Business Development Division

BERO's Small Business Resource Guide

Export Information

Expanding your Business Beyond the United States

In 1997, Tennessee manufacturers generated more than $9.2 billion in sales of goods and services to 137 countries around the world. Tennessee firms have found exporting to provide profitable diversification of their customer bases, as well as enhancing their ability to compete in a world-class marketplace.

If you are interested in entering the international marketplace, or if you want to increase your understanding of export markets, Tennessee can help.

Chapter Eight describes the companies that were created to help you take advantage of the international marketplace.

Export Assistance

A number of companies and agencies have been created to help you expand your business into the very critical worldwide market segment. Review the following list to see if your business venture could benefit from their assistance.

U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA)

The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service was established in 1980 by Congressional mandate to assist American exporters and increase their visibility in overseas markets.

The mission of the International Trade Administration (ITA) is to increase the number of small- and medium-size firms that engage in international trade. Domestic international trade specialists work closely with the commercial officers based at U.S. embassies abroad to provide counseling and other promotion services to American companies with export potential.

TSBDC International Trade Centers (ITC)

These International Trade Centers operate as a division of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, the state's primary consulting and technical assistance provider for small- and medium-size businesses. Their export assistance assistance efforts focus on exporting firms that are new to the exporting business. Maintaining offices in Memphis and Knoxville, the ITC can offer one-on-one counseling at any SBDC office across the state.

ITC counselors can:

Assist in evaluating a company's exports potential
Assist in market research
Assist with market entry strategies
Advise on market opportunities
Advise on export practices
Advise on export procedures

In addition to counseling, ITC sponsors continuing-education seminars and workshops across the state.

Those firms interested in exporting for the first time should contact the Small Business Development Center nearest them for ITC assistance.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has a division of marketing that provides services specifically to Tennessee farmers and agri-businesses in the state. Its services include:

Hosting foreign buyer visits from abroad.
Participating in trade shows and sales missions to key agricultural market destinations.
Identifying foreign import requirements and assistance in obtaining appropriate documentation.
Conducting seminars highlighting agricultural exports.
Disseminating trade leads and other trade information.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA is an independent federal agency created by Congress to aid, counsel and protect the interests of small businesses. SBA offers some basic export counseling and offers a variety of export-related financing programs, including:

The Export Revolving Line of Credit for businesses requiring working capital to fill international orders.
The International Trade Loan Program for businesses initiating export programs.
Assistance to firms adversely affected by import competition.

Contact List

International Trade Administration (ITA)

For additional information, contact:

U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Nashville Export Assistance Center
Commerce Center Building
211 Commerce St., 3rd Flr., Ste. 100
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: 615-259-6060
Fax: 615-259-6064

U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Knoxville Export Assistance Center
601 W. Summit Hill Drive, Ste. 300
Knoxville, TN 37902-2011
Phone: 865-545-4637
Fax: 865-545-4435

U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Memphis Export Assistance Center
Buckman Hall
650 East Parkway South, Suite 348
Memphis, TN 38103-2190
Phone: 901-323-1543
Fax: 901-320-9128

Small Business Development Centers - International Trade Centers

For additional information, contact:
SBDC - International Trade Center
601 West Summit Hill Drive
Suite 300
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: 865-632-2990
Fax: 865-521-6367

SBDC - International Trade Center
211 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: 615-743-3060
Fax: 615-256-6982

SBDC - International Trade Center
University of Memphis
West Park Loop, Suite 104
Memphis, TN 38152-4110
Phone: 901-678-4174
Fax: 901-678-4072

Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Marketing

For additional information, contact:

Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Marketing
Ellington Agricultural Center
P.O. Box 40627
Nashville, TN 37204-0627
Phone: 615-837-5160
Fax: 615-360-0194