Consult these organizations and publications for ads, articles and listings for companies that manufacture, buy or sell the product for which you're looking. The Internet is a great boon for locating sources, since many companies that do international business will have English-language Web sites. The Commerce Department has a number of contact programs in place that can help you make the connections you need. These are custom searches of the Commerce Department's databases of prospective overseas customers. You select market criteria, then receive a list of relevant manufacturers, agents, retailers, service firms and government agencies with names, addresses, contacts, products and other information.
Output is available as mailing labels or on disk.
These are directories that the Commerce Department publishes for each country, based on the information above. Lead details include specifications, quantities, delivery dates and bid deadlines. This is a matching service that performs a custom search of foreign import agents and distributors, contacts them with your company's literature and products, then prepares a report identifying six prospects that are interested in doing business with you. Once you've identified potential sources, contact them to seek specific product information, such as specifications, product samples and prices. Contact them by letter, fax, e-mail, telex or cable.