Promote:
Find public support
The organizations that help companies export from and invest in Maryland, grouped by what you need. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
1. Where to start
OIIT, Maryland Commerce and Commercial Service Baltimore: the guide’s first stops, of the 13 organizations below.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- 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
- Get advice
State economic development agency
Maryland Commerce
Maryland Department of Commerce
Runs the state's grants, loans and tax incentives for businesses and works to attract investment to Maryland.
Visit Maryland Commerce (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Commerce, home 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.
2. Export development and market information
4 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- 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.
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.
3. Investment and business setup
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- Get advice
State economic development agency
Maryland Commerce
Maryland Department of Commerce
Runs the state's grants, loans and tax incentives for businesses and works to attract investment to Maryland.
Visit Maryland Commerce (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Business entity registration
SDAT
Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation
Registers new and out-of-state businesses, issues each entity an identification number and takes its annual reports.
Visit SDAT (opens in a new tab)Source: Maryland Business Express, register your business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
4. Customs and tax
3 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- 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
- 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.
5. Standards and sector requirements
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- 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
6. Chambers and industry associations
2 organizations. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
- 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. 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.
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- 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.