Promote:
Export from Ohio
A short guide for companies selling from Ohio: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Ohio sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$55.9 billion
Merchandise exports were US$55,874.9 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$45.8 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$45,799.0 million in 2025, 82.0 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. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$8.33 billion
- 2. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$3.03 billion
- 3. Gasoline piston engines (HS 8407)US$2.39 billion
- 4. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$2.27 billion
- 5. Turbojets, gas turbines and parts (HS 8411)US$891.6 million
- 6. Armored vehicles and parts (HS 8710)US$681 million
- 7. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$671.3 million
- 8. Packaged medicines (HS 3004)US$660.7 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Detergents and cleaning products (HS 3402)US$658.7 million
- 10. Titanium and titanium articles (HS 8108)US$526.9 million
- 11. Beauty and skin-care products (HS 3304)US$523.6 million
- 12. Trucks for goods (HS 8704)US$502.2 million
- 13. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$453.6 million
- 14. Computers and data processing units (HS 8471)US$448.8 million
- 15. Air pumps, compressors and fans (HS 8414)US$440.7 million
- 16. Nickel articles (HS 7508)US$438.2 million
- 17. Steel pipe fittings (HS 7307)US$407 million
- 18. Gears, shafts and transmission parts (HS 8483)US$401.1 million
- 19. Plastic articles (HS 3926)US$396 million
- 20. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$388.7 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$56,513.5 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$55,874.9 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
- Canada32.3%
- Mexico15.3%
- China5.4%
- France4.8%
- United Kingdom4.3%
- Japan3.7%
- Brazil3.3%
- Germany2.7%
Show 2 more destinations
- Australia1.9%
- Malaysia1.6%
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 motor vehicle parts, valves and taps and packaged medicines as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Ohio’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
Computers and data processing units grew 104% from 2024 to 2025; packaged medicines grew 43% 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 32.3% of Ohio’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 Ohio: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Ohio runs for exporters
Only what Ohio itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Ohio's IMAGE grant reimburses 50 percent of eligible export promotion costs, up to US$10,000 a grant year, and is funded in part by the State Trade Expansion Program. Check the current handbook before you commit spending.
Source: Ohio Department of Development, IMAGE program handbook (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Ohio's International Market Support program offers free market research and customer matchmaking through in-market representatives, and its brochure says representation covers more than 125 countries.
Source: Ohio Department of Development, export assistance brochure (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Ohio's Export Internship Program places business students with Ohio companies and reimburses 50 percent of intern wages.
Source: Ohio Department of Development, export assistance brochure (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Cleveland State University hosts an International Trade Assistance Center in the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network, which gives low-cost or free export counseling to small and medium-sized companies.
Source: Cleveland State University, International Trade Assistance Center, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Show 3 more
The Ohio Department of Agriculture belongs to the Food Export Association of the Midwest and lists an Agricultural Export Administrator as its contact for food and farm exporters.
Source: Food Export Midwest, member states page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
SBA's directory lists Ohio's State Trade Expansion Program awards as US$300,000 for fiscal 2024 and US$400,000 for fiscal 2023.
Source: SBA, STEP awardee directory, fiscal 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Under the Commercial Activity Tax, receipts from goods delivered to purchasers outside Ohio are not taxable gross receipts in Ohio. Confirm how your receipts are assigned to Ohio.
Source: Ohio Department of Taxation, Small Business Tax Guide, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 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 Ohio
- Book export counseling with an Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network advisor to check export readiness, documents and financing.Ohio SBDC Export Assistance NetworkOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Cleveland State University, International Trade Assistance Center, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Ask the Department of Development about its International Market Support program and its IMAGE grant before you book trade shows or market visits.Ohio Department of DevelopmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Ohio Department of Development, IMAGE program handbook (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Ask the Commercial Service office that covers your county, Cleveland or Toledo, about help in your target market.U.S. Commercial ServiceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, Commercial Service Cleveland contact page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- For food and farm products, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture export administrator or the Food Export Midwest program.Ohio Department of AgricultureOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Food Export Midwest, member states page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 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: ITA, United States export regulations page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- 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 BureauOver US$2,500 per Schedule B numberOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, filing export shipments through AES, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Department of Development and Commercial Service Cleveland. 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 trade assistance agency
Department of Development
Ohio Department of Development
Runs Ohio's export grant, in-market representative and export internship programs for small and medium-sized companies.
