Find Contacts in Overseas Markets
The U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) in Atlanta maintains a comprehensive Resource Center with a wealth of printed and electronic materials, including contact information on overseas agents, distributors, importers, buyers and other key contacts for U.S. companies. For an appointment, call 404-897-6090.
Kompass Directories
Kompass Directories are publications that are country-specific and contain contact information on agents, distributors, importers, wholesalers and other key contacts for specific products. These directories are available in the USEAC Resource Center, the University of Georgia’s Business Outreach Service’s library in Athens, various foreign trade commissions and some public libraries. They are published by Reed Elvesier Group and are available on CD-ROM.
Foreign Yellow Pages
These useful resources can be found in foreign trade commissions and some libraries. To order from AT&T, call 800-432-6600. A few are also available in the USEAC Resource Center.
American Chambers of Commerce Abroad
Membership directories of American Chambers of Commerce Abroad can be a good source of information. Contact individual chambers for directories. Addresses can be found in the Bureau of National Affairs, Export Reference Manual and the National Trade Data Bank.
Trade Journals
Advertising in industry-specific trade journals in each target market is another way to identify potential representatives. Information on industry journals may be found in Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory (available at Georgia State University library in Atlanta), EBSCO’s Serials Directory, or from the industry desk officer at the Commercial Service in the U.S. Department of Commerce. For a list of Industry Desk Officers, call 404-897-6090.
Foreign trade journals sometimes publish information on U.S. firms seeking representation abroad. A list of trade journals in each country that offer this service may be obtained from the Commercial Officers in U.S. embassies and consulates and through GDEcD’s international trade representatives.
Importers Associations
Importers associations in each target country should be able to provide names of potential representatives. A list of importers associations can be found in the Encyclopedia of Associations, International Edition (available in the USEAC Resource Center) or the appropriate country desk officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Identify International Representatives
GDEcD schedules trade promotion programs such as trade shows, trade missions, matchmaking and catalog shows, which are an excellent means of proactively developing contacts specific to your company’s goals and objectives. For information on upcoming trade promotion activities, contact GDEcD at 404-962-4126.
GDEcD has international trade representatives in 10 overseas offices: Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe (Munich), the Middle East (Israel/Jordan/Turkey), Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For information on the services offered by these representatives, call 404-962-4126.
The USEAC Resource Center
The U.S. Export Assistance Center provides a wealth of additional materials. For an appointment, please call 404- 897-6090.
Trade Opportunity Program
The Trade Opportunity Program (TOP) of the ITA/U.S .Department of Commerce provides companies with current sales leads from international firms seeking to buy or represent their products or services. TOP leads are distributed electronically via the Department of Commerce’s Economic Bulletin Board (EBB), STAT-USA/FAX and STAT-USA/Internet. There is a nominal annual fee to access these services.
TOP leads are also printed daily in leading commercial newspapers. To subscribe to the Department of Commerce Economic Bulletin Board, STAT-USA/Fax or STAT-USA/Internet, call 1-800-782-8872 or 202-482-1986, or click here.
U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC)
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service International Contacts List (formerly known as the Foreign Traders Index) provides the name and contact information for over 70,000 foreign agents, distributors and importers interested in working with U.S. exporters. Disk 2 of the National Trade Data Bank can be used for an Internet search by product and country of interest.
The USDOC’s Agent/Distributor Service is a customized search on behalf of U.S. companies seeking foreign representation. U.S. commercial officers abroad conduct the agent/distributor search based on requirements specified by the requesting firm. The search for agents and distributors takes 60 to 90 days and costs $250 per market. You can place an order for this service through the USEAC at 404- 962-4126.
The USDOC’s Gold Key Service is custom-tailored for U.S. companies planning on visiting a foreign country, combining orientation briefings, market research, introductions to potential partners, interpreter service for meetings, and assistance in developing a marketing strategy. Contact the USEAC, 404-962-4126, for more information.
Commercial News USA is published ten times a year by the Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. This publication lists U.S. products available for export and is circulated to more than 100,000 agents, distributors, purchasing officials, licensees and end-users worldwide. The fee to advertise is $395 and up. For more information, call 404-962-4126.
For more descriptions of the Agent/Distributor Service, the Commercial Service International Contacts List, the Trade Opportunities Program, the Gold Key Service and other programs of the U.S. Commercial Service, click here.
Georgia Department of Agriculture
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has an office located in Brussels that can assist identifying potential agents and distributors for food and agricultural-related products. For information, call 404-656-3740.
Center for International Standards and Quality (CISQ)
Georgia Tech’s CISQ offers a Standards Inquiry Service that helps firms identify international, European Union and foreign national standards for exported products. CISQ also offers standards-related research and current awareness services, as well as referral services for standards documents, translations, etc. For further information, call CISQ at 404- 894-4299, 404-962-4126 or 800-859-0968 or click here.
National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI)
NCSCI provides information on U.S., foreign and international voluntary standards; government regulations; and rules of certification for non-agricultural products. The NCSCI serves as a referral service and focal point in the U.S. for information about standards and standards-related information. The NCSCI also provides a translation service for foreign standards, for which there is a charge. The NCSCI staff responds to requests for information by identifying relevant standards and/or regulations for your product. The requester is referred to the appropriate standards-developing organization or private sector organization for additional technical information and/or copies of the document. The NCSCI does not provide copies of the standards. For more information, contact the NCSCI at 301-975-4040 or visit the web site.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
The ANSI is the designated U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The ANSI can provide technical contacts for ISO and IEC standards and sells copies of foreign standards. For information, call 212- 642-4900.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
The WTO Hotline provides current information on proposed foreign regulations that may significantly affect trade. The recorded message is updated weekly. The hotline number is 301-975-4041.
Country Commercial Guides (CCGs)
The CCGs provide an overview of each country’s trade regulations and investment practices, and present a comprehensive look at the commercial environment in various countries through economic, political and market analysis. The CCGs are available on the National Trade Data Bank and at the U.S. State Department web site.
Directory of Associations
A number of major U.S. industry/trade associations are actively engaged in tracking developments in international and foreign standards. Identify and contact trade associations for a specific industry to determine whether information about international and foreign standards is available. A list of industry/trade associations can be found in the Directory of Associations available in the U.S. Export Assistance Center’s Resource Center and other public libraries.
Evaluate International Representatives
It is important to check the credit and reputation of the potential agent/distributor through the use of sources such as local banks or the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Company Profiles. For more information, call 404-897-6090.