International Trade Program

The world is open for the Greater Birmingham Region’s business.

The Birmingham Business Alliance’s International Trade Program is led by an International Trade Council comprised of industry leaders and international trade experts. Our International Trade Council partners with the Export Alabama Alliance (EAA) to promote trade opportunities for businesses at every stage of the export process by providing the following services:

• Introduce companies to free, professional trade experts
• Host exporting workshops, country market briefings, and trade policy seminars
• Promote state-led trade missions
• Host inbound business delegations
• Promote online trade resources

If you’re interested in learning more about international trade opportunities available to your company, please contact Niki Tarver at ntarver@birminghambusinessalliance.com or 205-241-8112.

The BBA fosters international collaborations and partnerships to promote trade and investments in the Birmingham region. Strong diplomatic relations at the local level ultimately increases international trade activity and foreign direct investment opportunities in the Birmingham region.

To support existing foreign-based companies in the Birmingham region and to attract additional foreign direct investment, BBA participates in key international organizations:

• Japan America Society of America
• Alabama Germany Partnership
• Alabama India Business Partnership

Are you a member of a diplomatic delegation interested in visiting Birmingham? The BBA can provide guidance and facilitate your agenda. To coordinate your delegation’s visit to Birmingham, please contact Steve Ammons at sammons@birminghambusinessalliance.com.

Export Documentation Services
The Birmingham Business Alliance supports the day-to-day operation of exporters and freight forwarders by attesting to the origin of Birmingham goods. If your company is interested in BBA’s export documentation services, please check out the information below to get started.

The Birmingham Business Alliance offers a fully digital export documentation solution to its members and nonmembers for:

This fast and comprehensive export documentation service uses secure blockchain technology to obtain and process documents with accuracy, enhanced security, and instant traceability. It also has built-in legalization/apostille options to ensure the highest level of regulatory compliance.

Our platform, powered by Swiftdox, provides step-by-step guidance and built-in legalization/apostille options, so certificates can be processed with a single click - apostilled in as little as 48 hours or legalized in as little as 10 business days. Certificates are also offered in multiple languages.

CFS Certificates of Free Sale GMP Good Manufacturing
The BBA is an International Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin Accreditation and is pleased to have been accepted into the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF). Accreditation demonstrates BBA’s Certificate of Origin (CO) documentation services provided through Swiftdox are verified by ICC WCF to meet the highest international standards and are issued according to the “gold standard” of globally accepted best practices.

BBA partners with Fast Track Global Services to bring exporters a revolutionary new online platform: SWIFTDOX, a fully digital export documentation solution for:

• Certificates of Free Sale (CFS)
• Good Manufacturing Practices Certificates (GMP)
• Certificates of Good Standing (CGS)
• Certificates of Origin (COO)

It is the fastest and most comprehensive service in North America for export documentation that uses secure block chain technology to help you obtain and process your documents with accuracy, enhanced security and instant traceability. It also provides built-in legalization/apostille options to ensure the highest level of regulatory compliance.

Certificate of Origin Documentation
Every country in the world considers the origin of imported goods when determining what duty will be assessed. The BBA attests to the origin of goods by embossing our seal on a document called the certificate of origin. The BBA processes certificates of origin for area manufacturers to export their products. Our standard procedure is to stamp our seal on a manufacturer’s document, upon demand, if the manufacturer brings to the BBA the original certificate, a copy of the certificate, and an accompanying invoice for the certificate.

How much does a certificate cost?

• Birmingham Business Alliance Investors: $15
• Non-investors: $40

Please contact Niki Tarver at ntarver@birminghambusinessalliance.com or 205-241-8112.

Export Assistance
U.S. Commercial Service Alabama offers a full range of services to companies at every stage of the exporting process. These services include:

• Trade counseling
• Market intelligence
• Business matchmaking
• Commercial Diplomacy.

For customized, one-on-one consultation, please reach out to the Birmingham U.S. Export Assistance Center at (205) 731-1331 or Birmingham.office.box@trade.gov.

The world’s largest business organization working to promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth to the benefit of all. They help businesses of all sizes and in all countries to operate internationally and responsibly. See press release.

The Accreditation Chain benefits:

• Heightened credibility for Chamber issued Certificates of Origin with guarantee of compliance with international issuance standards
• Wider acceptance by customs & government agencies around the world
• Prevention of delays due to documentation or acceptance issues
• Approved certificates can be easily verified by Customs around the globe via ICC or Swiftdox verification sites
• Save time and money - apply online and forward the verified e-certificate to your distributor, buyer, or teams to any country in the world within 2-3 days
• Easily meet shipping document requirements for lines of credit by submitting an ICC verified e-copy of the certificate of origin
• Secure and verifiable certificates that are protected by blockchain technology to defend against tampering

Export Alabama Alliance
BBA is a member of the Export Alabama Alliance (EAA), a collaborative network of international trade organizations, committed to helping Alabama businesses grow internationally.

Export Alabama Alliance Members
Alabama Department of Commerce, International Trade Division
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Alabama International Trade Center (AITC)
Alabama State Port Authority
Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)
Madison County Commission
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA)
Port of Huntsville
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce, Alabama Export Assistance Center
U.S. Small Business Administration

To help your company grow globally, a list of helpful resources is provided below.

International Trade Resource Guide
The Alabama International Trade Resource Guide addresses the information and resource needs of businesses in the state that are interested in creating or expanding their global presence. Over 300 private and public regional organizations whose goal is to serve the needs of the international community are listed.

A Basic Guide to Exporting
Whether you're a startup or a mature business, this guide breaks down virtually every issue a new exporter might face. Get started now and you will gain the confidence to become an international expert.

Export Education
Comprehensive series of export articles including a video series detailing the export process.

Guide to Global eCommerce
Learn about digital commerce and explore best practices to sell more online, overseas.

Trade Finance Guide
The Trade Finance Guide provides the basics of financing techniques from cash-in-advance to government assisted foreign buyer financing.