Promote:
Export from Montana
A short guide for companies selling from Montana: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Montana sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$2.12 billion
Merchandise exports were US$2,119.9 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$1.18 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$1,175.9 million in 2025, 55.5 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. Live cattle (HS 0102)US$313.8 million
- 2. Copper ores and concentrates (HS 2603)US$172.1 million
- 3. Metal oxides and inorganic bases (HS 2825)US$162.5 million
- 4. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$156.9 million
- 5. Coal (HS 2701)US$150.5 million
- 6. Semiconductor manufacturing machinery (HS 8486)US$143 million
- 7. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$107.5 million
- 8. Dried peas, beans and lentils (HS 0713)US$99 millionCensus counts the state where the shipment began.
Show 12 more products
- 9. Passenger cars and vehicles (HS 8703)US$57.2 million
- 10. Blood products and vaccines (HS 3002)US$57.2 million
- 11. Diagnostic and laboratory reagents (HS 3822)US$37.3 million
- 12. Wheat (HS 1001)US$35.5 million
- 13. Talc and steatite (HS 2526)US$33.3 million
- 14. Hydrides, nitrides and silicides (HS 2850)US$29.9 million
- 15. Trailers and semi-trailers (HS 8716)US$29 million
- 16. Barley (HS 1003)US$27.2 million
- 17. Specialty machinery and parts (HS 8479)US$24.8 million
- 18. String musical instruments (HS 9202)US$20.8 million
- 19. Medicines in measured doses (HS 3003)US$18.9 million
- 20. Fiber-cement articles (HS 6811)US$17.9 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$2,164.8 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$2,119.9 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ slightly. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Census counts the state where a shipment began its journey, so dried peas, beans and lentils (HS 0713) may include crops grown in other states. Confirm where your crop was grown before you quote. 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
- Canada46.5%
- South Korea8.3%
- Japan6.8%
- Belgium4.5%
- Mexico3.4%
- United Kingdom3%
- China2.7%
- Singapore2.1%
Show 2 more destinations
- Taiwan1.9%
- Netherlands1.9%
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 live cattle, dried peas, beans and lentils and diagnostic and laboratory reagents as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Montana’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
Live cattle grew 111% from 2024 to 2025; specialty machinery and parts grew 76% 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 46.5% of Montana’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 Montana: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Montana runs for exporters
Only what Montana itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Export Montana runs the State Trade Expansion Program grants, reimbursing 50 to 75 percent of eligible costs up to US$10,000, with up to US$30,000 a year per company.
Source: Montana Department of Commerce, grants for exporters (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Montana keeps two trade offices abroad: one in Kumamoto, Japan, open since 1990, and one in Taipei, Taiwan, reopened in October 2021.
Source: Montana Department of Commerce, Japan trade office (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Department of Agriculture issues phytosanitary certificates for exports through the federal PCIT system, at US$105, US$160 or US$180 by shipment type, plus a US$6 federal fee.
Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, phytosanitary certificates (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Under a Canadian pilot, the Department of Agriculture can issue certificates of origin instead of phytosanitary certificates for Montana wheat, triticale, rye and barley, once the importer holds a permit.
Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, certificate of origin (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 3 more
The Department of Livestock requires a brand inspection for cattle and horses before they leave the state, at US$1 per head for cattle inspections.
Source: Montana Department of Livestock, brand inspection requirements (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Department of Agriculture runs the State Grain Laboratory in Great Falls, which it calls the only federally designated official grain inspection service in Montana.
Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Department of Commerce's Trade Show Assistance Program offers up to US$3,000 to help businesses exhibit at out-of-state or international trade shows.
Source: Montana Department of Commerce, business climate and incentives (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 Montana
- Ask Export Montana about State Trade Expansion Program grants and one-on-one export help before you book trade shows or market research.Export MontanaReimbursement of 50 to 75 percent of eligible costs, up to US$10,000Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Department of Commerce, grants for exporters (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Ask the Department of Agriculture for a phytosanitary certificate for plants and plant products, applied for through the federal PCIT system.Montana Department of AgricultureUS$105, US$160 or US$180 by shipment type, plus a US$6 federal feeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, phytosanitary certificates (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get a brand inspection from the Department of Livestock before cattle or horses leave Montana.Montana Department of LivestockUS$1 per head for cattle inspectionsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Montana Department of Livestock, brand inspection requirements (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Ask the Commercial Service office in Helena about market research and trade contacts.U.S. Commercial ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Commercial Service, Helena contact page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 2 more export steps
- Check whether your product needs an export license under the federal export regulations before you ship.Bureau of Industry and SecurityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Trade.gov, United States export regulations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when the shipment requires it.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Trade.gov, filing exports in the Automated Export System (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Export Montana. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every Montana body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Export development and market information
State export assistance team
Export Montana
Awards State Trade Expansion Program grants, arranges trade missions and trade show pavilions, and gives one-on-one export help to Montana companies.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Revenue Department
Montana Department of Revenue
Administers the corporate income tax, wage withholding accounts, property tax and the lodging facility tax, and publishes registration guides.
Visit Revenue Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Revenue, 2026 property tax information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Agriculture Department
Montana Department of Agriculture
Issues phytosanitary certificates for exports, runs the State Grain Laboratory, and offers marketing help and Growth Through Agriculture grants and loans.
State livestock agency
Livestock Department
Montana Department of Livestock
Issues animal health orders and runs the brand inspection that cattle and horses need before they leave the state.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Export advisory council
Montana DEC
Montana District Export Council
Advises exporters and policymakers on export education and policy, and gives an annual Exporter of the Year award.
Visit Montana DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Commerce, District Export Council (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Wheat and barley checkoff board
Wheat and Barley Committee
Montana Wheat & Barley Committee
Promotes wheat and barley research and develops trade markets abroad, funded by grower assessments.
Show 1 more organization
Pulse crop checkoff committee
Pulse Crop Committee
Montana Pulse Crop Committee
Funds market development, research and education for Montana dry peas, lentils and chickpeas from a grower checkoff.
Visit Pulse Crop Committee (opens in a new tab)Source: Montana Department of Agriculture, Pulse Crop Committee (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Cattle brand inspection
The Department of Livestock says cattle and horses need a brand inspection before they leave the state, at US$1 per head for cattle inspections.
What to do: Book a brand inspector before you move cattle to a port or a buyer.
Source: Montana Department of Livestock, brand inspection requirements (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Canada grain certificates
Under a Canadian pilot, the Department of Agriculture can issue certificates of origin in place of phytosanitary certificates for Montana grain, once the importer holds a permit.
What to do: Ask the department to enroll you before the Canadian importer applies for its permit.
Sources: Montana Department of Agriculture, certificate of origin (opens in a new tab); Montana Department of Agriculture, phytosanitary certificates (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 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 Montana project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
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Promote:Montana 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.