SC Export Incentives Program

SOUTH CAROLINA EXPORT INCENTIVES PROGRAM

STEP & SCOPE

The South Carolina Export Incentives Program is designed to drive economic growth and job creation through export development. Eligible South Carolina small businesses may qualify for financial assistance to offset certain expenses associated with export-related activities and events.

Please review the program guidelines before applying. This application should take 15-20 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, please contact export@sccommerce.com.

Funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328, SC STEP program total cost: $408,000, Federal Share (75%): $306,000, Non-Federal Share (25%): $102,000.

The SCDOC does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, genetic information, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- U.S. business headquartered or with operations in
  South Carolina
- In business for no less than two years.
- Organized for profit
- Currently has an export-ready product/service, a strategic plan for exporting, and understands the costs associated with exporting.
- Meets the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition of a small business.
  See SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards
- Produce goods or provide services of a) U.S. origin or b) that have a minimum of 51% U.S. content
Qualifying firms can apply for reimbursement of expenses associated with the following export-related activities or events.
- TRADE SHOWS Eligible expenses include registration, booth space and construction fees, and travel costs* associated with exhibiting at international trade shows.
- SC COMMERCE TRADE MISSIONS Trade mission fees and eligible travel expenses* incurred while participating in a SC Commerce’s overseas trade mission.
- U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS Service fees and eligible travel expenses*. Services include Gold Key, International Partner Search, RAISE Market Research, etc. A complete list of services and fees can be found here.
- WEBSITE AND MARKETING ENHANCEMENTS Eligible services include search engine optimization (SEO), translations of marketing materials, website localization services, website analytics, e-commerce services (such as adding an online payment option or a currency converter tool), etc.
- OTHER EXPORT INITIATIVES Expenses incurred with other export-related activities, including compliance testing for international markets, overseas market sales trips*, procurement of export consultancy services not offered by the USCS, services provided by federal agencies (such as EXIM export credit insurance), shipping samples to international partners, participation in export training workshops, etc.
*Travel: Fly America Act compliant airfare, State Department or GSA rate-compliant lodging, and local transportation for up to two company employees.

BUSINESS INFORMATION
All fields market with * are required.
Business Legal Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
South Carolina County
Website
Employer Identification Number
Primary Contact

First NameLast Name
Title
Email
example@example.com

EXPORT PLAN
Indicate whether you consider your business to be a New-to-Export or an Experienced Exporter, as defined below.
Please briefly describe your company's export goals.
An export plan must be in place to participate in the South Carolina Export Incentives Program.
Explain how your product is distributed and marketed in the United States, and how you plan to develop entry in new markets (distribution, agents, direct sales, etc.)
Please list the international market(s) you are targeting and indicate the reasons why you believe you have a competitive advantage in those markets.

Have you received this type of funding before?
Please list key, measurable outcomes achieved during your previously funded activity and indicate how these outcomes advance your business' export goals.
Are you seeking funding from any other federal or state organization for the same activity?
Describe the specific export activity or activities for which you are seeking funding. Detail how these activities align with your strategic export plan.
Provide as many details as necessary, for instance, name, location, a link to the trade show, the scope of website work, etc. Example: MEDICA Trade Show, Germany or Website Localization, Australia
Is this activity a domestic trade show?
Please describe the international presence (overseas exhibitors and attendees) at this domestic trade show.
For a domestic trade show to qualify for approval, there must be a minimum of 20% international presence. Please provide information that supports this requirement.
Upon returning from domestic trade show, I agree to provide a list of leads (overseas distributors, export brokers and/or foreign buyers) contacted during the event.
Export Activity Start Date

MonthDayYear

Estimated Costs

Rows	US Dollars
Trade Show Booth Costs and/or Registration Fees
SC Commerce Trade Mission Fees
US Commercial Service Programs/Services Fees
Export Training Workshops or Seminars
Website Enhancements (SEO, Foreign Market Localization, Translation, Foreign Currency feature)
Travel: Airfare (subject to Fly America Act rules), Lodging (at GSA or State Department Rates), and Local Transportation.
Other Export Activities

If you select "Other", please specify.
If travel is associated with requested activities, please enter names of traveler(s).
Is the traveler(s) a direct employee of the company?
Is any of the travelers an elected official?
Air travel must adhere to the Fly America Act.

Reimbursements for Lodging are based on federal maximum lodging rates: International and Domestic.
I, the undersigned, under penalty of perjury, do affirm that the information provided in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, true and accurate.
Signature
Date

MonthDayYear
Export Incentive Applications are reviewed by an evaluation committee on a first‑come, first‑served basis and approved based on their merit and export potential until all funds have been expended.

Applications should be submitted prior to any activity for which funds are requested. Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible. Applications will be disqualified if a company has received or is receiving funding from another source for the same activity.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce will notify applicants of their approval status and the maximum dollar amount for which they may be reimbursed. To receive reimbursement, companies must obtain a South Carolina vendor number, carry out the approved event or activity, and submit the completed reimbursement package along with the post‑event survey. Individuals are not eligible for reimbursements.

CERTIFICATION OF FEDERAL FORMS
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) would like to give eligible small businesses the opportunity to expand your knowledge and resources of other export programs that are offered by the agency and other federal agencies. Please check the appropriate box if you would like your company’s name and contact information to be shared with other relevant agencies to learn more about federal export programs. Your choice to participate or not will not change the status of your participation with STEP. SBA’s aim is strictly to share information about other opportunities with you.
SELF-REPRESENTATION AS AN "ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN"

The undersigned seeks services from a State grant recipient under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR 644) which authorized the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
Section 503 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 defines the term 'eligible small business concern,’ as a business concern that:

1. Is organized or incorporated in the United States;

2. Is operating in the United States,

3. Meets a. The applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or
b. The alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.); The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards are found at 13 C.F.R. Part 121. Use the following sba.gov link for information on size standards for your business (https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards)

4. Has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance using a grant under this subsection commences; and

5. Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.

The undersigned certifies that this is an export ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content.
Submitting false information in order to obtain services from a STEP grant recipient is a violation of Federal law. If you submit false information the Government may seek criminal, civil, and/or administrative remedies against you, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001, 1040; and 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733. The Government may elect to exclude you from further participation in certain Federal programs and contracts if you submit false information in connection with receiving services from a STEP grant recipient.

I hereby certify that the business I represent is seeking services from a STEP grant recipient and is an eligible small business concern,* pursuant to the above definition.

All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Business Name
Date

MonthDayYear
Title
Signature

Certification Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions

This certification is required by the regulations implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, 13 CFR Part 145. The regulations were published as Part VII of the May 26, 1988 Federal Register (pages 19160-19211). Copies of the regulations may be obtained by contacting the person to which this proposal is submitted.

(BEFORE COMPLETING CERTIFICATION, READ INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE)

(1) The prospective lower tier participant certifies, by submission of this proposal, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for disbarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency.

(2) Where the prospective lower tier participant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, such prospective participant shall attach an explanation to this proposal.

SBA Form 1624 (12/92)
Business Name
Date

MonthDayYear
By
Title of Authorized Representative
Signature
Thank you for your answers!

If you have any questions, please contact export@sccommerce.com
Should be Empty:

SOUTH CAROLINA EXPORT INCENTIVES PROGRAM

BUSINESS INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

EXPORT INCENTIVES PROGRAM APPLICATION

EXPORT PLAN

CERTIFICATION OF FEDERAL FORMS

Thank you for your answers!