Promote:
Export from Texas
A short guide for companies selling from Texas: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Texas sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$450.3 billion
Merchandise exports were US$450,273.5 million in 2025 by origin of movement, including re-exports, as Census first published them.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state exports, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Manufactured goods exports
US$222.5 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$222,516.8 million in 2025, 49.4 percent of the state's total, computed from Census Exhibit 2.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state exports, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Crude oil (HS 2709)US$93.6 billion
- 2. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$64.2 billion
- 3. Natural gas and other petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$42 billion
- 4. Integrated circuits (HS 8542)US$16.6 billion
- 5. Computers and data processing equipment (HS 8471)US$14.2 billion
- 6. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$13.2 billion
- 7. Computer parts and accessories (HS 8473)US$13 billion
- 8. Polyethylene (HS 3901)US$11.5 billion
Show 12 more products
- 9. Smartphones and telephone equipment (HS 8517)US$11.4 billion
- 10. Ethylene and other acyclic hydrocarbons (HS 2901)US$8.27 billion
- 11. Semiconductor manufacturing machines (HS 8486)US$7.12 billion
- 12. Motor vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$5.14 billion
- 13. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$4.56 billion
- 14. Storage media and smart cards (HS 8523)US$4.36 billion
- 15. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$3.62 billion
- 16. Ethers and ether-alcohols (HS 2909)US$3.15 billion
- 17. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$2.96 billion
- 18. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$2.85 billion
- 19. Electrical switches and connectors (HS 8536)US$2.7 billion
- 20. Gas turbines and jet engines (HS 8411)US$2.66 billion
- Origin of movement is where goods began their trip to the port, not always where made; primary goods tend to show the port's state; foreign-trade-zone shipments are spread among states. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The ranking's shares are of Census's current 2025 total by product, US$448.2 billion; the export total shown is Exhibit 2's US$450.3 billion as first published, never revised. 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
- Mexico27.8%
- Canada7.8%
- Netherlands7.1%
- South Korea4.9%
- Japan3.5%
- China3.3%
- Taiwan3%
- Brazil2.9%
Show 2 more destinations
- India2.8%
- United Kingdom2.7%
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
Extractive lines (crude oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas and other petroleum gases) make up about 45% of Texas’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab); Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks motor vehicle parts, storage media and smart cards and insulated wire and cable as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Texas’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
Storage media and smart cards grew 16% 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
Mexico takes 27.8% of Texas’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 Texas: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Texas runs for exporters
Only what Texas itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The Texas Department of Agriculture issues federal phytosanitary certificates for plants and plant products exported internationally, at US$112 for each certificate issued electronically.
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, phytosanitary certificates (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
The Texas Department of Agriculture runs livestock export facilities at Brownsville, Laredo, Del Rio and El Paso, where animals are inspected before moving into Mexico.
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, livestock export facilities (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
The Department of State Health Services issues certificates of free sale for food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics to Texas licensed makers and distributors whose products are in Texas.
Source: Texas DSHS, certificates of free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
On July 19, 2025, the Governor designated the Texas Department of Agriculture as the sole entity to run the State Trade Expansion Program in Texas.
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, 2026 STEP grant application request (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Show 6 more
Texas STEP reimburses up to 90 percent of paid costs: at most US$20,000 for market expansion and US$10,000 for new-to-export companies, with a 10 percent cash match.
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, 2026 STEP grant application request (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
Texas STEP can pay for export training, consulting, foreign trade shows and missions, market analysis, website fees and translation; consulting agencies, retailers and distributors representing clients are not eligible.
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, 2026 STEP grant application request (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
The State of Texas Mexico Office, first established in 1971, has offices in Mexico City and Monterrey.
Source: Texas Governor EDT, State of Texas Mexico Office (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
The State of Texas Taiwan Office is in Taipei and promotes Texas exports into Taiwan and other Asian countries.
Source: Texas Governor EDT, State of Texas Taiwan Office (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
The State of Texas United Kingdom Office, established in 2026 with funding from the 89th Legislature, is in London.
Source: Texas Governor EDT, State of Texas United Kingdom Office (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
The Economic Development & Tourism Office's International Business & Trade Team organizes small-business delegations to trade shows and missions, with free shared booth space for eligible businesses.
