Promote:
Export from South Dakota
A short guide for companies selling from South Dakota: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What South Dakota sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$1.85 billion
Merchandise exports were US$1,850.3 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$1.59 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$1,588.8 million in 2025, 85.9 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. Ethanol and other ethyl alcohol (HS 2207)US$344 million
- 2. Pork (HS 0203)US$136.8 million
- 3. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$121.9 million
- 4. Distillers grains and starch residues (HS 2303)US$102.8 million
- 5. Animal feed preparations (HS 2309)US$85.2 million
- 6. Meat offal (HS 0206)US$65.6 million
- 7. Soybean meal (HS 2304)US$64.7 million
- 8. Whey proteins and albumins (HS 3502)US$54.5 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Forklifts and work trucks (HS 8427)US$50.2 million
- 10. Vehicle and tractor parts (HS 8708)US$38.7 million
- 11. Clays (HS 2508)US$37.1 million
- 12. Special-purpose vehicles (HS 8705)US$33.1 million
- 13. Pumps, compressors and fans (HS 8414)US$26.5 million
- 14. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$25.8 million
- 15. Soybean oil (HS 1507)US$23.2 million
- 16. Cheese (HS 0406)US$21.7 million
- 17. Whey and milk constituents (HS 0404)US$21.6 million
- 18. Self-adhesive plastic film and tape (HS 3919)US$19.6 million
- 19. Fresh or chilled beef (HS 0201)US$19.3 million
- 20. Lifting and conveying machinery (HS 8428)US$18.7 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$1,856.0 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$1,850.3 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
- Canada45.9%
- Mexico19.7%
- China6%
- Japan3.6%
- Norway2.2%
- Belgium1.9%
- Australia1.8%
- Netherlands1.8%
Show 2 more destinations
- South Korea1.7%
- Brazil1.7%
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 soybeans, animal feed preparations and forklifts and work trucks as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only South 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
Soybeans grew 82% from 2024 to 2025; animal feed preparations grew 28% 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 45.9% of South 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 South Dakota: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What South Dakota runs for exporters
Only what South Dakota itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
South Dakota Trade, which the Governor's Office of Economic Development designated for international trade, administers the state's State Trade Expansion Program grants.
Source: South Dakota Trade, Who We Are page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State Trade Expansion Program grants reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible export costs for South Dakota small businesses whose exports have at least 51 percent United States content.
Source: South Dakota Trade, STEP grant program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources runs the state's phytosanitary export certification, with a link to the federal tracking system and a growing field application.
Source: South Dakota Agriculture and Natural Resources, export certification page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The growing field application for export inspection of plants and plant products charges US$250 for the first acre and US$2 for each additional acre.
Source: South Dakota Agriculture and Natural Resources, export inspection application (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more
State law creates a South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission, and a 2026 act gives the Legislative Research Council's executive board its trade fund.
Source: South Dakota Legislature, Senate Bill 197, 2026 (enrolled) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 1, 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 Dakota
- Ask South Dakota Trade about consulting and export education before you book a trade show or a foreign sales trip.South Dakota TradeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Dakota Trade, Who We Are page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Check whether your project qualifies for a State Trade Expansion Program grant, and apply through South Dakota Trade.South Dakota TradeUp to 75 percent reimbursementOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Dakota Trade, STEP grant program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For plant products, apply for a growing field inspection and request a phytosanitary certificate through the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesUS$250 first acre, US$2 each added acreOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: South Dakota Agriculture and Natural Resources, export inspection application (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, United States export regulations page (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 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: International Trade Administration, Automated Export System filing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with South Dakota Trade. 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
- Get advice
State trade promotion nonprofit
South Dakota Trade
Administers the State Trade Expansion Program grants and gives South Dakota companies export education, trade consulting and trade missions.
Visit South Dakota Trade (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Trade, Who We Are page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Revenue Department
South Dakota Department of Revenue
Licenses businesses for state sales and use tax and administers the bank franchise tax; the state levies no corporate income tax.
Visit Revenue Department (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue, business taxes page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture and environment agency
DANR
South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Runs the state's phytosanitary export certification for plants and plant products and posts the growing field application.
Visit DANR (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Agriculture and Natural Resources, export certification page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State labor and licensing regulator
Labor and Regulation Department
South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
Registers employers for reemployment assistance tax and regulates banks and insurers through its banking and insurance divisions.
Visit Labor and Regulation Department (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Labor and Regulation, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
State wheat commodity commission
Wheat Commission
South Dakota Wheat Commission
Uses wheat checkoff funds for international marketing through United States Wheat Associates and the Northern Crops Institute.
Visit Wheat Commission (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Wheat Commission, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State corn promotion council
Corn Council
South Dakota Corn Utilization Council
Collects the one-cent-per-bushel corn checkoff and funds research and development of new uses and markets for corn and corn by-products.
Visit Corn Council (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, news release, September 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 11, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Get advice
State soybean promotion council
Soybean Council
South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
Pays from the soybean checkoff for tours of export and transportation facilities for South Dakota soybean growers.
Visit Soybean Council (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Soybean, See For Yourself tour page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
South Dakota Chamber
South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Advocates for South Dakota employers and holds business events, including an economic outlook seminar.
Visit South Dakota Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Sioux Falls Chamber
Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
Represents nearly 2,000 Sioux Falls area members, hosts networking events and workshops, and advocates on business policy at every level of government.
Visit Sioux Falls Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Farm income pressure
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis's first quarter 2026 survey found that 44 percent of South Dakota agricultural lenders reported lower net farm income than a year earlier.
What to do: Confirm your working-capital line with your lender before you take an export order on deferred payment terms.
Source: Minneapolis Fed, 2026 first quarter farm credit survey, May 18 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 18, 2026
Manufacturing activity
The Minneapolis Fed's September 2026 Beige Book reported that a regional manufacturing index showed activity rising in South Dakota in July from June.
What to do: Confirm supplier lead times before you quote an export delivery date.
Source: Minneapolis Fed, Beige Book, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 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 South Dakota project.
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Promote:South 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.