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Export from Rhode Island
A short guide for companies selling from Rhode Island: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Rhode Island sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$4.2 billion
Merchandise exports were US$4,195.6 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$2.73 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$2,727.8 million in 2025, 65.0 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. Blood products and vaccines (HS 3002)US$1.22 billion
- 2. Precious metal scrap (HS 7112)US$667.9 million
- 3. Jewelry (HS 7113)US$207.2 million
- 4. Silver (HS 7106)US$204.8 million
- 5. Iron and steel scrap (HS 7204)US$168.9 million
- 6. Precious metal compounds (HS 2843)US$141.5 million
- 7. Electronic waste and scrap (HS 8549)US$76.4 million
- 8. Medical and dental instruments (HS 9018)US$60.4 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Gold (HS 7108)US$51.7 million
- 10. Specialized industrial machines (HS 8479)US$48.9 million
- 11. Mollusks, such as squid and clams (HS 0307)US$48.8 million
- 12. Food preparations (HS 2106)US$45.4 million
- 13. Passenger vehicles (HS 8703)US$43.8 million
- 14. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$41.6 million
- 15. Printing machinery (HS 8443)US$41.5 million
- 16. Transformers and power supplies (HS 8504)US$41.2 million
- 17. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$40.9 million
- 18. Gaskets and mechanical seals (HS 8484)US$39 million
- 19. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$38.5 million
- 20. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$35.4 million
- Origin of movement is where goods began their trip to the port, not always where made. Farm and mining goods generally show the state of 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$4,163.8 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$4,195.6 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
- Ireland26.2%
- Canada14.3%
- Italy11.2%
- Mexico5.5%
- Dominican Republic4.8%
- Germany3.9%
- Japan3.5%
- Türkiye3.4%
Show 2 more destinations
- China3.2%
- United Kingdom2.8%
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 jewelry, medical and dental instruments and specialized industrial machines as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Rhode Island’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
Jewelry grew 61% from 2024 to 2025; insulated wire and cable grew 56% 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
Ireland takes 26.2% of Rhode Island’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 Rhode Island: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Rhode Island runs for exporters
Only what Rhode Island itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The Chafee Center at Bryant University administers Rhode Island's State Trade Expansion Program, whose STEP 12 cost is US$200,000: US$150,000 federal and US$50,000 non-federal.
Source: Bryant University, Chafee Center home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
SBA's directory lists Rhode Island's State Trade Expansion Program awards as US$150,000 for fiscal 2024 and US$150,000 for fiscal 2023.
Source: SBA, State Trade Expansion Program directory (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Rhode Island's program reimburses up to 75 percent of approved costs, up to US$10,000 per company in a grant cycle and US$5,000 per foreign trade show; travel is not eligible.
Source: Chafee Center, Rhode Island STEP grant guidelines (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Applicants must be Rhode Island for-profit businesses registered on SAM.gov, in business at least one year, with goods or services of at least 51 percent United States content.
Source: Chafee Center, Rhode Island STEP grant guidelines (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 4 more
Food Export–Northeast lists the Chafee Center at Bryant University as Rhode Island's member-state office; the state's Division of Agriculture and Forest Management sits on its board.
Source: Food Export USA–Northeast, Northeast member states (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Food Export's Branded Program reimburses up to 50 percent of approved international marketing costs for small and mid-sized food and agricultural companies in its member states.
Source: Food Export USA–Northeast, Branded Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center lists international trade expansion among its no-cost, one-to-one counseling services.
Source: Rhode Island SBDC, counseling services page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Polaris MEP, Rhode Island's affiliate of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership, helps manufacturers with quality management standards such as ISO, AS9100 and IATF.
Source: Polaris MEP, quality management systems 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 Rhode Island
- Book no-cost export counseling with the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center to check export readiness and markets.Rhode Island Small Business Development CenterOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Rhode Island SBDC, counseling services page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask the Chafee Center to enroll your company in the Rhode Island State Trade Expansion Program, and get written approval before you spend on a project.John H. Chafee Center for International BusinessReimbursement request within 45 days of project completionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Chafee Center, Rhode Island STEP grant guidelines (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For food products, ask the Chafee Center, the state's Food Export–Northeast contact, about the Branded Program cost share.Food Export USA–NortheastUp to 50 percent of approved costs reimbursedOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Food Export USA–Northeast, Branded Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- 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: International Trade Administration, export regulations (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 more than US$2,500, or need a license.U.S. Census BureauMore than US$2,500 per Schedule B numberOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, filing in the Automated Export System (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Chafee Center and RISBDC. 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 body in the state found with evidence dated 2025 or later; several state agency sites refused this machine and have no card. Source (opens in a new tab)
Export development and market information
Export assistance center
Chafee Center
John H. Chafee Center for International Business
Runs the Rhode Island State Trade Expansion Program grant for small exporters and offers trade missions, market research and export consulting, and operates World Trade Center Rhode Island.
Visit Chafee Center (opens in a new tab)Source: Bryant University, Chafee Center home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Small business advising network
RISBDC
Rhode Island Small Business Development Center
Gives no-cost, one-to-one counseling to small companies, including help with international trade expansion.
Visit RISBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Rhode Island SBDC, counseling services page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Regional food export association
Food Export Northeast
Food Export USA–Northeast
Regional body
Works with member state agencies, in Rhode Island the Chafee Center, to help small and mid-sized food and beverage companies export.
Visit Food Export Northeast (opens in a new tab)Source: Food Export USA–Northeast, Northeast member states (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State port authority
QDC
Quonset Development Corporation
Manages the Quonset Business Park and the Port of Davisville, offers lease incentives, and lists foreign-trade zone designation among the port's features.
Visit QDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Quonset Development Corporation home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
Manufacturing extension center
Polaris MEP
Helps small and mid-sized manufacturers with quality management systems, lean production, cybersecurity and workforce projects.
Visit Polaris MEP (opens in a new tab)Source: Polaris MEP, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State manufacturers' association
RIMA
Rhode Island Manufacturers Association
Represents manufacturers before state and federal policymakers and connects members with workforce programs, training and events.
Visit RIMA (opens in a new tab)Source: Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, mission page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
GPCC
The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
Offers business networking, events and state-level policy advocacy for member companies and organizations.
Visit GPCC (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Export concentration
Blood products and vaccines (HS 3002) were 29.4 percent of 2025 exports, tripling from US$402.0 million in 2024 to US$1,224.8 million.
What to do: Check each line's prior-year value before you read a one-year jump as a trend.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Recent export growth
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston reports Rhode Island's merchandise exports at US$1,480 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 48.1 percent from a year earlier.
What to do: Compare it with the Census Bureau's annual figures before you quote it, because the bank's source differs.
Sources: Boston Fed, Rhode Island monthly update, August 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, state summaries (opens in a new tab) · as of August 30, 2026
Port capacity
The Quonset Development Corporation reports a US$11.25 million federal award for Port of Davisville upgrades and a new Terminal 5 pier, its first new pier in 70 years.
What to do: Ask the port office about berth and cold storage availability before you book cargo.
Sources: Quonset Development Corporation, federal port funding, May 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Quonset Development Corporation, Terminal 5 pier, May 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 26, 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 Rhode Island project.
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Promote:Rhode Island 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.