Exporting Alaska-Made Products? EXIM May Be a Resource to Know

For many Alaska manufacturers, growth often starts close to home.

A business may begin by selling locally, through retail partners, online, or directly to customers across Alaska and the Lower 48. Over time, new opportunities may come from outside the United States. For some manufacturers, that next step may include international sales.

Exporting can feel like a big leap, especially for small businesses. There are new questions around shipping, payment, documentation, customer relationships, financing, and risk. But Alaska manufacturers do not have to figure it out alone.

One resource worth knowing about is the Export-Import Bank of the United States, often called EXIM.

What Is EXIM?

EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States. Its role is to support U.S. jobs by helping American businesses compete internationally and sell U.S.-made goods and services into foreign markets.

For manufacturers, that means EXIM can be a resource when a business is already exporting or beginning to explore exporting.

According to EXIM materials, the agency supports U.S. exporters with coverage for sales in more than 180 countries, and small businesses represent 90% of EXIM’s transactions.

That last part matters. EXIM is not only for large companies. It can also be relevant for small businesses trying to grow international sales with more confidence.

Why Manufacturers Should Know About Exporting

Exporting is not the right step for every business, but it can open doors.

The EXIM “Why Consider Exporting?” guide notes that about 96% of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. Exporting can help businesses access more customers, reduce dependence on the domestic market, and build resilience during seasonal or market fluctuations.

Why-Export-Guide_v2.pdf

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For Alaska manufacturers, this can be especially important.

We operate in a state where local markets are smaller, shipping is complex, and growth often requires thinking beyond one sales channel. Some Alaska-made products may have strong potential with customers outside the U.S., especially if they connect to Alaska’s identity, natural resources, specialty foods, outdoor lifestyle, cold-weather performance, or unique local materials.

That does not mean every business should jump into exporting immediately. It does mean manufacturers should know what resources exist when they are ready to explore it.

How EXIM Can Help

One of the biggest challenges in international sales is managing risk.

A foreign buyer may want credit terms instead of paying cash in advance. That can help close the sale, but it may also create concern for the seller. What happens if the buyer does not pay? What if offering credit terms puts too much pressure on the business’s cash flow?

EXIM offers tools designed to help U.S. businesses manage these kinds of challenges.

Export Credit Insurance

EXIM’s export credit insurance helps protect against nonpayment on international receivables. In simple terms, it can help a business offer credit terms to a foreign buyer while protecting the company’s financial assets.

EXIM materials explain that policies can be flexible, covering a single buyer, a single transaction, some foreign buyers, or an entire export portfolio.

This can be helpful for a manufacturer that has interest from an international buyer but is hesitant to offer payment terms without protection.

Working Capital Loan Guarantees

Exporting can require upfront costs. A business may need to purchase materials, increase production, package products differently, or manage longer timelines before receiving payment.

EXIM’s tools include working capital loan guarantees, which are designed to help U.S. businesses access financing connected to export sales. The federal resource comparison chart lists EXIM’s key offerings as export credit insurance, working capital loan guarantees, and foreign buyer financing.

Foreign Buyer Financing

Sometimes the challenge is not only on the manufacturer’s side. A foreign buyer may need financing in order to purchase U.S. capital goods or services.

EXIM’s foreign buyer term financing can help lenders provide loans to foreign buyers. EXIM materials note that its 100% loan guarantee gives lenders assurance, which can help buyers obtain lower interest rates and longer repayment terms for U.S. capital goods and services.

For some manufacturers, this could make a U.S.-made product more competitive in an international sale.

Who May Qualify?

EXIM support is not automatic, and businesses need to meet certain qualifications.

According to EXIM’s pocket card, a U.S. company interested in support typically needs a three-year operating history, positive net worth, tax returns or financial statements, a DUNS number, and a Unique Entity Identifier with active SAM.gov registration.

Eligible invoice insurance transactions generally require products to have more than 50% U.S. content, including labor and overhead, and products must ship from the United States to one of the countries where EXIM provides coverage.

It is also important to note that service providers can be exporters too. If your business provides a service to international customers, it may still be worth reaching out to ask whether EXIM resources apply to your situation.

EXIM Is One Part of the Export Support System

EXIM is focused on export finance and risk protection, but it is not the only resource for businesses exploring international markets.

The federal government resource comparison chart explains that the U.S. Commercial Service can help with trade counseling, market intelligence, analysis, and business matchmaking. The Small Business Administration can help with loans, grants for export development, and business consulting. EXIM focuses on export finance solutions such as export credit insurance, working capital loan guarantees, and foreign buyer financing.

Together, these resources can help answer different questions:

How do I find foreign buyers?

How do I research the right market?

How do I understand shipping and logistics?

How do I protect my business from nonpayment?

How do I finance production connected to export sales?

The “Why Consider Exporting?” guide also recommends that businesses think through internal readiness, create an export plan, and use government resources such as Small Business Development Centers, state commerce departments, Export Assistance Centers, STEP funding, and the U.S. Commercial Service.

Questions to Ask Before Exporting

Before pursuing international sales, manufacturers should take time to understand whether exporting makes sense for their business.

A few questions to consider:

Do you already have product success in domestic markets?

Do you have the capacity to fulfill larger or more complex orders?

Do you understand your cost of goods and pricing?

Have you researched where there may be demand for your product?

Do you know what shipping, duties, taxes, and insurance could add to the final cost?

Can your packaging, labeling, and documentation meet the requirements of the target market?

Are you prepared to manage payment risk?

These questions are not meant to discourage businesses from exporting. They are meant to help businesses approach exporting with a clear plan and the right support.

Why This Matters for Alaska Manufacturers

Alaska manufacturers already operate in a challenging environment. Distance, freight, limited infrastructure, seasonal demand, and smaller local markets can all shape how businesses grow.

Exporting may not be the first step for many businesses, but for some, it could be a meaningful growth opportunity.

Alaska-made products carry a strong sense of place. Whether it is food, outdoor gear, marine products, natural goods, cold-weather solutions, or specialty manufacturing, there may be customers outside the U.S. who value what Alaska businesses are making.

The key is knowing that resources exist.

EXIM can help manufacturers understand options for protecting international receivables, accessing export-related financing, and making U.S.-made products more competitive in foreign markets.

Start the Conversation Early

Even if exporting feels like a future goal, it may be worth learning about available resources now.

Understanding EXIM, the U.S. Commercial Service, the SBA, and other export support programs can help manufacturers make better decisions before an international opportunity lands in their inbox.

For Alaska manufacturers, the message is simple:

If you are already exporting, thinking about exporting, or have been approached by an international buyer, EXIM may be a resource worth knowing.

AKMA’s goal is to help Alaska manufacturers connect with the tools, partners, and information that support business growth. Exporting is one more area where the right resource at the right time can make a difference.

If you are interested in learning more about EXIM or want to better understand whether their programs may be a fit for your business, AKMA can help make an introduction to the regional director at EXIM to start the conversation.