Promote:
Export from Iowa
A short guide for companies selling from Iowa: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Iowa sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$16.2 billion
Merchandise exports were US$16,192.2 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$13 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$13,012.3 million in 2025, 80.4 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. Corn (HS 1005)US$1.47 billion
- 2. Tractors (HS 8701)US$1.17 billion
- 3. Pork, fresh or frozen (HS 0203)US$1.01 billion
- 4. Pesticides and herbicides (HS 3808)US$856.3 million
- 5. Ethanol (HS 2207)US$625.7 million
- 6. Harvesting machines and parts (HS 8433)US$498.9 million
- 7. Soybean meal (HS 2304)US$457.2 million
- 8. Molybdenum ores and concentrates (HS 2613)US$430.7 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Bulldozers, graders and excavators (HS 8429)US$345.4 million
- 10. Sugars and syrups (HS 1702)US$311.6 million
- 11. Animal feed preparations (HS 2309)US$309.2 million
- 12. Starch and distilling residues (HS 2303)US$299.3 million
- 13. Tractor and vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$295.9 million
- 14. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$284.4 million
- 15. Special purpose vehicles (HS 8705)US$239.6 million
- 16. Prepared meat products (HS 1602)US$209.6 million
- 17. Aluminum plates and sheets (HS 7606)US$206.1 million
- 18. Edible meat offal (HS 0206)US$205.7 million
- 19. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$202 million
- 20. Enzymes (HS 3507)US$180 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$16,309.7 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$16,192.2 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
- Canada30.4%
- Mexico19.8%
- Japan5.1%
- China4.6%
- Brazil4.3%
- Australia3.9%
- Netherlands3.1%
- Germany2.9%
Show 2 more destinations
- United Kingdom2.8%
- South Korea2.6%
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 harvesting machines and parts, animal feed preparations and tractor and vehicle parts as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Iowa’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
Canada takes 30.4% of Iowa’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
For Iowa: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Iowa runs for exporters
Only what Iowa itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Iowa's rule on international trade financial assistance, effective December 3, 2025, reimburses up to 75 percent of eligible costs, to US$8,000 for each event or marketing project.
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, trade assistance rules, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2025
Eligible exporters employ fewer than 500 people, at least 75 percent of them in Iowa, and are new to exporting, targeting a new market or promoting a new product.
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, trade assistance rules, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2025
Eligible costs include trade show space, mission fees, translation, compliance testing and distributor-contract legal fees; airfare, printing and equipment purchases are not eligible.
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, trade assistance rules, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2025
An exporter must apply before the trade show, mission or marketing work, and the authority funds complete applications in the order received while money lasts.
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, trade assistance rules, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2025
Show 2 more
Iowa's state entomologist inspects plants and plant products bound for any destination outside Iowa and certifies them against that destination's pest rules, for a fee covering the inspection.
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, plant pest rules, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 5, 2025
America's SBDC Iowa gives free, confidential counseling and lists five credentialed international trade advisors, who work with a client after a first counseling session.
Source: America's SBDC Iowa, 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 Iowa
- Book counseling with an America's SBDC Iowa center, and ask for one of its international trade advisors, to prepare your export project.America's SBDC IowaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: America's SBDC Iowa, international trade page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Apply to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for trade assistance before you book a trade show, mission or marketing work.Iowa Economic Development AuthorityUp to 75 percent of eligible costs, to US$8,000 for each event or projectOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, trade assistance rules, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2025
- Ask the state entomologist for an inspection and certificate before you ship plants or plant products outside Iowa.Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land StewardshipA fee covering the inspectionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Iowa Administrative Code, plant pest rules, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 5, 2025
- Ask the Commercial Service office in Des Moines about help in your target market.U.S. Commercial ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, Commercial Service Des Moines contacts, 2026 (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: 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 in AES, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with IEDA and Iowa SBDC. 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
IEDA
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Reimburses eligible Iowa exporters for trade shows, missions and marketing services, and runs the state business incentive programs.
Visit IEDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Iowa Administrative Code, trade assistance rules, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2025
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Iowa SBDC
America's SBDC Iowa
Gives free, confidential counseling and routes clients to credentialed international trade advisors.
Visit Iowa SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: America's SBDC Iowa, international trade page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Department of Revenue
Iowa Department of Revenue
Collects Iowa income, sales and use, withholding and franchise taxes and issues sales tax permits.
Visit Department of Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Legislative Services Agency, state tax due dates, September 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 5, 2025
- Meet requirements
Mississippi River port authority
Ports Authority
Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority
Coordinates six eastern Iowa counties on Mississippi River port and waterway matters.
Visit Ports Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: City of Muscatine, Ports of Eastern Iowa Authority release, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 24, 2024
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Agriculture Department
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Runs plant pest rules through the state entomologist, who inspects and certifies plants and plant products bound for destinations outside Iowa.
Visit Agriculture Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Iowa Administrative Code, plant pest rules, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 5, 2025
University manufacturing extension center
CIRAS
Center for Industrial Research and Service
Runs Iowa State University's industrial incentive program, which matches business money for contract research on Iowa industrial projects.
Visit CIRAS (opens in a new tab)Source: Legislative Services Agency, 2026 Session Fiscal Report, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State insurance regulator
Insurance Division
Iowa Insurance Division
Regulates insurance business in Iowa and issues the certificate of authority a company needs to write policies.
Visit Insurance Division (opens in a new tab)Source: Iowa Legislature, Iowa Code section 515.41, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State business association
ABI
Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Speaks for Iowa employers at the Statehouse, runs manufacturing programs and publishes a monthly business magazine with trade coverage.
Visit ABI (opens in a new tab)Source: Iowa Association of Business and Industry, about page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Corn checkoff and promotion board
Iowa Corn
Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Invests Iowa corn checkoff money in overseas market development for corn, ethanol and distillers grains through a national grains export council.
Visit Iowa Corn (opens in a new tab)Source: Iowa Corn Promotion Board, export markets column, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 10, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Where exports are counted
Iowa farm exports moving down the Mississippi River are often recorded as exports of Louisiana, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says, so totals may not match where goods grew.
What to do: Read Iowa export figures as Census Bureau origin-of-movement data before you quote them.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, state trade intensity, June 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Manufacturing and trade drag
The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts Iowa's 2025 real GDP down 0.4 percent, with machinery manufacturing subtracting 0.32 percentage points and wholesale trade 0.30.
What to do: Check demand for machinery and food products in your target market before you commit volumes.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Canada and Mexico share
Canada and Mexico took 50.2 percent of Iowa's 2025 merchandise exports in the Census Bureau's state data, computed from its country values.
What to do: Check each buyer's tariff treatment before you quote a price.
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 Iowa project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Iowa 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.