Chicago-Cook Business Center Trade Site Links

8.21.2008

Useful International
Trade Sites

Trade Internet Portals
Business.gov
A good place to start for doing business in the U.S. and abroad
http://www.business.gov/
Click on "International Trade"

FITA
A good place to start for trade resources and information
www.fita.org/webindex/index.html

TradeNet
A good site for export basics
http://www.tradenet.gov/

Fundamentals of Trade/Exporting and Importing
Guides and business/marketing plan tutorials

Online Import Export Workshop - Basics of Exporting and Importing
Online review of how to start a small export/import business.
http://www.importexportworkshops.com/online_workshop.htm

Trade Expert - Interactive Trade Tutorial
An interactive trade tutorial for beginners and others on the facets of trading in international markets.
http://www.tradeport.org/ts/trade_expert/index.html

World Merchant
Online tutorials and full business courses for the importer, exporter and entrepreneur. Programs include business planning, economics, accounting, customs procedures, marketing and foreign languages.
http://aaatrading.com/school/index.htm

Export Basics
Export Process Assistant (ExPA)
The Center for Information Technologies in Management (CITM) at The Ohio State University has developed the Export Process Assistant (ExPA) to facilitate a firm's entry into the global marketplace. ExPA is a resource for small and medium-size businesses planning to enter the international marketplace. CITM's electronic guide to exporting helps educate users on the export process, but it also and enables access to the vast export-related information on the Internet. Registration is required, but free.
http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/citm/expadocs/

Recipe for Export Success
Export tutorial from the Foreign Agricultural Service to help companies build an export marketing plan
http://www.fas.usda.gov/agexport/export_plan/

A Basic Guide to Exporting
An introduction to exporting from the U.S. Department of Commerce
http://www.tradeport.org/ts/trade_expert/infobase/basic/index.html

SBA Guide to Exporting
An introduction to exporting from the Small Business Administration
http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/OIT/info/Guide-To-Exporting/

Export Programs Guide
An exporting guide published by the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
http://web.ita.doc.gov/ticwebsite/tic.nsf/037197A7338428CA852566330051710B/E7AFE171B083199F85256AF60006D7F0?OpenDocument

Import Basics
Import Basics Guide
Free Import Basics "Quick Start" Guide (pdf format)
http://www.importexportcoach.com/import.htm

Guide to Importing
Bay Area World Trade Center publication
http://www.bawtc.com/importguide.asp?PartnerID=

Importing into the United States
The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol publishes a guide for Importing into the United States which explains the process of importing goods into the U.S., including informed compliance, invoices, duty assessments, classification and value, marking requirements, etc.
http://www.customs.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/iius.ctt/iius.doc

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol trade publications
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/

U.S. Import Requirements
Official pamphlet from the U.S. Customs Department on importing into the U.S.
http://www.customs.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/usimportrequirements.ctt/usimportrequirements.doc

U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Import area of the official Customs and Border Protection (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) website with links to additional information regarding importing into the U.S.
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/import/

Import Export Coach
Assists entrepreneurs and small business owners with international business start-up and development tips, tools, links, resources, trade leads, and original articles
http://www.importexportcoach.com/

Local Economic Development/International Trade Sites
Regional portal for international community and activities
www.globalchicago.org

Trade data, market research and economic information
www.chicago-cook.org
www.stat-usa.gov
www.wisertrade.org

International business trade association
www.itcc.org

International business calendar
www.globalchicago.org/calendar/

Country Profiles
Country Profiles/CIA Intelligence Reports
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

U.S. State Department Commercial Guides
http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/business/com_guides/

U.S. State Department regional reports - Background Notes
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/

U.S. State Department Country Reports on Economic & Trade Policy
http://www.state.gov/www/issues/economic/trade_reports/index.html

U.S. Trade Information Center: Country Information
http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/

U.S. State Department Travel Warnings
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

Library of Congress country studies
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html

Country Profiles
http://www.academicinfo.net/subarea.html

Country Profiles
http://www.economist.com/countries

Metropolitan City Profiles
http://www.economist.com/cities/

Electronic Embassy
http://www.embassy.org

Free Expert Advice
INC Global Business Information
INC magazine's information based site on international business opportunities and other useful advice on going global.
http://www.inc.com/going_global/index.html

INC magazine’s business plan writing guidelines.
http://www.inc.com/writing_a_business_plan/index.html

How to Conquer the World - Export Webcast Center
Free advice and articles. Home page of Garret Wasny, an international trade consultant specializing in teaching small businesses how to use the Internet to enhance their global marketing.
http://www.howtoconquertheworld.com/

Small Business Export Opportunity Hotline
Free export advice for small and medium sized companies in the U.S.
http://exporthot.badm.sc.edu/

Small Business Knowledge Base - International Trade
Resources for starting and running a small business in international trade.
http://www.bizmove.com/export.htm

TamTam: Checklist for Import/Export
Simplified checklists for companies entering international markets.
http://www.tamtam.com/tools/checklists.html

Trade Tutor Forum
Free on-line bulletin board for advice and support on trade issues.
http://www.mantissa.co.uk/Top5_1.htm

Articles
http://www.vrd.org/locator/subject.shtml

Export America
The U.S. Department of Commerce's publication for U.S. exporters providing timely information of U.S. government initiatives and programs to promote products "Made in the USA". Provides information on marketing globally and trade opportunities.
http://www.trade.gov/exportamerica/

