Promote:
Export from Wisconsin
A short guide for companies selling from Wisconsin: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Wisconsin sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$27.1 billion
Merchandise exports were US$27,123.6 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$23 billion
Manufactured goods exports were US$22,981.2 million in 2025, 84.7 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. Computers and computer units (HS 8471)US$2.19 billion
- 2. Civilian aircraft and partsUS$793 million
- 3. Medical and dental instruments (HS 9018)US$749.1 million
- 4. Gears and drive shafts (HS 8483)US$535.5 million
- 5. Spark-ignition engines (HS 8407)US$487.2 million
- 6. X-ray and radiation equipment (HS 9022)US$469.2 million
- 7. Vehicle parts (HS 8708)US$458.9 million
- 8. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$447 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Transformers and power converters (HS 8504)US$432.6 million
- 10. Engine parts (HS 8409)US$406.9 million
- 11. Harvesting and farm machines (HS 8433)US$387.3 million
- 12. Vaccines and blood products (HS 3002)US$353.7 million
- 13. Filters and centrifuges (HS 8421)US$322.8 million
- 14. Prepared food products (HS 2106)US$322.7 million
- 15. Special-purpose vehicles (HS 8705)US$318.7 million
- 16. Parts for cranes and lift trucks (HS 8431)US$315 million
- 17. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$308.1 million
- 18. Valves and taps (HS 8481)US$304.1 million
- 19. Electric generating sets (HS 8502)US$276.5 million
- 20. Plastic articles (HS 3926)US$275.9 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$27,157.8 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$27,123.6 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
- Canada27.9%
- Mexico14.9%
- Netherlands3.9%
- China3.7%
- Germany3.5%
- United Kingdom3.2%
- Belgium2.8%
- Japan2.7%
Show 2 more destinations
- South Korea2.7%
- Singapore2.5%
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 dental instruments, gears and drive shafts and X-ray and radiation equipment as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Wisconsin’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
Insulated wire and cable grew 19% from 2024 to 2025; medical and dental instruments grew 18% 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 27.9% of Wisconsin’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 Wisconsin: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Wisconsin runs for exporters
Only what Wisconsin itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
WEDC's International Market Access Grant reimburses export costs up to US$10,000 per award, or up to US$30,000 per award after ExporTech, and the company matches 30 percent.
Source: WEDC, International Market Access Grant application information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Applicants need a year of operation, under US$50 million in revenue and 35 percent Wisconsin cost inputs; some farm and food exporters are exempt from the revenue cap.
Source: WEDC, International Market Access Grant guidelines, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
WEDC's grant guidelines record that federal State Trade Expansion Program funding stopped being a funding source for the grant on October 1, 2017.
Source: WEDC, International Market Access Grant guidelines, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
ExporTech, an export strategy program WEDC supports, costs US$10,000 per company, with scholarships of up to 50 percent, and graduates qualify for the higher grant limit.
Source: WEDC, ExporTech program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 4 more
The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, created by 2021 Wisconsin Act 92, put up to US$5 million over five years toward 25 percent growth in farm exports by June 2026.
Source: Wisconsin DATCP, Initiative for Agricultural Exports (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The department's International Agribusiness Center offers exporters consultations, export documentation help, market research, financing guidance and promotion programs for food and farm products.
Source: Wisconsin DATCP, International Agribusiness Center (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The department issues food certificates of free sale for food and dairy products made in plants it licenses, and feed certificates of free sale for feed companies it licenses.
Source: Wisconsin DATCP, Exporting Documents page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The department explains when exporters of plants and plant products need a federal phytosanitary certificate (PPQ 577) and how to apply in PCIT.
