Overseas Trade Partners

Successful exporters need good business partners in their targeted markets — representatives, distributors, or end customers.  Fortunately, the USCS and other US organizations can help.

US Commercial Service (USCS)

One of the best ways to identify good potential business partners overseas is to work with the U.S. Commercial Service. Companies can find assistance locally from the USCS in more than 100 offices nationwide and over 70 international offices.  Broadly defined, their services help American companies to:

  • Plan and Assess – Develop your strategy, choose the best market, and evaluate potential overseas partners.
  • Promote and Expand – Increase your brand awareness and market exposure. Find and meet potential partners.
  • Export Successfully – Learn how these services have helped clients.

To download a USCS services video click here [16MB], or for a pdf booklet on USCS services click here.

USDA and FAS Services

If you want to export food or agricultural products, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture can help. It has a network of overseas FAS offices that cover 171 countries staffed by agricultural attaches and locally hired agricultural experts. These experts are the eyes, ears, and voice for U.S. agriculture internationally. USDA also sponsors a large number of overseas trade missions and tradeshow pavilions for agricultural companies. To learn more about USDA/FAS services click here.

Kansas Department of Commerce

The Department’s International Trade Division offers a variety of programs and services designed to help companies find qualified overseas business partners and customers. They sponsor participation in international export events across the globe spanning a variety of industries, and business trade missions to key overseas markets. They also offer various other trade assistance services.

Kansas Department of Agriculture – International Marketing Program

Sometimes working in cooperation with the USDA/FAS, the Kansas Department of Agriculture offers agricultural companies a number of services to help then find and qualify overseas partners, including trade missions and shows. The department also provides several other trade assistance services.