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Trade resource guide for South Carolina
The South Carolina World Trade Center (SCWTC) strengthens the International community through the power of education, information and worldwide connections. The SCWTC is offering this complimentary publication as your State Trade Resource Guide. This publication will serve as a road map to give individuals and companies the opportunity to experience first hand the benefits and services of the World Trade Centers Association.
The South Carolina World Trade Center’s directory is designed to get companies and individuals more active in exporting and importing. We provide you with an intensive level of various trade and business promotion resources in our state. For overseas export assistance, through the Export South Carolina network, one will find the many groups that will work together with you. Importers can benefit from the many services and information tools that are available. As well, the World Trade Centers Association provides global contacts through the 300 different offices that represent more than 90 regions worldwide.
SCWTC Membership Directory is featured in this publication. Our members are also featured through our programs and events all year. Members enjoy discounted rates to programs, market research services, and participation in the World Trade Centers Association, a network of more than 300 World Trade Centers around the world.
Importance of trade to South Carolina
Each of the 288 World Trade Centers works to promote international commerce in its direct region. At the South Carolina World Trade Center, we provide current trade information for anyone interested in South Carolina. Listed below are some of the main sources for general trade and business information and facts that we use.
In all, trade pumps $10.7 billion in sales, $2.6 billion in wages and $314 million in taxes into South Carolina’s economy every year. One in 28 jobs in the state are related to international trade. International trade through the Ports Authority’s facilities provides 83,085 jobs throughout the state.
Information Resources
SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS AUTHORITY
The Port of Charleston is the busiest container port along the Southeast and Gulf Coasts and ranks fourth nationally. In 2002, the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SPA) served 2,472 ships and barges at its seaport terminals in Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal. In the Port of Charleston, the SPA handled 1.59 million 20-ft equivalent units, or TEUs, up 4% from 2001. Breakbulk cargo totaled 488,000 tons. In addition, the port-owned grain elevator handled 66,000 tons of bulk shipments. From the South Carolina State
Ports Authority Web site you can access the Port Magazine, The Port Directory, list of Foreign Trade Zones, images from the port and statistics
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Learn about international trade and foreign investment in South Carolina. Media releases dating back to 1998 can be accessed from the SCDOC Web site. Trade statistics and the Exporters Directory are available as well.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM
South Carolina is a state whose diversity flows from the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the broad white beaches of the Atlantic Coast. From the Department of Parks & Tourism Web site, you can find out information on travel, attractions and accommodations for the 10 tourism regions in South Carolina.
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
For general information about the state of South Carolina including: statewide calendar, state jobs, state agencies and boards, SC phone directory, downloadable forms, maps and history.
SOUTH CAROLINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the state’s most prestigious and largest broad-based business trade association. Through the South Carolina Export Consortium companies across the state can become export ready and develop new international markets for their products, services, technology and intellectual property.
Information Resources
Today, information relating to international trade is so abundant it can seem confusing. We urge you to call on the South Carolina World Trade Center to help you avoid the confusion of searching the Internet and assist you in quickly obtaining the pertinent information you need. Feel free to visit our office any time, use the on-line research tools provided, and access the International Library. Our library is a public facility full of international papers, industry magazines and trade directories.
WTCA ON-LINE: LINKING THE VIRTUAL WORLD WITH THE PHYSICAL
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Follow free links to research…
- Business Services - Consulting services, exchange rates conversions, translators
- Directories and Listings - Suppliers, buyers, agents, distributors, trade associations
- Foreign Direct Investment Information - Country specific information, statistics, finance, politics
- Governmental Organizations - Indexes of embassies, consulates, chambers of commerce, ministries of foreign affairs, departments of commerce, trade administration
- on-line - , articles, archives, reports on specific countries or industries
- Partners in Economic Development - Strategies for winning grants and contracts from foundations and public institutions
- Shipping and Logistics - Air freight, shipping, rail freight, trucking, specialized transportation, logistics management, customs brokers, package tracking
- Trade Law - Trade policies, rules and regulations, treaties, jurisdiction by subject, contract principles, arbitration documents
- Trade Promotion Organizations - Import and export information, trade missions, trade shows
EMBASSY
The embassy.org site is being redeveloped and expanded to provide visitors with more information, opportunities, and ideas. The site’s business directories will allow companies serving the international community, and those working, living, and traveling internationally, to find their audience. The embassy.org site offers directories of providers of goods and services of interest to exporters.
