---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 649"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "649"
heading: "Office of International Trade"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/649"
units:
  - "Chapter 14A — Aid to Small Business"
---

# §649. Office of International Trade

- (a) **Establishment—**
  - (1) **Office—** There is established within the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) an Office of International Trade which shall implement the programs pursuant to this section for the primary purposes of increasing—
    - (A) the number of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) that export; and
    - (B) the volume of exports by [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6).
  - (2) **Associate Administrator—** The head of the Office shall be the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) for International Trade, who shall be responsible to the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1).
- (b) **Trade distribution network—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), working in close cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of State, the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Board of Directors of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Director of the United States Trade and Development [Agency](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), and other relevant [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), [small business development centers](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) engaged in export promotion efforts, Export Assistance Centers, regional and district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), the small business community, and relevant [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) and local export promotion programs, shall—
  - (1) maintain a distribution network, using regional and district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), the [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) network, networks of women’s business centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized by [section 637(b)(1) of this title](/usc/15/637.md?p=b-1), and Export Assistance Centers, for programs relating to—
    - (A) trade promotion;
    - (B) trade finance;
    - (C) trade adjustment assistance;
    - (D) trade remedy assistance; and
    - (E) trade data collection;
  - (2) aggressively market the programs described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) and disseminate information, including computerized marketing data, to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) on exporting trends, market-specific growth, industry trends, and international prospects for exports;
  - (3) promote export assistance programs through the district and regional offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), the [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) network, Export Assistance Centers, the network of women’s business centers, chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives, [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) and local export promotion programs, and partners in the private sector; and
  - (4) give preference in hiring or approving the transfer of any employee into the Office or to a position described in [subsection (c)(9)](#c-9) to otherwise qualified [applicants](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) who are fluent in a language in addition to English, to—
    - (A) accompany [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) on foreign trade missions; and
    - (B) translate documents, interpret conversations, and facilitate multilingual transactions, including by providing referral lists for translation services, if required.
- (c) **Promotion of sales opportunities—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall promote sales opportunities for small business goods and services abroad. To accomplish this objective the office shall—
  - (1) establish annual goals for the Office relating to—
    - (A) enhancing the exporting capability of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) and small manufacturers;
    - (B) facilitating technology transfers;
    - (C) enhancing programs and services to assist [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) and small manufacturers to compete effectively and efficiently in foreign markets;
    - (D) increasing the ability of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) to access capital; and
    - (E) disseminating information concerning Federal, [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2), and private programs and initiatives;
  - (2) in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, other relevant [agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), regional and local [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) offices, the [Small Business Development Center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) network, and [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) programs, develop a mechanism for—
    - (A) identifying subsectors of the small business community with strong export potential;
    - (B) identifying areas of demand in foreign markets;
    - (C) prescreening foreign buyers for commercial and credit purposes; and
    - (D) assisting in increasing international marketing by disseminating relevant information regarding market leads, linking potential sellers and buyers, and catalyzing the formation of joint ventures, where appropriate;
  - (3) in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, actively assist [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in forming and using export trading companies, export management companies and research and development pools authorized under [section 638 of this title](/usc/15/638.md);
  - (4) work in conjunction with other [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), regional and district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), the [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) network, and the private sector to identify and publicize translation services, including those available through colleges and universities participating in the [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) program;
  - (5) work closely with the Department of Commerce and other relevant [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b) to—
    - (A) collect, analyze and periodically update relevant data regarding the small business share of United States exports and the nature of [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) exports (including the production of Gross [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) Product figures) and disseminate that data to the public and to Congress;
    - (B) make recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and to Congress regarding revision of the North American Industry Classification System codes to encompass industries currently overlooked and to create North American Industry Classification System codes for export trading companies and export management companies;
    - (C) improve the utility and accessibility of existing export promotion programs for [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6); and
    - (D) increase the accessibility of the Export Trading Company contact facilitation service;
  - (6) make available to the small business community information regarding conferences on exporting and international trade sponsored by the public and private sector;
  - (7) provide [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) with access to up to date and complete export information by—
