Promote:
Export from Missouri
A short guide for companies selling from Missouri: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Missouri sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$18.7 billion
Merchandise exports were US$18,675.8 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$14.9 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$14,852.2 million in 2025, 79.5 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. Trucks and delivery vehicles (HS 8704)US$3.78 billion
- 2. Coal (HS 2701)US$1.04 billion
- 3. Ammunition and munitions (HS 9306)US$826 million
- 4. Nitrogen heterocyclic chemicals (HS 2933)US$759.8 million
- 5. Refined copper (HS 7403)US$557 million
- 6. Corn (HS 1005)US$454.3 million
- 7. Blood products and vaccines (HS 3002)US$432.4 million
- 8. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$356.9 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Pesticides and herbicides (HS 3808)US$353.6 million
- 10. Medicines (HS 3004)US$336.4 million
- 11. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$331.8 million
- 12. Animal feed preparations (HS 2309)US$328.1 million
- 13. Civilian aircraft and partsUS$316.2 million
- 14. Air pumps, compressors and fans (HS 8414)US$307.7 million
- 15. Pork (HS 0203)US$243.3 million
- 16. Foundry binders and chemical preparations (HS 3824)US$224.7 million
- 17. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$181.4 million
- 18. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$173.8 million
- 19. Cleaning and washing preparations (HS 3402)US$166.1 million
- 20. Lead ores (HS 2607)US$162.8 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$19,637.0 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$18,675.8 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ by US$961.2 million. 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
- Canada34.1%
- Mexico21.8%
- Israel3.7%
- Germany3.6%
- India3.2%
- Brazil3.2%
- Japan2.3%
- China2.1%
Show 2 more destinations
- Netherlands1.9%
- South Korea1.8%
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 corn, motor vehicle parts and medicines as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Missouri’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
Cleaning and washing preparations grew 64% from 2024 to 2025; corn 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
Canada takes 34.1% of Missouri’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 Missouri: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Missouri runs for exporters
Only what Missouri itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Missouri's trade and investment offices sit in 13 places: Brazil, Canada, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Europe, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Source: Missouri Senate, Economic Development budget notes, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
The fiscal 2027 budget appropriates US$1.5 million from the Economic Development Advancement Fund for the state's trade and investment offices.
Source: Missouri Senate, Economic Development budget notes, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2027
The Department of Agriculture's International Marketing Program offers export counseling, trade leads and the Export Directory, and runs Missouri Promotion Offices in Taiwan and Mexico.
Source: Missouri Senate, Agriculture budget notes, fiscal 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The Department of Agriculture provides official grain and rice inspection and weighing, and official aflatoxin testing of rice, from offices at Marshall, New Madrid and St. Joseph.
Source: Missouri Senate, Agriculture budget notes, fiscal 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Show 2 more
SBA's table lists a US$375,000 State Trade Expansion Program award to Missouri for fiscal 2024 and US$350,000 for fiscal 2023.
Source: SBA, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2024
The Missouri SBDC's Heartland Export Accelerator is six days of virtual training that ends in an export plan; it costs US$495 a company against a US$5,000 value.
Source: Missouri SBDC, Heartland Export Accelerator 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 Missouri
- Book export counseling with the Missouri SBDC, or ask the University of Missouri's International Trade Center for market research.Missouri Small Business Development CentersOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Missouri SBDC, Exporting page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Join the Heartland Export Accelerator to build an export plan, and ask the state trade office about grant help with the fee.Missouri Small Business Development CentersUS$495 a companyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Missouri SBDC, Heartland Export Accelerator page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For food, feed and farm products, ask the Department of Agriculture for export counseling, its Taiwan and Mexico offices and grain inspection.Missouri Department of AgricultureOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Missouri Senate, Agriculture budget notes, fiscal 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- 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: ITA, export regulations page (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 over US$2,500, or need a license.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, Automated Export System filing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with ITIO and Missouri 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 trade and investment office
ITIO
Missouri International Trade and Investment Office
Runs the state's trade and investment offices in 13 places, which help Missouri companies sell abroad and foreign companies locate in Missouri.
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Missouri SBDC
Missouri Small Business Development Centers
Gives export counseling and training, including the Heartland Export Accelerator, which ends in a written export plan.
Visit Missouri SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Missouri SBDC, about the network (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Research markets
University trade research center
MU ITC
International Trade Center, Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, University of Missouri
Uses student interns and faculty to research export markets for Missouri companies, and offers trade education and training.
Visit MU ITC (opens in a new tab)Source: University of Missouri, International Trade Center page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
DOR
Missouri Department of Revenue
Issues the retail sales license and administers state income tax withholding.
Visit DOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 144.083 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Labor and unemployment department
DOLIR
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Runs the unemployment insurance program through its Division of Employment Security and administers workers' compensation.
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
City port authority
St. Louis Port Authority
Port Authority Commission of the City of St. Louis
Oversees public and private real estate development in the St. Louis Port District.
Visit St. Louis Port Authority (opens in a new tab)Source: City of St. Louis, Port Authority Commission page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
MDA
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Counsels agricultural exporters, runs promotion offices in Taiwan and Mexico, inspects grain and rice, and receives foreign farmland reports.
- Meet requirements
Insurance, banking and licensing department
DCI
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance
Regulates insurers, state-chartered banks and trust companies, and professional licensing boards.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Missouri Chamber
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents employers before the General Assembly and agencies on tax, regulation and economic development.
Visit Missouri Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Missouri Chamber, About the Chamber (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State manufacturers' and business association
AIM
Associated Industries of Missouri
Represents manufacturers and other businesses before the legislature and state agencies, and offers members seminars and cost-saving programs.
Visit AIM (opens in a new tab)Source: Associated Industries of Missouri, about the association (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Ireland trade commission
A nine-member commission in the Department of Economic Development, effective August 28, 2026, studies trade and investment between Missouri and Ireland.
What to do: Ask the state trade office what the commission covers before you enter the Irish market.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, section 620.4100 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Manufacturing sales tax exemption
Since August 28, 2026, Missouri's sales tax exemption for energy, machinery, equipment and materials used in manufacturing also covers making critical materials and critical pharmaceuticals.
What to do: Ask the Department of Revenue whether your production inputs qualify before you price an export order.
Sources: Revisor of Statutes, section 144.054 (opens in a new tab); Missouri Senate, annual fiscal report, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State trade offices
Missouri's trade and investment offices sit in 13 places, 12 abroad and one in the United States, with US$1.5 million appropriated for fiscal 2027.
What to do: Ask the state trade office which office covers your target market.
Source: Missouri Senate, Economic Development budget notes, fiscal 2027 (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 Missouri project.
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Promote:Missouri 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.