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Promote:United States

Export from the United States

A short guide for companies selling from the United States: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What the United States sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2025

  1. 1. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$109.5 billion
  2. 2. Crude oil (HS 2709)US$100.3 billion
  3. 3. Natural gas and other petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$81.9 billion
  4. 4. Gold (HS 7108)US$80.6 billion
  5. 5. Computers and data processing equipment (HS 8471)US$61.2 billion
  6. 6. Vaccines and blood products (HS 3002)US$57.3 billion
  7. 7. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$53.5 billion
  8. 8. Integrated circuits (HS 8542)US$51.5 billion
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Smartphones and telephone equipment (HS 8517)US$47.1 billion
  2. 10. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$43.3 billion
  3. 11. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$36.9 billion
  4. 12. Computer parts and accessories (HS 8473)US$35.8 billion
  5. 13. Packaged medicines (HS 3004)US$34.6 billion
  6. 14. Precious metal articles (HS 7115)US$21.5 billion
  7. 15. Semiconductor manufacturing machines (HS 8486)US$19.3 billion
  8. 16. Hormones and related compounds (HS 2937)US$19.1 billion
  9. 17. Corn (HS 1005)US$18.9 billion
  10. 18. Trucks (HS 8704)US$17.5 billion
  11. 19. Ethylene polymers (HS 3901)US$16.5 billion
  12. 20. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$16.5 billion

Source: UN Comtrade, United States exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

Where the goods go

2025, share of goods exports

  • Mexico15.5%
  • Canada15.1%
  • China4.9%
  • United Kingdom4.4%
  • Netherlands4.4%
  • Germany3.8%
  • Japan3.8%
  • Switzerland3.3%

Source: UN Comtrade, United States exports by destination, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

2. What to look into next

Our reading

  • The research marks motor vehicle parts, medical and surgical instruments and computer 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 the United States’s top destinations overall.

    Source: UN Comtrade, United States exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

    Based on: Top goods exports

  • Computer parts and accessories grew 49% from 2024 to 2025; corn grew 32% 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: UN Comtrade, United States exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

    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

What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.

  • United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

    Gives qualifying United States goods preferential access to Canada and Mexico under its origin rules.

    As of October 29, 2026, the July 1 joint review gave no new 16-year term; the agreement stays in force with annual reviews. Check USTR's latest notice.

    Source: USTR, statement on the USMCA joint review, July 1, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026

  • United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Australia.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, australian fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Bahrain.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, bahrain fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, CAFTA-DR page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

Show 10 more agreements

  • United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Chile.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, chile fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Colombia.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, colombia tpa page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Israel.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, israel fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Jordan.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, jordan fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to South Korea.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, Korea FTA page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Morocco.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, morocco fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Oman.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, oman fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Panama.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, panama tpa page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Peru.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, peru tpa page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  • United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement

    Reduces or removes tariffs on qualifying United States goods sold to Singapore.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; claim it only for goods that meet the agreement's origin rules.

    Source: USTR, singapore fta page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from the United States

  1. Get an employer identification number, which identifies the exporter in export filings.Internal Revenue ServiceNo fee for an EIN.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Census Bureau, Export Filing AES, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  2. Classify the product and check whether it needs an export license under the Export Administration Regulations.Bureau of Industry and SecurityOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: ITA, United States export regulations page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  3. Screen the foreign buyer and end user against the Consolidated Screening List and check sanctions programs.International Trade AdministrationOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: ITA, Consolidated Screening List, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  4. Apply for a State Department license if the item is a defense article or service.Directorate of Defense Trade ControlsOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: ITA, United States export regulations page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

Show 7 more export steps
  1. Choose the origin document: certify a free trade agreement claim yourself, or obtain a generic certificate from a chamber of commerce.International Trade AdministrationOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: ITA, FTA Certificates of Origin, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  2. Check the destination country's technical regulations and notifications through the national enquiry point.National Institute of Standards and TechnologyOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: NIST, TBT enquiry point for the United States, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  3. Request a phytosanitary certificate for exported plants and plant products.Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: APHIS, plant and plant product exports, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  4. Request an FDA export certificate for regulated medical devices.U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: FDA, exporting medical devices, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  5. File electronic export information in the Automated Export System through ACE when a shipment is US$2,500 or more or needs a license.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: ITA, United States export regulations page, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  6. Claim drawback if you paid duties on imported goods that you later export.U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: CBP, drawback overview, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

  7. Contact your state trade office for export help; SBA lists the state offices that receive export program awards.U.S. Small Business AdministrationOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: SBA, directory of STEP awardees, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with ITA and CBP. 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

Show 3 more organizations

Customs and tax

Standards and sector requirements

Show 5 more organizations

Chambers and industry associations

Show 1 more organization

6. Worth knowing

Show 3 more

7. 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 United States project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:United States 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 October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.