General Importing & Exporting:

Basic Guide to Exporting  Published by the U.S. Department of Commerce in cooperation with Unzco, this guide contains almost everything you need to know:  Developing an Export Strategy, Developing a Market Plan, Export Advice, Preparing the Product for Export, Making Contacts, and Technical advice on shipping, pricing, contracts, etc. 

California Chamber of Commerce explains how to get in touch with U.S. or foreign contacts to obtain export certificates and custom duty information.  Click on the menu item "Business Resources" and choose "International" from the submenu.  You'll find an export overview, export hotline, FAQs, international business finder, an more. And don't miss the impressive section of Web links to other information and agencies.    

Export Institute  Composed of international traders with experience in over 60 foreign countries.  Consulting, export sale and marketing information are provided.  This site also has an excellent Web links section to guide users to banks, domestic and foreign trade organizations, online publications, shipping services, and travel information.

Export.gov  A Small Business Administration electronic toolkit that takes the U.S. exporter, particularly the small and medium sized enterprise, to a wealth of information, services, and contacts from both government and industry.  The site currently features a range of information and services ranging from tailored links in "getting started" in exporting to local export contacts searchable by zip code, trade finance information, searchable international business opportunities or trade leads, export answers accessible by keyword search, and an export library with scores of export promotion links.

FITA  The Federation of International Trade Associations offers a full-service page. FITA's stated goal is to provide the most content-rich international trade site and to provide a comprehensive global trade shop featuring goods and services needed by those involved in international trade and they succeed admirably.  You will find Trade Leads, Trade Resources, Trade Events, Trade News--even a job bank.

Global Edge  Provides country insights, global resources (country research, news & periodicals, trade, money, reference, etc.), market insights, and a glossary; created by Michigan State University's Center for International Business Research.

International Trade Desk  International Trade Administration presents trade events, trade statistics, exporting information, market research, NAFTA regulations, and how to expand your international business.

Trends in Developing Economies  Brief reports on economic trends in most World Bank's borrowing countries. Complements the World Bank's World Development Report (not yet available via the Web).

U.S. Customs Service Import  Provides an overview of importing issues related to the U.S. Customs Service. You will find links with information on duty rates, HTS, rulings and regulations, small importer, publications and forms. Click on "Export" at the top of the page for the U.S. Customs Service Exporting site.

VIBES  The Virtual International Business & Economic Sources site promises over 1,600 links to Internet sources of international business and economic information that are in English and available free of charge.  The site provides full-text of recent articles and research reports, statistical tables and graphs, and links to other international business resources.

World Tables  Detailed collection of economic data published by the World Bank.

Thomas Global Register  Search 45,000 companies or 5,500 product categories. You must register to get the information but registration is free.  Information on companies includes name, address, telephone, fax, email, Web site, and products.  The site also provides a link to the Thomas Global Register of 500,000 global suppliers.

IMEX  In addition to an excellent list of companies, IMEX offers trade leads; associations; service providers; global and U.S. market reports; tools like currency converters, local times, and travel advisories; and news.  A real plus are their links to the hyperlinks featured in the "CyberTrader" bi-weekly column in the Journal of Commerce.

California Commerce & Economic Development Program  Includes the Division of Tourism, a section on International Business, Business & Community Resources, and more.

Center for International Trade Development  Click on "Online Resources" for importing/exporting basics, a dictionary of trade terms. From the CITD of Citrus College.

Export-Import Bank of the United States  More information on the Bank's programs for small business is available by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-565-EXIM (3946), or by accessing the Bank's Internet web site.

Foreign Trade Association of Southern California  Represents exporters, importers, manufacturers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, transportation companies, international bankers, attorneys and other service industries. Provides trade news, contacts, Web links, etc.

Trade Zone  Leads and information for importers and exporters. Trade leads, trade bulletin board, traders Web sites and advertising services.  Many free services include banner ads, maps, home page generator.

World Trade Center Association of Los Angeles/Long Beach  The Center's mission is "To support the international business development of our members and the community as the leading membership trade association and international trade clearinghouse for the Los Angeles region."

TradePort  Managed by the Bay Area Economic Forum and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, TradePort offers comprehensive trade information, trade leads, and company databases. International trade leads; market and industry research; trade shows and events; services (banks, freight forwarders, or trading companies); interactive international trade tutorial.

SBA Office of International Trade  Offers assistance to those new to the export business and those seeking finance for export businesses, provides information to lenders interested in investing in export businesses.

USA Trade Online  Subscription based Dept. of Commerce site that provides leads to existing and emerging export markets, allows you to compare your product exports with related products, helps you determine your market share of export markets for specific products, and lets you monitor trends in specific products, markets, and countries. Users must subscribe to access information. 

U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.)  Business & Procurement Office. Independent government agency that provides economic development assistance.

FindLaw International Resources  Treaties, trade law, and international law sources.

MAC: Market Access and Compliance  Market Access and Compliance (MAC On-Line), formerly the Global Export Market Information System (GEMS), provides a full range of information on accessing foreign markets. Includes market information on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the newly independent states, NAFTA, and the EURO Web site.

Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator  Locate an attorney specializing in commercial or maritime law. 

Neville, Peterson & Williams  Legal firm for customs and international trade law. Site provides excellent articles in "Global Trade Report," "Reading Room," and "Hot Topics."

• Basic Guide to Exporting 
  Includes information on marketing, sales, travel, and shipping logistics. Published by the U.S. Customs Service. 
   
• Basic Guide to Importing 
  Focuses on import regulations; published by the U.S. Customs Service. 
   
• Directory of United States Exporters & Directory of United States Importers
  These directories provide similar kinds of information. Company information includes address, telephone, fax, number of employees, port(s) metric tonnage, and container volume. Products are indexed alphabetically and by harmonized commodity code number. There is an section with detailed documentation, customs, quota, trade zone, and currency conversion information and a section of important contacts such as consulates, trade commissions, banks, and ports. 
   
• Exporter's Encyclopedia (Dun & Bradstreet)
  In addition to providing information and regulations for each country, this contains sections on export "know–how;" transportation, communications, and information sources and services. 
   
• Martindale Hubbell Law Directory
  Search for lawyers who specialize in import/export and/or trade law.
   
• Ports of entry & U.S. import regulations 
  Detailed information about import and custom regulations. Specific information is provided for individual ports of entry; also includes a directory of free trade zones.
   
• Trade Services Directory and Guide  
  Formerly the Official Export Guide, this handbooks contains foreign trade and export marketing regulations.
   
• U.S. harmonized tariff schedule 
  This is also available online and the schedule for 2004 can be found here.

In the online catalog, use subject headings like "Exports--Handbooks" or "Imports--Handbooks." The subject heading "International Trade" is good for looking at the broad subject.   

Go to the Library catalog

• Business & Company Resource Center
  Search for news and articles on trade. An extensive business, company and industry database with news, articles, financial documents, rankings, company histories, industry reports, and more. Searchable by company, industry, or article keyword.
   
• Infotrac OneFile
  A large periodicals database featuring the full text and citations for newspaper and magazine articles. Search under keywords "international trade," "imports," "exports," etc., or search by country or product name.
   
• Newsbank
  Search for full text newspaper articles on trade. Consists of two databases: America’s Newspapers, which indexes the full text of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Orange County Register, San Diego Union-Tribune, USA Today, the Washington Post, and the San Francisco Chronicle from roughly 1985 to the present; and Noticias en Español, which provides full text articles in Spanish.
   
• Reference USA
  Search for importers and exporters in the United States in this extensive business database by location (city, state, zip, etc.), SIC, name of company, type of business, and other criteria.

Go to the Library's databases