Source: Texas Governor EDT, Trade and Export page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 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 Texas
- Ask the Texas Department of Agriculture whether the State Trade Expansion Program can reimburse export training, consulting, trade shows or missions.Texas Department of AgricultureUp to US$20,000, or US$10,000 for new-to-export companies, paid as reimbursement.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, 2026 STEP grant application request (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
- Contact the Economic Development & Tourism Office's International Business & Trade Team for technical help and its trade show and mission delegations.Texas Economic Development & Tourism OfficeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Texas Governor EDT, Trade and Export page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Request a federal phytosanitary certificate for plants and plant products from your nearest Texas Department of Agriculture regional office.Texas Department of AgricultureUS$112 per certificate issued electronically.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, phytosanitary certificates (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Ask the Department of State Health Services for a certificate of free sale if you export food, drugs, medical devices or cosmetics held in Texas.Texas Department of State Health ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Texas DSHS, certificates of free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- Book a Texas Department of Agriculture livestock export pen at Brownsville, Laredo, Del Rio or El Paso if you ship animals to Mexico.Texas Department of AgricultureOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, livestock export facilities (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when the national rules require it.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Census Bureau, Export Filing AES, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Classify your product and check whether it needs an export license under the Export Administration Regulations.Bureau of Industry and SecurityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: BIS, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with EDT Trade Team and USCS Dallas-Fort Worth. 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 export assistance team
EDT Trade Team
International Business & Trade Team, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
Assists small and medium-sized Texas businesses in entering new international markets and organizes small-business delegations to trade shows and missions.
Visit EDT Trade Team (opens in a new tab)Source: Texas Governor EDT, Trade and Export page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Federal export assistance center
USCS Dallas-Fort Worth
U.S. Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth
Offers export guidance, market information and international buyer connections to exporters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as part of the International Trade Administration.
Visit USCS Dallas-Fort Worth (opens in a new tab)Source: ITA, U.S. Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Show 1 more organization
Federal export assistance center
USCS Houston
U.S. Commercial Service Houston
Offers export guidance and market information to exporters in Houston and the surrounding counties, as part of the International Trade Administration.
Visit USCS Houston (opens in a new tab)Source: ITA, U.S. Commercial Service Houston page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Texas Comptroller
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Collects franchise tax and sales and use tax, and registers businesses for sales tax permits and franchise tax accounts.
Visit Texas Comptroller (opens in a new tab)Source: Texas Comptroller, franchise tax page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Public port authority
Port Houston
Owns and operates eight public terminals on the Houston Ship Channel, with container and breakbulk services and published rates for shippers.
Visit Port Houston (opens in a new tab)Source: Port Houston, home page, October 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Public port authority
Port Corpus Christi
Port of Corpus Christi
Runs the seaport on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and publishes its quarterly volumes and news for shippers.
Visit Port Corpus Christi (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Corpus Christi, home page, October 2026 news (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
TDA
Texas Department of Agriculture
Runs the state's State Trade Expansion Program, issues federal phytosanitary certificates for exports and operates livestock export facilities at the Mexico border.
State legal enforcement office
Texas Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Enforces the state's limits on real property purchases by certain foreign buyers and has proposed the rules for that enforcement.
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State bank regulator
Texas Department of Banking
Regulates Texas state banks and lists pages for foreign bank agencies, branches and representative offices operating in the state.
Visit Texas Department of Banking (opens in a new tab)Source: Texas Department of Banking, home page, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Export mentoring council
Houston DEC
Houston District Export Council
Offers mentors, seminars and networking events for exporters in Houston and Southeast Texas; its members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
Visit Houston DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Houston District Export Council, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
TAB
Texas Association of Business
Represents Texas employers on state policy as the Texas State Chamber of Commerce and runs events for its members.
Visit TAB (opens in a new tab)Source: Texas Association of Business, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
State manufacturers association
TAM
Texas Association of Manufacturers
Advocates for member manufacturers, from startups to large enterprises, on state policy that affects Texas manufacturing.
Visit TAM (opens in a new tab)Source: Texas Association of Manufacturers, home page, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Border crossings
Texas's international bridges with Mexico carried more than US$547.9 billion of trade in 2024, 51.5 percent of the state's trade value, the Comptroller reports.
What to do: Check crossing and port-of-entry notices for your route before you commit to a delivery date.
Sources: Texas Comptroller, Fiscal Notes on trade, October 2025 (opens in a new tab); Dallas Fed, Texas economy slides, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 2, 2026
Energy in the export mix
The Dallas Fed's October 2026 Texas report shows oil and gas at 30.2 percent of Texas exports in data through August 2026.
What to do: Check recent export data for your product group before you set sales targets.
Source: Dallas Fed, Texas economy slides, October 2026 (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 Texas project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Texas 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.