96% of the world's consumers reside outside the u.s. Where will your next customer come from?

Are you ready to export?

Find out by taking the free export readiness self-assessment at export.gov/begin. After completing the questionnaire, you'll be directed to online and local counselors to help prepare your business for exporting.

Remember that export success starts with a plan. SBA offers free online courses to help entrepreneurs understand business basics, including a course on exporting. Visit the Take your Business Global course.

Export Success Case Study: ATC International, Inc.

a photo of Amy Frey, ATC International president

Amy Frey started her business, ATC International, Inc., in a small home office with a fax machine. Today, ATC has warehouses on both the East and West Coasts, distributing a wide variety of consumer products. Hear about Amy's journey to creating a successful exporting business. Hear Amy's story

Podcasts on exporting: Think outside your borders

a photo of a globe

Think outside the box by thinking outside U.S. borders. The SBA podcast library includes a series on exporting basics and discussions with other small businesses on how they found success through exporting.

Visit SBA Podcast Library

Six steps to begin exporting

  1. Take the Free Export Readiness Self-Assessment
  2. Training and Consulting
  3. Create an Export Business Plan
  4. Conduct Market Research
  5. Find Buyers
  6. Investigate Financing

Learn more

We're here to assist you: SBA Export Loan Programs

SBA provides financing solutions to help U.S. small business export operations. With loans up to $5 million available, visit with your nearest U.S. Export Assistance Center or SBA district office to learn how we can help you go global. SBA Export Loan Programs include:

  • Export Working Capital Program — loans up to $5 million to meet the short-term working capital needs of small business exporters.
  • Export Express Program — streamlined approval on loans up to $500,000 for any use that increases a company's ability to export.
  • International Trade Loan Program — long-term financing on loans up to $5 million for company expansion or modernization for export purposes.

Locate a participating lender