International Trade

Export Assistance

The International Trade program of the South Carolina Department of Commerce is committed to helping the state’s companies – no matter how large or small – export their goods and services. The primary role of the trade program is to identify prospective distributors and buyers for South Carolina’s companies. This is accomplished largely by coordinating a variety of overseas business missions and participation in international trade fairs, at minimal cost, that are geared to both the beginning exporter and even those established exporters wishing to explore new markets.

These types of international events bring together the South Carolina seller and the overseas buyer so as to negotiate future relationships and export sales transactions. The program’s team of global export market specialists provides assistance designed to guide companies from the beginning stages of market research to export sales leads. These global trade managers are readily available to provide on-site assistance and referrals to other export assistance providers. South Carolina’s overseas offices in Tokyo, Munich and Hong Kong expand the program’s ability to help South Carolina identify potential partners.

Additional information can be found at www.callsouthcarolina.com, or by contacting the S.C. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 927, Columbia, SC 29202. Phone: (803) 737-0400.

Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC)

The Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) serves the eight-state region of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Based at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, SETAAC is a non-profit organization that is not part of any federal agency. Center staff, including specialist in marketing, business planning, finance and manufacturing, have considerable experience in helping companies improve their productivity and competitiveness. They can also draw on additional public/private resources, including expertise at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The SE Trade Adjustment Assistance Center is located at 151 6th Street, Room 145 O’Keefe, Atlanta, GA 30332. Phone: (404) 894-6787, Fax: (404) 894-0291 Website: www.industry.gatech.edu/setaac.

Additional Contacts for International Trade include:

Upstate Assistance Center
U S Department of Commerce
Denis Csizmadia
555 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 109
Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: (864) 271-1976
www.usatrade.gov
Denis.Csizmadia@mail.doc.gov

SC Export Consortium
Judy Olson
Phone: (864) 322-2094
jolson@mindspring.com

SC World Trade Center
Mark Condon
385 Meeting Street, Suite 102
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone:(843)577-4080
markc@scwtc.org
www.scwtc.org

Foreign Trade Zones
Susan Carroll-Ramsey
SC Ports Authority
P.O. Box 22287
Charleston, SC 29413
Phone: (843)577-8144
www.scspa.com/general/ftzs/ftz.asp
scarroll-ramsey@scspa.com