Breaking Into The Trade Game: A Small Business Guide

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ORGANIZATIONS

Listed below are a selected group of organizations that help businesses engage in international trade. In addition, local international trade organizations are abundant throughout the United States. These groups usually meet on a regular basis, sponsor seminars and support their members' international trade interests. Contact the Federation of International Trade Associations (see below) for the international trade association in your area.

American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212/944-2230
Fax: 212/382-2606

AAEI provides its member firms with information on trade regulations, legislation and international developments affecting business through weekly and quarterly publications. AAEI also testifies before Congress and other levels of government to address international trade related problems. Membership consists of multinational, medium- and small-size firms representing a broad cross section of industry sectors. U.S. Chamber of Commerce of the United States
International Division
1615 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20062
Phone: 202/463-5460
Fax: 202/463-3114

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents American business. It lobbies the U.S. government for specific trade policies and sponsors a number of conferences. The U.S. Chamber also supports a number of country- or regional-specific Chambers of Commerce.

National Association of Export Companies (NEXCO)
P.O. Box 1330, Murray Hill Station
New York, NY 10156
Phone: 212/725-3311
Fax: 212/725-3312

Membership consists of exporting companies. The organization holds monthly meetings in New York, although membership is nationwide, and communicates through a monthly newsletter.

National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA)

One World Trade Center, Suite 1153
New York, NY 10048
Phone: 212/432-0050
Fax: 212/432-5709

NCBFAA, a membership organization of customs brokers and forwarders, sells its membership list, which can assist in locating customs brokers and freight forwarders in your area.

National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC)
1625 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: 202/887-0278
Fax: 202/452-8160

NFTC's membership consists of about 500 U.S. manufacturing corporations and service companies having international operations or interests.

Small Business Exporters Association (SBEA)
4603 John Taylor Court
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703/642-2490
Fax: 703/750-9655

SBEA is a trade association representing small- and medium-size exporters.

United States Council for International Business
1212 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212/354-4480
Fax: 212/575-0327
Carnet Dept. Fax: 212/944-0012
Website: www.uscib.org

The Council, a membership organization, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE). The USCIB helps facilitate international trade through its work on harmonization of commercial practices in the ICC. It is also the sole issuer and guarantor of the ATA and TECRO/AIT Carnet, international customs documents which enable merchandise to be temporarily imported dutyfree into the US and over 75 countries.

World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
One World Trade Center, 35th Floor
New York, NY 10048
Phone: 212/432-2626
Fax: 212/488-0064

WTCs are located around the world, including Centers throughout the United States and Mexico. One of the ways in which WTCs encourage global trade is through the World Trade Centers' trade lead data bank and messaging system, NETWORK. World Trade Center members receive office support services, consultant services, conferences and reciprocal membership services at WTCs globally.

Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA)
1851 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 22091
Phone: 703/391-6108

FITA can assist you in locating an international trade association in your geographic area.