Promote:
Export from North Carolina
A short guide for companies selling from North Carolina: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What North Carolina sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$43.8 billion
Merchandise exports were US$43,790.3 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$31.9 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$31,927.3 million in 2025, 72.9 percent of the total, computed from Exhibit 2.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state export origin, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Vaccines and blood products (HS 3002)US$10.9 billion
- 2. Packaged medicines (HS 3004)US$2.65 billion
- 3. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$1.58 billion
- 4. Chemical wood pulp (HS 4703)US$825.8 million
- 5. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$680.6 million
- 6. Gears, shafts and bearing housings (HS 8483)US$555.2 million
- 7. Cotton yarn (HS 5205)US$508.9 million
- 8. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$500 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$495.5 million
- 10. Diesel engines (HS 8408)US$463.7 million
- 11. Unmanufactured tobacco (HS 2401)US$446.8 million
- 12. Unrefined copper (HS 7402)US$426.3 million
- 13. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$417.1 million
- 14. Pork (HS 0203)US$401.9 million
- 15. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$393.7 million
- 16. Poultry meat (HS 0207)US$391.5 million
- 17. Plastic articles (HS 3926)US$382.2 million
- 18. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$362.3 million
- 19. Natural sand (HS 2505)US$354.2 million
- 20. Semiconductor devices (HS 8541)US$353.9 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$43,897.0 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$43,790.3 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
- Canada19.9%
- China15.1%
- Mexico12%
- France4.7%
- Germany2.8%
- Netherlands2.7%
- Japan2.6%
- United Kingdom2.6%
Show 2 more destinations
- Spain2.5%
- Ireland2%
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 electrical switches and connectors, gears, shafts and bearing housings and cotton yarn as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only North Carolina’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
Electrical switches and connectors grew 22% from 2024 to 2025; plastic articles grew 18% 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 North Carolina: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What North Carolina runs for exporters
Only what North Carolina itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
North Carolina's State Trade Expansion Program reimburses qualifying small business exporters up to US$12,000, including up to US$3,000 for trade show travel and up to US$8,000 for booth costs.
Source: Economic Development Partnership, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The program's federal funding disclosure shows US$900,000 in federal funds (75 percent) and US$300,000 in state funds (25 percent), US$1,200,000 in all.
Source: Economic Development Partnership, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Economic Development Partnership's international trade team works from one North Carolina office and four foreign offices, listed under Canada, Mexico and Europe, serving more than 40 export markets.
Source: Economic Development Partnership, export assistance page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
North Carolina opened its first business office in Tokyo in 1978 and has run it continuously since, the Department of Commerce says.
Source: Department of Commerce, press release, October 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 28, 2026
Show 2 more
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Plant Protection Specialists issue phytosanitary certificates for plants and plant products, and export certificates for processed plant products.
Source: Department of Agriculture, plant export certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Southern United States Trade Association reimburses 50 percent of eligible international marketing costs for qualifying southern food and agricultural companies, including North Carolina's.
Source: Southern United States Trade Association, home 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 North Carolina
- Ask the Economic Development Partnership's international trade team about market entry, trade show help and the State Trade Expansion Program before you pick a market.Economic Development Partnership of North CarolinaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Economic Development Partnership, export assistance page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If you export plants or plant products, ask the department for a phytosanitary certificate from its Plant Protection Specialists.North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Agriculture, plant export certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Food and farm exporters can ask the department's International Marketing team about buyer introductions and market research.North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Agriculture, exporter resources (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask the Commercial Service in Raleigh and the North Carolina District Export Council about export education and free mentoring.U.S. Commercial Service North Carolina, Raleigh officeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: trade.gov, Raleigh Commercial Service office page (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: trade.gov, United States export regulations (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: trade.gov, filing in the Automated Export System (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with EDPNC and Commercial Service Raleigh. 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
State economic development partnership
EDPNC
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Runs the state international trade team, which helps companies enter markets, find distributors and use the State Trade Expansion Program.
Visit EDPNC (opens in a new tab)Source: Economic Development Partnership, export assistance page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Federal export assistance office
Commercial Service Raleigh
U.S. Commercial Service North Carolina, Raleigh office
Co-hosts export education with the North Carolina District Export Council, such as Export University 101, and counsels companies on exporting.
Show 3 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Regional food export association
SUSTA
Southern United States Trade Association
Regional body
Runs trade missions and trade show pavilions for southern food and agricultural companies and reimburses half of eligible international marketing costs.
Visit SUSTA (opens in a new tab)Source: Southern United States Trade Association, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
University small business advisory center
SBTDC
North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center
Sends representatives to the Go Global Road Show meetings for companies that export or are export-ready, alongside state and federal trade staff.
Visit SBTDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Community College System, release, March 20, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 20, 2025
Community college business counseling network
Small Business Center Network
North Carolina Community College System, Small Business Center Network
Gives free one-on-one business counseling and training, including for companies considering international trade.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
NCDOR
North Carolina Department of Revenue
Registers businesses for state tax accounts and publishes corporate income and franchise tax rates and guidance on tax law changes.
Visit NCDOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Revenue, register a business (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State ports authority
NC Ports
North Carolina State Ports Authority
Operates the deep-water ports of Wilmington and Morehead City and an inland port in Charlotte.
Visit NC Ports (opens in a new tab)Source: North Carolina Ports, fast facts (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
NCDA&CS
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Runs an International Marketing team for farm and food exporters and issues phytosanitary certificates for plant exports.
Visit NCDA&CS (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Agriculture, International Marketing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State insurance regulator
Insurance Department
North Carolina Department of Insurance
Licenses insurers domiciled in other states to write business in North Carolina and sets their statutory deposits.
Visit Insurance Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Insurance, foreign insurance companies (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State real estate licensing board
Real Estate Commission
North Carolina Real Estate Commission
Licenses real estate brokers and is preparing the buyer affidavit form and military-installation map under the state's farmland and military land law.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
District export council
North Carolina DEC
North Carolina District Export Council
Offers free mentoring to North Carolina companies on exporting, from business leaders appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
Visit North Carolina DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: North Carolina District Export Council, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
State export grants
The State Trade Expansion Program reimburses qualifying small exporters up to US$12,000; its disclosure shows US$900,000 federal and US$300,000 state funds.
What to do: Confirm eligibility with the Economic Development Partnership before you book trade show costs you want reimbursed.
Sources: Economic Development Partnership, State Trade Expansion Program page (opens in a new tab); Economic Development Partnership, 2025 annual report, international trade (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Port volumes
North Carolina Ports reported 4.4 million short tons of bulk and breakbulk cargo for fiscal year 2026, in its July 28, 2026 release.
What to do: Check the ports' customer tools and vessel schedule before you schedule a shipment through Wilmington or Morehead City.
Source: North Carolina Ports, press release, July 28, 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 North Carolina project.
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Promote:North Carolina 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.