• Easy Market Access
  • Transportation Network
  • International Trade
  • Broadband and Wireless
  • Foreign Trade Zones
• World Class Industries
• Robust Workforce and Education
• Public-Private Support
• The Ohio Promise
• Recognition for Ohio

International Trade

Take advantage of Ohio's growing export industry.

In 2008, Ohio's export industry totaled more than $45 billion, a 7 percent increase from 2007. As the only state in the nation to see an increase in exports every year since 1998, Ohio's exports are the seventh largest in the United States.

About 11,400 Ohio companies sell their products internationally, and nearly 300,000 jobs in this state depend upon the export industry. Only California and Texas have more jobs linked to manufacturing exports.

Import and export in Ohio is facilitated by ten Foreign Trade Zones and many sub-zones offering duty-free, quota-free secured sites where goods can be stored, repackaged, assembled and manufactured. Products imported into these zones are exempt from duty and inventory taxes until they enter the U.S. marketplace. Duty and taxes are never paid if the products are re-exported. The zones are supported by a variety of internal distribution service facilities.

Ohio has not relied on geographic market access alone to drive its success as a trade leader and global exporter, but has invested in world-class systems creating synergy between transportation, data and domestic and international export.

Ohio's roads, rails, waterways and international airports provide many reliable options for moving products to market. Ten Foreign Trade Zones facilitate import and export and many sub-zones offer duty-free, quota-free secured sites where goods can be stored, repackaged, assembled and manufactured.

The state has 14 international offices to promote the export of Ohio goods. They are in Canada and Mexico, the top two export markets for the state, plus Belgium, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Israel, South Africa, Japan, India, Australia and three in China: Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. The state is also located within 500 miles, or one day's trucking distance, of 60 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian populations.

Another key factor is Ohio's new tax reform, part of the state's purposeful redesign of its business climate to be the ideal location choice for companies that want to create a successful global business.

The revamped tax code helps slash operating costs through:

• No tax on inventory held in Ohion
• No personal property tax on manufacturing equipment
• No tax on sales of goods and services to customers outside of Ohio

All encourage Ohio-based companies to invest in operational efficiencies that can add to bottom-line profit-margin improvement.

Ohio provides an ideal location to serve customers in the U.S. and around the world. Ohio is home to the world's largest public and private airports dedicated solely to cargo shipment to help get your product to its destination quickly and efficiently.

The Ohio Department of Development's International Trade Assistance Center Program operates from the state's six Small Business Development Centers and provides support for businesses new to the export market. The program offers free consulting services and fee-based training and market research, among other marketplace support.

The International Trade Assistance Centers link with offices worldwide to help Ohio companies target new customers in international markets. To learn more, call 1-800-848-1300 or e-mail sbdc@odod.state.oh.us.