    - (A) making available, at the regional and district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) through cooperation with the Department of Commerce, export information, including, but not limited to, the worldwide information and trade system and world trade data reports;
    - (B) maintaining a list of financial institutions that finance export operations;
    - (C) maintaining a directory of all Federal, regional, [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) and private sector programs that provide export information and assistance to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6); and
    - (D) preparing and publishing such reports as it determines to be necessary concerning market conditions, sources of financing, export promotion programs, and other information pertaining to the needs of small business exporting firms so as to insure that the maximum information is made available to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in a readily usable form;
  - (8) encourage through cooperation with the Department of Commerce, greater small business participation in trade fairs, shows, missions, and other domestic and overseas export development activities of the Department of Commerce;
  - (9) facilitate decentralized delivery of export information and assistance to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) by assigning primary responsibility for export development to one individual in each district office and providing each [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) regional office with a full-time export development specialist, who shall—
    - (A) assist [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in obtaining export information and assistance from other Federal departments and [agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b);
    - (B) maintain a directory of all programs which provide export information and assistance to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in the region;
    - (C) encourage financial institutions to develop and expand programs for export financing;
    - (D) provide advice to personnel of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) involved in making loans, loan guarantees, and extensions and revolving lines of credit, and providing other forms of assistance to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) engaged in exports;
    - (E) within one hundred and eighty days of their appointment, participate in training programs designed by the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and other Federal departments and [agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), to study export programs and to examine the needs of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) for export information and assistance;
    - (F) participate, jointly with employees of the Office, in an annual training program that focuses on current small business needs for exporting; and
    - (G) develop and conduct training programs for exporters and lenders, in cooperation with the Export Assistance Centers, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, [small business development centers](/usc/15/632.md?p=t), women’s business centers, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and other relevant [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b);
  - (10) make available on the website of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) the name and contact information of each individual described in [paragraph (9)](#c-9);
  - (11) carry out a nationwide marketing effort using technology, online resources, training, and other strategies to promote exporting as a business development opportunity for [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6);
  - (12) disseminate information to the small business community through regional and district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), the [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) network, Export Assistance Centers, the network of women’s business centers, chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized by [section 637(b)(1) of this title](/usc/15/637.md?p=b-1), [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) and local export promotion programs, and partners in the private sector regarding exporting trends, market-specific growth, industry trends, and prospects for exporting; and
  - (13) establish and carry out training programs for the staff of the regional and district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) and resource partners of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) on export promotion and providing assistance relating to exports.
- (d) **Export financing programs—**
  - (1) **In general—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall work in cooperation with the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Department of Commerce, other relevant [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), and the [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) to develop a program through which export specialists in the regional offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), regional and local loan officers, and [Small Business Development Center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) personnel can facilitate the access of small businesses to relevant export financing programs of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and to export and pre-export financing programs available from the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) and the private sector.
  - (2) **Trade finance specialist—** To accomplish the goal established under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) designate at least 1 individual within the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) as a trade finance specialist to oversee international loan programs and assist [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) employees with trade finance issues; and
    - (B) work in cooperation with the Export-Import Bank and the small business community, including small business trade associations, to—
      - (i) aggressively market existing [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) export financing and pre-export financing programs;
      - (ii) identify financing available under various Export-Import Bank programs, and aggressively market those programs to small businesses;
      - (iii) assist in the development of financial intermediaries and facilitate the access of those intermediaries to existing financing programs;
      - (iv) promote greater participation by private financial institutions, particularly those institutions already participating in loan programs under this chapter, in export finance; and
      - (v) provide for the participation of appropriate [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) personnel in training programs conducted by the Export-Import Bank.
- (e) **Trade remedies—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) work in cooperation with other [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b) and the private sector to counsel small businesses with respect to initiating and participating in any proceedings relating to the [administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) of the United States trade laws; and
  - (2) work with the Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the International Trade Commission to increase access to trade remedy proceedings for small businesses.
- (f) **Reporting requirement—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives that contains—
  - (1) a description of the progress of the Office in implementing the requirements of this section;
  - (2) a detailed account of the results of export growth activities of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), including the activities of each district and regional office of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), based on the performance measures described in [subsection (i)](#i);[^1]