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
CIA serves as an independent source of analysis on topics of concern and also works closely with the other organizations in the Intelligence Community to ensure that the intelligence consumer - whether Washington policymaker or battlefield commander - receives the best intelligence possible. The World Factbook is a great tool with country specific information.
FEDERAL OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA), is a content-rich international trade site and provides a comprehensive global trade shop featuring goods and services needed by those involved in international trade, which include law, customs, brokers, freight forwarders and market research tools.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE TERMS
The international Trade Data System (ITDS) is a federal government information technology initiative which includes: international trade data, glossary of trade terms, and resources for importers and exporters.
INCOTERMS DEFINITIONS
Incoterms make international trade easier and help traders in different countries to understand one another. To assist traders to understand the areas that the 13 Incoterms cover and how each one works.
At www.kompass.com you can access information on 1.8 million companies, 23 million key product and service references, three million executive names, 700,000 trade and brand names, and 52,000 product classification codes in more than 70 countries. You can search manufacturers by country, region, or commodity and in 17 languages..
At www.thomasregister.com you'll find the North American premier list of manufacturers. Traditionally known as the "big green book," the new on-line database is searchable by almost any commodity.
Product and trade information for volume buyers.
Helpful Import/Export Site
In any import case, you should contact your local Customs office for complete legal product descriptions and enacted/ proclaimed tariff rates to be used on Customs Service documents. These databases are provided as an advisory tool only. Furthermore, we supply our list of Customs House Brokers to every potential importer. We strongly recommend the service of experienced industry professionals.
Customs & Border Protection U.S. Department of Homeland Security
From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Web site, follow the link to Importing and Exporting and find information on the following items, plus more.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule - Duty Rates/HTS:
Compiled by the United States International Trade Commission, this is a list of commodity descriptions matched with a 10-digit code. With this "HTS Code" you find the duties and regulations for specific commodities, as well as the "HTS Code" annotated for statistical reporting purposes.
Determining Duty Rates:
The Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) provides duty rates for virtually every item that exists. The HTS is a reference manual that is the size of an unabridged dictionary. Experts spend years learning how to properly classify an item in order to determine its correct duty rate. For instance, you might want to know the rate of duty of a wool suit. A classification specialist will need to know if it has darts... if the wool came from Israel or another country that qualifies for duty-free treatment for certain of its products... where was the suit assembled... does it have any synthetic fibers in the lining... From the U.S. Customs Web Site you can access an interactive database that will enable you to get an approximate idea of the duty rate for a particular product. The actual duty rate of the item you import may not be what you think it should be as a result of your research.
The Binding Rulings Program:
Customs makes the final determination of what the correct rate of duty is, not the importer. For very specific duty information on a particular item you may request a Binding Ruling. The Customs Service will give full and careful consideration to written requests from importers and other interested parties for rulings or information setting forth, with respect to a specifically described transaction.
U.S. Import Requirements:
From the U.S. Customs Web site, you can access a free pamphlet intended as a general explanation of import requirements for a person interested in establishing an importing business or a person who may be importing something for personal use only - not for resale.
Internet Purchases:
This page discusses the procedures and pitfalls associated with importing goods purchased through the Internet from foreign sources.
Schedule B Codes
There are millions of trade transactions occurring each year. These transactions are classified under approximately 8,000 different products leaving the United States. Every item that is exported is assigned a unique 10-digit identification code. Every 10-digit item is part of a series of progressively broader product categories. For example, concentrated frozen apple juice is assigned a 10-digit identifier that is aggregated into a broader category assigned a six-digit identifier described as apple juice.The six-digit identifier described as apple juice is aggregated into a broader category assigned a four-digit identifier described as fruit juices and vegetable juices, etc. The four-digit identifier is further aggregated into a broader category assigned a two-digit identifier described as preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts etc.
U.S. International Trade Commission - Commodity Code Translation
The U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) interactive tariff and trade data warehouse, the ITC DateWeb, are available to the public on a permanent full-time basis, free of charge. The Interactive Tariff and Trade DateWeb translates between HTS codes and those for SIC, SITC and NAICS classifications.