Foreign Trade
Articles on starting an export/import business.
http://www.foreign-trade.com/articles.htm

Don'ts of Exporting
Article by the law firm of Gatti and Associates listing 17 Don'ts of exporting.
http://www.gattiassociates.com/articles/art_donts-of-exporting.htm

Don'ts of Importing
Article by the law firm of Gatti and Associates listing 15 Don'ts of importing.
http://www.gattiassociates.com/articles/art_donts-of-importing.htm

Import Export Primers
Articles about the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, "The Thirteen Commandments of Export and Import Compliance Programs, " Checklist of 26 Key Questions for Importers" and "Preparing for and Surviving a Customs Audit."
http://www.exportimportlaw.com/primersbody.html

International Business Training
Collection of international trade articles. Topics range from customs classifications to export markets and letters of credit.
http://www.i-b-t.net/articles.html

Underinvoicing At The Request Of Foreign Importers?
An article by the law firm of Gatti and Associates on underinvoicing and its possible legal consequences for exporters.
http://www.gattiassociates.com/articles/art_underinvoicing.htm

Cross Border Trade - USA/Canada
A series of articles on doing business between the USA and Canada.
http://www.ucantrade.com/articles.htm

Passport to Export
A series of slides about exporting prepared by the USA Small Business Administration and the International Trade Data Network
http://export.2rad.net/tutorials.htm

The TD Bank Crash Course in International Trade
A PowerPoint presentation about the basics of trade and trade finance.
http://www.tdcommercialbanking.com/tradefinance/crash/crash.html

On-line Training/Education
Export Practice Management
A course in six modules: 1) Export Practice (Fundamentals) 2) Export Documents 3) Export Payments and Financing 4) Export marketing 5) Export Shipping and Insurance and 6) Export Legal and Cultural. Each Module has reading assignments, exercises and links on the Web. Discussion board, chat, and e-mail are the tools used to communicate with the instructor and participants.
http://www.blackboard.com/courses/Seb101

Folstar Customs Training Program
A complete 20-hour course on the rules and techniques of Customs Tariff (Harmonized System) classification.
http://www.folstar.com/

FT New York Institute of Finance
FT NYIF holds public courses, Certificate Programs, and Registered Representative licensing courses in New York, London Singapore and Latin America. Innovative in-house training programs include Web-delivered courses from NYIF Online. Course topics include Currency trading, Corporate Finance, International Trade Finance, Risk Management, Trading, and many more.
http://www.nyif.com

Global Trade Interactive Learning
Online international trade training. International faculty.
http://www.gtilearning.com/

International Business Training
Collection of reference books, self-study courses, and in-house training subjects. Topics range from Export Documentation & Shipping to Import Procedures & Documentation to NAFTA Documentation & Procedures,
http://www.i-b-t.net/

International Import-Export Institute
Internationally recognized body that certifies the proficiency of import-export trade professionals worldwide. With the assistance of advisors, college and university experts, and members, IIEI has established practical standards of excellence in the field of import-export management. Individuals who meet these high standards, as demonstrated by certification testing, are recognized with special distinction within the international business community.
http://www.expandglobal.com/

International Trade Policy
Free interactive on-line course teaching the fundamentals of international trade policy. Material developed by the University of Western Australia.
http://www.firststep.com.au/econ/

Trading Worldwide In 9 Weeks
The fundamental steps to trade worldwide are simple if broken down and explained. Week by week, each participant will perform one essential step, leading to the founding of an import or export company (or both). Finding products, sourcing, costing, marketing, financing, computerization and distribution are completed week by week. The course is held completely online.
http://www.noncredited.net/tradworinnin.html

Mantissa
Company provides educational and software programs for understanding and dealing with letters of credit for companies and banks.
http://www.mantissa.co.uk

Reinex.com
Spanish language international trade training
http://www.reingex.com/

TDC CyberCampus
Chinese language on-line courses offered by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the basics of exporting to China trade and global business skills.
http://cybercampus.tdc.org.hk/

Consulting, Seminars and In-House Training
Export Institute of the United States
A group of international trade consultants with hands-on experience in 70 foreign markets. Since 1964, it has been providing exporters around the world with current information on selling products in world markets.
http://www.exportinstitute.com/

Import Export Coach
Assists entrepreneurs and small business owners with international business start-up and development tips, tools, links, resources, trade leads, and original articles,
http://www.importexportcoach.com/

Global Training Center
Consulting firm offers public seminars, in-house presentations and consulting services on a wide range of international topics dealing with exporting and importing.
http://www.globaltrainingcenter.com

International Trade Theory & Policy Analysis
Online international trade theory and policy text. It is designed for students and professionals at all levels.
http://www.internationalecon.com/v1.0/index.html

International Training and Management
Customized in-house training in the areas of Successful Exhibiting and Business Networking.
http://www.siskindtraining.com

Janavaras
Consulting company providing hands-on training programs in international business management and trade practices
http://www.janavaras.com/

Trade Links Categories

Trade Internet Portals
Fundamentals of Trade/Export Basics
Import Basics
Free Expert Advice
Articles
Country Profiles
Local Economic Development/International Trade Sites
On-line Training/Education
Consulting, Seminars and In-House Training

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