Promote:
Export from Indiana
A short guide for companies selling from Indiana: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Indiana sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$68.8 billion
Merchandise exports were US$68,839.7 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$59.7 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$59,735.0 million in 2025, 86.8 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. Hormones and steroid drugs (HS 2937)US$16.3 billion
- 2. Packaged medicines (HS 3004)US$7.3 billion
- 3. Vaccines, blood products and cultures (HS 3002)US$5.65 billion
- 4. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$3.17 billion
- 5. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$2.92 billion
- 6. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$2.88 billion
- 7. Diesel engines (HS 8408)US$1.86 billion
- 8. Medical and dental instruments (HS 9018)US$1.74 billion
Show 12 more products
- 9. Orthopedic devices and artificial body parts (HS 9021)US$1.56 billion
- 10. Diagnostic and lab reagents (HS 3822)US$1.45 billion
- 11. Trailers and semi-trailers (HS 8716)US$975.6 million
- 12. Cargo trucks (HS 8704)US$912.3 million
- 13. Telephones and wireless network equipment (HS 8517)US$759.5 million
- 14. Filtering and centrifuge machinery (HS 8421)US$733.5 million
- 15. Engine parts (HS 8409)US$721.5 million
- 16. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$445.5 million
- 17. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$423.2 million
- 18. Electric storage batteries (HS 8507)US$408.6 million
- 19. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$369.7 million
- 20. Electrical control panels (HS 8537)US$356.4 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$68,572.5 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$68,839.7 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
- Italy21.6%
- Canada18.8%
- Mexico11.6%
- Germany6.5%
- Japan6.1%
- China4.6%
- France2.6%
- Brazil2.6%
Show 2 more destinations
- United Kingdom2.5%
- Netherlands2.3%
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 packaged medicines, motor vehicle parts and medical and dental instruments as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Indiana’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
Electric storage batteries grew 176% from 2024 to 2025; telephones and wireless network equipment grew 44% 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 Indiana: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Indiana runs for exporters
Only what Indiana itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Indiana's State Trade Expansion Program reimburses 80 percent of approved export costs, up to US$15,000 a calendar year, for eligible small businesses.
Source: IEDC, State Trade Expansion Program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
To qualify, a company must be a registered state vendor, operate for a year, be new to exporting or expanding markets, and be an Indiana SBDC client.
Source: IEDC, State Trade Expansion Program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The state program had US$765,000 in total funding in its thirteenth year: US$565,000 from the federal government and US$200,000 from non-federal sources.
Source: IEDC, State Trade Expansion Program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Indiana SBDC's Export Indiana Accelerator is a no-cost, 12-week program that builds an export strategy with advisors the Small Business Administration has certified in exporting.
Source: Indiana SBDC, Export Indiana Accelerator page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 5 more
Indiana Department of Natural Resources nursery inspectors act as authorized certification officials who inspect plant exports and issue phytosanitary certificates for them.
Source: Indiana DNR, phytosanitary program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Since January 1, 2025, the Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology charges APHIS's federal fees for federal phytosanitary certificates: US$100 plus a US$6 technology fee for an original. Confirm the current fee before you apply.
Source: Indiana DNR, phytosanitary fee notice, November 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 18, 2024
Indiana's state phytosanitary certificate costs US$50, with no fee for certified nurseries, and covers shipments across state lines or to United States territories, not exports.
Source: Indiana DNR, phytosanitary fee notice, November 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 18, 2024
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce issues certificates of origin through an online portal and says it processes an application within one business day.
Source: Indiana Chamber, certificate of origin service, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The State Department of Agriculture has an international trade director and refers agricultural exporters to federal programs and to Food Export Midwest.