  - (3) an estimate of the total number of jobs created or retained as a result of export assistance provided by the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) and resource partners of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1);
  - (4) for any travel by the staff of the Office, the destination of such travel and the benefits to the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) and to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) resulting from such travel; and
  - (5) a description of the participation by the Office in trade negotiations.
- (g) **Studies—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), in cooperation, where appropriate, with the Division of Economic Research of the Office of Advocacy, and with other [Federal agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b), shall undertake studies regarding the following issues and shall report to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to other relevant Committees of the House and Senate within 6 months after August 23, 1988, with specific recommendations on—
  - (1) the viability and cost of establishing an annual, competitive small business export incentive program similar to the Small Business Innovation Research program and alternative methods of structuring such a program;
  - (2) methods of streamlining trade remedy proceedings to increase access for, and reduce expenses incurred by, smaller firms;
  - (3) methods of improving the current small business foreign sales corporation tax incentives and providing small businesses with greater benefits from this initiative;
  - (4) methods of identifying potential export markets for United States small businesses; maintaining and disseminating current foreign market data; and devising a comprehensive export marketing strategy for United States small business goods and services, and shall include data on the volume and dollar amount of goods and services, identified by type, imported by United States trading partners over the past 10 years; and
  - (5) the results of a survey of major United States trading partners to identify the domestic policies, programs and incentives, and the private sector initiatives, which exist to encourage the formation and growth of small business.
- (h) **Discharge of international trade responsibilities of Administration—** The [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall ensure that—
  - (1) the responsibilities of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) regarding international trade are carried out by the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1);
  - (2) the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) has sufficient resources to carry out such responsibilities; and
  - (3) the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) has direct supervision and control over—
    - (A) the staff of the Office; and
    - (B) any employee of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) whose principal duty station is an Export Assistance Center, or any successor entity.
- (i) **Export and trade counseling—**
  - (1) **Definition—** In this subsection—
    - (A) the term “lead [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t)” means a [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) that has received a grant from the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1); and
    - (B) the term “lead women’s business center” means a women’s business center that has received a grant from the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Certification program—** The [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall establish an export and trade counseling certification program to certify employees of lead [small business development centers](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) and lead women’s business centers in providing export assistance to [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6).
  - (3) **Number of certified employees—** The [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall ensure that the number of employees of each lead [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) who are certified in providing export assistance is not less than the lesser of—
    - (A) 5; or
    - (B) 10 percent of the total number of employees of the lead [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t).
  - (4) **Reimbursement for certification—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall reimburse a lead [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) or a lead women’s business center for costs relating to the certification of an employee of the lead small business center or lead women’s business center in providing export assistance under the program established under [paragraph (2)](#i-2).
    - (B) **Limitation—** The total amount reimbursed by the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) under [subparagraph (A)](#i-4-A) may not exceed $350,000 in any fiscal year.
- (j) **Performance measures—**
  - (1) **In general—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall develop performance measures for the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) to support export growth goals for the activities of the Office under this section that include—
    - (A) the number of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) that—
      - (i) receive assistance from the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1);
      - (ii) had not exported goods or services before receiving the assistance described in [clause (i)](#j-1-A-i); and
      - (iii) export goods or services;
    - (B) the number of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) receiving assistance from the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) that export goods or services to a market outside the United States into which the [small business concern](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) did not export before receiving the assistance;
    - (C) export revenues by [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) assisted by programs of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1);
    - (D) the number of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) referred to an Export Assistance Center or a [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) by the staff of the Office;
    - (E) the number of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) referred to the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) by an Export Assistance Center or a [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t); and
    - (F) the number of [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) referred to the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of State, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, or the United States Trade and Development [Agency](/usc/15/632.md?p=b) by the staff of the Office, an Export Assistance Center, or a [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t).
  - (2) **Joint performance measures—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall develop joint performance measures for the district offices of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) and the Export Assistance Centers that include the number of export loans made under—
    - (A) [section 636(a)(16) of this title](/usc/15/636.md?p=a-16);
    - (B) the Export Working Capital Program established under [section 636(a)(14) of this title](/usc/15/636.md?p=a-14);
    - (C) the Preferred Lenders Program, as defined in [section 636(a)(2)(C)(ii) of this title](/usc/15/636.md?p=a-2-C-ii); and
