1. Online Tutorials 

The following tutorials can also be accessed via World Merchant, The International Business Resource Center at http://www.aaatrading.com. From the main site, go to the school link, then schedule of classes, then import/export fundamentals. This site serves as  a one-stop information resource for online courses and tutorials related to import/export and is constantly updated, though many links were dead.

• Export Process Assistant (ExPA). Presented by Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University.

Electronic guide that helps educate users on the export process. Ideal for small to mid-sized firms planning to begin to export. Tutorial guides the user to information on overseas markets, trade data, trade leads and export assistance available from the U.S. government. Guide provides access to online databases and data sources for topics such as economic policy reports, demographic data, industry specific reports and much more. Registration is free. For more information or to view tutorial: http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/citm/expa  

• TradeExpert

Connected to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, TradePort has an online tutorial, TradeExpert. This is an interactive international trade tutorial designed to help all levels of exporters. Topics covered are getting started in exporting, researching markets, developing an export strategy, the rules of trade, and financing your exports. For more information or to view tutorial: http://www.tradeport.org/ts/trade_expert 

• Export Beginners Tutorial

Sponsored by International Export Connections. Provides basic information designed to help the user wade through the extensive data available on importing/exporting. Boils the information down to the basics and gives the user a sound starting point to venture into other more complex information. For more information or to view tutorial: http://www.teleport.com 

2. Online Publications

• “A Basic Guide to Exporting” from the National Trade Data Bank- a product of STAT-USA, U.S. Department of Commerce. Covers everything from strategy and advice to technology licensing and joint ventures. Online downloadable version available at: http://www.tradeport.org/ts/trade_expert/infobase/basic/index.html.



• “Exporting Basics” by Maurice Kogon, Director, International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC), Howard Community College. Downloadable version includes introduction, export readiness, developing overseas markets, making export sales and more. To view publication: http://www.tradeport.org/ts/trade_expert/infobase/exportbasics/index.html



• “Breaking into the Trade Game” from National Trade Data Bank- a product of STAT-USA, U.S. Department of Commerce. Covers deciding to export, foreign market entry, transporting goods internationally and more. To view publication: http://www.tradeport.org/ts/trade_expert/infobase/breaking/index.html.



• “Guide to Exporting” from the U.S. Commercial Service. Downloadable publications that covers export basic such as developing an export strategy, developing a market plan, export advice, making contacts, preparing product and more. To view publication: http://www2.usatrade.gov



• “Small Business Administration Guide to Exporting”. Online educational material covering export fundamentals for small businesses looking to enter the international marketplace. To view publication: http://www.sba.gov/oit and view educational material.

3. Export Related Seminars/Workshops and Courses

• The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Export Administration conducts workshops and seminars on export fundamentals in various locales throughout the continental U.S. 2-3 times a month. Fees range from $65-$275  per seminar/workshop, with most in the $200-$275 range. Seminars/workshops are usually 1-2 days and topics include export regulations, export control, export licensing, licensing and compliance and forwarder workshops. “Export Regulations Course” is offered the most often, eleven times this year. Complete listings of workshops/seminars is available on the web, as well as registration information and regional offices and local contact information.  For more information contact:

Bureau of Export Administration Exporter Counseling Division
Room 275 (mail), Room 1099 (visitors)
14^thSt. & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
Phone: (202) 482-4811
Fax: (202) 482-3617
http://www.bxa.doc.gov 

• U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA), Trade Information Center

Clearinghouse of information regarding export-related Education Events sponsored by the U.S. Government. The website lists seminars and workshops by state, country, and date. Many of the courses currently listed are the “Export Regulations Courses” sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, though there are many regional state-specific exporting courses. The focus of the courses listed are almost exclusively on export fundamentals. For a complete listing of seminars and workshops offered throughout the country or in a specific region, contact: http://www.ita.doc.gov   

• Centers for International Trade Development

Collegial regional organizations that specialize in providing a one stop service for those wishing to export. Information provided includes marketing information, resources, training and education. Most CITDs provide free consulting services as well as courses that range from one and two day workshops and seminars to six week or three month courses and certification programs. None of the CITDs surveyed currently offer online courses, however some stated that it is a possibility in the near future.  CITDs are located in local community colleges throughout California.

