Promote:
Export from Tennessee
A short guide for companies selling from Tennessee: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Tennessee sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$37.7 billion
Merchandise exports were US$37,735.5 million in 2025, as first published, including re-exports of US$9,935.8 million.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state export origin, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Manufactured goods exports
US$24.9 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$24,898.6 million in 2025, 66.0 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. Medical, surgical and dental instruments (HS 9018)US$3.96 billion
- 2. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$2.79 billion
- 3. Phones and network equipment (HS 8517)US$2.57 billion
- 4. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$1.76 billion
- 5. Orthopedic appliances and artificial body parts (HS 9021)US$1.61 billion
- 6. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$1.11 billion
- 7. Motor vehicle parts and accessories (HS 8708)US$1.04 billion
- 8. Precious metal scrap (HS 7112)US$950.8 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Whiskey, spirits and liqueurs (HS 2208)US$793.2 million
- 10. Raw cotton (HS 5201)US$699.2 million
- 11. Specified pharmaceutical goods (HS 3006)US$681 million
- 12. Cellulose derivatives in primary forms (HS 3912)US$671.9 million
- 13. Diagnostic and laboratory reagents (HS 3822)US$638.5 million
- 14. Polyether, epoxy and polycarbonate resins (HS 3907)US$572.9 million
- 15. Engine parts (HS 8409)US$534.6 million
- 16. Coal (HS 2701)US$515.7 million
- 17. Gasoline engines (HS 8407)US$484.4 million
- 18. Artificial filament tow (HS 5502)US$385.8 million
- 19. Kraft paper and paperboard (HS 4804)US$374 million
- 20. Packaged medicines (HS 3004)US$344.6 million
- Origin of movement is where goods began their trip to the port, not always where made, and shipments from foreign-trade zones are spread among the states. For farm and mining lines, check whether the state shown is the port's. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The ranking's shares are of US$37,834.6 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 state total, while the exports total shown, US$37,735.5 million, is Exhibit 2's first-published figure. Compare shares only within the ranking's own total. 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
- Canada17.3%
- Mexico16.2%
- Netherlands7.9%
- China6.8%
- Japan4.9%
- Germany4.4%
- Hong Kong4%
- United Kingdom2.9%
Show 2 more destinations
- Singapore2.6%
- Belgium2.6%
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 medical, surgical and dental instruments, computers and data processing machines and phones and network equipment as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Tennessee’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
Phones and network equipment grew 54% from 2024 to 2025; computers and data processing machines grew 23% 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 Tennessee: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Tennessee runs for exporters
Only what Tennessee itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
Under the State Trade Expansion Program, Tennessee reimburses 75 percent of eligible export costs, to a maximum benefit of US$7,000 per company, through the Tennessee Export Initiative at Belmont University.
Source: Tennessee Export Initiative, STEP Grant Tennessee (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Program activity limits are US$7,000 for a trade show, US$5,000 each for an international website and marketing media design, and US$4,000 for Commercial Service subscription services.
Source: Tennessee Export Initiative, STEP Grant Tennessee (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Tennessee Small Business Development Centers' International Trade Center gives free one-on-one export advising on readiness, market entry strategy, risk and export financing.
Source: Tennessee SBDC International Trade Center, advising services (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Greater Memphis Chamber offers members certificates of origin and import and export consulting, and its employer resources page lists the Tennessee STEP grant among export resources.
Source: Greater Memphis Chamber, membership page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 2 more
Tennessee MEP supports ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, ISO 13485, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification for Tennessee manufacturers, with a no-cost first conversation.
Source: Tennessee MEP, quality management systems page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The University of Tennessee's Food Science Extension offers a packinghouse HACCP course and Better Process Control School for acidified foods, and acts as a process authority for acidified food makers.
Source: UT Food Science Extension, workshops and trainings with 2026 dates (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 Tennessee
- Ask the Tennessee Export Initiative whether your company is export-ready and which costs the STEP grant reimburses before you pay for a trade show, website or media.Tennessee Export Initiative at Belmont UniversityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tennessee Export Initiative, STEP Grant Tennessee (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Ask the Tennessee SBDC International Trade Center for free one-on-one advising on markets, risk and export financing.Tennessee Small Business Development CentersOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Tennessee SBDC International Trade Center, advising services (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Contact the Commercial Service office in Nashville or Memphis for export counseling; the Knoxville office is vacant.International Trade AdministrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: International Trade Administration, Commercial Service Nashville page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 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 page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more export step
- 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 through AES (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with TNECD, Department of Revenue and Tennessee 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
- Get advice
State economic development agency
TNECD
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Offers FastTrack job training and economic development grants to companies that locate or expand in Tennessee, and is the state economic development organization SelectUSA lists.
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Tennessee SBDC
Tennessee Small Business Development Centers, International Trade Center
Gives Tennessee companies free one-on-one export advising on readiness, market entry, risk and export financing.
Visit Tennessee SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee SBDC International Trade Center, advising services (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
State export grant program
Tennessee Export Initiative
Tennessee Export Initiative at Belmont University
Runs Tennessee's State Trade Expansion Program grant, which reimburses 75 percent of eligible export costs, up to US$7,000 per company.
Visit Tennessee Export Initiative (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee Export Initiative, STEP Grant Tennessee (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax and revenue department
Department of Revenue
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Collects Tennessee state taxes, such as the privilege tax on fantasy sports, and gives the State Funding Board its state tax revenue forecasts.
- Meet requirements
Airport authority
Memphis Airport Authority
Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
Runs Memphis's airport, which handled 6.54 billion pounds of cargo in 2025.
Standards and sector requirements
Manufacturing extension center
Tennessee MEP
Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Gives Tennessee manufacturers support to reach quality-system certifications such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949 and AS9100.
Visit Tennessee MEP (opens in a new tab)Source: Tennessee MEP, quality management systems page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
University food safety extension service
UT Food Science Extension
Food Science Extension, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Tests the pH and water activity of food products, acts as a process authority for acidified food makers, and runs Better Process Control School, preventive controls and HACCP courses.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Greater Memphis Chamber
Offers members certificates of origin and import and export consulting, and lists the Tennessee STEP grant among its export resources.
Visit Greater Memphis Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater Memphis Chamber, membership page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Corn checkoff promotion board
Tennessee Corn Promotion Board
Uses Tennessee's one-cent-per-bushel corn checkoff to fund market development, research and promotion for Tennessee corn, including visits by foreign trade teams.
7. Worth knowing
STEP grant terms
Tennessee's STEP grant reimburses 75 percent of eligible costs, up to US$7,000 per company, with activity limits of US$4,000 to US$7,000.
What to do: Ask the Tennessee Export Initiative about timing before you pay for a trade show, website or media.
Sources: Tennessee Export Initiative, STEP Grant Tennessee (opens in a new tab); Tennessee SBDC International Trade Center, advising services (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Air cargo hub
The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority's January 22, 2026 release says Memphis's airport handled 6.54 billion pounds of cargo in 2025.
What to do: Ask your freight forwarder how routing through Memphis changes your transit time and cost.
Sources: Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, 2025 results, January 2026 (opens in a new tab); International Trade Administration, Commercial Service Memphis page (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 Tennessee project.
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Promote:Tennessee 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.