    - (D) the export express program established under [section 636(a)(34) of this title](/usc/15/636.md?p=a-34).
  - (3) **Consistency of tracking—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), in coordination with the departments and [agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b) that are represented on the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee established under [section 4727 of this title](/usc/15/4727.md) and the [small business development center](/usc/15/632.md?p=t) network, shall develop a system to track exports by [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6), including information relating to the performance measures developed under [paragraph (1)](#j-1), that is consistent with systems used by the departments and [agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b) and the network.
- (k) **Export Assistance Centers—**
  - (1) **Export finance specialists—**
    - (A) **Minimum number of export finance specialists—** On and after the date that is 90 days after September 27, 2010, the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall ensure that the number of export finance specialists is not less than the number of such employees so assigned on January 1, 2003.
    - (B) **Export finance specialists assigned to each region of the Administration—** On and after the date that is 2 years after September 27, 2010, the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall ensure that there are not fewer than 3 export finance specialists in each [region of the Administration](/usc/15/632.md?p=u).
  - (2) **Placement of export finance specialists—**
    - (A) **Priority—** The [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall give priority, to the maximum extent practicable, to placing employees of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) at any Export Assistance Center that—
      - (i) had an [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) employee assigned to the Export Assistance Center before January 2003; and
      - (ii) has not had an [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) employee assigned to the Export Assistance Center during the period beginning January 2003, and ending on September 27, 2010, either through retirement or reassignment.
    - (B) **Needs of exporters—** The [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, strategically assign [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) employees to Export Assistance Centers, based on the needs of exporters.
    - (C) **Rule of construction—** Nothing in this subsection may be construed to require the [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) to reassign or remove an export finance specialist who is assigned to an Export Assistance Center on September 27, 2010.
  - (3) **Goals—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall work with the Department of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation to establish shared annual goals for the Export Assistance Centers.
  - (4) **Oversight—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall designate an individual within the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) to oversee all activities conducted by [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) employees assigned to Export Assistance Centers.
- (l) **State Trade Expansion Program—**
  - (1) **Definitions—** In this subsection—
    - (A) the term “eligible [small business concern](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6)” means a business concern that—
      - (i) is organized or incorporated in the United States;
      - (ii) is operating in the United States;
      - (iii) meets—
        - (I) the applicable industry-based small business size standard established under [section 632 of this title](/usc/15/632.md); or
        - (II) the alternate size standard applicable to the program under [section 636(a) of this title](/usc/15/636.md?p=a) and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ([15 U.S.C. 695](/usc/15/695.md) et seq.);
      - (iv) has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance using a grant under this subsection commences; and
      - (v) has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers;
    - (B) the term “program” means the [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) Trade Expansion Program established under [paragraph (2)](#l-2);
    - (C) the term “rural [small business concern](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6)” means an eligible [small business concern](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) located in a rural area, as that term is defined in [section 1393(a)(2) of title 26](/usc/26/1393.md?p=a-2);
    - (D) the term “socially and economically disadvantaged [small business concern](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6)” has the meaning given that term in [section 637(a)(4)(A) of this title](/usc/15/637.md?p=a-4-A); and
    - (E) the term “[State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2)” means each of the several [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2), the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
  - (2) **Establishment of program—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall establish a trade expansion program, to be known as the “[State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) Trade Expansion Program”, to make grants to [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) to carry out programs that assist eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in—
    - (A) participation in foreign trade missions;
    - (B) a subscription to services provided by the Department of Commerce;
    - (C) the payment of website fees;
    - (D) the design of marketing media;
    - (E) a trade show exhibition;
    - (F) participation in training workshops;
    - (G) a reverse trade mission;
    - (H) procurement of consultancy services (after consultation with the Department of Commerce to avoid duplication); or
    - (I) any other initiative determined appropriate by the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1).
  - (3) **Grants—**
    - (A) **Joint review—** In carrying out the program, the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) may make a grant to a [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) to increase the number of eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in the [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) exploring significant new trade opportunities.
    - (B) **Considerations—** In making grants under this subsection, the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) may give priority to an application by a [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) that proposes a program that—
      - (i) focuses on eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) as part of a trade expansion program;
      - (ii) demonstrates intent to promote trade expansion by—
        - (I) socially and economically disadvantaged [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6);
        - (II) [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) owned or controlled by women; and
        - (III) rural [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6);
      - (iii) promotes trade facilitation from a [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) that is not 1 of the 10 [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) with the highest percentage of eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) that are engaged in international trade, based upon the most recent data from the Department of Commerce; and
      - (iv) includes—
        - (I) activities which have resulted in the highest return on investment based on the most recent year; and
        - (II) the adoption of shared best practices included in the annual report of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1).
