Promote:
Export from South Carolina
A short guide for companies selling from South Carolina: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What South Carolina sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$38.5 billion
Merchandise exports were US$38,532.4 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$35.1 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$35,084.9 million in 2025, 91.1 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. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$9.84 billion
- 2. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$6.88 billion
- 3. New rubber tires (HS 4011)US$1.98 billion
- 4. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$1.84 billion
- 5. Polyethylene resin (HS 3901)US$1.28 billion
- 6. Aircraft and spacecraft (HS 8802)US$1.17 billion
- 7. Gas turbines and jet engines (HS 8411)US$913.9 million
- 8. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$455.3 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Liquid pumps (HS 8413)US$402.3 million
- 10. Plastic tubes and pipes (HS 3917)US$308.2 million
- 11. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$297.1 million
- 12. Ball and roller bearings (HS 8482)US$287.5 million
- 13. Steel articles (HS 7326)US$278 million
- 14. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$267.3 million
- 15. Nuclear reactors and fuel elements (HS 8401)US$258.3 million
- 16. Gears, shafts and bearing housings (HS 8483)US$236 million
- 17. Electric storage batteries (HS 8507)US$221.1 million
- 18. Plastic packaging and closures (HS 3923)US$215.4 million
- 19. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$202.4 million
- 20. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$186 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$38,599.1 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$38,532.4 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
- Germany13.3%
- Mexico11%
- Canada10.6%
- South Korea7.1%
- China4.9%
- Belgium4%
- Japan3.9%
- United Kingdom3.7%
Show 2 more destinations
- Qatar3.5%
- Taiwan3%
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, medical and surgical instruments and liquid pumps as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only South 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
Insulated wire and cable grew 60% from 2024 to 2025; plastic tubes and pipes grew 21% 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 South Carolina: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What South Carolina runs for exporters
Only what South Carolina itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The State Trade Expansion Program directory of the Small Business Administration lists South Carolina at US$325,000 for fiscal year 2024 and US$250,000 for fiscal year 2023.
Source: SBA, State Trade Expansion Program awardees (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The South Carolina International Trade Coalition's members page names the Department of Commerce's international trade manager as the state's director for the State Trade Expansion Program.
Source: South Carolina International Trade Coalition, members page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Inspectors of Clemson University's Department of Plant Industry can provide federal phytosanitary certificates for nursery stock exported to foreign countries.
Source: Clemson Plant Industry, nursery stock movement (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Southern United States Trade Association lists South Carolina among its member states and reimburses 50 percent of eligible international marketing expenses for qualifying food and agricultural companies.
Source: SUSTA, home page and member states (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more
The Small Business Development Centers assess export readiness and advise on export loans and state grants, with trade consultants in five regions and one for agribusiness.
Source: SC SBDC, international trade page (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 South Carolina
- Ask the small business development centers for an export readiness assessment, and for advice on export loans and state grants.South Carolina Small Business Development CentersOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SC SBDC, international trade page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Ask the Department of Commerce's international trade team whether you qualify for State Trade Expansion Program reimbursement.South Carolina Department of CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SBA, State Trade Expansion Program awardees (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If you export plants or nursery stock, ask Clemson University's Department of Plant Industry for a federal phytosanitary certificate.Clemson University Department of Plant IndustryOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Clemson Plant Industry, nursery stock movement (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If you export food or farm products, ask the Southern United States Trade Association about its 50 percent cost share and export helpline.Southern United States Trade AssociationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: SUSTA, home page and member states (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 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: International Trade Administration, export regulations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 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: International Trade Administration, filing export shipments in AES (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with SC Commerce and SC SBDC. 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 commerce department
SC Commerce
South Carolina Department of Commerce
Leads state economic development and runs the Landing Pad program for small international firms settling in the state, as the Richmond Fed described in 2025.
- Get advice
Small business advisory network
SC SBDC
South Carolina Small Business Development Centers
Gives small businesses free, private consulting, and its trade consultants assess export readiness and advise on export loans and state grants.
Visit SC SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: SC SBDC, international trade page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Regional food export association
SUSTA
Southern United States Trade Association
Regional body
Reimburses half of eligible international marketing costs and runs trade missions for small southern food and agricultural companies, those in South Carolina included.
Visit SUSTA (opens in a new tab)Source: SUSTA, home page and member states (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
State ports authority
SC Ports
South Carolina Ports Authority
Runs the Charleston terminals and the inland ports at Greer and Dillon, and is the grantee for Foreign-Trade Zones 21 and 38.
Visit SC Ports (opens in a new tab)Source: SC Ports Authority, foreign-trade zones page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
Manufacturing extension partnership
SCMEP
South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Consults and trains manufacturers on quality systems, among them ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and IATF 16949, and offers a one-day competitiveness review at no cost.
Visit SCMEP (opens in a new tab)Source: SCMEP, quality programs and tools (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Local chamber of commerce
Greenville Chamber
Connects its 1,400 member investors, advocates for business and works on regional economic growth in the Greenville area.
Visit Greenville Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Greenville Chamber, home page, October 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Local chamber of commerce
Charleston Metro Chamber
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Advocates for business and runs leadership, workforce and economic programs for companies in the Charleston region.
Visit Charleston Metro Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Charleston Metro Chamber, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Local chamber of commerce
Columbia Chamber
Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Runs advocacy, business development and workforce programs and monthly business briefings for companies in the Columbia region.
Visit Columbia Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Columbia Chamber, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Port costs and volume
In its October 27, 2026 address the Ports Authority said it cut expenses 20 percent and has nearly 160,000 containers of new business through 2027.
What to do: Ask the Ports Authority for current rates and the vessel schedule before you book an export shipment through Charleston.
Source: SC Ports Authority, State of the Port, October 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Export concentration
The Richmond Fed reports goods exports of US$38 billion in 2024, 11.6 percent of state GDP, and US$19.2 billion in transportation equipment.
What to do: Check how a change in vehicle orders could reach your own supplier contracts before you commit capacity.
Source: Richmond Fed, Econ Focus, Third Quarter 2025 (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 South Carolina project.
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Promote:South 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.