Government Advice: How and Where to Seek the State Department’s Assistance When Doing Business Abroad
Government Advice: How and Where to Seek the State Department’s Assistance When Doing Business Abroad
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTED FORMS FOR ADDRESSING MAIL
TELEPHONING A FOREIGN SERVICE POST
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DISTRICT OFFICES
DOING BUSINESS ABROAD
Q. How is the Department of State working on my behalf to level the playing field on which to compete for foreign investment and trade?
A. The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) is the primary point of contact for business concerns within the State Department. CBA services include:
- Problem-solving assistance to U.S. companies.
- Dialogue with the U.S. private sector to ensure that business concerns are factored into foreign policy.
- Programs and practices to improve the Department’s support for business.
- Through U.S. embassies, CBA helps ensure that American farmers, business people, and workers succeed in the growing global marketplace. Each embassy and/or consulate has officers who are responsible for assisting U.S. businesses abroad.
- Commercial Officers advise U.S. businesses on local trade and tariff laws, government procurement procedures, and business practices; identify potential importers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners; provide information on local government tenders; and assist with trade and investment disputes. Note: Commercial Officers are listed in the publication Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts.
Also contact Country Desk Officers at the Department of State and the U.S. Commercial Service for country-specific information.
Q. Where is the first stop for companies seeking information about federal export assistance programs?
A. For assistance with exporting U.S. products contact the Trade Information Center (TIC), of the Department of Commerce. The Trade Information Center (TIC) is a comprehensive resource for information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency can also help U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Also check the publication a Basic Guide to Exporting.
For personalized service call 1-800-USA-TRADE (1-800-872-8723). Hearing-impaired callers can use a toll-free telecommunication device: 1-800-TDD-TRADE (1-800-833-8723)
Q. What organizations and government services are available to help me export?
A. Below is a listing of general and specialized export service groups.
- The Trade Compliance Center (TCC) of the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Commercial Service
For more specialized assistance, please review the following agencies:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—Administers programs that support exports of agricultural products, including initiatives to combat unfair competition.
- Country Directories of International Contacts (CDIC)—Provides the names and contact information for importers, agents, trade associations, and government agencies on a country-by-country basis. Available on the NTDB.
- Customized Market Analysis (CMA)—Provides a research service to firms with specific information on marketing and conducting foreign business in order to determine marketability, key competitors, possible partners, etc.
- International Trade Administration (ITA)—Commerce Department office that specializes in the facilitation of trade by product or industrial sector.
- Market Access Compliance (MAC)—MAC officers help U.S. businesses to overcome barriers to trade and investment.
- My Export.com is an exporter referral service that connects exporters to the global marketplace.
- Small Business Administration (SBA)—Provides a full range of export assistance services to small businesses just entering the international export market.
- U.S. Trade Development Agency (TDA)—Helps U.S. businesses obtain grants on a transaction-specific basis for foreign development projects.
- U.S. Business Advisor - Links all federal organizations assisting or regulating information and services the government provides for business.
- Ex-Im Bank - Supports U.S. exports by offering U.S. exporters loans, guarantees, and insurance products to compete in the global marketplace.
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)—sells investment services to assist U.S. companies investing in some 140 emerging economies around the world.
- U.S. Export Assistant Centers (USEACs) - Provides U.S. companies information on markets abroad, international contacts, and advocacy services.
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) - Provides information for U.S. exporters confronted with problems surrounding international trade agreements.
Q. What U.S. agency can provide me with trade leads?
A. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) receives technology requests and distributes trade leads to registered U.S. companies. The Global Technology Network (GTN) is a program aimed at matching the technological needs of companies in developing countries with solutions from small- and medium-size U.S. companies.
Q. My overseas supplier (or customer) tells me I need to provide them with documentation from the U.S. Government. What paperwork is required?
A. Fifteen agencies are involved in the issuance of certificates, export control licenses, and other documentation for purchasing from and selling to overseas partners.
The Department of Commerce, Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) provides assistance on export licensing requirements and required documentation for export transactions.
Depending on your product, BXA may refer you to another agency, which may include:
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) serves as the U.S. Government focal point for implementing arms control inspection and verification.
- Defense Trade Controls (DTC). The DTC handles: Licensing application for matters of defense trade compliance; defense trade exports and re-transfer; and enforcement and reporting.
- Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and foreign terrorists.
- Office of Arms Controls and Nonproliferation, Export Control Division of the Department of Energy licenses nuclear technology and technical data for nuclear power and special nuclear material.
- Office of Fuels Programs of the Department of Energy licenses natural gas and electric power.
- Chief Office of Management Authority of the Department of the Interior controls the export of endangered fish and wildlife species.
- International Drug Unit of the Drug Enforcement Administration oversees the export of controlled substances.
- International Chemical Control Unit of the Drug Enforcement Administration controls the import and export of listed chemicals used in the production of control substances.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Office of Compliance: licenses medical devices; Import/Export: licenses drugs.
- Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, International and Special Projects Branch regulates toxic waste exports.
Q. What forms does the Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) provide? Do I need a form?
A. Contact the Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) if the item in question involves a dual-use-product (defense-related materials or equipment, e.g., computers, munitions, and certain raw materials). From the DTC website you can:
- Order State Department Forms
- Submit Export License Applications
- Download State Department Forms
- If your material or services does not require DTC review, then the next office to contact is the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA), which provides:
- Export assistance on licensing requirements
- Required documentation for export transactions
- Assistance in selecting the appropriate license
Q. Where can I find a listing of U.S. companies doing business abroad?
A. Contact the Chamber of Commerce that represents more than 3 million businesses and organizations.
Q. How can the embassy or consulate in the foreign country assist me in conducting business?
A. Establishing contact with the embassy or consulate before conducting business will provide you with current information on economic, trade, business trends and practices.
If you are currently outside of the United States and need to contact the U.S. Embassy, click U.S. Missions Online.
If you are in the United States, contact the Department of State Country Offices.
Q. How do I authenticate documents to be used overseas?
A. The State Department’s Office of Authentication provides certification of all documents used by citizens and foreign nationals overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I apply for a passport?
A. The Office of Consular Affairs handles all passport inquiries. You can also reach them by phone: 1-877-4USAPPT or TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793.
Q. How do I authenticate a personal/business document?
A. The Office of Verification and Authentication does this. You can also reach them by phone: 202-647-5002 or TDD/TDY 202-663-3468, 1-800-333-4636, email: [email protected], or fax: 202-663-3636.
Q. How do I start a business?
A. Contact the Small Business Administration or phone your local SBA. The Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency has a nationwide network of business enterprise centers that provide management and technical assistance for U.S. minority-owned businesses, including assistance in creating business and marketing plans as well as identifying appropriate financing.
Q. Can you tell me if Company XYZ is legitimate?
A. If the company is located in the United States, contact the office of the Secretary of State (within the state-level government) in whichever state the company is headquartered. The Office of Authentication updates the list of Secretaries by State of the United States. If the company is located outside the United States, contact the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, part of the Department of Commerce, to get information on their International Company Profile service.
Q. How do I incorporate my business?
A. This is determined by the state in which you reside or plan to incorporate your business. Contact the office of the Secretary of State (this is a state government-level official, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State). The Office of Authentication updates the list of Secretaries by State of the United States.
Q. How do I do business with the State Department?
A. Contact the Office of the Procurement Executive or by phone: 703-516-1684.
Q. How do I learn about business contracts in Iraq?
A. Links to Iraq contract information can be found on CBA’s website.
Q. How do I get visas for business associates who plan to travel to another country?
A. Foreign Entry requirements for Americans traveling to another country may be accessed through the website or you may contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. All visa inquiries must be handled through the embassy or consulates of the country you plan to visit.
Q. How can I help my customer/client who is having problems getting a visa to the U.S.?
A. Comprehensive information on visa process and policy is available on the web at www.state.gov, www.travel.state.gov, or www.unitedstatesvisas.gov. You should also check the website of the consulate in which the applicant is applying—there is a link to U.S. Embassies and Consulates from each of the above sites. The best advice is for people to apply early.
Q. How can a U.S. business request commercial assistance-for-fee from a U.S. Embassy or the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service?
A. Gold Key Services, International Partner Searches, International Company Profiles and Customized Market Research reports are provided at all US&FCS offices as well as many U.S. embassies. Visit the Platinum Key Service program for more information.
Q. Where can I find current country commercial guides for doing business abroad?
A. Country Commercial Guides (CCGs) are prepared annually to provide a comprehensive look at commercial environments, using economic, political, and market analysis.
Q. How can I verify whether I can do business with companies in certain countries?
A. Information about sanctioned countries, entities, and individuals can be found through the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Q. Where can I find other information and help with exporting?
A. The Department of Commerce, Trade Information Center (TIC) provides resources for export/import. Contact TIC by web at http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/ or by phone at 1-800-USA-TRADE.
Q. How do I apply for an export license?
A. The first point of inquiry in export licensing is the government office responsible for coordinating the process. Consult the following web pages for detailed information on areas of competence:
- The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls for military-related items,
- The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security for export control items,
- The Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control for most terrorist states and other special programs.
Facilitating Overseas Investment
Q. What Government offices/agencies can assist me in conducting business in a specific region?
A. There are numerous federal agencies available to assist you in your region of interest. Below is a regional list of offices:
- Central and Eastern Europe Business Information Center (CEEBIC).
- Untied Aid Initiative—3Central source for information on how to access Japan’s foreign aid program.
For additional information check the Commercial Service, Department of Commerce.
