Promote:
Export from Washington
A short guide for companies selling from Washington: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Washington sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$65.2 billion
Merchandise exports were US$65,249.8 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$47.6 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$47,598.7 million in 2025, 72.9 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. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$28.7 billion
- 2. Corn (HS 1005)US$5.1 billion
- 3. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$2.45 billion
- 4. Wheat (HS 1001)US$2.06 billion
- 5. Soybeans (HS 1201)US$1.16 billion
- 6. Medical and surgical instruments (HS 9018)US$1.14 billion
- 7. Frozen and prepared vegetables (HS 2004)US$1.1 billion
- 8. Apples and pears (HS 0808)US$890.7 millionFor farm goods, Census generally counts the export port's state. Source (opens in a new tab)
Show 12 more products
- 9. Oilseed flours and meals (HS 1208)US$800.8 million
- 10. Petroleum and natural gases (HS 2711)US$750.2 million
- 11. Smartphones and network equipment (HS 8517)US$598.5 million
- 12. Soybean meal (HS 2304)US$532.8 million
- 13. Alfalfa hay and forage (HS 1214)US$443.3 million
- 14. Integrated circuits (HS 8542)US$420.6 million
- 15. Frozen fish (HS 0303)US$391 million
- 16. Video game consoles and games (HS 9504)US$390.9 million
- 17. Electrical energy (HS 2716)US$387.4 million
- 18. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$376.5 million
- 19. Blood products and vaccines (HS 3002)US$363 million
- 20. Ferrous scrap (HS 7204)US$343.3 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$65,403.6 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$65,249.8 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ slightly. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Much of the corn, wheat and soybean value is grain from other states that leaves through Washington ports, the Department of Agriculture says. Check the department's adjusted statistics for Washington-grown goods. 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
- China15.6%
- Canada10.9%
- South Korea8.6%
- Japan7.8%
- Mexico6.3%
- Germany4.4%
- Taiwan3.4%
- United Arab Emirates2.8%
Show 2 more destinations
- Philippines2.8%
- United Kingdom2.8%
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 and surgical instruments, frozen and prepared vegetables and apples and pears as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Washington’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
Frozen fish grew 19% 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 Washington: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Washington runs for exporters
Only what Washington itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The Department of Commerce's Small Business Export Assistance unit offers export strategy consulting, market research, trade missions and shows, export training and STEP export vouchers.
Source: Commerce, presentation to House committee, December 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 5, 2025
The Department of Commerce's overseas consultant network had 11 partners covering nine markets: Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Southeast Asia and South America, in December 2025.
Source: Commerce, presentation to House committee, December 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 5, 2025
The Department of Agriculture charges US$20 per phytosanitary certificate for licensed nursery sellers and US$26 for other inspections, and the federal PCIT fee is billed separately.
Source: WSDA, plant export inspection and certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Department of Agriculture issues export certificates of sanitation and free sale for food made by licensed Washington plants, at US$75 per original certificate, processed within 10 business days.
Source: WSDA, export certificates of sanitation and free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 3 more
Washington's business and occupation tax does not apply to export sales when the seller documents putting the goods into the export stream, for example with a bill of lading.
Source: Washington Administrative Code 458-20-193C (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Department of Agriculture lists in-market representatives for Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico and Central America, and trade specialists in Seattle, Othello and Kennewick.
Source: WSDA, International Marketing Program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington, set up by the Legislature in 1983, gives Washington businesses free export finance counseling and export training.
Source: EFACW, about the center (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 Washington
- Ask the Department of Commerce's export assistance unit about export consulting, market research and a STEP export voucher before you book trade shows.Washington State Department of CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Commerce, presentation to House committee, December 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 5, 2025
- Book a county inspection with the Department of Agriculture, and apply for a phytosanitary certificate for plants and plant products through the federal PCIT system.Washington State Department of AgricultureUS$20 or US$26 per certificate, plus the federal PCIT feeOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WSDA, plant export inspection and certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Request an export certificate of sanitation and free sale from the Department of Agriculture for processed foods made in Washington.Washington State Department of AgricultureUS$75 per original certificate; processed within 10 business daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WSDA, export certificates of sanitation and free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Keep a bill of lading or export declaration showing you put the goods into the export stream, so the sale qualifies for the business and occupation tax export exemption.Washington State Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Washington Administrative Code 458-20-193C (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- Ask the Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington for free advice on export financing and payment risk before you agree payment terms.Export Finance Assistance Center of WashingtonOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: EFACW, export finance guidance home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Classify the product and check whether it needs an export license under the federal export regulations before you ship.Bureau of Industry and SecurityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, federal export regulations page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when the shipment requires it.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, filing export shipments in AES (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Revenue Department and CS Seattle. 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
Federal export assistance office
CS Seattle
U.S. Commercial Service Seattle
Helps Washington companies enter export markets and join trade shows, trade missions and export accelerator programs.
