Conversations with Global Trade Experts and Partners
Connect with other global professionals and small business owners to discuss international trade with leading experts in the field. The OSBDCN Global Trade Center provides an opportunity to convene, and explore the global economy, and the path forward as businesses around the world reopen and recover.

UPCOMING EVENT

April 2025:

April 1-3 at 1:00 pm ET
Tariff and Supply Chain Training with Tom Cook
Learn more HERE!

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NCSD’s April Webinar Schedule:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025: What is “Packed” in Heading 3923? – The “What is “Packed” into Heading 3923?” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. This webinar will discuss classification in heading 3923. Heading 3923 covers plastic articles for the conveyance and packing of goods as well as stoppers, lids, caps, and other closures, of plastics.

Friday, April 11, 2025: Chapter 61: Let's Do it Again… It’s All About the Knit Blouse – The “Let's Do it Again... It’s All About the Knit Blouse” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. This webinar focuses on what is considered knit blouses.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Classification of Heading 8508 Vacuum Cleaners – The “Classification of Heading 8508 Vacuum Cleaners” is part of the 2025 Educations Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. The webinar will explain the classification of vacuum cleaners of heading 8508 with case study approach. It will also discuss the exclusion issues on certain Chinese-origin vacuum cleaners under Section 301 remedies.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025: A Review of Required Info Pertaining to Headings 8519-8529 – The “A Review of Required Info Pertaining to Headings 8519-8529” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. This webinar will review the important information to look at when classifying articles of headings 8519 through 8529, to avoid circumventing duty rates and section 301 duties, as well as the necessary steps to expedite country of origin and classification ruling requests relating to these headings. Additionally, we will review common misclassification and definitions of specific terms in the tariff, including sound and video reproducing and recording, FPD, television and radiobroadcasting transmission, TV cameras, digital cameras, video recorders, radio navigational aid, radio remote control, radiobroadcasting receivers, monitors, projectors, and reception apparatus for television.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025: Seeing the Light: Optical Elements in Headings 9001-9005 – The “Seeing the Light: Optical Elements in Headings 9001-9005” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. The webinar will focus on the beginning of Chapter 90 with a primary focus on how to classify optical elements and devices covered by the headings. This will cover definitions and the appropriate manufacturing processes involved in classification therein. There are extensive duty implications with misclassifications that will aid in CBP balancing fair trade.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025: Laminated Safety Glass: Windshields, Subheading 7007.21 – The “Laminated Safety Glass: Windshields, Subheading 7007.21” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. This webinar will focus on what should classify under subheading of 7007.21

Thursday, April 24, 2025: Going with The Flow: Pipes, Tubes, and Hollow Profiles – The “Going with The Flow: Pipes, Tubes, and Hollow Profiles” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. This webinar focuses on the understanding how the classifications of steel pipes, tubes, and hollow profiles are organized in laymen’s terms.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025: Heading 8477: Machines for Working Rubber or Plastics – The “Heading 8477: Machines for Working Rubber or Plastics” is part of the 2025 Education’s Commodity Specific Webinar Series hosted by the National Commodity Specialist Division, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. The webinar will cover various machinery for working plastic and rubber, covered by HTSUS Heading 8477, including injection molding machines, blow molding machines, vacuum molding machines, and extruders.  This presentation will also focus on the meaning of the term “working” the material and discuss common misclassification issues in this context.

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact OTRwebinars@cbp.dhs.gov. 

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Business Opportunities in Costa Rica

April 2, 2025 - 1:00PM ET - $30

Proximity to the Costa Rican market is also a major advantage for U.S. exporters who wish to visit or communicate with potential customers, facilitating close contacts and strong relationships with clients, both before and after the sale. The same holds true for agents and distributors, who typically represent U.S. exporters in the national market. U.S. products enjoy an excellent reputation for quality and price competitiveness. The leading sectors for U.S. exports and investment are Agriculture; Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Service Equipment; Cosmetics; Franchising; Healthcare Sector; EV Charging Solutions; Packaging; and Retail/consumer goods (processed food and beverages, pet supplies, hotel and restaurant equipment). Register Here

April 23 at 4:00 pm ET
Cross-Cultural Understanding: A Key to Success in Global Trade with Judel Saintil
Learn more HERE!

April 30, 2025 - 1:00PM ET - $30

Located in the geographic heart of Central America, Honduras is the second largest country in the region, with an open economy and conducive policies for doing business. As one of the most receptive markets for U.S. products worldwide, the U.S. had a $1.2 billion trade surplus with Honduras in 2023. The leading sectors for U.S. exports and investment are automotive aftermarket products, building/construction materials, safety and security equipment, franchising, electrical power systems, food processing and packaging equipment, ICT,  and environmental technologies. Register Here

May  2025:

38 General Exporting & Industry-specific Sessions

Join the U.S. Commercial Service - America's Export Experts - for a series of virtual tradecraft & industry-focused seminars during Export Week 2025 May 5-9 as well as throughout the month.

Sign up for one or more of these sessions. Specially designed for U.S. exporters of all experience levels. You'll learn from federal trade agencies, local businesses, and trade organizations. Sessions are interactive and most are FREE. 

In 38 sessions, we'll cover these areas and more:

Sales & Marketing
Export Documentation
Export Finance
Industry Focused Programs

May 6 at 2:00 pm ET
Selecting, Negotiating, and Contracting Foreign Distributors with Alex Viva & William Harazin
Learn more HERE!

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Business Opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago

May 7, 2025 - 1:00PM ET - $50

The market has 1.4 million potential customers, which distinguishes the country from other Caribbean nations by its high income per capita, thanks to an economy dominated by a mature and diversified energy sector. Trinidad and Tobago’s geographic proximity and strong links with the United States have encouraged a wide range of U.S. investors and exporters to enter Trinidad and Tobago’s market. Best prospects sectors for U.S. exports include equipment and supplies required for manufacturing, energy production, maritime services, safety and security products, information and communication technology, medical equipment and pharmaceutical, business process outsourcing, entertainment and tourism-related equipment and services, and non-food franchises. Register Here

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Business Opportunities in El Salvador

May 21, 2025 - 1:00PM ET - $30

El Salvador’s geographic proximity and familiarity with U.S. business practices contribute to strong trade ties with the United States. El Salvador offers U.S. exporters CAFTA-DR trade benefits, a strategic location, a dollarized economy, and recent improvements in security conditions. The leading sectors for U.S. exports and investment are Infrastructure and Construction, Energy (renewable and nuclear), Clean Water Tech, Cybersecurity, and ICT. Register Here

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June 2025:

Business Opportunities in Guatemala

June 11, 2025 - 1:00PM ET - $30

Boasting ports on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and a signatory of the CAFTA-DR Free Trade Agreement. For the first time in almost a decade, Guatemala’s ranking improved in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, going from 154 in 2023 to 146 in 2024 of 180 countries. This is largely attributed to the focus and concerted efforts of increased transparency and anti-corruption of the Arévalo administration. The leading sectors for U.S. exports and investment are Critical Infrastructure and Security, Healthcare, Energy, Agribusiness, and Restaurant and Hotel Equipment. Register Here

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Business Opportunities in Belize

June 18, 2025 - 1:00PM ET - $30

The United States is Belize’s largest trading partner as Belize is a consumer nation and relies heavily on imports. The United States provided approximately 41% of total Belizean merchandise imports in 2023. The leading sectors for U.S. exports and investment are: Tourism & Travel, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO); Renewable energy technologies and storage systems; Agriculture and Aquaculture; Safety & Security. Register Here