Promote:
Export from North Dakota
A short guide for companies selling from North Dakota: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What North Dakota sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$8.64 billion
Merchandise exports were US$8,644.4 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$6 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$5,996.5 million in 2025, 69.4 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. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$3.79 billion
- 2. Crude oil (HS 2709)US$1.23 billion
- 3. Tractors (HS 8701)US$372.5 million
- 4. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$308.1 million
- 5. Electricity (HS 2716)US$237.5 million
- 6. Bulldozers, graders and excavators (HS 8429)US$229.3 million
- 7. Ethanol (HS 2207)US$228.5 million
- 8. Wheat (HS 1001)US$195.1 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Dried peas, beans and lentils (HS 0713)US$176.5 million
- 10. Corn (HS 1005)US$156.2 million
- 11. Canola seed (HS 1205)US$150.4 million
- 12. Soil preparation machinery (HS 8432)US$130.6 million
- 13. Propane, butane and other petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$95.8 million
- 14. Distillers grains and starch residues (HS 2303)US$91.7 million
- 15. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$73.1 million
- 16. Parts for construction and handling machinery (HS 8431)US$69.2 million
- 17. Soybean meal (HS 2304)US$69.1 million
- 18. Hydrocarbon gases (HS 2901)US$52.6 million
- 19. Biodiesel blends (HS 3826)US$49.8 million
- 20. Canola oil (HS 1514)US$44.9 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$8,676.5 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$8,644.4 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
- Canada80.6%
- Mexico9.4%
- Australia1.9%
- Czechia0.8%
- Taiwan0.6%
- Germany0.5%
- China0.4%
- Japan0.3%
Show 2 more destinations
- Brazil0.3%
- France0.2%
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
Extractive lines (refined petroleum products, crude oil and electricity) make up about 62% of North Dakota’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks dried peas, beans and lentils, soil preparation machinery and parts for construction and handling machinery as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only North Dakota’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
Parts for construction and handling machinery grew 25% 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 80.6% of North Dakota’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 North Dakota: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What North Dakota runs for exporters
Only what North Dakota itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
North Dakota's agriculture commissioner may inspect and certify plants and plant products offered for export against other states' and countries' phytosanitary rules, and may charge reasonable fees.
Source: Century Code chapter 4.1-23, plant pests (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Consignee names on North Dakota phytosanitary certificates are confidential, and a certificate may be withheld if the product fails phytosanitary or import rules and state licensing and bonding are unmet.
Source: Century Code chapter 4.1-23, plant pests (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Century Code section 4.1-01-08.1 has the agriculture commissioner run the state's international business and trade office, which advocates for exporters, offers export education and organizes trade missions.
Source: Century Code chapter 4.1-01, agriculture commissioner (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The North Dakota Trade Office's home page links an eCertificate of Origin service.
Source: North Dakota Trade Office, home page, 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 North Dakota
- Ask the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers for export counseling; two advisors hold intermediate export and trade counseling certificates.North Dakota Small Business Development CentersOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: University of North Dakota, SBDC export certifications, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 10, 2026
- Ask the North Dakota Trade Office about the export planning, education and trade missions it runs with the agriculture commissioner.North Dakota Trade OfficeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Legislative Council, Agriculture Commissioner budget compliance report, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Ask the agriculture commissioner to inspect and certify plants or plant products before you export them.North Dakota Department of AgricultureReasonable charges set by the commissionerOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Century Code chapter 4.1-23, plant pests (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask the Commercial Service office in Sioux Falls, which covers North Dakota while the Fargo office is vacant, about market help.U.S. Commercial ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, Fargo office contact page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 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: 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 the shipment requires it.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, export filing in AES (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with NDTO and ND SBDC. 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 North Dakota body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Export development and market information
State international trade office
NDTO
North Dakota Trade Office
Works with the agriculture commissioner on international trade missions, trade shows and reverse trade missions, and offers export planning and education to North Dakota companies.
- Get advice
Small business advising network
ND SBDC
North Dakota Small Business Development Centers
Gives free advising to North Dakota businesses, including counseling by advisors with export and trade counseling certificates.
Visit ND SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: University of North Dakota, SBDC export certifications, March 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 10, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Tax Commissioner
North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
Administers the state's income, sales and use and withholding taxes and publishes quarterly taxable sales figures.
Visit Tax Commissioner (opens in a new tab)Source: Tax Commissioner, home page news, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Airport authority and zone grantee
Fargo Airport Authority
Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo
Holds Foreign-Trade Zone 267 in the Fargo area and operates Hector International Airport.
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Agriculture Department
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Inspects and certifies plants and plant products offered for export, and since 2021 funds the North Dakota Trade Office program.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Wheat checkoff and promotion board
Wheat Commission
North Dakota Wheat Commission
Invests grower checkoff money in wheat market development, research and education, including promotion of Hard Red Spring and durum wheat abroad.
Visit Wheat Commission (opens in a new tab)Source: North Dakota Wheat Commission, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
GNDC
Greater North Dakota Chamber
Speaks for North Dakota employers on state policy and runs the North Dakota Manufacturing Council, the state association of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Visit GNDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater North Dakota Chamber, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Oil prices
The Legislative Council's 2026 Finance Facts puts North Dakota's average oil price at US$65.25 a barrel in fiscal 2026 and US$64.26 in fiscal 2025, down from US$81.42 in fiscal 2023.
What to do: Check how oil price swings affect your fuel and freight costs before you quote export prices.
Source: Legislative Council, North Dakota Finance Facts, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Manufacturing activity
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis's September 2026 Beige Book says an index of regional manufacturing conditions showed activity rising in North Dakota in July from June.
What to do: Confirm your suppliers' lead times before you commit to export delivery dates.
Source: Minneapolis Fed, Beige Book, September 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 Dakota project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
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Promote:North Dakota 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.