Visit CS Seattle (opens in a new tab)Source: ITA, Washington Exporter Newsletter, August 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 5, 2025
State farm export program
International Marketing Program
WSDA International Marketing Program
Connects Washington food and farm companies with foreign buyers, runs trade show pavilions and keeps Washington export statistics.
Show 4 more organizations
Export finance counseling center
EFACW
Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington
Gives Washington businesses free counseling on export financing, payment risk and government export programs, and runs export training webinars.
Visit EFACW (opens in a new tab)Source: EFACW, export events and webinars (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Find finance
Federal export credit agency
EXIM
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Lists a regional export finance center in Seattle and joins free export workshops for Washington businesses.
Visit EXIM (opens in a new tab)Source: EXIM, World Trade Ready seminar, September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Federal small business office
SBA Seattle
U.S. Small Business Administration Seattle District Office
Gives Washington small businesses guidance on SBA export loans and trade finance, and takes part in the Washington Export Outreach Team.
Visit SBA Seattle (opens in a new tab)Source: SBA Seattle District, Washington Export Outreach Team (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Washington SBDC
Washington Small Business Development Center
Advises small businesses on exporting and joins the Washington Export Outreach Team at export workshops for Washington companies.
Visit Washington SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: EXIM, World Trade Ready seminar, September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax agency
Revenue Department
Washington State Department of Revenue
Issues business licenses and unified business identifiers, and administers the business and occupation tax, sales tax and tax incentives.
Visit Revenue Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Revenue Department, apply for a business license (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
Joint seaport authority
NWSA
The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Manages the Seattle and Tacoma container, breakbulk and auto terminals under a port development authority and publishes monthly cargo statistics.
Visit NWSA (opens in a new tab)Source: NWSA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
Port district
Port of Everett
Operates a seaport, a marina and Foreign-Trade Zone 85 in Everett.
Visit Port of Everett (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Everett, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
Manufacturing extension partnership
Impact Washington
Gives Washington manufacturers consulting and training in quality management systems, food safety compliance, lean operations and growth strategy.
Visit Impact Washington (opens in a new tab)Source: Impact Washington, news and blog, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State agriculture regulator
Agriculture Department
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Inspects plants and issues export certificates of sanitation and free sale for Washington food products.
Visit Agriculture Department (opens in a new tab)Source: WSDA, export certificates of sanitation and free sale (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
Wine marketing commission
Wine Commission
Washington State Wine Commission
Runs an international marketing program for Washington wine, with trade tastings and exporter guides.
Visit Wine Commission (opens in a new tab)Source: Wine Commission, international program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Regional farm trade association
WUSATA
Western United States Agricultural Trade Association
Regional body
Gives western food and farm companies matching funds for international marketing, export readiness help and market reports.
Visit WUSATA (opens in a new tab)Source: WUSATA, export resources home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Pass-through grain exports
The Department of Agriculture says just over US$9 billion of soybeans, wheat and corn from other states left through Washington ports in 2025, outside its US$7.8 billion Washington-grown total.
What to do: Use the department's adjusted statistics, not the state's Census total, to size Washington-grown farm exports.
Source: WSDA, Washington agricultural export statistics, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of May 15, 2026
Export sales and business tax
Washington exempts export sales from business and occupation tax only when the seller documents putting the goods into the export stream, for example with a bill of lading.
What to do: Keep the shipping record that names your company as shipper or exporter for each foreign sale.
Source: Washington Administrative Code 458-20-193C (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Tariff exposure
The Office of Financial Management estimated tariffs proposed as of August 2025 would cost Washington 20,000 to 25,000 jobs over four years, with aircraft and parts among the hardest hit.
What to do: Check how tariffs on your inputs and retaliatory tariffs on your products change your landed costs before you price.
Source: Office of Financial Management, tariff impact study, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 5, 2025
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 Washington project.
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Promote:Washington 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.