Resource Manual for International Business
Created by GLOBAL ID, LLC
www.GLOBALIDLLC.com
This manual contains 264 resources to assist U.S.-based businesses with conducting international business as well as to assist students with research projects. The manual includes resources for the following areas: Government, Country Reports, Living/Moving/Studying Abroad, International Trade, Virtual Assistance, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Technology, Legal Concerns, and more. Each resource has a brief description, the price, and contact information. Some of the resources listed include the cost of that resource; these prices were accurate at the time of our research, prices are subject to change. Some resources have been repeated as they apply to more than one category. For additional assistance with global expansion strategies or questions about this manual, please contact Kelly Kasic via email: Kelly@globalidllc.com
GOVERNMENT
Background Notes
Background Notes provides links for travel, business, education and cultural affairs, the U.S. Government, and living overseas information. The site covers global issues from international security to women’s issues, and also provides links to other state department officials.
Price: Free
Address: U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20520
Phone: 1.202.647.4000
Website: www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
Bureau of Industry and Security
The Bureau of Industry and Security provides information that individuals and firms need to know before exporting, and ensures an effective export control and treaty compliance system, and promotes continued U.S. strategic technology leadership. The Bureau protects the security of the U.S., which includes national security, economic security, cyber security, and homeland security.
Price: Free
Address: 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington DC 20230
Phone: 1.202.482.0436
Website: www.bis.doc.gov
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook offers researchers detailed information on all countries of the world, covering the geography, people, government, economy, communication systems, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
Price: Free
Address: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20505
Phone: 1.703.482.0623
Website: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Traveler’s Health
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers information to assist travelers and health-care providers in deciding vaccines, medications, and other measures to prevent injury and illness during international travel. The site provides updated travel notices of any outbreaks and news throughout the world.
Price: Free online
Address: 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1.800.232.4636
Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Website: www.cdc.gov/travel
The Country Studies Series
The Country Studies Series provides analysis of the historical setting and social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries around the world, describing the interrelationship of those systems and how they’re shaped by cultural. The website discusses 101 countries and regions, and does not include Canada, France, the UK, and other Western nations. The online Country Studies are electronic versions of hardcover books published between 1988 and 1998, and most have not been updated since then.
Price: Free
Email: frds@loc.gov
Website: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The Customs and Border Protection is part of the Department of Homeland Security that processes all people, vehicles, and cargo entering the U.S. The CBP secures and facilitates trade and travel while enforcing U.S. regulations. Other tasks of the CBP include collecting import duties, taxes, and fees, regulating trade practices, maintaining export controls, protecting U.S. agricultural resources, and partnering with foreign countries to expand America’s zone of security.
Price: Free information
Address: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229
Phone: 1.877.CBP.5511
Website: www.cbp.gov
Denied Persons List
The denied persons list provides information on how to avoid dealing with unauthorized persons and the steps to take to avoid dealing with these people. The list provides links that help businesses in the U.S. recognize and avoid prohibited and illegal transactions, check the parties of the transactions (including freight forwarders, intermediate consignees, and the ultimate consignee), and provides links on what to do if a “red flag” situation occurs.
Price: Free
Phone: 1.202.482.4255
Website: www.bis.doc.gov/dpl
Department of Commerce (DOC)
The DOC provides information on the U.S. economy and foreign policy, as well as information about the Department of State and U.S. Embassies. Users can also access links to all the commerce bureaus, including the International Trade Association and the Bureau of Industry and Security.
Price: Free
Address: 1401 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 1.202.482.2000
Website: www.commerce.gov
Export.gov
Export.gov provides market research and trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service to export finance information, from the Export-Import Bank and Small Business Administration to agricultural assistance from the USDA. Users can search for specific industry information, market research, trade events and trade leads, international sales-marketing, international finance, international logistics, regulations and licenses, trade data and analysis, and trade problems.
Price: Free
Phone: 1.800.USA.TRADE
Email: tic@ita.doc.gov
Website: www.export.gov
International Trade Administration (ITA)
The International Trade Administration promotes trade and investment within the United States, and ensures fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. The ITA offers industry, trade, and economic analysis to facilitate policies that contribute to U.S. economic prosperity and to evaluate the potential effects of government policies on specific industries.
Price: Free
Address: 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 1.800.USA.TRADE
Website: www.trade.gov
International Trade Data System (ITDS)
The International Trade Data System implements a secure, integrated, government-wide method for electronic collection, storage, use, and dissemination of international trade data. The ITDS provides access to more accurate, complete, and timely international trade data.