Source: ISDA, international trade page, 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 Indiana
- Book export counseling with an Indiana SBDC advisor, or apply for the no-cost Export Indiana Accelerator, to build an export strategy.Indiana Small Business Development CenterOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Indiana SBDC, Export Indiana Accelerator page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask IEDC about reimbursement of approved export costs under the State Trade Expansion Program before you book trade shows or translation work.Indiana Economic Development Corporation80 percent of approved eligible expenses, up to US$15,000 a calendar yearOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: IEDC, State Trade Expansion Program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For plants and plant products, ask a Department of Natural Resources inspector for an inspection and a phytosanitary certificate.Division of Entomology & Plant PathologyAPHIS federal fee for an original certificate: US$100 plus a US$6 technology feeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Indiana DNR, phytosanitary program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Request a certificate of origin from the Indiana Chamber's online portal when your buyer or the destination country asks for one.Indiana Chamber of CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Indiana Chamber, certificate of origin service, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- Ask the Commercial Service office in Indianapolis about help in your target market.U.S. Commercial ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, Indianapolis Commercial Service page (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, export filing page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with IEDC and Commercial Service Indianapolis. 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 economic development agency
IEDC
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Runs the state export reimbursement program and international offices, and helps companies find sites and tax credits for a move or expansion.
Visit IEDC (opens in a new tab)Source: IEDC, State Trade Expansion Program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Export assistance center
Commercial Service Indianapolis
U.S. Commercial Service Indianapolis
Counsels companies throughout Indiana on exporting, with a director and two trade specialists listed for the state.
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Indiana SBDC
Indiana Small Business Development Center
Runs the no-cost Export Indiana Accelerator, which builds an export strategy with export-certified advisors, and gives general business advising.
Visit Indiana SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Indiana SBDC, Export Indiana Accelerator page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Department of Revenue
Indiana Department of Revenue
Registers businesses for state taxes through INBiz and publishes a tax guide for new and small businesses.
Visit Department of Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Indiana Department of Revenue, register a business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State port authority
Ports of Indiana
Is the grantee of the foreign-trade zones at Burns Harbor, Clark County and Evansville, in the Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 report.
Visit Ports of Indiana (opens in a new tab)Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 2024 annual report, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
ISDA
Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Its Economic Development Division gives agricultural exporters education, trade mission support and referrals to federal and regional export programs.
Visit ISDA (opens in a new tab)Source: ISDA, international trade services page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State financial regulator
DFI
Indiana Department of Financial Institutions
Charters and supervises state banks and credit unions, and admits banking corporations from outside Indiana.
Visit DFI (opens in a new tab)Source: Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, depository applications, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Plant health inspection office
Entomology and Plant Pathology
Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology
Part of the Department of Natural Resources; its inspectors issue federal and state phytosanitary certificates for plant exports.
Visit Entomology and Plant Pathology (opens in a new tab)Source: Indiana DNR, phytosanitary program page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
District export council
Indiana DEC
Indiana District Export Council
Works to promote exports and export education for Indiana businesses, and runs export webinars and conferences with the Commerce Department.
Visit Indiana DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Indiana District Export Council, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Indiana Chamber
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Issues certificates of origin through an online portal and speaks for Indiana business at the Statehouse and in Congress.
Visit Indiana Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Indiana Chamber, certificate of origin service, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
State manufacturers' association
Indiana Manufacturers Association
Speaks for Indiana manufacturers on state policy and runs member events and a manufacturing survey.
7. Worth knowing
Farm export values
The agriculture department's November 2025 report says farm exports fell from a record US$7.4 billion in 2022 to nearly US$6.4 billion in 2023, and expects lower 2024 and 2025 values.
What to do: Check current commodity prices with the department before you price farm product exports.
Source: ISDA, 2025 annual report, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Pharmaceutical concentration
Hormones, packaged medicines and vaccines or blood products were 42.7 percent of Indiana's 2025 merchandise exports in the Census Bureau's state data, computed from its heading values.
What to do: Check the destination country's rules for medicines and biological products before you quote.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (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 Indiana project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Free to start. No card required.
Already have an account? Sign in
Promote:Indiana 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.