LibGuides: International Trade: U.S. Government Resources

International Trade and the U.S. Government

This guide lists many of the U.S. government agencies that have resources for those wishing to trade with U.S. companies, or U.S. companies wishing to trade goods with other parts of the world. It includes U.S. regulations where relevant.

U.S. Government websites

United States International Trade Commission
This is an independant, quasijudicial Federal agency which investigates the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on domestic industries and conducts global safeguard investigations on related topics.
ITC Publications list
Official Harmonized Tariff Schedule
This is the applicable tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the United States, using terminology agreed upon in the International Harmonized System.

U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule
Publication Date: 2010
Hard copy in Reference Trade area of Main Stacks.

U.S. Customs & Border Protection: Main site
The Customs bureau regulates all people and products that cross American borders.
Basic Importing and Exporting
As a law-enforcement agency, U.S. Customs provides information on trade rules and regulations, as well as details such as port specifics, brokers, and licensing requirements.
Code of Federal Regulations - Title 19
Title 19 is a list of federal regulations concerning customs duties. These duties concern the U.S. Immigration & Customs, Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, and International Trade Commission agencies of the U.S. Federal Government.
Rulings & Legal Decisions
Binding rulings and legal decisions in connection with the importation of merchandise into the U.S.

Export Administration Regulations
Downloadable files of regulations. 2018-2019.
Foreign Trade Regulations
Foreign Trade: Schedule B
Statistics for commodities exported from the U.S.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Trade: Importing & Exporting
Contains textile import quotas for textiles, NAFTA information, duty rates (HTS) etc.
U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule

Export.gov
The U.S. Government's "How To" page on exporting products from the U.S.
Free Trade Agreements
FAQ and agreements listed by country
Marketing Intelligence
The government's marketing intelligence plus a widget to create your own market reports.

Foreign Trade: Schedule B
Statistics for commodities exported from the U.S.
FT900 Reports
Regular reports on international trade with the U.S. are available here.
Statistical Abstract Series
CLICK ON THE ANNUAL PUBLICATION TO ACCESS. 1879-2012 is available.
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The Statistical Compendia program is comprised of the Statistical Abstract of the United States and its supplemental products—the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book and the County and City Data Book.The U.S. Census Bureau terminated the collection of data for the Statistical Compendia program effective October 1, 2011. To access the most current data, please refer to the organizations cited in the source notes for each table of the Statistical Abstract.
USA Trade Online
Current and cumulative U.S. export and import data.

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This is the government agency which negotiates trade agreements and coordinates related policy.
Free Trade Agreements list
List of agreements, with other information on countries, regions, and issue areas, e.g. agriculture and labor.

Bureau of Economic Analysis
BEA International Economic Accounts
BEA Industry Economic Accounts
BEA's survey of U.S. business and gross domestic product (GDP) by specific industries.

Export Administration Regulations
Downloadable versions arranged by date.
Exporter Portal
Everything you need to know to export goods legally.
Bureau of Industry & Security
Their mission is to 'foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce' of the U.S., including economical and technological development.

International Trade Administration
The ITA works globally to strengthen American industries' competitiveness, promote free trade and investment, and enforce our trade agreements.

ITC OTEXA
The ITC Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods, and Materials oversees programs to competitiveness of many U.S. products, not just textiles and clothing.
Free Trade Agreements
OTEXA trade agreements presented by country