*Note: This information was gathered from the FAQ section of the California Department of Agriculture website (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov).

• U.S. Small Business Administration Office of International Trade/ SCORE

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide workshops and training opportunities for small businesses that want to learn how to export. SCORE provides free counseling and inexpensive workshops throughout the nation. SCORE has regional offices throughout the country and the frequency of import/export workshops depends on the regional chapter. Import/Export workshops are held approximately every other month, last 1 day and cost approximately $40. This course covers exporting fundamentals including legal aspects and customs requirements, international terms of trade, financing international trade, the role of a customs broker, bank assistance, marketing assistance and government finance. SCORE’s website has complete information on workshops in regional areas as well as contact information for regional offices. For more information contact:

U.S. Small Business Administration Office of International Trade
http://www.sba.gov/oit

SCORE Association
409 3^rd St. S.W.
6^th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20024
1-800-634-0245
http://www.score.org

• Colleges and Universities/ Sonoma State University

Most colleges and universities that have a business department offer import/export classes as part of their curriculum. Many universities offer International Business certificate programs in which an import/export class is mandatory. San Francisco State University, for example, has a “Small Business Import/Export Management” course as part of the curriculum for its International Business Certificate Program. There is no centralized source of data on these types of programs and universities would have to be contacted individually. 

Sonoma State University offers a professional development series in relating specifically to the business side of wine. Classes are not available on-line and the entire program consists of six classes. One of the classes, “Globalizing Your Business: Winning Strategies” is designed for wine industry managers hoping to develop and implement a strategy in the global marketplace. The course is a one-day workshop and costs $75. It is offered approximately twice per year. For more information contact:

Wine Business Education Program
Sonoma State University
1801 E Cotati Ave.
Rhonert Park, CA 94928
(707) 664-2260
Becky Montrose 

4. Assistance Sources

• Export Assistant Centers: The U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the U.S. Commercial Service and the Small Business Administration have developed a network of trade specialists housed at Export Assistance Centers in 100 cities throughout the U.S. These EACs provide one-stop information on export information, particularly focusing on small-mid sized businesses. These experts can help with information about: services to locate and evaluate overseas buyers and representatives, foreign economic statistics, export trade financing options and much more. They also provide information about federal resources and educational opportunities that are available in the local area, though they don’t sponsor and organize trainings or workshops themselves, nor do they publish their own information. For a list of the Network of U.S. Export Assistance Centers, http://www.sba.gov/oit/export/useac.html or contact the Small Business Administration at 1-800-ASK-SBA.



• Trade Information Center, U.S. Department of Commerce. Operates a toll-free number (1-800-USA-TRADE) that can provide the caller with comprehensive information on federal export assistance programs. The TIC can provide the caller with information on locating and using government programs, the export process, sources of general market information, and basic export counseling. For more information: http://www.ita.doc.gov/tic. Email is tic@ita.doc.gov.



• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). Provide management assistance for small businesses in general, and there is an “export expert” at each SBDC. There are 58 SBDCs throughout the U.S. with a network of over 1,000 service locations. Each state has a lead organization that sponsors and manages the program with a network of local providers located at satellite locations such as community colleges, chambers of commerce, economic development corporations. For a complete list of SBDCs, contact the Small Business Administration at 1-800-ASK-SBA or http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov.



• Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade Assistance and Promotion Office (TAPO). Provides detailed information on foreign buyers, can request information by commodity or country.(Wine is listed as a commodity, code # 2204.00). The service provides Foreign Market Information Reports, which provides contact information on distributors and importers, as well as general market information. Users can also access “trade leads” via fax or internet, where information from USDA overseas offices is electronically and immediately transferred. The organization also provides direct information on foreign buyers in the form of Buyer Alert Programs and Buyer Lists. Information can be obtained: (202)720-7420, http://www.fas.usda.gov