Promote:
Export from Alabama
A short guide for companies selling from Alabama: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Alabama sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$23.7 billion
Merchandise exports were US$23,669.5 million in 2025, as first published, including re-exports.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state export origin, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Manufactured goods exports
US$19.8 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$19,797.2 million in 2025, 83.6 percent of the state's total, computed from Census Exhibit 2.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state export origin, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Motor cars (HS 8703)US$8.16 billion
- 2. Coal (HS 2701)US$1.6 billion
- 3. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$1.43 billion
- 4. Parts for motor vehicles (HS 8708)US$682.6 million
- 5. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$653.3 million
- 6. Chemical wood pulp (HS 4703)US$631.4 million
- 7. Alloy steel flat-rolled sheet (HS 7225)US$510.5 million
- 8. Gasoline engines (HS 8407)US$425.1 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Stainless steel flat-rolled sheet (HS 7219)US$380.4 million
- 10. Foundry binders and chemical preparations (HS 3824)US$302.8 million
- 11. Wood chips and fuel wood (HS 4401)US$266.4 million
- 12. Hot-rolled steel sheet (HS 7208)US$247 million
- 13. Diesel engines (HS 8408)US$244.9 million
- 14. Cargo and delivery trucks (HS 8704)US$231 million
- 15. Resins and polyesters in primary forms (HS 3907)US$221 million
- 16. Catalysts and reaction accelerators (HS 3815)US$201.5 million
- 17. Armored fighting vehicles (HS 8710)US$194.9 million
- 18. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$165.3 million
- 19. Coated paper and paperboard (HS 4810)US$156.3 million
- 20. Munitions and parts (HS 9306)US$152.5 million
- Origin of movement is where goods began their journey to the port, not always where made. For farm and mining goods the state shown generally reflects the port of export, and foreign-trade zone shipments are spread among states. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The ranking's shares are of US$23,670.9 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$23,669.5 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ slightly. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- Canada18.2%
- Mexico17%
- Germany14.3%
- China8.5%
- India3.7%
- Japan3.4%
- South Korea2.9%
- Brazil2.6%
Show 2 more destinations
- United Kingdom2.2%
- Belgium1.9%
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks parts for motor vehicles, foundry binders and chemical preparations and wood chips and fuel wood as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Alabama’s top destinations overall.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports
Wood chips and fuel wood grew 26% from 2024 to 2025; copper scrap grew 25% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
For Alabama: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Alabama runs for exporters
Only what Alabama itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Alabama's State Trade Expansion Program reimburses pre-approved export marketing costs, and an international project manager at the Department of Commerce must approve every activity before any money is spent.
Source: Alabama Commerce, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The program covers trade mission and show fees, Commercial Service fees, website translation, export credit insurance fees and CE marking and compliance fees, but not printing, website design or meals.
Source: Alabama Commerce, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Department of Agriculture and Industries offers a certificate of free sale, with an application on its site, for exported products that the department regulates.
Source: Alabama Agriculture and Industries, certificate of free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Secretary of State authenticates Alabama public documents for use abroad, as an apostille for countries in the Hague Convention and a certification for other countries, at US$5.00 per document.
Source: Alabama Secretary of State, authentications (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more
The Alabama International Trade Center, hosted by the University of Alabama since 1979, gives no-cost, confidential, one-on-one export help on market research, trade finance, logistics and website internationalization.
Source: Alabama SBDC Network, export and import assistance (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Export requirements across the United States: see the steps in Export from the United States
5. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Alabama
- Ask the Alabama International Trade Center for no-cost export research and a trade finance consultation before you pick a market.Alabama International Trade CenterOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Alabama SBDC Network, export and import assistance (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask the Office of Global Business whether the State Trade Expansion Program can reimburse a trade show, translation or insurance cost, and get approval first.Alabama Department of CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Alabama Commerce, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For products the Department of Agriculture and Industries regulates, apply for a certificate of free sale when a buyer or foreign government asks for one.Alabama Department of Agriculture and IndustriesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Alabama Agriculture and Industries, certificate of free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- If a buyer needs Alabama documents for use abroad, send them to the Secretary of State for an apostille or a certification.Alabama Secretary of StateUS$5.00 per documentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Alabama Secretary of State, authentications (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 2 more export steps
- Classify your product and check whether it needs an export license before you ship.Bureau of Industry and SecurityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Commercial Service, United States export regulations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when a shipment needs it.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Commercial Service, filing through the Automated Export System (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Office of Global Business and AITC. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
State trade promotion office
Office of Global Business
Alabama Department of Commerce, Office of Global Business
Runs Export Alabama and the State Trade Expansion Program, which reimburses pre-approved export marketing costs for small and mid-sized Alabama companies.
Visit Office of Global Business (opens in a new tab)Source: Alabama Commerce, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
University export assistance center
AITC
Alabama International Trade Center
Gives Alabama small businesses no-cost, confidential export research, trade finance consultations, training and website internationalization help.
Visit AITC (opens in a new tab)Source: Alabama SBDC Network, export and import assistance (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Alabama SBDC
Alabama Small Business Development Center Network
Gives Alabama entrepreneurs advising, training and financing help, and hosts the Alabama International Trade Center for export and import assistance.
Visit Alabama SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Alabama SBDC Network, export and import assistance (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Alabama Revenue
Alabama Department of Revenue
Registers entities for state taxes in My Alabama Taxes and administers the business privilege tax and Chapter 9B abatements.
Visit Alabama Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Alabama Department of Revenue, register a business (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Inland port and intermodal center
Port of Huntsville
Runs an international intermodal center with air and rail cargo at the center of Foreign-Trade Zone 83.
Visit Port of Huntsville (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Huntsville, home page, 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State seaport authority
State Port Authority
Alabama State Port Authority
Manages and develops the state’s public seaport facilities, chiefly the Port of Mobile, and directs the state docks.
Visit State Port Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: Mobile County, State Port Authority board sheet, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 22, 2025
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Alabama Agriculture
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Issues a certificate of free sale for exported products that it regulates.
Visit Alabama Agriculture (opens in a new tab)Source: Alabama Agriculture and Industries, certificate of free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State banking regulator
State Banking Department
Alabama State Banking Department
Charters and regulates Alabama state banks and licenses lenders through its Bureau of Loans.
Visit State Banking Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Alabama State Banking Department, home page, 2026 notices (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Statewide business association
BCA
Business Council of Alabama
Advocates for Alabama businesses on workforce training, infrastructure, manufacturing regulation, tax policy and labor law.
Visit BCA (opens in a new tab)Source: Business Council of Alabama, home page, 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Research expense deduction
Act 2025-400 lets Alabama taxpayers deduct research and experimental expenses currently, or defer them as before 2022, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024.
What to do: Ask your tax preparer which treatment suits your Alabama return before you file.
Source: Alabama Legislature, House Bill 163 enrolled, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Port cargo credit
Act 2023-419 raised the Port Credit’s lifetime cap to US$20 million, at most US$5 million a fiscal year, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2023.
What to do: Get the Department of Commerce’s approval before you count the credit in your shipping costs.
Sources: Act 2023-419, Port Credit, Department of Revenue copy (opens in a new tab); Alabama Department of Revenue, Port Credit (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Export from the United States
8. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Alabama project.
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Promote:Alabama is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.