 | Please be aware that this is NOT a comprehensive guide of all Internet trade sources relevant for U.S. textile and apparel products. This list does not represent an endorsement of any particular service, product, or information source by the U.S. Department of Commerce or the Office of Textiles and Apparel. Note: Links in this section may take you off Federal Government websites. U.S. Government Websites Trade and Statistical Data International Organizations/Foreign Governments U.S. Textile, Apparel, Footwear, Leather and Travel Goods Trade Associations Research U.S. Government Websites Export.Gov - Export.Gov is comprised of 19 federal agencies involved in opening foreign markets and promoting the export of U.S. products and services. International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Commerce - ITA provides industry and country-specific market information, and offers a wide variety of programs to assist U.S. exporters. Bureau of the Census Foreign Trade Statistics, U.S. Department of Commerce - Census provides trade data on exports and imports, and information on the Harmonized Tariff System (Schedule B), a guide to foreign trade statistics, and export documentation. National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce - NIST provides information about foreign standards, technical regulations, and certification requirements. NIST also has hotlines for the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union.
Small Business Administration (SBA)-Office of International Trade - SBA provides a full range of export assistance services to small businesses, particularly those new to exporting, and offers counseling, training, managerial and trade finance assistance. Customs and Border Protection - U.S. Customs is responsible for ensuring that all goods entering and exiting the United States do so in accordance with all U.S. laws and regulations. The web site includes general information on exporting and protection of intellectual property, NAFTA information, Customs forms, etc. Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) - Responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade and direct investment policy and for leading or directing negotiations with other countries on such matters. U.S. Department of State - The State Department is the lead federal agency responsible for U.S. foreign affairs. The Department of State helps to shape a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through formulating, representing, and implementing the President's foreign policy. Central Intelligence Agency - Provides comprehensive and timely foreign intelligence related to national security; and conducts counterintelligence activities, special activities, and other functions related to foreign intelligence and national security as directed by the President. U.S. International Trade Commission - An independent, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides objective trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government. Agriculture Department Census Bureau Federal Trade Commission Labor Department Treasury Department Federal Register - Published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 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. (For textile/apparel FRs, visit: http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/fedregister.nsf/$$searches?openform) Trade and Statistical Data Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), International Trade Administration
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
Industry, Trade, and the Economy: Data and Analysis, International Trade Administration - U.S. export data by state, U.S. Industry sector data, reports on U.S. trade, etc. U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce International Organizations/Foreign Governments World Trade Organization - "The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business." International Trade Center - "The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the technical cooperation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for operational, enterprise-oriented aspects of trade development. ITC supports developing and transition economies, and particularly their business sector, in their efforts to realize their full potential for developing exports and improving import operations." The World Bank - “The World Bank Group’s mission is to fight poverty and improve the living standards of people in the developing world. It is a development Bank which provides loans, policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge sharing services to low and middle income countries to reduce poverty.” The International Monetary Fund (IMF) - “The IMF is an organization of 184 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty.” The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - "The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection of works of the human spirit. WIPO is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organizations. It administers 23 international treaties dealing with different aspects of intellectual property protection. The Organization counts 180 nations as member states." World Customs Organization - The WCO, an independent intergovernmental body with 159 Member Governments, is an independent intergovernmental body with worldwide membership whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. U.S. Textile, Apparel, Footwear, Leather and Travel Goods Trade Associations American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) American Apparel Producers' Network (AAPN) American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA) Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) The Carpet and Rug Institute -CRI The Cordage Institute Cotton Council International (CCI) Footwear Distributors and Retailers Association (FDRA) Fur Information Council of America (FICA) Garment Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) The Hosiery Association (THA) National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) National Textile Association (NTA) Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association (SGMA) United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) Textile/Apparel Supply Chain Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) Research Clemson Apparel Research (CAR) - "Striving to revitalize the domestic apparel industry through the proper application of advanced technology and the teaching and implementation of better management techniques." Cotton Incorporated Fabriclink - "The Educational Resource for Fabrics, Apparel, Home Furnishings and Care." Institute of Textile Technology (ITT) - Founded in 1944 to provide graduate level training in the fundamental sciences and textile technology, to carry on scientific research, and to establish a library and system of information service to members that would keep the textile industry apprised of research findings throughout the world. National Textile Center (NTC) - The National Textile Center is a research consortium started by four universities: Auburn; Clemson; Georgia Institute of Technology; and North Carolina State University. NTC funding also now includes the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences. Funds originate from a grant administered by the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The research agenda is based on the mission, goals and vision of the NTC as implemented by its technical advisory committee. Textile Clothing Technology Corporation [TC]2 - A consortium of fiber, fabric sewn products, labor, government and academia dedicated to a more competitive U.S. soft goods industry through demonstration, education, and research and development. Textile Research Institute (TRI) |
Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: (202) 482-5078 | Fax: (202) 482-2331
OTEXA@trade.gov