Export Readiness Assessment
"Basic Guide to Exporting"
CHARLESTON: Director, Phil Minard . 5300 International Blvd., Suite 201-C North Charleston, SC 29418 . Phone: 843-760-3794 . Fax: 843-760-3798
COLUMBIA: Director, Ann Watts . South Trust Building, Suite 1720, 1201 Main St. Columbia, SC 29201 . Phone: 803-765-5345 . Fax: 803-253-3614 . ann.watts@mail.doc.gov
GREENVILLE: Director, Denis Csizmadia . 555 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Bldg. 1, Suite 109 Greenville, SC 29607 . Phone: 864-271-1976 . Fax: 864-271-4171
Within the "Basic Guide to Export Business," you can access an Export Readiness Assessment questionnaire. The "Basic Guide to Export Business" helps American businesses develop an export strategy, locate economic research, complete export documentation, and respond to overseas inquiries.
South Carolina Department of Commerce Export Counseling Services
Contact: Clarke Thompson, Director of International Trade Development P.O. Box 927, Columbia, SC 29205 . Phone: 803-737-0438 . Fax: 803-737-0572 cthompso@commerce.state.sc.us
The South Carolina Department of Commerce International Trade staff members are willing to meet with your company to learn more about your operations and export goals, and to discuss the international trade issues you are facing.
Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA)
SUSTA is a non-profit association dedicated to helping southern companies export highvalue food and agricultural products. In addition, SUSTA assists small companies by using the MAP-Branded, a cost-sharing reimbursement program designed to help companies promote products in foreign market.
Schedule B Codes
The S.C. Department of Agriculture assists local farmers by marketing produce for sale, listing items wanted, providing daily market reports and listing produce shippers and wholesalers. In addition, they help to ensure prompt and full payment to state farmers for the products they produce.
South Carolina Export Consortium www.scexports.net Contact: Fred Monk, President P.O. Box 12186, Columbia, SC 29211 . Phone: 803-799-4601 . fmonk@sccc.org The South Carolina Export Consortium helps South Carolina companies become export-ready and develop new international markets for their products, services, technology and intellectual property.
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration office in your region can provide information on starting your own import/export business, including business plans, licenses, financing and regulations.
Trade Leads
Finding customers and representatives for your product... pinpoint potential buyers, sales and promotional opportunities abroad by using the following list of trade leads and trade shows.
US DOC
Welcome to the U.S. Commercial Service BuyUSA Network! For over 20 years the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce has successfully brought together exporters and importers of U.S. goods and services around the world. Our team of more than 1,800 trade professionals in 105 U.S. cities and 151 U.S. Embassies, Consulates and Trade Centers around the world is here to help companies navigate the complex international trade process. How can we help you?
U.S. Department of Agriculture F.A.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture supports sound agricultural development of rural communities, provides economic opportunities for farm and rural residents and helps to expand global markets for agricultural and forest products and services.
The World Trade Centers Association
Search the "Latest Trade Opportunities" to find international markets for your products. Also, Trade Postings and Catalog Exhibits are available to members. Thousands of offers to buy or sell are placed on this bulletin board. Your trade lead can be seen by World Trade Centers (WTCs), their members and interested businesses in more than 300 cities in 100 countries around the globe. Register for free as a WTCA On-Line "Guest" to receive your ID and Password, and review quality global offers to buy and sell products and services on WTCA On-Line's Trade Opportunities Bulletin Board.
Schedule B Codes
The S.C. Department of Agriculture assists local farmers by marketing produce for sale, listing items wanted, providing daily market reports and listing produce shippers and wholesalers. In addition, they help to ensure prompt and full payment to state farmers for the products they produce.
South Carolina Export Consortium www.scexports.net Contact: Fred Monk, President P.O. Box 12186, Columbia, SC 29211 . Phone: 803-799-4601 . fmonk@sccc.org The South Carolina Export Consortium helps South Carolina companies become export-ready and develop new international markets for their products, services, technology and intellectual property
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration office in your region can provide information on starting your own import/export business, including business plans, licenses, financing and regulations.
Trade Shows
Trade Show Resource
Trade show resource directory and calender of events.
Trade show resource directory and calender of events.