About WTC Denver :: FAQs

The World Trade Center Denver (WTC Denver) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping companies in the Rocky Mountain Region import, export, and establish overseas operations. Now in our 18th year of operation, we continue to foster the growth of global trade and have established ourselves as the premier international business resource in the Rocky Mountain region.

By bringing together businesses and government agencies involved in foreign trade and providing quality EVENTS/PROGRAMS and SERVICES, the WTC Denver and our Members play a key role in shaping our region's position with the global economy. For membership information, please visit our Members page.

The RMWTC Institute is part of the WTC Denver and is an educational, non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Institute is dedicated to providing practical, real world business training to ensure that you and your employees remain current on all of the nuances of international trade. Our comprehensive seminars focus on realistic approaches and concrete explanations to a wide variety of international business subjects. In each session, local and nationally known experts delve into the most pressing and timely subjects in international trade. For more information on upcoming classes and seminars, please visit our EVENTS/PROGRAMS Education & Training pages or simply consult our events page.

See this page for details. The WTO is an international organization and is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War. With nation-states as its members, the WTO's overriding objective is to help trade flow smoothly, freely, fairly and predictably through its involvement in:

For more information regarding the WTO, visit their website at www.wto.org

The WTC Denver and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) or (ITO) have worked together since 1987. The WTC's programs and educational courses support the mission of the State's international trade office and in turn, the ITO supports our programs and works closely with the WTC Denver to bring focus to Colorado's international business community.

Established by the Colorado General Assembly in 1983, the State's ITO was given two goals:

By promoting Colorado exports and attracting foreign investment, the ITO helps to build Colorado's identity as an international business center, encouraging foreign buyers to look to Colorado for products and services. The ITO is open to the public and most services are rendered at no cost.

The ITO is home to trade and invesmtent specialists that offer a wide range of services to assist new and existing business of every size. Trade specialists counsel clients on Colorado investment opportunities, analyzing markets, determining export potential, identifying market entry strategies, providing market research, locating potential distributors or agents and working with companies on international trade shows. More information on OEDIT and the ITO can be found at Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

The WTC Denver and the Denver office of the U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) have worked together to help Rocky Mountain exporters for nearly two decades. The Denver USEAC is part of an international network of global professionals with 165 offices in 82 countries throughout the world. The trade specialists at the USEAC focus on trade industries rather than global regions. They assist companies by offering:

To contact a specialist to help you export your products or services, visit www.buyusa.gov/colorado/

In addition, the Denver office houses the Small Business Association's (SBA) Regional Manager of International Trade Programs. The SBA can help exporters become familiar with the various government programs designed to help your company finance its export transactions, and give it the capital to carry out its export operations. To contact the SBA's international trade office, please click here.

As a non-profit membership association, the WTC Denver offers members priority access to international business training, global expertise, and networking connections both locally and through World Trade Centers around the world. Members also gain free access to International Business Resources, Publications, and International Networking Events. Most of the classes and seminars given by the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Institute are offered to members at a discounted rate. For more information on how to become a member, including membership packages and pricing, please visit our JOIN WTC page.

The WTC Denver provides a myriad of different services to Members and non-members. Some services we are pleased to provide free of charge to our Members. Other services carry a fee for Members and non-members. Free Member services include Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Free Sale, Research Inquiries, 501 Club networking events, and WTC Denver Membership Directories. Discounted services include WISER Trade Statistic Reports, Colorado International Trade Directory/Database (CITD) searches, Roundtables, training programs and meeting rooms. For a full listing of services and pricing quotes, please contact the WTC Denver at wtcdenver@att.net or call 303-592-5760.

The 501 Club is an informal gathering of people with international business interests for an evening of networking, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. While this event is currently on hold it is usually held on the first Thursday of every month (excluding July and August) at the Brown Palace Hotel in Downtown Denver. The event is open to anyone sharing an interest in international business and the Colorado international community. It is free to WTC Denver members and $10 for non-members.

For more information and to learn about our co-sponsors and presenters, please see our events page.

We have also added a Boulder 501 Club that is co-sponsored with the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. Please be sure to check the events to ensure that the event is confirmed for the second week in Boulder. The Boulder 501 Club is free to members and non-members.

The cost for each course varies but generally ranges from as low as $75 for some of our basic classes to $300 for some of the more advanced or multi-day seminars. There is generally a discount given to WTC members and to all participants that register at least two weeks prior to the day of the class (some exceptions do apply). To see the pricing for each class, please visit the EVENTS/PROGRAMS Education & Training sub-menu on the left side of our navigation bar.