Price: Free information
Email: askitds@dhs.gov
Website: www.itds.gov
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
The NAICS classifies business establishments for purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to U.S. business economy. The NAICS replaced the SIC in 1997. Industries are grouped according to similarity in the processes used to produce the goods and/or services.
Price: Free
Website: http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA provides information for small businesses to establish and maximize profits. It is an individual agency of the Federal Government set to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise. The SBA helps small businesses to start, build, and grow.
Price: Free
Address: 409 3rd Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20416
Phone: 1.800.827.5722
Email: answerdesk@sba.gov
Website: www.sba.gov
Standard Industrial Classification System (SICS)
The SICS covers the 1987 Economic Census, including estimated, sales, or other measurements of output, employment, and payroll. The SICS offers comparative statistics of 2 classification systems for any particular industry by inputting a 4-digit SIC code. Users can lookup codes by entering descriptive keywords.
Price: Free
Website: http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html
Stat-USA
Stat-USA offers a collection of U.S. economic and finance data, international trade statistics, and market research reports. With the State of the Nation users can track the direction of the US economy with daily interest and foreign exchange rates, state and regional housing, employment, and person income statistics, energy analysis and forecasts, and current industrial reports. With Globus and NTDB, users can delve into a database of country and market research reports, including daily international trade and U.S. government procurement leads, foreign market and industry profiles, international energy and agriculture reports (by country), World Bank publications and commodity price data, and the CIA World Factbook.
Price: $25 for a one day internet subscription, $75 for a quarterly internet subscription, $200 for a yearly internet subscription
Address: HCHB Room 4879, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 1.202.482.2164
Email: statmail@doc.gov
Website: www.stat-usa.gov
Travel.State.Gov
The travel warnings webpage describes long-term, protracted conditions that make a country unstable. The site assists American citizens with travel to specific regions listed on the website. Visitors can click on the country’s link to find out more information on the warning.
Price: Free
Website: http://travel.state.gov
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The USAID provides assistance to countries trying to escape poverty and engage in democratic reforms. The USAID supports economic growth, agriculture and trade, the environment, education and training, global health, democracy, and conflict prevention. The USAID provides economic, development, and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States.
Price: Free
Address: Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, DC 20523
Phone: 1.202.712.0000
Website: www.usaid.gov
U.S. Department of the Treasury
The U.S. Treasury ensures the financial security of the United States. The Treasury produces U.S. currency and implements economic sanctions against foreign threats, identifies and targets financial support networks of national security threats, and improves the safeguards of the United States’ financial systems. Visitors to the Department of Treasury website can view the latest information on the strength of the U.S. economy and the policies that will sustain economic growth. Visitors can also access information about international capital movements, international markets and trade, financial stability standards, public debt, and much more.
Price: Free
Address: 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220
Phone: 1.202.622.2000
Website: www.treasury.gov
U.S. Export Assistance Center of Denver
The Assistance Center of Denver offers export counseling and access to trade finance through the SBA and EXIM Bank. The Denver Center is part of an international network of global professionals, with 165 offices in 82 countries, and helps companies grow internationally by identifying and evaluating international partners, navigating international documentation challenges, creating market entry strategies, as well as providing other export related guidance.
Price: Free
Address: World Trade Center, 1625 Broadway, Suite 680, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 1.303.844.6001
Email: Paul.Bergman@mail.doc.gov
Website: www.buyusa.gov/colorado
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers investors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries for a limited time. The USPTO assists businesses in protecting their investments, promoting goods and services, and safeguarding consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. In addition to providing the above services the USPTO also administers laws relating to patents and trademarks, advises the Secretary of Commerce and the President of the U.S., and administers on patent, trademark, and copyright protection.
Price: Prices vary
Address: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313
Phone: 1.800.706.9199
Email: TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
Website: www.uspto.gov
U.S. Trade Representatives (USTR)
U.S. Trade Representatives provides detailed information on trade negotiations between the United States and specific regions of the world. The USTR website also provides links to relevant press releases, speeches, fact sheets, op-eds, testimony, Federal register notices, and the text of the trade agreements.
Price: Free
Address: 600 17th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20508
Phone: 1.202.395.7360
Email: contactustr@ustr.eop.gov
Website: www.ustr.gov
COUNTRY REPORTS
Background Notes
Background Notes provides links for travel, business, education and cultural affairs, the U.S. Government, and living overseas information. The site covers global issues from international security to women’s issues, and also provides links to other state department officials.
