Promote:
Export from Maryland
A short guide for companies selling from Maryland: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Maryland sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$16.5 billion
Merchandise exports were US$16,507.2 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$9.36 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$9,363.0 million in 2025, 56.7 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. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$2.72 billionSchedule B grouping, not an HS heading.
- 2. Petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$2.16 billion
- 3. Coal (HS 2701)US$888 million
- 4. Laboratory reagents and test kits (HS 3822)US$611.7 million
- 5. Vaccines, blood products and cultures (HS 3002)US$593 million
- 6. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$439.1 million
- 7. Jewelry (HS 7113)US$296 million
- 8. Bulldozers, graders and excavators (HS 8429)US$268.9 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Tractors (HS 8701)US$242.2 million
- 10. Catalysts and reaction accelerators (HS 3815)US$229.2 million
- 11. Engines and motors (HS 8412)US$222.3 million
- 12. Phones and wireless network equipment (HS 8517)US$215.1 million
- 13. Printed books (HS 4901)US$212.8 million
- 14. Chemical and physical analysis instruments (HS 9027)US$189.1 million
- 15. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$170.6 million
- 16. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$164.4 million
- 17. Computers (HS 8471)US$163.6 million
- 18. Aircraft parts (HS 8807)US$156.2 million
- 19. Specialty machinery (HS 8479)US$154 million
- 20. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$144.1 million
- Origin of movement is where goods began their trip to the port, not always where made. Farm and mining goods, petroleum gases and coal among them, generally show the export port's state; foreign-trade zone shipments are spread among states. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The ranking's shares are of US$16,561.4 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$16,507.2 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ slightly. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Re-exports were US$2,708.5 million in 2025, 16.4 percent of Exhibit 2's total; they are in the totals and the ranking. 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
- Canada13.2%
- France10.4%
- Netherlands7.7%
- India7%
- Morocco6.4%
- Germany4.9%
- Japan4.5%
- United Kingdom4.3%
Show 2 more destinations
- China4%
- Mexico3.1%
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 laboratory reagents and test kits, jewelry and catalysts and reaction accelerators as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Maryland’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
Aluminum scrap grew 43% from 2024 to 2025; computers grew 27% 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 Maryland: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Maryland runs for exporters
Only what Maryland itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Maryland Commerce's ExportMD program reimburses a small business up to US$5,000 of eligible international marketing costs, such as travel, website development and trade show registration.
Source: Maryland Commerce, ExportMD Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Maryland Commerce runs SBA's State Trade Expansion Program funding for ExportMD: the total program cost is US$733,333, of which the federal share is US$550,000.
Source: Maryland Commerce, ExportMD awards release, October 14, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2025
Commerce helped 99 small Maryland companies with ExportMD grants awarded from August 2024 through August 2025, in 15 of the state's jurisdictions.
Source: Maryland Commerce, ExportMD awards release, October 14, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024-2025
Commerce's international office lists regional contacts for East Asia; Europe; India, Southeast Asia and Australia; the United Kingdom and Africa; the Middle East and Turkey; and the Americas.
Source: Maryland Commerce, International Investment and Trade office page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 2 more
A 2026 law, effective July 1, 2026, keeps the Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission, which sits within Commerce, in place until September 30, 2028.
Source: Maryland General Assembly, Chapter 37 of 2026 (Ireland commission) (opens in a new tab) · as of April 14, 2026
Maryland Business Express lists the Maryland Soft Landing Exchange Program, which lets Maryland companies test foreign markets at low cost using partners' facilities, networks and advisors.
