Export Assistance From the SBA

The Small Business Administration supports the export activities of small businesses. Companies eligible for SBA programs include manufacturers with a maximum of 1,500 employees, wholesalers with maximum annual sales of $9.5 million, and service companies with maximum average annual sales for the past three years of $2 million.

Specific Programs

Management:

• Counseling by volunteers with international trade experience;
• Counseling through Small Business Development Center programs;
• Referral to other public-or private-sector organizations offering more in depth international trade programs and services;
• International trade and export marketing publications ;
• Business management training.

Financial:

• Pre-export financing of supply purchases, inventories, materials, and working capital needed for manufacture of export goods and for financing shipping costs, and receivable collection on exports;
• Activities to develop foreign markets, professional marketing advisors and services, foreign business travel, participation in trade shows, and other promotions overseas.

Other:

Joint programs with the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Agriculture.

Small Business Administration Regional 0ffices

155 Federal St., Ninth Floor 
Boston, MA 02110 
(617) 451-2023

26 Federal Plaza, Suite 31- 08 
New York, NY 10007 
(212) 264-1450

475 Allendale Road, Suite 201 
King of Prussia, PA 19406 
(215) 962-3700

1375 Peachtree St., NE, Fifth Floor 
Atlanta, GA 30367 
(404) 347- 2797

300 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1975S 
Chicago, IL 60606 
(312) 353- 5000

8625 King George Drive, Building C 
Dallas, TX 75235 
(214) 767- 7633

911 Walnut St., 13th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 426-3608

999 18th St., Suite 701
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 294-7186

71 Stevenson St., 20th Floor 
San Francisco, CA 94105 
(415) 744-6402

2615 4th Avenue, Suite 440
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 553-5676

Small Business Development Centers

Funded jointly by the Small Business Administration and private agencies, SBDCs also provide assistance in the area of international trade, including:

• Joint ventures/license programs;
• Assistance with overseas trade shows;
• Packaging international trade finance loans;
• Language training and translation services.

Contact one of the following state SBDCs, or:

Association of Small Business Development Centers 
1313 Farnam Street, Suite 132 
Omaha, NE 68182 
(402) 595-2387