Promote:
Export from Virginia
A short guide for companies selling from Virginia: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Virginia sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$19 billion
Merchandise exports were US$19,046.7 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$13.2 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$13,196.5 million in 2025, 69.3 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. Coal (HS 2701)US$2.05 billion
- 2. Integrated circuits (HS 8542)US$711 million
- 3. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$553.4 million
- 4. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$532.3 millionSchedule B grouping, not an HS heading.
- 5. Tractors (HS 8701)US$357.7 million
- 6. Vehicle parts and accessories (HS 8708)US$357.4 million
- 7. Self-adhesive plastic film and tape (HS 3919)US$320.6 million
- 8. Polyamide resins (HS 3908)US$311.4 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Telephones and network equipment (HS 8517)US$299.9 million
- 10. Nonwoven fabrics (HS 5603)US$285.1 million
- 11. Artificial filament tow (HS 5502)US$284.8 million
- 12. Aircraft parts (HS 8807)US$264.9 million
- 13. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$263.2 million
- 14. Chemical wood pulp (HS 4703)US$260.2 million
- 15. Helicopters, airplanes and spacecraft (HS 8802)US$244.2 million
- 16. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$242.1 million
- 17. Printing machinery (HS 8443)US$236.2 million
- 18. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$235 million
- 19. Ethylene polymers (HS 3901)US$222.5 million
- 20. Soybean meal (HS 2304)US$222.5 million
- Origin of movement is where goods began their trip to the port, not always where made. Farm and mining goods, coal among them, generally show the export port's state; foreign-trade zone shipments are spread among states. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The ranking's shares are of US$19,110.5 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$19,046.7 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ slightly. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Re-exports were US$1,649.2 million in 2025, 8.7 percent of Exhibit 2's total; they are in the totals and the ranking. 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
- Canada15.5%
- Mexico7.2%
- South Korea4.9%
- India4.8%
- Germany4.8%
- Netherlands4.4%
- Taiwan4.2%
- United Kingdom3.7%
Show 2 more destinations
- China3.5%
- Belgium3.4%
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, vehicle parts and accessories and self-adhesive plastic film and tape as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Virginia’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
Computers and data processing machines grew 32% 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 Virginia: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Virginia runs for exporters
Only what Virginia itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The Office of Plant Industry Services inspects and certifies produce, seeds, logs, lumber, trees and other unprocessed plant products for export; many need a phytosanitary certificate before leaving Virginia.
Source: VDACS, Export Certification page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The state agriculture department's Office of International Marketing helps Virginia agriculture, food, beverage, seafood, animal health and forest-product businesses learn export requirements, join trade shows and take export readiness training.
Source: VDACS, International Marketing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Office of International Marketing lists global trade representatives for four regions: Canada, Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asia.
Source: VDACS, International Marketing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
VEDP's International Trade division served a record 520 companies in fiscal 2025, according to its November 2025 progress report to the General Assembly.
Source: VEDP, strategic plan progress update, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of fiscal 2025
Show 2 more
The 2026 Appropriation Act gives VEDP US$4.6 million in each of fiscal 2027 and 2028 to fully implement Virginia's International Trade Plan.
Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
VEDP staffs the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, according to its expenditure report for fiscal 2025.
Source: VEDP, expenditure report, fiscal year 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 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 Virginia
- Ask VEDP's international trade division which of its export programs fits your company.Virginia Economic Development PartnershipOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VEDP, strategic plan progress update, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2025
- If you sell farm, food, beverage, seafood or forest products, ask the Office of International Marketing about export readiness training and trade shows.Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of International MarketingOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VDACS, International Marketing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If you ship plants or unprocessed plant products, ask the Office of Plant Industry Services whether you need a phytosanitary certificate.Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Plant Industry ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VDACS, Export Certification page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Book no-cost export advising with the Virginia SBDC's international program at George Mason University.Virginia SBDC - International Small Business DevelopmentNo-cost advisingOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: George Mason University, Mason Enterprise advising page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- Check whether EXIM export credit insurance fits your sales; its nearest regional center is in Washington.Export-Import Bank of the United StatesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EXIM, regional export finance centers (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: trade.gov, United States Export Regulations page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- 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 BureauRequired above US$2,500 per Schedule B numberOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: trade.gov, filing export shipments through AES (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with VEDP and Virginia SBDC International. 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 authority
VEDP
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Runs the state's international trade programs for Virginia companies that sell abroad and works to attract business investment to Virginia.
Visit VEDP (opens in a new tab)Source: VEDP, strategic plan progress update, November 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2025
- Get advice
Small business export advising
Virginia SBDC International
Virginia SBDC - International Small Business Development
Gives small and mid-sized Virginia businesses export-readiness advising and help with customs, logistics and regulations through the George Mason University network.
Visit Virginia SBDC International (opens in a new tab)Source: George Mason University, Mason Enterprise advising page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Virginia Tax
Virginia Department of Taxation
Registers new businesses for state tax accounts online and administers the corporation income tax.
Visit Virginia Tax (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia Tax, Register a Business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State port authority
VPA
Virginia Port Authority
Runs the Port of Virginia's marine terminals and its economic development grant programs for port-related companies.
Visit VPA (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Virginia, deepest harbor release, June 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 18, 2026
Show 1 more organization
State unemployment insurance agency
VEC
Virginia Employment Commission
Administers unemployment insurance for employers and is to start the state's new paid family and medical leave program.
Visit VEC (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
VDACS
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Helps Virginia food, farm and forest businesses export through international marketing and plant export certification, and reports on foreign ownership of farmland.
Visit VDACS (opens in a new tab)Source: VDACS, International Marketing page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Manufacturing extension center
GENEDGE
GENEDGE Alliance
Works with Virginia manufacturers on quality systems, medical device accreditation readiness and supply chains as the state's manufacturing extension center.
Visit GENEDGE (opens in a new tab)Source: GENEDGE, 2025 annual report (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Professional licensing regulator
DPOR
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Licenses, certifies and registers professions and occupations in Virginia through its regulatory boards.
Visit DPOR (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia General Assembly, 2026-2028 Appropriation Act (opens in a new tab) · as of June 29, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Virginia Chamber
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Advocates for Virginia businesses on state policy and runs industry councils and a Small Business Alliance.
Visit Virginia Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Virginia Chamber, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Port channel depth
The Port of Virginia opened the deepest shipping channel on the East Coast, 55 feet, after a US$450 million project substantially complete on February 28, 2026.
What to do: Ask your freight forwarder how the deeper channel affects vessel loading and rates for your cargo.
Sources: Port of Virginia, deepest harbor release, June 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Port of Virginia, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of June 18, 2026
Local economy
The Richmond Fed reports Virginia payroll employment fell by 25,600 jobs, or 0.6 percent, in the year to September 2026, with unemployment at 3.6 percent.
What to do: Test local demand and hiring assumptions against current state data before you size a project.
Source: Richmond Fed, Virginia economic snapshot (opens in a new tab) · as of September 30, 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 Virginia project.
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Promote:Virginia 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.