Promote:
Export from Mississippi
A short guide for companies selling from Mississippi: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Mississippi sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$14.2 billion
Merchandise exports were US$14,221.8 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$9.89 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$9,892.5 million in 2025, 69.6 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. Petroleum oils and products (HS 2710)US$4.03 billion
- 2. Medical and dental instruments (HS 9018)US$1.49 billion
- 3. Computers and data processing units (HS 8471)US$825.1 million
- 4. Cotton (HS 5201)US$663.2 million
- 5. Telephones and network equipment (HS 8517)US$591.1 million
- 6. Chemical wood pulp (HS 4703)US$564.2 million
- 7. Coloring matter and pigments (HS 3206)US$449.1 million
- 8. Motor cars (HS 8703)US$426.6 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Orthopedic appliances and artificial body parts (HS 9021)US$224.7 million
- 10. Integrated circuits (HS 8542)US$220.4 million
- 11. Blank recording media (HS 8523)US$218.5 million
- 12. Kraft paper and paperboard (HS 4804)US$161.6 million
- 13. Poultry meat (HS 0207)US$155.5 million
- 14. Petroleum coke and bitumen (HS 2713)US$149 million
- 15. Diesel engines (HS 8408)US$117.8 million
- 16. Parts for cranes and forklifts (HS 8431)US$115.3 million
- 17. Power hand tools (HS 8467)US$112 million
- 18. Electrical switches and fuses (HS 8536)US$111 million
- 19. Industrial machines (HS 8479)US$101.8 million
- 20. Wood chips and fuel wood (HS 4401)US$89.4 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$14,136.5 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$14,221.8 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
- Mexico13.6%
- Canada12.8%
- Panama12.5%
- Netherlands5.6%
- Honduras5.1%
- Guatemala4.9%
- China4%
- Belgium3.4%
Show 2 more destinations
- Japan3.1%
- Brazil2.4%
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 medical and dental instruments, computers and data processing units and cotton as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Mississippi’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
Cotton grew 29% from 2024 to 2025; telephones and network equipment grew 24% 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 Mississippi: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Mississippi runs for exporters
Only what Mississippi itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The Development Authority's strategy for fiscal years 2027 to 2031 says the federal State Trade Expansion Program can cut trade promotion costs by nearly 50 percent.
Source: Mississippi Development Authority, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The same strategy targets ten export missions and shows, 12 new exporting companies and 38 companies expanding exports.
Source: Mississippi Development Authority, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The agriculture department issues federal and state phytosanitary certificates for raw plant materials such as nursery stock, seed and lumber, with at least 24 hours of lead time.
Source: Agriculture and Commerce, phytosanitary certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Phytosanitary inspections at the irradiation facility in Gulfport run on Wednesdays and Fridays only, with applications due before noon Central time.
Source: Agriculture and Commerce, phytosanitary certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 5 more
The agriculture department's timber division acts as a liaison between timber producers, buyers and other bodies to expand domestic and international markets for Mississippi timber.
Source: Agriculture and Commerce, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Mississippi's export port charges credit equals the receiving, vessel handling and wharfage charges a business pays at public ports, and offsets up to 50 percent of income tax.
Source: Department of Revenue, 2026 incentive booklet, revised September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026
A licensed free port warehouse can exempt goods in final form that are shipping out of state from county and city property tax, for a period the local authority sets.
Source: Department of Revenue, 2026 incentive booklet, revised September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026
A seller making sales out of state must keep records showing delivery out of state, or those sales can be taxed at the full 7 percent sales tax rate.
Source: Department of Revenue, business tax questions and answers (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The RISE Center, launched in 2023 within the Mississippi SBDC Network, has an international trade resource among its six and serves all 82 counties.