Price: Free
Address: U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20520
Phone: 1.202.647.4000
Website: www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
Booz Allen Hamilton
Booz Allen Hamilton offers consulting services to clients, and is a leading strategy and technology consulting firm with deep expertise in organization and strategy, economic and business analysis, supply chain and logistics, intelligence analysis, information technology, systems engineering and integration, assurance and resilience, and modeling and simulations.
Price: Users can download written studies and reports for free, but must contact Booz Allen Hamilton to determine the prices for the services offered.
Address: 8283 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 1.703.902.5000
Website: www.boozallen.com
Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (BNA)
The Bureau of National Affairs offers custom research, data, and document retrieval services. The BNA publishes over 350 daily, weekly, monthly, and up-to-the-minute news services, and covers topics that impact the global business environment. Topics include legal, legislative, regulatory, and economic developments.
Price: A subscription is required to receive any products and/or services, but first time visitors can receive a free trial.
Address: 1801 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 1.800.372.1033
Email: customercare@bna.com
Website: www.bna.com
Business Environment Risk Intelligence (BERI)
BERI provides qualitative analysis and forecasts for 50 countries, updated three times a year. The analysis for each of the 50 countries includes a political risk index, operations risk index, Remittance and Repatriation Factor ratings, as well as forecasts highlighting the country’s opportunities and problems, an economic and financial information table, and political information, including the government system, changes in government, and the most probable political scenario.
Price: $150 for three issues of the Business Risk Services country reports, $185 for three issues of the Foreland and Historical Ratings Research; Package country reports; $100 per issue of the Financial Ethics Index, $85 per issue of the Quality of Workforce Index, $125 per issue of the Mineral Extraction Risk Assessment, $50 per issue of the Labor Force Evaluation Measure, $60 per issue of the Government Proficiency Measure
Phone: 1.703.474.1429
Email: info@beri.com
Website: www.beri.com
Center for International Development (CID)
The Center for International Development offers an understanding of the development challenges and solutions to the problems of global poverty. CID engages directly with governments and policy makers to increase prosperity in all regions of the globe.
Price: Free
Address: Center for International Development at Harvard University, 79 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 1.617.495.4112
Email: cid@harvard.edu
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook offers researchers detailed information on all countries of the world, covering the geography, people, government, economy, communication systems, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
Price: Free
Address: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20505
Phone: 1.703.482.0623
Website: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Cities.com
Cities.com provides detailed information on featured cities and countries world-wide. The site includes the latest hotel and flight deals to these featured cities with all the latest news and analysis for these regions. Users can also view an interactive map of the particular location they are traveling to.
Price: Free
Phone: 1.315.849.5753
Website: www.cities.com
Coface
Coface helps companies minimize the risk of trading on credit. Coface provides trade-credit information and protection as well as country risk information, accounts receivable and political risk insurance, collection and litigation assistance, and B2B information in order to promote businesses in the worldwide marketplace.
Price: Prices vary
Address: 900 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: 1.800.929.8374
Email: service@coface-usa.com
Website: www.coface-usa.com
Countryrisk.com
Countryrisk.com serves as a portal to sites that provide information and analysis for those wanting to know the political and economical stability of countries around the world. Country analyses include historical information, statistics, and ratings ranging from the level of corruption to the risks of investment.
Price: Free
Email: editor@countryrisk.com
Website: www.countrisk.com
The Country Studies Series
The Country Studies Series provides analysis of the historical setting and social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries around the world, describing the interrelationship of those systems and how they’re shaped by cultural. The website discusses 101 countries and regions, and does not include Canada, France, the UK, and other Western nations. The online Country Studies are electronic versions of hardcover books published between 1988 and 1998, and most have not been updated since then.
Price: Free
Email: frds@loc.gov
Website: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html
Cross Culture Research Newsletter
The Society for Cross-Culture Research (SCCR) is an organization of about 200 members pursuing cross-cultural research from multidisciplinary perspectives, including psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and other social scientists. The SCCR sponsors quarterly journal Cross-cultural Research and publishes the SCCR Newsletter. The research gathered includes a wide range of cross-cultural interests and approaches.
Price: Regular Membership; $55 for 1 year membership, $100 for 2 year membership
Retired Membership; $40 for 1 year membership, $70 for 2 year membership
Student Membership; $35 for 1 year membership, $65 for 2 year membership
Website: www.sccr.org
CultureSense International
CultureSense International provides a range of intercultural programs of study and consulting services. Culture Sense specializes in expatriation, repatriation, USA culture, cross-cultural management and business training, and diversity training.
