Global Marketing

Government Resources

If you’re looking to expand your export initiatives, check out PMMI's Guide to Global Markets report. The report provides insight into key markets for packaging and processing machinery over the last year. Highlights include forecasts on crucial markets for packaging and processing machinery and in-depth analysis of important trends impacting the market. You can also take advantage of the resources below to grow your efforts.

U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service has long been considered the most extensive and cost-effective resource for companies interested in exporting. Listed below are some of the most widely utilized services.

  • U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC) – The U.S. Commerce Service has established a network of offices in over 100 cities across the country.  Contacting a trade specialist at your local EAC should be your first step when considering exporting.

    Even if you don’t currently engage in exporting, take advantage of this FREE resource as a way to plan for future export opportunities!

    • Gold and Platinum Key Services – Are custom tailored services that combine briefings, market research, appointments with potential partners, interpretation services for meetings, and assistance with follow up strategies. Fees vary based on the scope of the project.
    • International Partner Search (IPS) – Receive detailed information on up to five prescreened international partners, agents, or distributors including company size, annual revenue, key contacts, and more in 30 business days or less.
    • International Company Profile (ICP) – Provides background information on a trading partner such as organization type, year established, size, general reputation, territory covered, sales, product lines, principal owners, financial information, and references.
    • Trade Opportunities Program (TOP) – An international lead generation service run  by the U.S. Commercial Service. A small subscription fee is required to receive detailed leads.

Find your local Export Assistance Center

  • Matchmaker Trade Delegations – U.S. firms visit with prospective agents, distributors and joint venture or licensing partners abroad based on lucrative prescreening of party interests. Commercial service staff coordinate logistics, facilitate meetings and give in depth briefings.

Provides a number of FREE services to small and medium sized firms, including; export financing, business loans and loan guarantees, grants, legal assistance as well as technical assistance in the form of marketing, management and planning assistance. Several no-fee services are listed below.

  • Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): 
    SBDCs provide a full range of export assistance services to small businesses, particularly those new to export. They also offer counseling, training, managerial, and trade finance assistance. Counseling services are provided at no cost to the small business exporter, but fees are generally charged for export training seminars and other SBDC-sponsored export events.

  • Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): 
    FREE online and face-to-face business counseling, mentoring, and training. They can offer your firm assistance by evaluating your company's export potential and can strengthen your domestic operations by identifying financial, managerial, or technical problems. These advisers can also assist you in developing and implementing basic export marketing plans that show where and how to sell your goods abroad.

  • Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN):
    ELAN is a nationwide group of attorneys with experience in international trade providing free initial consultations to new-to-export businesses on export related matters.
  • U.S. EXPORT/IMPORT BANK (EX-IM)
    The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is an independent U.S. government agency with the primary purpose of facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services. Ex-Im Bank meets this objective by providing loans, guarantees, and insurance programs on market-related credit terms.
  • PRIVATE EXPORT FUNDING CORPORATION (PEFCO)
    Private Export Funding Corporation (PEFCO) assists the financing of U.S. exports through the mobilization of private capital as a supplement to the financing available from commercial banks and other lenders. PEFCO provides a broad range of export finance programs as a direct lender and as a secondary market buyer of export loans originated by lenders.
  • LIST OF STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
    State economic development agencies, departments of commerce, and other departments of state governments often provide valuable assistance and support to exporters. The aid offered by these groups typically includes export financing, education programs, trade missions and sponsoring of tradeshow pavilions and grants.   
  • DISTRICT EXPORT COUNCILS
    The District Export Councils contribute leadership and international trade expertise to complement the U.S. Commercial Service’s export promotion efforts.  They provide consulting and education services.
  • SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION (SBEA)
    Offers support for exporting companies through trade leads, financing assistance and shipping.
  • OFFICE OF EXPORT TRADING COMPANY AFFAIRS(ITA)
    Administers programs designed to assist firms in reducing export costs and expanding their international presence.

    • Export Trade Certificate of Review Program – This program offered by the Office of Export Trading Company of Affairs, gives antitrust preclearance on virtually any export activity, including joint negotiation with providers of export services such as reduced shipping rates, agreements to sell together in foreign markets, coordination of pricing, joint bidding on projects, cost sharing and more.
  • WORLD TRADE CENTERS ASSOCIATION (WTCA)
    A world trade center is a shopping center that puts all the services associated with international trade under one roof.   A trade association offers timely trade information and opportunities, education programs, networking events, trade mission assistance, and access to some of the best online services to help your business grow internationally. There are over 320 World Trade Center offices around the globe.
  • U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – AMCHAMS
    AmChams pursue trade policy initiatives, make available publications and services, and sponsor a variety of business development programs. Through four regional organizations in Asia, Europe, the Gulf Countries, and Latin America/the Caribbean, the AmChams represent the concerns and interests of the business community at the highest levels of government and business in trade policy development. They also sponsor networking events, provide advisory services and market information.

EXPORT TAX BENEFITS

Many exporters do not realize that they are eligible to take advantage of significant tax benefits established by the U.S. government to encourage export activity and growth for small and medium sized companies.  There are many firms that specialize in providing accounting services to help your company take full advantage of these tax benefits for a small percentage of the funds they are able to recover. 

INFORMATION RESOURCES

  • LAWS AND METRICS (NIST) – Provides guidance related to packaging and labeling requirements, net content requirements, and the use of the metric system of measurement with the goal of making US packaged goods more competitive in the export market and eliminating technical barriers to trade.
  • SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR EXPORTERS – Is a comprehensive workbook to help your company prepare to enter the international marketplace. This workbook will lead you step-by-step through the process of exporting your product to an international market.
  • STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP) – Provides financial awards to state and territory governments to assist small businesses with export development.

PMMI can provide funding for exhibiting at a qualified international trade show through the Trade Show Assistance Program. If you do not quality for the program, here are some government financial resources:

United States

Canada

Getting to the bottom line is your biggest concern with international trade. Below, we have compiled the best information on contracts and payments to help you.

  • Basic Guide to Exporting
    Produced by the U.S. Commercial Service this is considered the official exporter’s handbook. Learn about all the stages involved in conducting a successful export transaction. In this guide, you can learn about:

    • Export Strategy 
    • Develop a Marketing Plan
    • Export Advice
    • Methods and Channels for Exporting
    • Finding Qualified Buyers
    • Tech Licensing and Joint Ventures
    • Preparing your Product for Export
    • Exporting Services
    • International Legal Considerations
    • E-Exporting Tools for Small Businesses
    • Shipping Your Product
    • Pricing, Quotation and Terms
    • Methods of Payment
    • Financing Export Transactions
    • Business Travel Abroad
    • Selling Overseas and Aftersales Service
    • Rules of Origin for FTAs
    • Glossary of Trade Terms

European Directives

  • Guide to Key European Directives
    The 4th edition of PMMI's Guide to Key European Directives for PACKAGING machinery is now available. If your company exports packaging machinery into the European Economic Area (EEA) the new PMMI guide is a must have resource. The sections of the new EU guide on RoHS, WEEE, REACH were reviewed by US legal council based in Brussels for content and accuracy. Learn updated information about:

    • The Machinery Safety Directive
    • The EMC directive – some packaging machinery installation may be exempt
    • RoHS – what packaging machinery is exempt
    • WEEE – how to comply
    • REACH – what to do!

Links

PMMI Export Connect
Global Marketing Events
Global Marketing Webinars
Government Resources

Questions?

For questions, please contact:

Name: Andrea Admana
Title: Market Development Specialist 
Phone: 571.287.6817
Email: [email protected]