Home > Research Guides & Tutorials > Subject Research Guides

Subject Research Guides

Exporter's Research Guide

When to Use This Guide

Use this guide for practical information on the entire export process: from target markets and distribution methods, through documentation, to executing the transaction. It will help you find information on topics such as statistical data, export regulations, legal considerations, and marketing strategies.

Finding General or Background Information for Exporters

The following resources will be useful for finding background information on exporting.

• Exporter's Encyclopaedia - R HF 3011 .E9
  This comprehensive guide to export markets of countries worldwide includes trade regulations, marketing data, legal requirements, transportation, key contacts, and more.
• A Basic Guide to Exporting - R HF1416.5 .B37 1996
  This is an introductory text on all aspects of exporting, from the export plan through legal considerations to shipping and after sales services. A Basic Guide to Exporting is a perfect companion to the Exporter’s Encyclopaedia.
• International Business Transactions - R KF1976 .F65 2008
  This compendium of international business transactions provides, among other things, examples of legal documents, information on customs valuation, corrupt practices law, transfer of technology, and protection against loss of investment.
• Guide to Export-Import Basics - K3941 .G85 2003
  This handbook, written by experts from the International Chamber of Commerce, covers the entire process of international trade, from preparation of the sales contract to arranging for international transport.
• A Short Course in International Marketing: Approaching and Penetrating the Global Marketplace - HF1416 .C87 1998
  A concise introduction to marketing and its application to international business, containing cultural analysis, research planning, and a marketing plan outline.

Subject Headings for Finding Information on Exporting in the Book and Media Catalog

• Export marketing
• Exports
• Negotiation in business
• International business enterprises management

Finding Information on Exporting in Research Databases

CountryWatch
Country Reviews include basic socio-cultural data as well as economic and investment information for 192 countries.

Mergent Online
Select "Industry Reports." Then select an industry and region to find information on your industry performance in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.

Passport GMID (Global Market Information Database)
This database has both statistics and reports on industries and consumers worldwide. You can find lifestyle trends and expenditure statistics, industry reports and market size data, and analysis of key political and economic data about countries.

Business Source Complete
Search Business Source Complete for business articles published in scholarly, trade, and general interest periodicals.

Selected Web Sites

Information for US-Based Exporters

Export.gov – U.S. Government Export Portal
THE place for would-be and experienced exporters. Learn the basics, get help in finding leads and partners, and conduct market research. The searchable Market Research Library includes the full text of Country Commercial Guides, Market Research Reports, and Best Market Reports.

Trade Express
The Department of Commerce created this interactive database for retrieval of export/import data by product and by country, at the national and state level.

TradeRoots
News, trade resources, and a good list of frequently asked questions about trade from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

U.S. Commercial Service
This site includes information about export assistance programs and services across the United States, as well as export information by country.

Information for World-Wide Exporters

COMTRADE from United Nations Statistics Division
Commodity Trade Statistics Database (COMTRADE), the largest depository of international trade data, offers limited free guest access to trade information by country and product. Use “Shortcut query” to quickly retrieve data, or explore the menu for access to the commodity list and to the glossary.

Doing Business
This database from the World Bank offers quick access to information about the business climate (for example, registering the business, hiring workers, getting credit) in each of the featured 181 economies. Part of the data is shown as indicators reflecting government regulations and their effect on small- and medium-size firms.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
ICC, "the world business organization,” provides information such as brief world economic surveys, rules and model contracts, international marketing codes, and news on recent customs regulations, barriers in international trade, or the role of business in a society.

Panorama of the EU
Eurostat's (Statistical Office of the European Communities) report series includes titles like European Business - Facts and Figures, Quarterly Panorama of European Business Statistics, and Europe in Figures - Eurostat Yearbook.

Page Last Updated: February 14 2013