Print this. Every one of these exists to help you and most are free.
- SCORE (score.org) — free business mentors, any topic.
- SBDC (americassbdc.org) — free help writing plans, loans, licenses.
- USEAC / U.S. Commercial Service (trade.gov) — export coaching, market research, Gold Key buyer-matchmaking through U.S. embassies.
- SBA (sba.gov) — microloans, 7(a), Export Express $500k, EWCP $5M, International Trade Loan $5M, license lookup, free courses.
- STEP grants — your state’s commerce department; pays trade-show, translation and travel costs.
- EXIM Bank (exim.gov) — export credit insurance (get paid even if the foreign buyer defaults) and working-capital guarantees.
- BIS (bis.gov, (202) 482-4811) — free answers to “do I need an export license?” (ECCN/EAR).
- DDTC (State Dept.) — anything military/ITAR.
- OFAC / screening — free Consolidated Screening List at trade.gov.
- USDA FAS (fas.usda.gov) + Food Export associations — everything food, incl. the ~50% Branded Program cost-share.
- FDA industry assistance — food facility, device and export-certificate (CFG) questions.
- USTDA / DFC — project money in developing countries that buys American.
- USPTO (uspto.gov) — trademarks; IRS (irs.gov) — free EIN; a CPA for the IC-DISC export tax break.
💡 Not advice, a map: programs, fees and laws change and your situation is your own — confirm current rules with the agency or a licensed professional before acting. But every fortune in trade started with one phone call. Make yours to a USEAC.