International Trade Resources
Below is a list of key international trade resources for importers and exporters.
For more information on business development opportunities in international markets, please visit Auto Care Association's Explore International Markets page.
Tariffs and Trade Resources - Auto Care Association's most up to date status on U.S. and international trade policy affecting the auto care industry.
U.S. Department of Commerce - The mission of the Department is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity with the overarching goal: Helping the American Economy Grow.
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) - The mission of the U.S. International Trade Commission is to:
- Investigate and make determinations in proceedings involving imports claimed to injure a domestic industry or violate U.S. intellectual property rights
- Provide independent analysis and information on tariffs, trade and competitiveness
- Maintain the U.S. tariff schedule
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - A bureau of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties and enforcing U.S. trade laws.
Importing into the United States - CBP guidance to promote understanding of, and compliance with, importing laws and regulations. The information provided is for general purposes only.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) - A hierarchical structure used for describing all goods in trade for duty, quota, and statistical purposes.
Guide to United States Imported Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts Compliance Requirements - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guide on imported motor vehicle parts compliance.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) - The full text of each FMVSS for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment appears in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 571.
Guidance on Best Importer Practices - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) recommended best practices for importers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to reduce the likelihood of importing products that contain defects related to motor vehicle safety or that do not comply with applicable FMVSS.
Explore International Markets - Auto Care Association resources to help you explore and expand in international markets.
- Webinars and Events
- International Markets Resources
- Trade Missions
Automotive & Smart Mobility Industry Team - The U.S. Commercial Service Automotive & Smart Mobility Industry team is comprised of industry specialists dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. automotive and smart mobility industry, expanding market access, and increasing exports.
Automotive Parts Trade Data Visualization - Data Visualization of Automotive Parts Trade prepared by Office of Transportation and Machinery at the International Trade Administration
U.S. Commercial Service - The U.S. Commercial Service (CS), the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade, including international partner searches and matchmaking meetings. Companies can find assistance locally in more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nationwide and in more than 70 international offices.
- Connect with Your Local U.S. Commercial Service Office
- Virtual Export Promotion Services
- The Global Automotive Resource Guide (Best Prospects and Market Trends)
- Export Solutions
- Research Center
U.S. Trade and Development Agency - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services or priority development projects in emerging economies.
Export-Import Bank of the United States - EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States and supports American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services.
Advocacy Center, U.S. Commercial Service - The Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters bidding on public-sector contracts with overseas governments and government agencies.
Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce - The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is responsible for control of exports for reasons of national security, foreign policy, and short supply such as "dual use" items with both military and commercial applications.
The U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce are responsible for conducting antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) (subsidy) investigations and five-year (sunset) reviews under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930. Under this law, U.S. industries may petition the USITC and Commerce for relief from imports that are sold in the United States at less than fair value ("dumped") or that benefit from countervailable subsidies provided through foreign government programs ("subsidized"). Dumping and certain subsidizing are considered unfair trade practices.
The USITC and the U.S. Department of Commerce both have roles in these investigations, but each addresses a different question. Commerce determines whether the alleged dumping or subsidizing is happening, and if so, the margin of dumping or amount of subsidy. The USITC determines whether the U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of the imports under investigation.
If both Commerce and the USITC reach affirmative final determinations on their individual questions, then Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order to offset the dumping or a countervailing duty order to offset the subsidy. Below is a list of AD/CVD resources.
U.S. Department of Commerce AD/CVD Resources - Information and resources for U.S. trade remedy laws and ongoing proceedings
U.S. International Trade Commission AD/CVD Investigations - International Trade Commission's database of U.S. AD/CVD investigations.
Products Subject to U.S. AD/CVD Duties
U.S. International Trade Commission Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Handbook
Automotive Trade Data - The Department of Commerce, Office of Transportation and Machinery (OTM) provides trade data of U.S. exports and imports of automotive parts and vehicles.
Federal Register - The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.
Free Trade Agreements - Selling to U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTAs) partner countries can help companies enter and compete more easily in the global marketplace through reduced trade barriers, including reduced tariffs and stronger intellectual property protection.
Office of the United States Trade Representative - The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) negotiates directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, to resolve disputes, and to participate in global trade policy organizations.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office IP Attaché Program - The Intellectual Property (IP) Attaché Program works to improve IP systems and to help U.S. stakeholders (such as businesses, legal representatives, and rights holders) internationally. IP attachés are located in posts around the world. Meet these passionate IP professionals and learn about their work in this short video.