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U.S. Department of State Commercial and Business Affairs 
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Doing Business Abroad | Facilitating Overseas Investment | Assisting Foreign Companies | Trade Restrictions | General Questions Q. How is the Department of State working on my behalf to level the playing field on which to compete for foreign investment and trade? A. The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) is the primary point of contact for business concerns within the State Department. CBA services include:
A.
For assistance with exporting U.S. products contact the Trade Information Center (TIC), of the Department of Commerce. The Trade Information Center (TIC) is a comprehensive resource for
information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs. For personalized service call 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723). Hearing-impaired callers can use a toll-free telecommunication device: 1-800-TDD-TRADE (1-800-833-8723) Q. What organizations and government services are available to help me export? A. Below is a listing of general and specialized export service links. The Trade Compliance Center (TCC) of the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Commercial Service For more specialized assistance, please review the following agencies:
A. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) receives technology requests and distributes trade leads to registered U.S. companies. The Global Technology Network (GTN) is a program aimed at matching the technological needs of companies in developing countries with solutions from small- and medium-size U.S. companies.
Q. My overseas supplier (or customer) tells me I need to provide them with documentation from the U.S. Government. What paperwork is required? A. Fifteen agencies are involved in the issuance of certificates, export control licenses, and other documentation for purchasing from and selling to overseas partners.
A. Contact the Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) if the item in question involves a dual-use-product (defense-related materials or equipment, e.g., computers, munitions, and certain raw materials). From the DTC web site you can: If your material or services does not require DTC review, then the next office to contact is the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) which provides:
A. Contact the Chamber of Commerce which represents more than 3 million businesses and organizations. Q. How can the embassy or consulate in the foreign country assist me in conducting business? A. Establishing contact with the embassy or consulate before conducting business will provide you with current information on economic, trade, business trends and practices. If you are currently outside of the United States and need to contact the U.S. Embassy, click U.S. Missions Online
If you are in the United States, contact the Department of State Country Offices Q. How do I authenticate documents to be used overseas? A. The State Department's Office of Authentication provides certification of all documents used by citizens and foreign nationals overseas. FACILITATING U.S.BUSINESS OVERSEAS Q. What Government offices/agencies can assist me in conducting business in a specific region? A. There are numerous federal agencies available to assist you in your region of interest. Below is a regional list of offices:
A. Check the following organizations:
A. The U.S. Government encourages all U.S. exporters to use a "confirmed letter of credit" in business transactions to guard against non-payment by the recipient. The U.S. Ex-Im Bank can assist with
Q. What agency can assist me with investment financing? A. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) - Independent government agency that assists U.S. companies investing in emerging markets to help increase U.S. exports and promote economic growth. Import and Export Bank- It was created to aid in financing and to facilitate U.S. exports. Today, this agency provides guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters, guarantees the repayment of loans or makesloans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and services, and provides credit insurance against non-payment by foreign buyers for political or commercial risk Q. Are there federal grants available for feasibility studies and technical assistance? A. U.S. Trade Development Agency's (TDA) primary mission is to assist U.S. businesses in obtaining grants to conduct feasibility studies and/or technical assistance for major projects in developing and middle-income countries. Q. Currently, what countries have sanctions placed on them by the U.S. Government? A. The Office of Foreign Asset Controlsof the Department of Treasury provides information about sanctions regulations and maintains a list of individual entities with which U.S. parties cannot do business. Q. What federal agencies are involved in export controls and over what products? A. The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) of the Department of Commerce provides links to federal agencies with export control responsibilities.
Q. What if I need additional information on which Federal agency has export controls/licensing authority over my product? A. Go to the Bureau of Export Administration's General Information facts web page. Q. What is a Commodity Jurisdiction request? A. Go the Commodity Jurisdiction request. Q. What are dual-use exports and who is the licensing agent? A. Dual-use exports are those materials or equipment which are defense-related, involving sensitive (e.g., military or nuclear) or non-sensitive applications, such as computers, weapons, licensing of defense services and defense (munitions) articles. Although the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) the primary licensing agent for dual-use exports, the Defense Trade Controls (TDC) in the Department of State has authority over defense articles and services. ASSISTING FOREIGN COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES Q. How do I register or incorporate a business in the United States?
A. The incorporation of foreign business entities is regulated at the state level (as opposed to the federal or national level) in the United States. The application process will vary from state-to-state. Check the list of State Business Development Offices. Q. How do I get Information on importing products into the United States? A. The U.S. Customs Service provides an overview of the foreign commercial importing process and requirements. For more information go to Commercial Importing Procedures and Requirements. The Department of Commerce's Trade Information Center provides information and web links to importation procedures. Q. Is there an agency that can assist me in inquiring about the economic opportunities and interests in various states? State and Local Government on the Net is a resource guide to government-sponsored Internet sites that allows you to search by state.
Q. Is my export income exempt from federal income taxes?
A. A portion of the export income that is channeled through corporations that qualify as FSCs (Foreign Sales Corporations) under rules of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 921-927) can be exempt from federal income taxes. For more information, contact:
Or the Office of Tax Policy
Q. What assistance can the U.S. Government be in advocating on my behalf for a tender? A. U.S. Government advocacy decisions are made with the best information available. Advocacy assistance can vary, but usually it involves companies that deal with foreign governments or government-owned corporations. Fill out an Advocacy Questionnairee or contact the Advocacy Center. Q. Where can I go to find facts on foreign trade figures and statistics? For General information on a country's yearly economic, political and investment climate, check the
Country Commercial Guides; For specific information check Trade Statistics available at the International Trade Administration Additional information are available at: The National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) contains international trade-related data The Bureau of Census provides foreign trade statistics Bureau of Economic Analysis provides U.S. useful foreign trade data. Q. Is there an updated directory of people, organizations and web sites that promotes global business principles and best practices? A. The publication Resources for Promoting Global Business Principles and Practices: a Directory of People, Organizations, and Web Sites is available through the Environmental Protection Agency. [end of document]
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