Q. What private sector business organizations can help in my region?
A. Check the following organizations:
- APEC
- Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA)
- Corporate Council on Africa (CCA)
- European and American Business Council (EABC)
- United States Asian Economic Program (USAEP)
- United States-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC)
- United States-India Business Council (USIBC)
Q. What government agencies assist in Export Financing and Export Credit Insurance?
A. The U.S. Government encourages all U.S. exporters to use a “confirmed letter of credit” in business transactions to guard against non-payment by the recipient. The U.S. Ex-Im Bank can assist with
- Export financial assistance and direct loans and loan guarantee programs
- Obtaining export insurance that covers risks on export receivables
- Working Capital Guarantee Program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has numerous programs assisting small businesses to obtain guaranteed loans, capital and investment assistance.
Q. What agency can assist me with investment financing?
A. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) -Independent government agency that assists U.S. companies investing in emerging markets to help increase U.S. exports and promote economic growth.
Import and Export Bank- It was created to aid in financing and to facilitate U.S. exports. Today, this agency provides guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters, guarantees the repayment of loans or makes loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and services, and provides credit insurance against non-payment by foreign buyers for political or commercial risk
Q. Are there federal grants available for feasibility studies and technical assistance?
A. U.S. Trade Development Agency’s (TDA) primary mission is to assist U.S. businesses in obtaining grants to conduct feasibility studies and/or technical assistance for major projects in developing and middle-income countries.
Assisting Foreign Companies
Q. How do I register or incorporate a business in the United States?
A. The incorporation of foreign business entities is regulated at the state level (as opposed to the federal or national level) in the United States. The application process will vary from state-to-state. Check the list of State Business Development Offices.
Q. How do I get Information on importing products into the United States?
A. The U.S. Customs Service provides an overview of the foreign commercial importing process and requirements. For more information go to Commercial Importing Procedures and Requirements.
The Department of Commerce’s Trade Information Center provides information and web links to importation procedures.
Q. Is there an agency that can assist me in inquiring about the economic opportunities and interests in various states?
A. State and Local Government on the Net is a resource guide to government-sponsored Internet sites that allows you to search by state.
Trade Restrictions
Q. Currently, what countries have sanctions placed on them by the U.S. Government?
A. The Office of Foreign Asset Controls of the Department of Treasury provides information about sanctions regulations and maintains a list of individual entities with which U.S. parties cannot do business.
Q. What federal agencies are involved in export controls and over what products?
A. The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) of the Department of Commerce provides links to federal agencies with export control responsibilities.
Q. What if I need additional information on which Federal agency has export controls/licensing authority over my product?
A. Go to the Bureau of Export Administration’s General Information facts web page.
Q. What are dual-use exports and who is the licensing agent?
A. Dual-use exports are those materials or equipment that are defense-related, involving sensitive (e.g., military or nuclear) or non-sensitive applications, such as computers, weapons, licensing of defense services and defense (munitions) articles.
Although the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) the primary licensing agent for dual-use exports, the Defense Trade Controls (TDC) in the Department of State has authority over defense articles and services.
General Questions
Q. Is my export income exempt from federal income taxes?
A. A portion of the export income that is channeled through corporations that qualify as FSCs (Foreign Sales Corporations) under rules of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 921-927) can be exempt from federal income taxes. For more information, contact:
The Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (International), Internal Revenue Service Phone: (622) 622-3830, Fax: (202) 622-4408 Or the Office of Tax Policy, Phone: (202) 622-1755, Fax: (202) 622-8784.
Q. What assistance can the U.S. Government be in advocating on my behalf for a tender?
A. U.S. Government advocacy decisions are made with the best information available. Advocacy assistance can vary, but usually it involves companies that deal with foreign governments or government-owned corporations. Fill out an Advocacy Questionnaire or contact the Advocacy Center.
Q. Where can I go to find facts on foreign trade figures and statistics?
A. For General information on a country’s yearly economic, political and investment climate, check the Country Commercial Guides; Economic Policy and Trade Practices.
For specific information check Trade Statistics available at the International Trade Administration Additional information are available at:
- The National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) contains international trade-related data,
- The Bureau of Census provides foreign trade statistics,
- Bureau of Economic Analysis provides U.S. useful foreign trade data.
Q. Is there an updated directory of people, organizations and web sites that promotes global business principles and best practices?
A. The publication Resources for Promoting Global Business Principles and Practices: a Directory of People, Organizations, and Web Sites is available through the Environmental Protection Agency.