Source: Wisconsin DATCP, plant export certificates page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 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 Wisconsin
- Ask WEDC's export team about counseling, and apply to the International Market Access Grant to reimburse export costs.Wisconsin Economic Development CorporationUp to US$10,000 per award, or US$30,000 after ExporTechOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WEDC, International Market Access Grant application information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Consider ExporTech, an export strategy program, which also raises your grant limit once you finish it.Wisconsin Economic Development CorporationUS$10,000 per company, scholarships up to 50 percentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WEDC, ExporTech program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For food and dairy products made in a plant the department licenses, request a certificate of free sale.Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer ProtectionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Wisconsin DATCP, Exporting Documents page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- For plants and plant products, check whether you need a federal phytosanitary certificate and how to apply in PCIT.Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer ProtectionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Wisconsin DATCP, plant export certificates page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- For food and farm products, ask Food Export Midwest about buyers missions, trade missions and market entry programs.Food Export Association of the Midwest USAOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Food Export Midwest, programs page (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: ITA, United States export regulations page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- 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 BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, filing export shipments through AES (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with WEDC Global Trade and Commercial Service Wisconsin. 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 division
WEDC Global Trade
Global Trade and Investment, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Counsels exporters, runs seminars, market analysis, buyer introductions and trade missions, and administers the International Market Access Grant.
Visit WEDC Global Trade (opens in a new tab)Source: WEDC, Export From Wisconsin page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Federal export assistance office
Commercial Service Wisconsin
U.S. Commercial Service Wisconsin
Gives export counseling to Wisconsin companies from its Milwaukee office and links them to the Commercial Service's global network.
Visit Commercial Service Wisconsin (opens in a new tab)Source: ITA, Commercial Service Wisconsin office page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Small business counseling network
Wisconsin SBDC
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
Offers no-cost, confidential consulting, and an export trade consultant through its Go Global Initiative.
Visit Wisconsin SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Wisconsin SBDC, Go Global Initiative page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Regional food export program
Food Export Midwest
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Regional body
Provides buyers missions, trade missions, export education and marketing assistance to food and agricultural suppliers.
Visit Food Export Midwest (opens in a new tab)Source: Food Export Midwest, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Wisconsin Revenue
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Registers businesses for state tax accounts, publishes corporation and sales tax rules, and lists business tax incentives.
Visit Wisconsin Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Wisconsin Revenue, Starting a Business page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
County port department
Port of Green Bay
Links shippers to terminal operators and port services at Green Bay, where 14 port businesses move more than two million tons of cargo a year.
Visit Port of Green Bay (opens in a new tab)Source: Port of Green Bay, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture department
DATCP
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Issues food and feed certificates of free sale, explains plant export certificates and runs the International Agribusiness Center for food and farm exporters.
Visit DATCP (opens in a new tab)Source: Wisconsin DATCP, Exporting Documents page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
State professional licensing agency
Wisconsin DSPS
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Handles professional credentials, permits and building reviews that some Wisconsin businesses need.
Visit Wisconsin DSPS (opens in a new tab)Source: Wisconsin DSPS, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State insurance regulator
Wisconsin OCI
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Regulates insurers in Wisconsin and takes annual fees, premium tax payments and registered agent filings online.
Visit Wisconsin OCI (opens in a new tab)Source: Wisconsin OCI, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber and manufacturers' association
WMC
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
Speaks for Wisconsin employers on taxes, regulation and workforce, and combines the former state chamber and manufacturers' association.
Visit WMC (opens in a new tab)Source: WMC, About Us page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
7. Worth knowing
State export grant
WEDC's grant pays up to US$10,000 per award, or US$30,000 after ExporTech, and since 2017 it has not used federal State Trade Expansion Program funds.
What to do: Check eligibility, including 35 percent Wisconsin cost inputs, before you book a trade show or consulting project.
Sources: WEDC, International Market Access Grant guidelines, fiscal 2027 (opens in a new tab); WEDC, International Market Access Grant application information (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Farm and food exports
Wisconsin sent US$3.99 billion of farm, forestry and food products to 148 countries in 2025 and ranked first nationally for ginseng and cranberries.
What to do: Ask the International Agribusiness Center which certificates and market programs fit your product.
Sources: Wisconsin DATCP, agricultural export statistics (opens in a new tab); Wisconsin DATCP, Initiative for Agricultural Exports (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 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 Wisconsin project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
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Promote:Wisconsin 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.