    - (C) **Limitations—**
      - (i) **Single application—** A [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) may not submit more than 1 application for a grant under the program in any 1 fiscal year.
      - (ii) **Proportion of amounts—** The total value of grants made under the program during a fiscal year to the 10 [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) with the highest percentage of eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6), based upon the most recent data available from the Department of Commerce, shall be not more than 40 percent of the amounts appropriated for the program for that fiscal year.
      - (iii) **Duration—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall award a grant under this program for a period of not more than 2 years.
    - (D) **Application—**
      - (i) **In general—** A [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) desiring a grant under the program shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) may establish.
      - (ii) **Consultation to reduce duplication—** A [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) desiring a grant under the program shall—
        - (I) before submitting an application under [clause (i)](#l-3-D-i), consult with applicable trade [agencies](/usc/15/632.md?p=b) of the Federal Government on the scope and mission of the activities the [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) proposes to carry out using the grant, to ensure proper coordination and reduce duplication in services; and
        - (II) document the consultation conducted under [subclause (I)](#l-3-D-ii-I) in the application submitted under [clause (i)](#l-3-D-i).
  - (4) **Competitive basis—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall award grants under the program on a competitive basis.
  - (5) **Federal share—** The Federal share of the cost of a trade expansion program carried out using a grant under the program shall be—
    - (A) for a [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) that has a high trade volume, as determined by the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), not more than 65 percent; and
    - (B) for a [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) that does not have a high trade volume, as determined by the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1), not more than 75 percent.
  - (6) **Non-Federal share—** The non-Federal share of the cost of a trade expansion program carried out using a grant under the program shall be comprised of not less than 50 percent cash and not more than 50 percent of indirect costs and in-kind contributions, except that no such costs or contributions may be derived from funds from any other Federal program.
  - (7) **Reports—**
    - (A) **Initial report—** Not later than 120 days after February 24, 2016, the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report, which shall include—
      - (i) a description of the structure of and procedures for the program;
      - (ii) a management plan for the program; and
      - (iii) a description of the merit-based review process to be used in the program.
    - (B) **Annual reports—**
      - (i) **In general—** The Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall publish on the website of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) an annual report regarding the program, which shall include—
        - (I) the number and amount of grants made under the program during the preceding year;
        - (II) a list of the [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) receiving a grant under the program during the preceding year, including the activities being performed with each grant;
        - (III) the effect of each grant on the eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) in the [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) receiving the grant;
        - (IV) the total return on investment for each [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2); and
        - (V) a description of best practices by [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) that showed high returns on investment and significant progress in helping more eligible [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6).
      - (ii) **Notice to Congress—** On the date on which the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) publishes a report under [clause (i)](#l-7-B-i), the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall notify the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives that the report has been published.
  - (8) **Reviews by Inspector General—**
    - (A) **In general—** The Inspector General of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) shall conduct a review of—
      - (i) the extent to which recipients of grants under the program are measuring the performance of the activities being conducted and the results of the measurements; and
      - (ii) the overall management and effectiveness of the program.
    - (B) **Reports—**
      - (i) **Pilot program—** Not later than 6 months after February 24, 2016, the Inspector General of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report regarding the use of amounts made available under the [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program under section 1207 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 ([15 U.S.C. 649b](/usc/15/649b.md) note).
      - (ii) **New step program—** Not later than 18 months after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this subsection, the Inspector General of the [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1) shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report regarding the review conducted under [subparagraph (A)](#l-8-A).
  - (9) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
- (m) **Definitions—** In this section—
  - (1) the term “Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1)” means the Associate [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) for International Trade described in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2);
  - (2) the term “Export Assistance Center” means a one-stop shop for United States exporters established by the United States and Foreign Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce pursuant to [section 4721(b)(8) of this title](/usc/15/4721.md?p=b-8);
  - (3) the term “export finance specialist” means a full-time equivalent employee of the Office assigned to an Export Assistance Center to carry out the duties described in [subsection (e)](#e); and
  - (4) the term “Office” means the Office of International Trade established under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be a reference to subsection (j).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–536, § 2[22], as added Pub. L. 96–481, title I, § 113(a), Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2323; amended Pub. L. 100–418, title VIII, § 8003, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1554; Pub. L. 111–240, title I, §§ 1203(a), (c), 1204(a), 1205(a), Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2521, 2522, 2527; Pub. L. 114–125, title V, § 503, Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 174; Pub. L. 115–254, div. F, title VI, § 1470(c), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3516.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Small Business Investment Act of 1958, referred to in subsec. (l)(1)(A)(iii)(II), is Pub. L. 85–699, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 689. Title V of the Act is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 695 et seq.) of chapter 14B of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 661 of this title and Tables.

