency of the U.S. government. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets. Los Angeles has two Export Assistance Centers: one in Downtown Los Angeles and a second in West Los Angeles.

Export.gov

Helps U.S. businesses participate in the global marketplace with information on trade events, tariffs and export counseling assistance. Checkout the site for information on training, research reports and more.

Southern California District Export Council

The Southern California District Export Council (DEC) includes leaders from the local business community, appointed by successive U.S. Secretaries of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms.

Download Tools

Basic Guide to Exporting

This informational guide is full of information that will benefit both beginners and experienced professionals whom are looking to establish and/or grow their business in international markets.

Importing Into the U.S.

Importing into the U.S.

This edition of Importing Into the United States contains material pursuant to the Trade Act of 2002 and the Customs Modernization Act (Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act), commonly referred to as the Mod Act. Importing into the U.S. provides wide-ranging information about the importing process and import requirements.

Quickstart Guide to International Business

Discussed in this guide are elements critical to internal trade (i.e. products/services, contracts, logistics, liabilities, and government regulations) and how they interrelate in an internal business transaction.

SBA Export Business Planner

This innovative tool is designed to serve as your roadmap for creating your Export Business Plan, exploring foreign markets, developing a Marketing Plan, exploring financing, costing your product, and more. But unlike a traditional printed manual, this Planner is a “living” document, ready to be customized and continually updated by you.

Trade Finance Guide

Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters is designed to help U.S. companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, learn the basic fundamentals of trade finance so that they can turn their export opportunities into actual sales and to achieve the ultimate goal of getting paid—especially on time—for those sales. Concise, two-page chapters offer the basics of numerous financing techniques, from open accounts, to forfaiting to government assisted foreign buyer financing.

Blogs

How is Your Business Growing?

Shifting from wearing many hats and working side by side with your team to planning and managing your staff from a macro level may require some change. As you shift your management style, take into consideration the ten tips below to affirm your business is built to flourish.
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Entrepreneur Launches Textile Import Business and Fulfills Her Dream

The SBDC guided Montazeri in every step of starting her business, including obtaining the necessary licenses, permits and trademark; finding an agent to help her import her products; learning to manage business finances and pricing her product.
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CITD Opens a New Revenue Stream Overseas for a Candle Company

Mentoring, education and a trade delegation with the CITD helped Laguna Candles negotiate its first international contract.
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Funded in part through a Grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.