Many exported and imported products are regulated by federal agencies. If you export or import the following types of products, you may be required to obtain specific licenses and permits or complete additional paperwork:

On This Page

Agricultural Products
Automobiles
Chemicals
Defense Products
Food and Beverage Products
Industrial Goods
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Agricultural Products

Export Information and Assistance

• Agricultural Export Assistance Handbooks and Guidelines
  Provides links to handbooks, training materials, videos, and market reports that help producers export their goods overseas.

• Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook
  Provides resources to help small and medium-size businesses develop an international marketing plan, discover export opportunities, and ship products overseas.

• Export Credit Guarantee Programs
  Information on export credit guarantee programs for commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports.

• Exporter Assistance for Agriculture and Forestry Industries
  A series of resources, products, and services that can help companies explore the potential for international sales.

• Exporter's Matrix : Handbook for U.S. Agribusinesses
  Guidelines to exporting food, farm and forest products.

• Facility Guarantee Program
  Provides payment guarantees to finance commercial exports of U.S. manufactured goods and services that will be used to improve agriculture-related facilities.

• Foreign Agricultural Service Fact Sheets
  Information on a variety of topics related to exporting agricultural commodities. Specific information on programs the Foreign Agricultural Service sponsors is also available.

• General Sales Manager Online System
  The General Sales Manager Online System enables U.S. exporters and U.S. banks to submit required documentation online, or electronically, for the GSM-102, Supplier Credit Guarantee and Facility Guarantee Programs. These programs facilitate commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports.

• Market Development Programs
  Information on Foreign Agricultural Service sponsored programs designed to assist in the expansion of export opportunities.

• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers : FAQs
  Answers to questions about TAA, which provides producers of raw commodities who have been adversely affected by import competition, free technical assistance and cash benefits of up to $10,000 per year.

• Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act : FAQs
  Questions and answers about the implementation alternations in US trade agreements

• U.S. Exporter Assistance : Pricing, Quotes, and Negotiations
  Information on proper pricing and terms for exporting products to foreign markets.

• U.S. Exporter Assistance : Shipping Documentation, and Requirements
  A series of documents from the USDA, outlining required shipping documentation.

Import Programs

• Import Programs for Agriculture Products
  Information on programs the Foreign Agricultural Service offers to promote import requirements and opportunities.

Animals and Plants

• Animal and Animal Product Import and Export Information
  Find information on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's activities and services to support import and export of animals, animal products, and biologicals.

• How APHIS Facilitates Agricultural Exports
  Information on the role the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plays in the exportation of agricultural products.

• How APHIS Facilitates Agricultural Imports
  Information on the role the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plays in the importation of agricultural products.

• Plant Protection and Quarantine Permit FAQs
  Questions and answers about plant protection and quarantine permits.

• Phytosanitary Certificates and Export of Plants and Plant Products
  A list of frequently asked questions regarding the regulations for importing plant and plant products into the United States and the use of phytosanitary (plant health) certificates to ensure that products imported are free of pests.

Wood Products

• Guide to Exporting Solid Wood Products
  Guide for U.S. wood products producers interested in export markets, providing an overview of the necessary steps to develop a successful export marketing strategy.

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Automobiles

• Automobile Importation and Certification FAQs
  Answers to common questions about importing automobiles in the U.S.

• Becoming a Registered Importer with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  Motor vehicle importers must comply with the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act, which requires that all vehicles and vehicle equipment imported for use on the U.S. highways be brought into compliance with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

• Requirements for New Manufacturers of Vehicles, Engines and Equipment
  List of key legislation and regulations pertaining to the manufacture and import of motor vehicles.

• Vehicle Importation and Certification Regulations
  A guide to instructions, FAQ's and guidance on how to comply with federal regulatory law on vehicle importation into the United States.

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Chemicals

• Chemical Import/Export Requirements
  General info on requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for persons who import and/or export chemical substances into and out of the U.S.

• Pesticide Import and Export Trade Requirements
  EPA regulates both the import and export of pesticides. All pesticides which are intended to be used in the US must first be registered with EPA prior to import. This web site provides information about international trade issues regarding pesticides.

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Defense Products

• Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
  Guidance covering the export of defense articles and services. Regulations include Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

• Selling to NATO : U.S. Company Certification
  U.S. companies interested in selling to NATO must be certified by the government before bidding on NATO Security Investment Program funded procurement opportunities here or abroad. The associated forms, procedures, related NATO documents and contact information are provided on this Department of Commerce website.

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Food and Beverage Products

• Country of Origin Labeling Requirements
  The 2002 Farm Bill requires country of origin labeling for beef, lamb, pork, fish, perishable agricultural commodities and peanuts.

• Requirements for Exporting to the European Union
  Providers exporting requirements under the European Union Health Certification Program.

• Exporting Grain, Rice, and Pulses
  Information on requirements that must be met by individuals or companies exporting grain, oilseeds, or related commodities from the United States. The requirements vary based on whether the commodity is covered by the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) or the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA).

• Food Export Certificate Project
  Information on food export certificates which are paper or electronic documents requested by an importing nation that describes and/or attests to animal health or product safety, production, or processing methods, packaging, labeling, or specific attributes of a food/food ingredient intended for international destinations.

• Exporting Alcohol Beverages from the United States
  Guidance on how to export alcohol beverages from the United States.

• Importing Alcohol Beverages into the United States
  Guidance on how to import alcohol beverages into the United States.

• International Import-Export Requirements for Alcoholic Beverages
  Guidance on international import requirements for beer, wine, and distilled spirits for various countries.

• Pesticide Residues on Imported and Exported Foods
  Information about regulations governing the importing of food into the U.S., and there specific requirements regarding pesticide residue levels.

• Supplier Credit Guarantee Program
  Information on how exporters can sell U.S. food products overseas through insuring short-term, open account financing.

• Tools and Guidance for the Trade of Wine
  Trade regulations, tools, and guidance for the wine industry.

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Industrial Products

• Foreign-Trade Zone Manufacturing Center: Information for Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers
  Assistance in using FTZ procedures for small- and medium-sized manufacturers.

• Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System (SIMA)
  All U.S. imports of steel mill products need a license to complete CBP entry summary. This web site was designed to help shippers comply with the steel import monitoring program requirements.

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Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

• Import and Export of Human Drugs and Biologics
  A guide to complying with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in the areas of international trade of drugs and biologics.

• Importing Food, Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices
  Information related to products subject to FDA's control of foods (except for certain meats and poultry products), drugs (human, animal and biological), cosmetics, medical devices and radiation emitting devices, etc., offered for entry into the United States through U.S. Customs, in support of FDA's regulatory activities.

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