CBA OFFICE CONTACTS
Commercial Coordinators
Commercial and Business Affairs (E/CBA)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 2318
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: (202) 647-1625
Fax: (202) 647-3953
e-mail: [email protected]
Regional Commercial Coordinators
Bureau of African Affairs (AF)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 5242A
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: (202) 647-3502
Fax: (202) 736-4583
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 5317
Washington, DC 20520
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 5424
Washington, DC 20520
Bureau of Near East Affairs (NEA)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 5256
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: (202) 736-7370
Fax: (202) 647-7837
Bureau of South Asia (SA)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 5246
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: (202) 736-4254
Fax: (202) 736-4259
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA)
2201 C Street, NW, Room 3248
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: (202) 647-1232
Fax: (202) 647-6408
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTED FORMS FOR ADDRESSING MAIL
It is most important that correspondence to a Foreign Service post be addressed to a section or position rather than to an officer by name. This will eliminate delays resulting from the forwarding of official mail to officers who have transferred. Normally, correspondence concerning commercial matters should be addressed simply “Commercial Section” followed by the name and correct mailing address of the post. (See below for examples of correct mailing addresses.)
Posts with APO/FPO Numbers:
APO/FPO Address*
Name
Organization
PSC or Unit number, Box number
APO AE 09080 or APO AA 34038 or
APO AP 96337
International Address**
Name of Person/Section
American Embassy
P.O. Box 26431***
Manama, Bahrain
Posts without APO/FPO Numbers:
Diplomatic Pouch Address*
Name of Person/Section
Name of Post
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20521–four digit add-on
(see 9-digit ZIP Code explanation and listing)
International Address**
Name of Person/Section
American Embassy
Jubilaeumstrasse 93***
3005 Bern, Switzerland
* Use domestic postage.
** Use international postage.
*** Use street address only when P.O. box is not supplied.
NOTE: Do not combine any of the above forms (e.g., international plus APO/FPO addresses). This will only result in confusion and possible delays in delivery. Mail sent to the Department for delivery through its pouch system for posts with APO/FPO addresses cannot be accepted and will be returned to the sender.
STATE ZIP CODES
In conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service’s system of 9-digit ZIP Codes, the Department of State has assigned a unique 4-digit number to each Foreign Service post. All mail sent through the Department’s pouch system (for posts without APO/FPO addresses) should add the 4-digit number to the current ZIP Code 20521. For example, the ZIP Code for Abidjan would be 20521–2010; for Abu Dhabi, 20521–6010. Refer to the following list for each Foreign Service post’s unique number.
Abidjan | 2010 |
Abu Dhabi | 6010 |
Accra | 2020 |
Adana | 5020 |
Addis Ababa | 2030 |
Algiers | 6030 |
Almaty | 7030 |
Amman | 6050 |
Amsterdam | 5780 |
Ankara | 7000 |
Antananarivo | 2040 |
Ashgabat | 7070 |
Asmara | 7170 |
Asuncion | 3020 |
Athens | 7100 |
Auckland | 4370 |
Baghdad | 6060 |
Baku | 7050 |
Bamako | 2050 |
Bandar Seri Begawan | 4020 |
Bangkok | 7200 |
Bangui | 2060 |
Banjul | 2070 |
Barcelona | 5400 |
Beijing | 7300 |
Beirut | 6070 |
Belfast | 5360 |
Belgrade | 5070 |
Belize | 3050 |
Berlin | 5090 |
Bern | 5110 |
Bishkek | 7040 |
Bissau | 2080 |
Bogota | 3030 |
Bombay | 6240 |
Bonn | 7400 |
Brasilia | 7500 |
Bratislava | 5840 |
Brazzaville | 2090 |