Price: Prices varies
Address: 5155 Medoras Street, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Phone: 1.904.460.9597
Email: info@culturesense.com
Website: www.culturesense.com
Department of Commerce (DOC)
The DOC provides information on the U.S. economy and foreign policy, as well as information about the Department of State and U.S. Embassies. Users can also access links to all the commerce bureaus, including the International Trade Association and the Bureau of Industry and Security.
Price: Free
Address: 1401 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 1.202.482.2000
Website: www.commerce.gov
Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet provides business information with over 130 million business records in more than 190 countries, and with D&B’s own solution sets: D&B Risk Management Solutions, Sales and Marketing, and Internet. D&B provides services to reduce credit risks, manage suppliers and business credit, find profitable new customers, and offers other helpful services.
Price: Prices vary, but before a company can purchase any products/services, a free registration is required.
Address: 103 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Phone: 1.973.921.5500
Website: www.dnb.com
The Economist
The Economist is part of The Economist Group and analyzes world business and current affairs, providing authoritative insight and opinion on international news, world politics, business, finance, science and technology, as well as offering special business and country reports.
Price: Users can view articles for free online, but those wanting more available options must subscribe. Digital Subscriptions: $89.99 for annual subscriptions, $24.95 for monthly subscription. Print Subscriptions: $202.98 for 102 issues, $166.79 for 51 issues, $59.76 for 24 issues.
Address: 25 St. James’s Street, London, SW1A 1HG, United Kingdom
Website: www.economist.com
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
The EIU provides researchers with updated analysis and forecasts on more than 200 countries and six major industries. Those needing a more detailed report on any specific country or industry must pay a fee for such services, but general information can be found on the EIU’s website at no cost. The site also offers three kinds of business intelligence: country analysis (for more than 200 countries), industry trends (on six major sectors), and the latest management strategies. The Economist Intelligence Unit merged with Economist Conferences, expanding resources and helpful services to international businesses at any stage of the businesses life. High-tech and high-touch services are provided and include custom research and presentations, executive programs, executive meetings, and electronic services and publications.
Price: country forecasts; $1,140 for online and print subscriptions, $605 for the most recent online and print issue; country reports; $580 for online and print subscriptions, $270 for the most recent online and print issue; country profiles; $310 for online/print subscriptions and recent online/print issue industry forecasts, $280 for online subscriptions, $165 for print subscriptions.
Address: 111 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 1.212.554.0600
Website: www.eiu.com
Embassy.org
Embassy.org provides an oversight of foreign embassies with links to their websites and other information needed for travelers, whether traveling for business or leisure.
Price: Free
Website: www.embassy.org
Euromoney Institutional Investor
The Euromoney Institutional Investor covers analysis on international finance, law, energy, and transport sectors, across the globe. Euromoney offers business conferences, events, seminars, training courses, and exhibitions on financial topics in addition to the analysis of the above mentioned information. Publications include a wide range of financial and business magazines, journals, newsletters, surveys and research, directories, and books covering all regions of the world.
Price: Prices vary
Address: Nestor House, Playhouse Yard, London EC4V 5EX, United Kingdom
Phone: 44.0.20 7779 8673
Website: www.euromoneyplc.com
Euromonitor International
Euromonitor International provides business intelligence on industries, countries, and consumers, and offers three online information systems: the Passport, Global Market Information Database (GMID), and the Countries and Consumers system. The Passport offers research on consumer goods industries with information on countries and consumers, industries, global trends, and the business operating environment. The GMID provides research across a variety of industries, and integrates industry research with intelligence on countries and consumers. The Countries and Consumers system allows companies to monitor demographic, economic, social, political, and lifestyle trends to identify macro factors influencing the business environment. Marketing research offered by Euromonitor includes in-depth competitor intelligence, strategic and market-entry analysis, forecasting and scenario planning, and consumer, market, and customer segmentation.
Price: $10,050 per Global Report, $900 per Country Report, $390 per Company Report
Address: 224 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 1.312.922.1115
Email: insight@euromonitorintl.com
Website: www.euromonitor.com
Export.gov
Export.gov provides market research and trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service to export finance information, from the Export-Import Bank and Small Business Administration to agricultural assistance from the USDA. Users can search for specific industry information, market research, trade events and trade leads, international sales-marketing, international finance, international logistics, regulations and licenses, trade data and analysis, and trade problems.
Price: Free
Phone: 1.800.USA.TRADE