Promote:
Export from Michigan
A short guide for companies selling from Michigan: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Michigan sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$58.3 billion
Merchandise exports were US$58,278.4 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$48.5 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$48,549.6 million in 2025, 83.3 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. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$9.19 billion
- 2. Cargo trucks (HS 8704)US$6.82 billion
- 3. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$4.76 billion
- 4. Electric storage batteries (HS 8507)US$2.04 billion
- 5. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$1.43 billion
- 6. Petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$1.27 billion
- 7. Glass mirrors (HS 7009)US$1.04 billion
- 8. Engine parts (HS 8409)US$944.8 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Filtering and centrifuge machinery (HS 8421)US$740.9 million
- 10. Packaged medicines (HS 3004)US$737.9 million
- 11. Gasoline piston engines (HS 8407)US$701.8 million
- 12. Liquid pumps (HS 8413)US$694.3 million
- 13. Special-purpose machinery (HS 8479)US$664.3 million
- 14. Hydrogen, rare gases and other nonmetals (HS 2804)US$657.2 million
- 15. Food preparations (HS 2106)US$635.1 million
- 16. Blood products and vaccines (HS 3002)US$611.6 million
- 17. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$567 million
- 18. Seats (HS 9401)US$554 million
- 19. Plastic articles (HS 3926)US$547.3 million
- 20. Crude oil (HS 2709)US$521.7 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$60,327.6 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$58,278.4 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ. 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
- Canada38.5%
- Mexico27.6%
- Germany3%
- China2.6%
- Japan2.3%
- Thailand1.7%
- Brazil1.7%
- South Korea1.6%
Show 2 more destinations
- Australia1.3%
- United Kingdom1.3%
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 motor vehicle parts, glass mirrors and engine parts as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Michigan’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
Food preparations grew 16% from 2024 to 2025; plastic articles grew 15% 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
Canada takes 38.5% of Michigan’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 Michigan: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Michigan runs for exporters
Only what Michigan itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
SBA's directory of State Trade Expansion Program awardees lists a US$900,000 grant for Michigan in fiscal 2024, the same as in fiscal 2023.
Source: SBA, State Trade Expansion Program grant list (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2024
The Senate Fiscal Agency lists export assistance among the programs of the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which administers the state's economic development programs.
Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, labor and economic department overview, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 26, 2026
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issues certificates of origin through its CertifyMichigan online portal for US$25 for members and US$50 for non-members, plus the same amount for each attachment certified.
Source: Michigan Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
To use CertifyMichigan, a company sends an enrollment form and a letter of indemnity, receives portal login details, and then files each application online.
Source: Michigan Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more
The Grand Rapids Chamber processes certificates of origin online for US$30 a document for members and US$75 for non-members, with same-day approval before 1 p.m.
Source: Grand Rapids Chamber, certificates of origin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Senate Fiscal Agency says the agriculture department's Agriculture Development Bureau connects businesses to international trade help, and its Bureau of Environment and Sustainability certifies commodities.
Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, agriculture department overview, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 4, 2026
EXIM lists a Detroit field office, in Waterford, in its central region, with Iowa, Kansas, Michigan and Nebraska as its territory.
Source: EXIM, central region field offices, 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 Michigan
- Ask the Michigan Economic Development Corporation about its export assistance before you book trade shows or translation work.Michigan Economic Development CorporationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, labor and economic department overview, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 26, 2026
- When a buyer or the destination asks for a certificate of origin, enroll with a Michigan chamber of commerce portal and file the application online.Michigan Chamber of CommerceUS$25 for members, US$50 for non-members, for each certificateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Michigan Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For food, plant or forest products, ask the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development about its international trade help and commodity certification.Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, agriculture department overview, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 4, 2026
- Ask the EXIM Detroit field office about export credit insurance or a loan guarantee before you offer credit terms to a foreign buyer.Export-Import Bank of the United StatesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EXIM, central region field offices, 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 for goods over US$2,500 per Schedule B number or needing a license; Canada shipments are exempt unless filing is otherwise mandatory.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 MEDC and EXIM Detroit. 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
MEDC
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Administers the state's economic development programs, including export assistance, site location assistance and business incentives.
Visit MEDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, labor and economic department overview, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 26, 2026
Export finance field office
EXIM Detroit
Export Import Bank Detroit Field Office
Covers Michigan, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska through its Detroit field office, offering export credit insurance and loan guarantees.
Visit EXIM Detroit (opens in a new tab)Source: EXIM, central region field offices, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Technology and manufacturing association
Automation Alley
Offers international business services and trade missions for Michigan manufacturers and technology companies.
Visit Automation Alley (opens in a new tab)Source: Automation Alley, international business services page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Treasury
Department of Treasury
Administers state tax policy and collection, and runs city income tax collection for cities that join its program.
Visit Treasury (opens in a new tab)Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, Treasury department overview, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 26, 2026
Port district
Port of Monroe
Michigan's only port district, on Lake Erie, handling bulk and project cargo with direct rail and interstate access.
Visit Port of Monroe (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Monroe, about the port, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
MDARD
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Supports food, agriculture and forest product businesses, including international trade help, and certifies commodities.
Visit MDARD (opens in a new tab)Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, agriculture department overview, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State financial regulator
DIFS
Department of Insurance and Financial Services
Licenses insurance companies and producers and supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions and lenders.
Visit DIFS (opens in a new tab)Source: Senate Fiscal Agency, insurance department overview, February 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 26, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State utility regulator
Public Service Commission
Michigan Public Service Commission
Sets rates and service rules for electric, telephone and pipeline utilities and motor carriers in the state.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Michigan Chamber
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Issues certificates of origin through its online CertifyMichigan portal and speaks for Michigan employers in the legislature.
Visit Michigan Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Michigan Chamber of Commerce, certificates of origin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Grand Rapids Chamber
Processes certificates of origin online for exporters and offers business resources and networking.
Visit Grand Rapids Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Grand Rapids Chamber, certificates of origin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
State manufacturers' association
MMA
Michigan Manufacturers Association
Speaks for Michigan manufacturers on state policy and offers members training, networking and cost-saving services.
Visit MMA (opens in a new tab)Source: Michigan Manufacturers Association, about page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Vehicle and neighbor concentration
Motor vehicles and parts were 34.4 percent of Michigan's 2025 merchandise exports in the Census Bureau's state data, and Canada and Mexico took 66.1 percent of the total.
What to do: Check the destination country's rules for vehicles and parts 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
Trade intensity
The Chicago Fed calls Michigan the most trade-intensive state on 2019 data, and its March 2026 review found trade intensity uncorrelated with states' 2025 employment growth.
What to do: Check how a change in tariffs or retaliation would change your costs and your buyers' orders.
Sources: Chicago Fed, trade intensity by state, June 2025 (opens in a new tab); Chicago Fed, Seventh District review for 2025, March 2026 (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 Michigan project.
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Promote:Michigan 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.