Bridgetown | 3120 |
Brussels (USNATO - M) | 5230 |
Brussels (E) | 7600 |
Bucharest | 5260 |
Budapest | 5270 |
Buenos Aires | 3130 |
Bujumbura | 2100 |
Bukavu | 2240 |
Cairo | 7700 |
Calcutta | 6250 |
Calgary | 5490 |
Canberra | 7800 |
Cape Town | 2480 |
Caracas | 3140 |
Casablanca | 6280 |
Chengdu | 4080 |
Chiang Mai | 4040 |
Chisinau | 7080 |
Ciudad Juarez | 3270 |
Cluj-Napoca | 1315 |
Colombo | 6100 |
Conakry | 2110 |
Copenhagen | 5280 |
Cotonou | 2120 |
Curacao | 3160 |
Dakar | 2130 |
Damascus | 6110 |
Dar Es Salaam | 2140 |
Dhahran | 6310 |
Dhaka | 6120 |
Djibouti | 2150 |
Doha | 6130 |
Dubai | 6020 |
Dublin | 5290 |
Durban | 2490 |
Dushanbe | 7090 |
Dusseldorf | 5160 |
Edinburgh | 5370 |
Florence | 5670 |
Frankfurt | 7900 |
Freetown | 2160 |
Fukuoka | 4310 |
Gaborone | 2170 |
Geneva (M) | 5120 |
Georgetown | 3170 |
Grenada | 3180 |
Guadalajara | 3280 |
Guangzhou | 4090 |
Guatemala City | 3190 |
Guayaquil | 3430 |
(The) Hague | 5770 |
Halifax | 5500 |
Hamburg | 5180 |
Hamilton | 5300 |
Hanoi | 4550 |
Harare | 2180 |
Havana | 3200 |
Helsinki | 5310 |
Hermosillo | 3290 |
Ho Chi Minh City | 7160 |
Hong Kong | 8000 |
Islamabad | 8100 |
Istanbul | 5030 |
Jakarta | 8200 |
Jeddah | 6320 |
Jerusalem | 6350 |
Johannesburg | 2500 |
Kampala | 2190 |
Karachi | 6150 |
Kathmandu | 6190 |
Khabarovsk | 5870 |
Khartoum | 2200 |
Kiev | 5850 |
Kigali | 2210 |
Kingston | 3210 |
Kinshasa | 2220 |
Kolonia | 4120 |
Krakow | 5140 |
Kuala Lumpur | 4210 |
Kuwait | 6200 |
Lagos | 8300 |
La Paz | 3220 |
Lahore | 6160 |
Leipzig | 5860 |
Libreville | 2270 |
Lilongwe | 2280 |
Lima | 3230 |
Lisbon | 5320 |
Ljubljana | 7140 |
Lome | 2300 |
London | 8400 |
Luanda | 2550 |
Lusaka | 2310 |
Luxembourg | 5380 |
Madras | 6260 |
Madrid | 8500 |
Majuro | 4380 |
Malabo | 2320 |
Managua | 3240 |
Manama | 6210 |
Manila | 8600 |
Maputo | 2330 |
Marseille | 5600 |
Maseru | 2340 |
Matamoros | 3300 |
Mbabane | 2350 |
Melbourne | 4140 |
Merida | 3320 |
Mexico City | 8700 |
Milan | 5690 |
Minsk | 7010 |
Monrovia | 8800 |
Monterrey | 3330 |
Montevideo | 3360 |
Montreal | 5510 |
Moscow | 5430 |
Munich | 5190 |
Muscat | 6220 |
Naha | 4320 |
Nairobi | 8900 |
Naples | 5700 |
Nassau | 3370 |
N’Djamena | 2410 |
New Delhi | 9000 |
Niamey | 2420 |
Nice | 5610 |
Nicosia | 5450 |
Nouakchott | 2430 |
Nuevo Laredo | 3340 |
Oporto | 5330 |
Osaka-Kobe | 4330 |
Oslo | 5460 |
Ottawa | 5480 |
Ouagadougou | 2440 |
Panama City | 9100 |
Paramaribo | 3390 |
Paris | 9200 |
Perth | 4160 |
Peshawar | 6170 |
Phnom Penh | 4540 |
Ponta Delgada | 5340 |
Port-au-Prince | 3400 |
Port Louis | 2450 |
Port Moresby | 4240 |
Port-of-Spain | 3410 |
Poznan | 5050 |
Prague | 5630 |
Praia | 2460 |
Pretoria | 9300 |
Pusan | 4270 |
Quebec | 5520 |
Quito | 3420 |
Rabat | 9400 |
Rangoon | 4250 |
Recife | 3080 |
Reykjavik | 5640 |
Riga | 4520 |
Rio de Janeiro | 3090 |
Riyadh | 6300 |
Rome | 9500 |
St. George’s | 3180 |
St. Petersburg | 5440 |
San Jose | 3440 |
San Salvador | 3450 |
Sanaa | 6330 |
Santiago | 3460 |
Santo Domingo | 3470 |
Sao Paulo | 3110 |
Sapporo | 4340 |
Sarajevo | 7130 |
Seoul | 9600 |
Shanghai | 4100 |
Shenyang | 4110 |
Singapore | 4280 |
Skopje | 7120 |
Sofia | 5740 |
Stockholm | 5750 |
Strasbourg | 5620 |
Surabaya | 4200 |
Suva | 4290 |
Sydney | 4150 |
Taipei, AIT | 4170 |
Tallinn | 4530 |
Tashkent | 7110 |
Tbilisi | 7060 |
Tegucigalpa | 3480 |
Tel Aviv | 9700 |
Thessaloniki | 5060 |
Tijuana | 3350 |
Tirana | 9510 |
Tokyo | 9800 |
Toronto | 5530 |
Trieste | 5720 |
Tunis | 6360 |
Ulaanbaatar | 4410 |
Valletta | 5800 |
Vancouver | 5540 |
Vatican City | 5660 |
Vienna | 9900 |
Vientiane | 4350 |
Vilnius | 4510 |
Vladivostok | 5880 |
Warsaw | 5010 |
Wellington | 4360 |
Windhoek | 2540 |
Yaounde | 2520 |
Yekaterinburg | 5890 |
Yerevan | 7020 |
Zagreb | 5080 |
TELEPHONING A FOREIGN SERVICE POST
Below is the procedure for telephoning a Foreign Service Post. American Embassy Canberra is used as an example.
