Promote:
Export from Delaware
A short guide for companies selling from Delaware: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Delaware sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$5.47 billion
Merchandise exports were US$5,469.0 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$4.13 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$4,125.9 million in 2025, 75.4 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. Medicines in dosage form (HS 3004)US$601.1 million
- 2. Ammunition and munitions (HS 9306)US$446.5 million
- 3. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$341.8 million
- 4. Laboratory and measuring instruments (HS 9027)US$319.5 million
- 5. Smartphones and wireless phones (HS 8517)US$171 million
- 6. Machine tool parts and accessories (HS 8466)US$166.2 million
- 7. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$159.5 million
- 8. Filtering and purifying machinery (HS 8421)US$144.6 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Plastic articles (HS 3926)US$144.5 million
- 10. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$140.5 million
- 11. Electric motors and generators (HS 8501)US$127.9 million
- 12. Bananas (HS 0803)US$123 million
- 13. Precious metal articles (HS 7115)US$106.5 million
- 14. Petroleum coke and bitumen (HS 2713)US$105 million
- 15. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$91.6 million
- 16. Vinyl chloride polymers (HS 3904)US$88.3 million
- 17. Cellulose derivatives (HS 3912)US$83.1 million
- 18. Poultry meat (HS 0207)US$78.4 million
- 19. Acrylic polymers (HS 3906)US$77.1 million
- 20. Polishes and cleaning pastes (HS 3405)US$76.2 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$5,507.4 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$5,469.0 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ slightly. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Heading 8800, civilian aircraft, engines and parts, is a Census Schedule B grouping, not a World Customs Organization heading. It is ranked as the data give it and is not offered in the picker. 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
- Canada14.1%
- United Arab Emirates13.2%
- China7.3%
- Mexico5.5%
- South Korea5.2%
- Belgium4.9%
- Germany4.6%
- United Kingdom3.8%
Show 2 more destinations
- Japan3.6%
- Brazil3.4%
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 computers and data processing machines, laboratory and measuring instruments and machine tool parts and accessories as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Delaware’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
Computers and data processing machines grew 146% from 2024 to 2025; polishes and cleaning pastes grew 24% 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 Delaware: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Delaware runs for exporters
Only what Delaware itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Export Delaware lists trade representatives under 15 country or regional headings, among them Canada, India, Israel, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Source: Export Delaware, trade representatives page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Compass Grant reimburses up to 50 percent of pre-approved international marketing costs, to a maximum of US$10,000 per company in each state fiscal year.
Source: Export Delaware, Compass Grant page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A Compass Grant applicant needs operations in Delaware, a product made in the United States with 51 percent United States content, and at least one year in business.
Source: Export Delaware, Compass Grant page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Export Delaware says it has received six State Trade Expansion Program awards from the Small Business Administration, with nearly US$935,000 distributed to Delaware companies.
Source: Export Delaware, about page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce issues certificates of origin by appointment, at US$20 each for members and US$100 for others.
Source: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A company must sign a notarized affidavit of origin and indemnification agreement at the Chamber's Wilmington office before its first certificate is issued.
Source: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Delaware Department of Agriculture's Plant Industries Section issues federal and state phytosanitary certificates in cooperation with the federal plant protection and quarantine unit.
Source: Department of Agriculture, plant protection and quarantine, 2026 (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 Delaware
- Contact Export Delaware for export counseling, market studies from overseas trade representatives and business trips.Export DelawareOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Export Delaware, services page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Check the Compass Grant requirements, then apply to have up to half of approved international marketing costs reimbursed.Export DelawareUp to US$10,000 per fiscal yearOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Export Delaware, Compass Grant page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Make an appointment at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce for a certificate of origin and sign the affidavit before your first one.Delaware State Chamber of CommerceUS$20 for members, US$100 for othersOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- If you ship plants or plant products, ask the Plant Industries Section about a federal or state phytosanitary certificate.Delaware Department of AgricultureOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Agriculture, plant protection and quarantine, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- If you import inputs, ask the Division of Small Business about Foreign-Trade Zone 99, which covers the whole state.Delaware Division of Small BusinessOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Division of Small Business, Foreign-Trade Zone 99 page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- 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: International Trade Administration, export regulations page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when goods under one Schedule B number are worth over US$2,500, or need a license.U.S. Census BureauOver US$2,500 per Schedule B numberOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, Automated Export System filing, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Export Delaware. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every body in Delaware found with evidence dated 2025 or later; bodies whose sites could not be read or showed no dated evidence have no card. Source (opens in a new tab)
Export development and market information
State international trade office
Export Delaware
Gives Delaware small businesses export counseling, overseas trade representatives, business trips and Compass Grant reimbursements.
Visit Export Delaware (opens in a new tab)Source: Export Delaware, services page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State port authority
DSPC
Diamond State Port Corporation
Owns the Port of Wilmington terminal facilities and is a public instrumentality of the state.
Visit DSPC (opens in a new tab)Source: Diamond State Port Corporation, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Division of Revenue
Delaware Division of Revenue
Administers corporate income tax, gross receipts tax and withholding, and runs the business license and One Stop registration.
Visit Division of Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Division of Revenue, doing business in Delaware, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Department of Agriculture
Delaware Department of Agriculture
Issues federal and state phytosanitary certificates for plants and plant products through its Plant Industries Section.
Manufacturing extension center
DEMEP
Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Trains Delaware manufacturers in lean methods and quality management systems, including ISO 9001:2026 transition workshops scheduled from September 2026 to February 2027.
Visit DEMEP (opens in a new tab)Source: DEMEP, events page, ISO 9001:2026 training, 2026 to 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State insurance regulator
Department of Insurance
Delaware Department of Insurance
Approves insurance rates, including workers' compensation rates, and runs a Workplace Safety Program that can lower employers' premiums.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Statewide chamber of commerce
State Chamber
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
Issues certificates of origin by appointment and publishes a 2026 policy blog on state business legislation.
Visit State Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
CDCC
Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce
Runs business mixers, member orientation and the Leadership Central Delaware program for Kent County businesses, as its June 2026 newsletter shows.
Visit CDCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, newsletter, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Export grant use
Export Delaware says the State awarded US$85,355 across 29 Compass Grants in the last fiscal year, paying for trade shows, overseas customer visits and EXIM credit insurance premiums.
What to do: Ask Export Delaware whether your planned trip, show or credit insurance premium is eligible before you commit.
Sources: Delaware Department of State, Compass Grant results, August 2026 (opens in a new tab); Export Delaware, Compass Grant page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 21, 2026
Port capacity
The Diamond State Port Corporation says Port of Wilmington handles more than 400 vessels and 6 million tons of cargo a year, and its board tracks a planned container terminal.
What to do: Check the operator's tariff and terminal services before you book cargo.
Sources: Diamond State Port Corporation, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Diamond State Port Corporation, board meetings through October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State economy
The Philadelphia Fed says Delaware's coincident index rose 2.4 percent in the 12 months to September 2026, while payroll employment and average manufacturing hours fell over the past three months.
What to do: Check the latest state coincident index release before you size a manufacturing project.
Source: Philadelphia Fed, state coincident indexes, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 23, 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 Delaware project.
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Promote:Delaware 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.