Source: Mississippi SBDC, RISE Center page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 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 Mississippi
- Ask the Mississippi SBDC Network for help with trade rules, market entry and risk, including its RISE Center's international trade resource, before you pick a market.Mississippi Small Business Development Center NetworkOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Mississippi SBDC, international trade page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Ask the Development Authority's trade division whether the State Trade Expansion Program can cover a trade show, mission or market research cost, and get approval before you spend.Mississippi Development AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Mississippi Development Authority, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For plant materials such as nursery stock, seed or lumber, apply to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce for a phytosanitary certificate, allowing at least 24 hours of lead time.Mississippi Department of Agriculture and CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Agriculture and Commerce, phytosanitary certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If you ship through a Mississippi public port, ask the port's governing authority for a statement of export cargo charges to support the export port charges tax credit.Mississippi Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Revenue, 2026 incentive booklet, revised September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 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 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when a shipment needs it.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 MDA and Mississippi 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
MDA
Mississippi Development Authority
Runs the state's trade division and economic development, and administers the federal State Trade Expansion Program for exporters.
Visit MDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Mississippi Development Authority, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Mississippi SBDC
Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network
Gives businesses in all 82 counties tailored guidance through its RISE Center, whose six resources include international trade and market research.
Visit Mississippi SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Mississippi SBDC, RISE Center page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Revenue Department
Mississippi Department of Revenue
Registers businesses for state taxes in its Taxpayer Access Point and publishes the state's incentive booklet.
Visit Revenue Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Revenue, register for taxes (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State seaport authority
Port of Gulfport
Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport
Operates the state's deep-water international seaport in Gulfport.
Visit Port of Gulfport (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Gulfport, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
Mississippi River inland port
Port of Greenville
Offers a multimodal port on the Mississippi River with water, truck and rail access and industrial building sites.
Visit Port of Greenville (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Greenville, home page, July 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State inland port authority
Yellow Creek Port
Yellow Creek State Inland Port Authority
Manages a barge terminal with rail service on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and markets nearby state-owned industrial sites.
Visit Yellow Creek Port (opens in a new tab)Source: Yellow Creek Port Authority, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Agriculture and Commerce
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Issues federal and state phytosanitary certificates for exported plant materials such as nursery stock, seed and lumber.
Visit Agriculture and Commerce (opens in a new tab)Source: Agriculture and Commerce, phytosanitary certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State banking regulator
Banking Department
Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
Charters and regulates Mississippi state banks and licenses lenders, money transmitters and mortgage companies.
Visit Banking Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Banking and Consumer Finance, strategic plan, FY2027 to FY2031 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State insurance regulator
Insurance Department
Mississippi Insurance Department
Licenses insurance companies, producers and adjusters, and issues bulletins directing insurers that do business in Mississippi.
Visit Insurance Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Insurance Department, home page, 2026 bulletins (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Statewide business association
MSBA
Mississippi Business Alliance
Serves as Mississippi's state chamber, formed when MEC united with MMA and BIPEC, a business political education committee.
Visit MSBA (opens in a new tab)Source: Mississippi Business Alliance, page on the merger (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Export port charges credit
The income tax credit for export cargo charges at Mississippi ports was re-enacted in 2025 and stands repealed on July 1, 2028 for new eligibility.
What to do: Get the port authority’s certified statement of charges before you claim the credit.
Sources: Department of Revenue, 2025 tax legislation summary (opens in a new tab); Department of Revenue, 2026 incentive booklet, revised September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Free port warehouses
A licensed free port warehouse exempts goods in final form shipped out of state from county and city property tax, for a period the local authority sets.
What to do: Ask the county or city about a free port license before you store export goods.
Source: Department of Revenue, 2026 incentive booklet, revised September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Individual income tax cuts
House Bill 1 of 2025 lowers the individual rate above US$10,000 to 3 percent by 2030, which affects owners of pass-through businesses.
What to do: Ask a tax advisor how the schedule affects an owner’s Mississippi return.
Source: Department of Revenue, 2025 tax legislation summary (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 Mississippi project.
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Promote:Mississippi 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.