Calling from a U.S. Government Agency:
Dial 9 + international access code + country code + city code + local number
E.g. 9 + 011 + [61] + (6) + 2705000
Others:
Dial international access code + country code + city code + local number Eg. 011 + [61] + (6) + 2705000
NOTE: Some international calls will require operator assistance because the country is not an international dial country. The telephone listing of these countries will not be preceded by a country code and city code (always shown in brackets and parentheses).
Calls to certain points outside the continental U.S. can be dialed in the same manner as long distance. Simply dial the area code or country code and the local number. For these locations, no city code will appear with the telephone number.
IVG USAGE DIAL PREFIX CODES
The International Voice Gateway (IVG) switch is located in Beltsville, Maryland and provided interconnectivity from 99 overseas locations to all Department of State and government agencies located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Through the use of calling cards, it also enables users to access the FTS networks, GETS, WITS, as well as commercial numbers for international direct dialing at substantially reduced rates.
Abidjan | 783 |
Abu Dhabi | 845 |
Accra | 366 |
Algiers | 928 |
Almaty | 927 |
Amman | 978 |
Ankara | 295 |
Antananarivo | 590 |
Ashgabat | 962 |
Asmara | 596 |
Asuncion | 642 |
Athens | 869 |
Baku | 841 |
Bamako | 467 |
Bandar Seri Begawan | 468 |
Bangkok | 675 |
Banjul | 591 |
Barcelona | 581 |
Beijing | 987 |
Beirut | 850 |
Belgrade | 754 |
Belize City | 755 & 937 |
Berlin | 292 |
Bern | 873 |
Bishek | 964 |
Bissau | 760 |
Bogota | 879 |
Brandy Station, VA | 490 |
Brasilia | 921 |
Bratislava | 560 |
Bridgetown | 986 |
Brussels | 694 |
Bucharest | 877 |
Budapest | 990 |
Buenos Aires | 878 |
Cairo | 870 |
Canberra | 679 |
Capetown | 470 |
Caracas | 643 |
Casablanca | 748 |
Chennai | 790 |
Chiang Mai | 367 |
Chisinau | 548 |
Ciudad Juarez | 892 |
Colombo | 761 |
Conakry | 257 |
Copenhagen | 989 |
Cotonou | 595 |
Croughton | 573 |
Dakar | 785 |
Damascus | 737 |
Dar Es Salaam | 745 |
Dhaka | 583 |
Dili | 684 |
Djibouti | 597 |
Doha | 474 |
DTSPO | 671 |
Dublin | 693 |
Dushanbe | 752 |
Frankfurt | 568 |
Ft. Lauderdale | 51200 |
Freetown | 798 |
FS Charleston | 35301 |
Gaborone | 846 |
Geneva | 493 |
Georgetown | 747 |
Guadalajara | 893 |
Guangzhou | 285 |
Guatemala City | 799 |
Guayaquil | 756 |
Hanoi | 786 |
Harare | 778 |
Havana | 333 |
Helsinki | 953 |
Hermosillo | 948 |
Ho Chi Minh City | 381 |
Hong Kong | 727 |
Islamabad | 787 |
Istanbul | 965 |
Jakarta | 386 |
Jeddah | 789 |
Jerusalem | 779 |
Johannesburg | 582 |
Kabul | 599 |
Kampala | 838 |
Karachi | 922 |
Kathmandu | 585 |
Khartoum | 937 |
Kiev | 788 |
Kigali | 988 |
Kingston | 929 |
Kinshasa | 934 |
Kuala Lumpur | 984 |
Kuwait | 495 |
Lagos | 261 |
La Paz | 547 |
Libreville | 587 |
Lilongwe | 835 |
Lima | 549 |
Lisbon | 884 |
Ljubljana | 762 |
