Exporting Made Simple
A step-by-step guide for U.S. businesses to begin selling products globally with confidence.
Exporting can feel overwhelming at first — new rules, new documents, and unfamiliar terms. This guide breaks the entire process into simple steps so any U.S. business can understand what to expect, what is required, and how to get started safely.
Most first time exporters complete this guide in about 5–10 minutes and gain a simple, practical understanding of how to get started.
Your Export Progress
Complete each step to build your full export plan.
Know your product
Start by clearly defining what you sell
Before exporting, clearly define your product. This information will be used for classification, compliance, customs, and market selection.
What it is, what it's made of, how it's used
What you need to know:
- Know your product's materials and components
- Understand its purpose and how it is used
- Document size, weight, and packaging
- This information is required for shipping, customs, and buyer requests
This may seem obvious, but the details matter when shipping internationally. Clear product definitions help with classification, customs, and buyer requests.
Classify your product (HS Code)
Every product in the world has a standardized HS Code
This code determines customs duties, taxes, and shipping requirements across all countries.
Auto-filled from Step 1
Auto-filled from Step 1
Complete Step 1 first to enable HS Code generation.
Disclaimer: This is a suggested classification. Final determination should be confirmed with a licensed customs broker.
Keep this HS Code. The same code follows your product to every country.
Logistics & shipping
Enter basic shipment information
Shipping costs depend on weight, dimensions, destination, and speed.
Choose the packaging that matches your shipment — we'll only ask for what applies.
Weight of one item (used to calculate total shipment weight)
Number of units you plan to ship in one order
Price per unit to estimate shipment value
Enter the size of a single item. Total shipment volume will be calculated automatically.
Freight costs are based on the total size and weight of your entire shipment, not individual items.
We calculate:
Total weight = weight per unit × quantity
Total volume = length × width × height × quantity
Carriers use the higher of:
- Actual weight
- Dimensional (volumetric) weight
Based on your total shipment size, these are the most common transport options.
Air freight
Fastest, higher cost
Ocean freight
Cost-effective, bulk
Ground freight
Regional delivery
Shipping costs depend on weight, dimensions, destination, and speed. Get quotes from multiple providers to compare prices.
For large shipments, ocean freight is usually the most cost-effective option. For small, high-value products, air freight is often preferred.
Choose a country
Starter country recommendation(optional)
Not sure which country to start with? Use this tool to identify a strong first country based on global trade patterns and practical export factors.
Our scoring model compares multiple factors to recommend a starting country that balances demand, accessibility, and export conditions for your product.
Enter product details in Step 1 to enable recommendations.
This recommendation is informational only and based on global trade activity, shipping practicality, and common import patterns for similar products. Final country selection should consider regulatory requirements and business strategy.
Or select manually
Can't find what you're looking for? Browse all countries and select one to begin.
Don't try to sell everywhere at once. Focus on one market to understand the requirements before expanding to additional countries.
Understand customs & duties
Know what costs and requirements apply
Customs duties and import taxes are based on your product's HS Code and destination country.
Select a target country in Step 4 to see customs preview
Customs costs vary by country and product. This tool gives you a realistic preview so there are no surprises when your shipment arrives.
Trade terms & landed cost
Select how costs and responsibilities are split between you and your buyer, then see a simple breakdown of who pays for what.
Select a destination country to calculate duties, taxes, and landed cost.
Trade terms (who pays for what)
Buyer handles everything after pickup. Lowest responsibility for exporter.
You get the product ready and deliver it to the shipping carrier. The buyer takes it from there.
Exporter pays shipping and insurance. Buyer pays import costs.
Exporter pays everything including import duties. Highest complexity.
Most first-time exporters use FOB to keep control of domestic shipping while letting the buyer manage import costs.
Landed cost breakdown
A practical estimate showing what you pay, what the buyer pays, and the total deal cost.
Select a destination country in Step 4 to see your landed cost breakdown.
Prepare export documents
Review and download the documents needed for your export.
Standard export documents
Proper documentation ensures smooth customs clearance and protects your business.
Commercial Invoice
Describes the goods, price, and parties involved in the transaction.
Packing List
Details the contents, weight, and dimensions of each package.
Certificate of Origin
Certifies where the goods were manufactured or produced.
Shipper's Letter of Instruction
Instructions from the shipper to the freight forwarder.
Some products require additional documents such as FDA registration or agricultural certificates. Your export summary will identify any special requirements for your product.
Payment & risk protection
Getting paid internationally
Structure your transactions with clear payment terms before releasing goods.
Recommended payment methods:
Payment in advance
Wire transfer, credit card, or certified funds received before shipment.
Escrow services
Third-party holds payment until goods are delivered as agreed.
Letters of credit (LC)
Bank guarantees payment upon proof of shipment.
Red flags to watch for:
- •Buyer refuses any form of secure payment
- •Buyer requests overpayments or refunds
- •Buyer pushes extreme urgency or secrecy
- •Buyer asks you to ship before payment clears
- •Buyer uses a free email domain for large orders
- •Payment comes from a different country than the buyer
Best practices for exporters:
- Verify buyer identity and business registration
- Start with smaller orders to build trust
- Use escrow or advance payment for new buyers
- Document all agreements and communications
- Consider trade credit insurance for large shipments
International trade operates across multiple legal systems. Always structure transactions with clear payment terms before releasing goods.
Estimated Total Export Cost
A practical estimate of your total costs for this export scenario
Cost breakdown
This estimate is based on the information you've provided so far and reflects typical costs for this export scenario.
Enter your product quantity and price in Step 3 to calculate estimated costs.
Disclaimer: This estimate is for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by carrier, destination, timing, and regulatory conditions. Always confirm final pricing with logistics and compliance providers.
How This Deal Works
(Simple Version)
- 1Your company Your company is contacted by a buyer in your target market interested in your product your product.
- 2You agree on price, quantity, and trade terms for N/A units at $N/A each.
- 3A payment method or payment arrangement is agreed and confirmed.
- 4You prepare the required export documents and book shipping.
- 5The product is shipped and delivered according to the agreed trade terms.
That's it — Exporting Made Simple.
- The World Awaits -
Your Export Snapshot
A personalized overview of your first export based on your inputs (Printable PDF)
Generate your export plan
What you'll receive
A personalized export plan based on your product, destination country, and shipping details, including:
- •Suggested HS classification
- •Estimated logistics and total costs
- •Required export documents
- •Payment and risk considerations
- •A practical first-export roadmap
How it works
We use the information you entered above to generate a clear, step-by-step export plan you can download and use immediately.
Creates a printable export plan you can share with partners, freight providers, or internal teams.
Downloadable Tools
Free resources to support your export planning
Export starter checklist
A step-by-step checklist to ensure you're ready to export
Export summary template
A blank template for tracking your export details
Document pack (ZIP)
Sample templates for all required export documents
Ready to join United Exports?
Get verified, gain global exposure, and connect with trusted international buyers through United Exports.
- The World Awaits -
Buying from the United States instead? Register as an international buyer
Global disclaimer
United Exports provides educational and informational resources. United Exports does not act as a freight forwarder, customs broker, legal advisor, or financial institution.
Users are responsible for verifying all regulatory and commercial requirements. We recommend consulting with a licensed customs broker or trade compliance specialist before your first shipment.
All generated HS codes are labeled as "Suggested." All pricing is labeled as "Estimated." All external providers are labeled "Reference Only."