In partnership with the U.S. Export Assistance Center, GDEcD provides a Resource Center for the business community with access to the information necessary to export. In addition, customized in-country research is provided by GDEcD’s International Offices. The types of information that may be provided include:

• Market recommendations and entry strategies
• Export statistics
• International sales and marketing procedures
• Export documentation required by country
• Importers in specific countries
• Countries importing a particular product 
• Industry associations abroad

Country Commercial Guides (CCGs) and Industry Sector Analysis (ISAs) provide an overview of each country’s and industry’s trade regulations and present a comprehensive look at the commercial environment in various countries through economic, political and market analysis. Often the back of the CCGs and ISAs contain information on key contacts in a specific industry. The CCGs are available on www.export.gov in the Market Research Library.

Private Sector Resources
• Kompass is a web-based database that provides contact information on manufacturers, agents and distributors, importers and exporters, wholesalers and other key contacts for specific products in 75 countries.

• Trade Show catalogs, Competitor’s websites and Foreign Trade Commission’s websites may be a good source of key contacts abroad.

• Importers Associations in each target country typically provide names of potential representatives. A list of importers associations can be found in the Encyclopedia of Associations, International Edition, or the appropriate country desk officer at The Commercial Service in the US Department of Commerce.

• Foreign Yellow Pages– As with the Yellow Pages in the U.S., Yellow Pages in various countries can be a sources of key contacts. 

• Advertising in Industry-Specific Trade Journals in each target market is another way to identify potential representatives. Information on industry journals may be found in Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory. Sometimes these journals have an annual buyer’s guide which may be a source of leads.

• Membership directories of American Chambers of Commerce abroad can provide data on key contacts in each country. Each chamber needs to be contacted individually.

Before committing to doing business globally, it is important to check the credit and reputation of potential agents/distributors through the use of sources such as local banks, Dun & Bradstreet or Graydon International. Owens International free trade lead bulletin board is available to assist international businesses in the networking process or the US Department of Commerce’s International Company Profiles.

Private Subscription- Based Sources: 

• Piers Trade Profiles - Details on exporters and importers via ocean-bound shipments 
• Selectory Online - Directory of US and Canadian businesses
• The Datamyne - Details on imports and exports around the world

Resources for Import Requests

The following is a list of resources that can provide information to assist U.S. importers:

• Consulates
• Georgia's International Offices
• Bi-National Chambers of Commerce
• Thomas Register
• Kompass
• Piers
• Trade Stats Express
• International Importer Directory
• Directory of United States Importers (published by Commonwealth Business
• Your local freight forwarder and/or customs house broker
• Companies seeking information about importing can call the University of Georgia’s
• Small Business Development Center, International Trade Division for assistance