Lome | 888 |
London | 492 |
Luanda | 676 |
Lusaka | 852 |
Luxembourg | 677 |
Madrid | 559 |
Managua | 746 |
Manama | 273 |
Manila | 678 |
Manputo | 887 |
Mbabane | 732 |
Mexico City | 578 |
Milan | 481 |
Minsk | 577 |
Monrovia | 766 |
Monterrey | 960 |
Montevideo | 223 |
Moscow | 435 |
Mumbai | 791 |
Munich | 923 |
Muscat | 741 |
Nairobi | 871 |
Nassau | 823 |
Ndjamena | 924 |
New Delhi | 840 |
Niamey | 594 |
Nicosia | 735 |
Nogales | 287 |
Nouakchott | 589 |
Oslo | 954 |
Ottawa | 834 |
Panama City | 833 |
Paramaribo | 540 |
Paris | 498 |
Peshawar | 588 |
Phnom Penh | 739 |
Port Louis | 593 |
Port of Spain | 363 |
Port au Prince | 271 |
Prague | 422 |
Pretoria | 685 |
Pristina | 584 |
Quito | 644 |
Rabat | 775 |
Rangoon | 260 |
Reykjavik | 682 |
Riga | 868 |
Rio de Janeiro | 966 |
Riyadh | 792 |
Rome | 674 |
San Jose | 220 |
San Salvador | 830 |
Sanaa | 469 |
Santiago | 843 |
Santa Domingo | 848 |
Sao Paulo | 967 |
Sarajevo | 837 |
Seoul | 725 |
Shanghai | 959 |
Singapore | 726 |
Skopje | 839 |
Sofia | 368 |
St. Petersburg | 375 |
Stockholm | 993 |
Suva | 891 |
Taipei | 844 |
Tallinn | 969 |
Tashkent | 793 |
Tbilisi | 997 |
Tegucigalpa | 539 |
Tel Aviv | 751 |
The Hague | 361 |
Tijuana | 361 |
Tirana | 970 |
Tokyo | 688 |
Tunis | 941 |
Ulaanbaatar | 898 |
USNATO | 641 |
Valletta | 753 |
Vienna | 872 |
Vientiane | 586 |
Vilnius | 973 |
Warsaw | 628 |
Wellington | 847 |
Windhoek | 622 |
Yaounde | 932 |
Yekaterinburg | 757 |
Yerevan | 996 |
Zagreb | 444 |
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DISTRICT OFFICES
ALABAMA
950 22ND Street North, Room 707
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-731-1331
ALASKA
431 West 7th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-271-6237
ARIZONA
2901 N. Central, Ste 970
Phoenix, AZ 85205
602-640-2513
ARKANSAS
425 West Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-324-5794
CALIFORNIA
2100 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-637-0136
550 E. Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710
559-227-6582
84-245 Indio Springs Dr
Indio, CA 92203
760-342-4455
444 S. Flower St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-894-4231
11150 W. Olympic Blvd, #975
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310-235-7104
411 Pacific St, Ste 316A
Monterey, CA 93940
831-641-9850
3300 Irvine Ave, Ste 305
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-660-1688
1301 Clay St.
Oakland, CA 94612
510-273-7350
250 Montgomery St, 14th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-705-2300
111 North Market St.
San Jose, California 95113
408-351-3390
4040 Civic Center Dr., Ste 200
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-492-4546
COLORADO
1625 Broadway, Ste 680
Denver, CO 80202
303-844-6001
CONNECTICUTT
213 Court St., Ste 903
Middletown, CT 06457
860-638-6950
WASHINGTON DC
14th & Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20230
202-482-3917
DELAWARE
Served by the Philadelphia EAC.