Export assistance center
Commercial Service Cleveland
U.S. Commercial Service Cleveland
Counsels companies in Northern Ohio counties on exporting, with a director and a trade specialist listed for the counties it covers.
Visit Commercial Service Cleveland (opens in a new tab)Source: ITA, Commercial Service Cleveland contact page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
Export assistance center
Commercial Service Toledo
U.S. Commercial Service Toledo
Counsels companies in seventeen Ohio counties on exporting, and takes referrals from the vacant Cincinnati office.
Visit Commercial Service Toledo (opens in a new tab)Source: ITA, Commercial Service Toledo contact page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Export counseling center
Cleveland State ITAC
International Trade Assistance Center
Hosts advisors of the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network who counsel small and medium-sized companies on export readiness, documents and financing.
- Meet requirements
Regional food export association
Food Export Midwest
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Regional body
Works with member state agriculture departments, Ohio among them, to help food and beverage suppliers sell abroad.
Visit Food Export Midwest (opens in a new tab)Source: Food Export Midwest, member states page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Department of Taxation
Ohio Department of Taxation
Registers employers and vendors for state taxes and publishes a small business tax guide that lists the other agencies a new Ohio business meets.
- Meet requirements
Port authority
Port of Cleveland
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
Holds the grant for Foreign-Trade Zone 40 and describes cargo terminal and development financing services.
Visit Port of Cleveland (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Cleveland, Foreign Trade Zone page, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 25, 2025
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Port authority
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Holds the grant for Foreign-Trade Zone 8 and offers bond, loan and capital lease financing for projects in Northwest Ohio.
- Get advice
Port authorities association
Ohio Port Council
Ohio Council of Port Authorities
Describes how Ohio's port authorities own and finance sites and buildings for companies.
Visit Ohio Port Council (opens in a new tab)Source: Ohio Council of Port Authorities, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
Department of Agriculture
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Lists an Agricultural Export Administrator as its export contact for food and farm companies in the Food Export Midwest network.
Visit Department of Agriculture (opens in a new tab)Source: Food Export Midwest, member states page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Meet requirements
State regulatory agency
Department of Commerce
Ohio Department of Commerce
Issues nearly 600,000 licenses, permits, registrations and certifications a year, liquor permits among them, as the state regulator a new business meets.
Show 1 more organization
University farm law program
OSU Farm Office
Ohio State University Farm Office
Publishes plain-language guidance for Ohio landowners and farm businesses, including a summary of the state's farmland ownership law.
Visit OSU Farm Office (opens in a new tab)Source: Ohio State University Farm Office, Ohio farmland law summary (opens in a new tab) · as of November 9, 2023
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State manufacturers' association
Ohio Manufacturers Association
Ohio Manufacturers' Association
Represents manufacturers on legislative and regulatory issues and offers members webinars and workers compensation management services.
- Get advice
District export council
Northern Ohio DEC
Northern Ohio District Export Council
Business leaders appointed by the Secretary of Commerce who advise Northern Ohio exporters and list export events on the shared Ohio council site.
Visit Northern Ohio DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Ohio District Export Councils, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
District export council
Southern Ohio DEC
Southern Ohio District Export Council
Business leaders appointed by the Secretary of Commerce who advise Southern Ohio exporters and list export events on the shared Ohio council site.
Visit Southern Ohio DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Ohio District Export Councils, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Canada concentration
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland reports Canada took 36.2 percent of Ohio's 2024 exports, and Mexico, the European Union and China together took about one third.
What to do: Check Canadian and Mexican import rules and duties before you set export prices.
Source: Cleveland Fed, Ohio international trade brief, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Transportation equipment exports
Ohio's largest 2024 export category was transportation equipment at US$16.9 billion, led by aerospace products and parts (US$6.4 billion) and motor vehicle parts (US$5.3 billion).
What to do: Check whether your aerospace or vehicle parts need an export license before you ship.
Source: Cleveland Fed, Ohio international trade brief, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Imports exceed exports
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland reports Ohio's 2024 imports exceeded its exports by US$29.4 billion, with chemicals and transportation equipment among the largest import categories.
What to do: Check duty rates on imported inputs before you price exports.
Source: Cleveland Fed, Ohio international trade brief, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 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 Ohio project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Ohio 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.