Section 1207 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (l)(8)(B)(i), is section 1207 of Pub. L. 111–240, which is set out as a note under section 649b of this title.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 649, act July 30, 1953, ch. 282, title II, § 220, 67 Stat. 240, which required a fair charge for use of Government-owned property, was omitted as superseded by section 643 of this title. See Codification note set out under section 631 of this title.

### Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–254, § 1470(c)(2), substituted “United States International Development Finance Corporation” for “Overseas Private Investment Corporation” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1470(c)(1), substituted “the Board of Directors of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Director” for “the President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Director” in introductory provisions.

2016—Subsecs. (l), (m). Pub. L. 114–125 added subsec. (l) and redesignated former subsec. (l) as (m).

2010—Pub. L. 111–240, § 1203(a)(1), inserted section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1203(a), inserted subsec. (a) heading, designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. (1) heading, substituted “for the primary purposes of increasing—” for period at end, added subpars. (A) and (B) of par. (1), and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(1), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which related to development of distribution network, marketing of programs and dissemination of information, and bilingual job applicants.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(A), inserted heading and substituted “The Associate Administrator” for “The Office” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(C), added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(D), substituted “mechanism for—

“(A) identifying subsectors of the small business community with strong export potential;

“(B) identifying areas of demand in foreign markets;

“(C) prescreening foreign buyers for commercial and credit purposes; and

“(D) assisting”

for “mechanism for (A) identifying sub-sectors of the small business community with strong export potential; (B) identifying areas of demand in foreign markets; (C) prescreening foreign buyers for commercial and credit purposes; and (D) assisting”.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(E), substituted “assist small business concerns in forming and using” for “assist small businesses in the formation and utilization of”.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(F), substituted “district” for “local”, “small business development center network” for “Small Business Development Center network”, and “small business development center program” for “Small Business Development Center Program” and struck out “existing” before “translation”.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (3) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (c)(5)(A). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(G)(i), substituted “Gross State Product” for “Gross State Produce”.

Subsec. (c)(5)(B). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(G)(ii), substituted “North American Industry Classification System” for “SIC” in two places.

Subsec. (c)(5)(C). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(G)(iii), substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses”.

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(H), substituted semicolon for period at end.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (5) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(I)(i)(II), (v), substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses” and “up to date” for “current” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(I)(i)(I), which directed amendment of introductory provisions by inserting “concerns” after “small business”, could not be executed because the words “small business” did not appear.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Subsec. (c)(7)(A). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(I)(ii), substituted “regional and district offices of the Administration” for “Administration’s regional offices”.

Subsec. (c)(7)(B). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(I)(iii), struck out “current” before “list”.

Subsec. (c)(7)(C). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(I)(iv), (v), struck out “current” before “directory” and substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses”.

Subsec. (c)(7)(D). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(I)(v), substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses”.

Subsec. (c)(8). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(J), struck out “and” at end. The amendment was made to reflect the probable intent of Congress, in the absence of quotation marks around the word “and” in the directory language.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (7) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (c)(9). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(i), (vi), in introductory provisions, substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses” and “individual in each district office and providing each Administration regional office with a full-time export development specialist, who” for “person in each district office. Such specialists” and struck out “full-time export development specialists to each Administration regional office and assigning” before “primary responsibility”.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(B), redesignated par. (8) as (9).

Subsec. (c)(9)(A). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(vi), substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses”.

Subsec. (c)(9)(B). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(vi), substituted “small business concerns” for “small businesses”.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(ii)(II), which directed amendment by substituting “in” for “with”, was executed by making the substitution for “within”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(ii)(I), struck out “current” before “directory”.

Subsec. (c)(9)(D). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(iii), (vi), substituted “personnel of the Administration involved in making” for “Administration personnel involved in granting” and “small business concerns” for “small businesses” and struck out “and” at end.

Subsec. (c)(9)(E). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(iv), substituted “the needs of small business concerns” for “small businesses’ needs” and semicolon for period at end.

Subsec. (c)(9)(F), (G). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(K)(v), added subpars. (F) and (G).

Subsec. (c)(10) to (13). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(2)(L), added pars. (10) to (13).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(3), inserted subsec. (d) heading, designated first sentence of existing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. (1) heading, substituted “The Associate Administrator” for “The Office” in par. (1), designated second sentence of existing provisions as par. (2), inserted par. (2) heading, substituted “To accomplish the goal established under paragraph (1), the Associate Administrator shall—” for “To accomplish this goal, the Office shall work” in par. (2), added subpar. (A) and inserted “(B) work” before “in cooperation”, redesignated former pars. (1) to (5) as cls. (i) to (v), respectively, of subpar. (B) of par. (2), and realigned margins.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(4), inserted heading and substituted “The Associate Administrator” for “The Office” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(5), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Office shall report to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate on an annual basis as to its progress in implementing the requirements under this section.”