Source: Maryland Business Express, international expansion page (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 Maryland
- Ask the Commerce international office about ExportMD, which reimburses up to US$5,000 of eligible international marketing costs, and about trade missions.Maryland Department of Commerce, Office of International Investment & TradeUp to US$5,000 reimbursedOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Maryland Commerce, ExportMD Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Book export counseling with the Commercial Service Baltimore office, which serves exporters across the state.U.S. Commercial Service BaltimoreOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, Baltimore office contact page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Check whether the Export-Import Bank's export credit insurance and guarantees fit your sales; its nearest regional center is in Washington.Export-Import Bank of the United StatesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EXIM, regional export finance centers (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 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more export step
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when goods under one Schedule B number are worth more than US$2,500, or need a license.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, filing in the Automated Export System (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with OIIT and Commercial Service Baltimore. 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
International trade and investment office
OIIT
Office of International Investment & Trade
Helps Maryland companies enter new markets and helps international companies set up in the state, and runs ExportMD and trade missions.
Visit OIIT (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Commerce, International Investment and Trade office page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Export assistance center
Commercial Service Baltimore
U.S. Commercial Service Baltimore
Gives exporters across Maryland export counseling, market information and trade events through the International Trade Administration.
Show 2 more organizations
Manufacturing extension center
Maryland MEP
Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Works with Maryland manufacturers on strategy, growth, workforce and cybersecurity, as part of the national manufacturing extension network.
Visit Maryland MEP (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland MEP, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
University global business center
Center for Global Business
Runs export webinars for startups on export readiness, market research, market selection and selling abroad through e-commerce.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Comptroller
Comptroller of Maryland
Registers businesses for state tax accounts through the Combined Registration Application, and its State License Bureau enforces business licensing.
Visit Comptroller (opens in a new tab)Source: Comptroller of Maryland, starting a new business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State labor and unemployment agency
Maryland Labor
Maryland Department of Labor
Registers employers for unemployment insurance and the Family and Medical Leave Insurance program and collects quarterly unemployment insurance taxes.
Visit Maryland Labor (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Labor, new employers page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State port authority
MPA
Maryland Port Administration
Manages the state-owned facilities at the Port of Baltimore and works to increase waterborne commerce through the state.
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
MDA
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Supervises and promotes Maryland agriculture and protects plant and animal health; its programs include international marketing and plant protection.
- Meet requirements
University food safety group
UMD Food Safety Group
University of Maryland Plant Science Department, Food Safety Group
Offers training and help on good agricultural practices and the federal Produce Safety Rule for Maryland farmers.
Visit UMD Food Safety Group (opens in a new tab)Source: University of Maryland, produce safety page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Export advisory council
MD-DC DEC
Maryland/Washington D.C. District Export Council, Inc.
Advises local firms on international business and runs events with the Commercial Service, including a yearly Maryland Export Day.
Visit MD-DC DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: District Export Council, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Maryland Chamber
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Advocates for Maryland businesses in the legislature and publishes a yearly competitiveness index.
Visit Maryland Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Chamber of Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Ireland trade commission
A 2026 law keeps the Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission, which studies trade and investment with Ireland, within Commerce until September 30, 2028; it took effect July 1, 2026.
What to do: Ask the Commerce international office how the commission's work bears on an Ireland project before you start it.
Sources: Maryland General Assembly, Chapter 37 of 2026 (Ireland commission) (opens in a new tab); Legislative Services, fiscal note on House Bill 413, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
ExportMD funding
Commerce says ExportMD funds can change from year to year because the program depends on a federal State Trade Expansion Program grant.
What to do: Confirm with Commerce that funds are open before you commit export marketing costs.
Sources: Maryland Commerce, ExportMD Program page (opens in a new tab); Maryland Commerce, ExportMD awards release, October 14, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Local economy
The Richmond Fed reports Maryland payroll employment fell by 13,900 jobs, or 0.5 percent, in the year to September 2026, with unemployment at 3.9 percent.
What to do: Test local demand assumptions against current state data before you size a project.
Sources: Richmond Fed, Maryland economic snapshot, September 2026 data (opens in a new tab); Richmond Fed, podcast on federal job cuts, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Family and medical leave
Employers with at least one employee in Maryland must register with the leave insurance program; withholding begins January 1, 2027 and benefits begin January 1, 2028.
What to do: Register with the program before you hire in Maryland.
Sources: Maryland Business Express, FAMLI page (opens in a new tab); Maryland Labor, new employers page (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 Maryland project.
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Promote:Maryland 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 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.