FLORIDA
14010 Roosevelt Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: 727-893-3738
200 E Las Olas Blvd., Ste 1600
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-356-6640
United States Export Assistance Center
5835 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, FL 33126
305-526-7425
20 E. Robinson St., Ste 1270
Orlando, FL 32801
407-648-6235
325 John Knox Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32303
850-942-9635
GEORGIA
Century One Building
75 Fifth St. NW, Ste. 1055
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-897-6090
11 E. Liberty St., Ste. 202
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-652-4204
HAWAII
521 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 214
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-522-8040
IDAHO
700 West State St., 2nd Floor
Boise, ID 83720
208-364-7791
ILLINOIS
200 W. Adams St., Ste. 2450
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-353-8040
28055 Ashley Circle, Suite 212
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-327-9082
922 N. Glenwood Ave.
Jobst Hall, Room 141
Peoria, IL 61606
309-671-7815
515 N. Court St.
Rockford, IL 61110
815-987-8123
INDIANA
11405 N. Pennsylvania St.
Ste 106
Carmel, IN 46032
317-582-2300
IOWA
700 Locust St, Ste 100
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-288-8614
KANSAS
209 East William, Ste 300
Wichita, KS 67214
316-263-4067
KENTUCKY
1600 World Trade Center
333 West Vine Street
Lexington, KY 40507
859-225-7001
601 W. Broadway, Room 634B
Louisville, KY 40202
502-582-5066
LOUISIANA
365 Canal St., Ste 2710
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-589-6546
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
318-676-3064
MAINE
511 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
207-541-7400
MARYLAND
401 E. Pratt St., Ste 2432
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-962-4539
MASSACHUSETTS
164 Northern Ave., Ste 307
Boston, MA 02210
617-424-5990
MICHIGAN
211 West Fort St, Ste 2220
Detroit, MI 48226
313-226-3650
401 W. Fulton St.
Suite 309C
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616-458-3564
Oakland Pointe Office Building
250 Elizabeth Lake Rd., Suite 1300 West
Pontiac, MI 48341
248-975-9600
MINNESOTA
Minneapolis U.S. Export Assistance Center
100 North 6th Street, Ste. 210-C
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-348-1638
MISSISSIPPI
175 East Capitol St., Ste 255
Jackson, MS 39201
601-965-4130
MISSOURI
2509 Commerce Tower
911 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Tel: 816-421-1876
8182 Maryland Ave, Ste 303
St. Louis, MO 63105
314-425-3302
MONTANA
P.O. Box 7487
Missoula, MT 59807
406-542-6656
NEBRASKA
11133-35 “O” St
Omaha, NE 68137
402-597-0193
NEVADA
400 South Fourth Street, Suite 250
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Tel: 702-388-6694
1 E. First St., 16th Floor
Reno, NV 89501
775-784-5203
NEW HAMPSHIRE
17 New Hampshire Ave
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-334-6074
NEW JERSEY
3131 Princeton Pike
Bldg. 4, Ste 105
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
609-989-2100
744 Broad St., Ste 1505
Newark, NJ 07102
973-645-4682
NEW MEXICO
1100 St. Francis Dr.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-827-0350
NEW YORK
111 West Huron
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-551-4191
20 Exchange Place, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10005
212-809-2642
400 Andrews St., Ste 710
Rochester, NY 14604
716-263-6480
707 Westchester Ave, Ste 209
White Plains, NY 10601
914-682-6712
NORTH CAROLINA
521 E. Morehead St., Ste 435
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-333-4886
342 North Elm St., 2nd Floor
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-333-5345
10900 World Trade Blvd., Ste. 110
Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone: 919-281-2750
NORTH DAKOTA
Served by the Minneapolis EAC.
OHIO
One Cascade Plaza
17th Floor
Akron, OH 44308
330-237-1264
36 E. Seventh St
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-684-2944
600 Superior Ave., Ste 700
Cleveland, OH 44115
280 North High St, Ste 1400
Columbus, OH 43215
614-365-9510
300 Madison Ave, #270
Toledo, OH 43604
419-241-0683
OKLAHOMA
301 NW 63rd, Ste 330
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405-608-5302
700 N. Greenwood Ave, Ste 1400
Tulsa, OK 74106
918-581-7650
OREGON
1401 Williamette St
Eugene, OR 97401
541-242-2384
121 SW Salmon St., Ste 242
Portland, OR 97204
503-326-3001
PENNSYLVANIA
228 Walnut St., #850
P.O. Box 11698
Harrisburg, PA 17108
717-221-4510
The Curtis Center
601 Walnut St., Ste 580 West
Independence Square West
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-597-6101
425 Sixth Ave., Ste. 2950
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-644-2800
PUERTO RICO
Centro Internacional de Mercadeo
Suite 702
90 Road 165
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968-8058
Tel: 787-775-1992
RHODE ISLAND
One West Exchange St.
Providence, RI 02903
401-528-5104
SOUTH CAROLINA
1201 Main St., Ste 1720
Columbia, SC 29201
803-765-5345
1362 McMillan Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
843-746-3404
216 South Pleasantburg Dr.
Buck Mickel Ctr., Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC 29606-5616
864-250-8420
SOUTH DAKOTA
Augustana College
2001 S. Summit Ave.
Madsen Center, Room 122
Sioux Falls, SD 57197
605-330-4264
TENNESSEE
17 Market Sq., Ste.&201
Knoxville, TN 37902-1405
865-545-4637
22 North Front St., Ste. 200
Memphis, TN 38103
901-544-0930
211 Commerce St.
3rd Floor, Ste 100
Nashville, TN 37201
615-259-6060
TEXAS
221 E. 11th St., 4th Floor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78701
512-916-5939
808 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102-6315
817-392-2673
15600 JFK Boulevard, Ste. 530
Houston, TX 77032
281-449-9417
203 South St., Ste 360
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-228-9878
UTAH
324 S. State St., Ste 221
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-524-5116
VERMONT
National Life Building
6th Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620
802-828-4508
VIRGINIA
1401 Wilson Blvd., Ste 1225
Arlington, VA 22209
703-524-2885
400 N. 8th St., Ste 540
PO Box 10026
Richmond, VA 23240
804-771-2246
WASHINGTON
2601 4th Ave., Ste
320 Seattle, WA 98121
206-553-5615
801 W. Riverside Ave., Ste 400
Spokane, WA 99201
509-353-2625
950 Pacific Ave., Ste 410
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-593-6736
WEST VIRGINIA
405 Capital St., Ste 807
Charleston, WV 25300
304-347-5123
316 Washington Ave
Wheeling, WV 26003
304-243-5493
WISCONSIN
517 E. Wisconsin Ave., Room 596
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-297-3473
WYOMING
Served by the Denver export Assistance Center.
Regional Offices
Eastern Region
Baltimore
401 E. Pratt Street, ZIP: 21202
Tel.: (410) 962–4539
Mid–Eastern Region
36 East 7th Street, Suite 2025
Cincinnati, OH, ZIP: 45202
Tel.: (513) 684–2944
Mid–Western Region
8182 Maryland Avenue, Suite 303,
St. Louis, MO, ZIP: 63105
Tel.: (314) 425–3302
Western Region
250 Montgomery St., 14th Fl.,
San Francisco, CA, ZIP: 94104
Tel.: (415) 705–2300