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(6), inserted heading and substituted “The Associate Administrator” for “The Office” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1203(c), added subsec. (h).

Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1204(a)(7), added subsecs. (i) and (j).

Subsecs. (k), (l). Pub. L. 111–240, § 1205(a), added subsecs. (k) and (l).

1988—Subsecs. (b) to (g). Pub. L. 100–418 added subsec. (b), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c) and added pars. (1) to (5) and redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as (6) to (8), respectively, and added subsecs. (d) to (g).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Committee on Small Business of Senate changed to Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of Senate. See Senate Resolution No. 123, One Hundred Seventh Congress, June 29, 2001.

### Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 effective at the end of the transition period, as defined in section 9681 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, see section 1470(w) of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 905 of Title 2, The Congress.

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 96–481, title I, § 113(b), Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2324, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1980, or the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1980], whichever occurs later.”

### Short Title

For short title of part B of title I of Pub. L. 96–481 as the Small Business Export Expansion Act of 1980, see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set out under section 631 of this title.

### Implementation

Pub. L. 111–240, title I, § 1203(e), Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2522, provided that: “Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 27, 2010], the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall appoint an Associate Administrator for International Trade under section 22(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(a)), as added by this section.”

### Study and Report on Filling Gaps in High-and-Low-Export Volume Areas

Pub. L. 111–240, title I, § 1205(b), Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2529, provided that: Study and report.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 27, 2010], and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall— conduct a study of— the volume of exports for each State; the availability of export finance specialists in each State; the number of exporters in each State that are small business concerns; the percentage of exporters in each State that are small business concerns; the change, if any, in the number of exporters that are small business concerns in each State— for the first study conducted under this subparagraph, during the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 27, 2010]; and for each subsequent study, during the 10-year period ending on the date the study is commenced; the total value of the exports in each State by small business concerns; the percentage of the total volume of exports in each State that is attributable to small business concerns; and the change, if any, in the percentage of the total volume of exports in each State that is attributable to small business concerns— for the first study conducted under this subparagraph, during the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 27, 2010]; and for each subsequent study, during the 10-year period ending on the date the study is commenced; and submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report containing— the results of the study under subparagraph (A); to the extent practicable, a recommendation regarding how to eliminate gaps between the supply of and demand for export finance specialists in the 15 States that have the greatest volume of exports, based upon the most recent data available from the Department of Commerce; to the extent practicable, a recommendation regarding how to eliminate gaps between the supply of and demand for export finance specialists in the 15 States that have the lowest volume of exports, based upon the most recent data available from the Department of Commerce; and such additional information as the Administrator determines is appropriate. Definition.—In this subsection, the term ‘export finance specialist’ has the meaning given that term in section 22(l) of the Small Business Act [now section 22(m), 15 U.S.C. 649(m)], as added by this title.”

[For definitions of “Administrator” and “small business concern” as used in section 1205(b) of Pub. L. 111–240, set out above, see section 1001 of Pub. L. 111–240, set out as a note under section 632 of this title.]

### Congressional Declaration of Policy

Pub. L. 96–481, title I, § 111, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2323, provided that: The Congress finds and declares that— a strong export policy is essential to the health and well-being of the United States economy; exports of goods and services account for one out of every six jobs in the manufacturing sector and 10 per centum of the gross national product. every billion dollars in new exports is estimated to provide forty thousand jobs; there is increased and fierce competition in international markets to United States goods and services; small businesses account for no more than 10 per centum of all United States export sales; Federal Government programs are not sufficiently responsive to the needs of small business for export education and development of overseas marketing opportunities necessary to insure that small businesses realize their potential; and it is in the national interest to systematically and consistently promote and encourage small business participation in international markets. It is therefore the purpose of this part [enacting this section, amending section 636 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 631 and 649 of this title] to encourage and promote small business exporting by— providing educational and marketing assistance to small businesses; insuring better access to export information and assistance for small businesses by upgrading and expanding the export development programs and services of the Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration; and promoting the competitive viability of such firms in export trade and encouraging increased tourism in the United States by creating a program to provide limited financial, technical, and management assistance as may be necessary.”