Pre-payment is required for all classes. A check made out to the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center (RMWTC) Institute can be sent to the WTC Denver office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 680, Denver, CO 80202. Visa or MasterCard payment is also accepted. We apologize but we cannot accept American Express payments. If faxing or mailing in your registration form, your credit card number and expiration date must be included on the registration form. If registering online, please call the RMWTC Institute at 303-592-5757 with your credit card information after registering with your chosen courses and attendee information. We apologize, but at this time, we cannot accept online payments.

The Institute's Certificate in International Trade is designed to build a complete and cohesive set of skills that help you assess the opportunities and risks encountered in international trade transactions. Upon completion of the multi-course curriculum, you will be equipped with the knowledge and credentials needed to succeed in a globally competitive marketplace.

To earn the Certificate, participants must complete nine required and three elective courses. The program can be completed in one semester, though courses may be taken at your own pace across multiple semesters.

The nine required courses include:

In addition to the required courses, you will choose three elective courses to complete your program. For a listing of possible elective courses and more information on the Certificate in International Trade, please visit the Events/Programs tab on the tool bar.

Some destinations require a Certificate of Origin (COO) for certain commodities. The purpose of the COO is to authenticate the country of origin for the merchandise being shipped. The COO may be required because of established treaty arrangements, varying duty rates, and preferential duty treatment dependent on the shipment's origin. The commodity being exported and its destination determine if the COO is required. Some nations restrict imports from certain countries and many countries limit the quantity of goods that are allowed to be imported, or give preference to goods manufactured in the United States.

A sample COO form and more information on what is required to obtain a COO from the WTC Denver can be found on our Certificate of Origin page.

Some countries require the issuance of a "Certificate of Free Sale," or other times called "Certificate for Export" or "Certificate to Foreign Governments." These requests are seeking assurances from a foreign governmental agency that the products listed on the certificate are freely sold in the U.S.

A sample Certificate of Free Sale and more information on how to obtain a Certificate of Free Sale through the WTC Denver can be found on our Certificate of Free Sale page.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Unz & Co. makes available through their website a free guide to basic exporting that can help you decide your first steps into that new market. This guide can be found at www.unzco.com/basicguide or through www.export.gov. Export.gov also provides you with many more trade resources or answers to questions you may have about taking your company or product overseas.

Other valuable resources and websites can be found under our TRADE RESOURCES tab. These links will provide regional and national market information, as well as possible means for funding, international news, basic business guides, etc. The RMWTC Institute also provides many classes and seminars on international trade basics. These classes provide you the chance to learn from experienced instructors and consultants and ask any questions you may have about exporting your product. For more information on upcoming classes and seminars, please visit our EVENTS/PROGRAMS Education & Training section.

There are several legal assistance resources available to help businesses that are new to exporting:

The Department of Commerce Office of Chief Counsel for International Commerce can provide information on various legal issues of interest to U.S. exporters on their website at www.osec.doc.gov/ogc/occic.

The Export Legal Assistance Network (ELAN) is a nationwide group of attorneys with experience in international trade sponsored by the Federal Bar Association. These attorneys volunteer their time to provide initial legal consultations free of charge to small businesses interested in starting export operations. For more information on the ELAN, please visit their website at www.exportlegal.org.

The American Bar Association (ABA) publishes information on the legal aspects of doing business in specific countries, including guides to foreign law firms and law organizations. For more information on the ABA, please visit the International section of the ABA website at www.abanet.org/intnat/home.html.

A listing of Private Attorneys and Law Firms (found under the heading, Legal Services) that are currently WTC Denver members can be found on our website under the Industry Member Listing. The RMWTC Institute also provides courses on International Legal Essentials and Import Law. For more information on upcoming classes and seminars, please visit our Compliance Training index under our EVENTS/PROGRAMS Education & Training section.

To successfully export your product, you should examine foreign markets through research. The purpose is to identify marketing opportunities and constraints abroad, as well as to identify prospective buyers and customers. Market research encompasses all methods that a company can use to determine which foreign markets have the best potential for its products. Results of this research inform the firm of: the largest markets for its product, the fastest growing markets, market trends and outlook, market conditions and practices, and competitive firms and products.

If you do not have the time or means to travel to a potential market to conduct your own research, the U.S. Commercial Service provides excellent country-specific market information on their website at www.buyusa.gov/home/export.html. Depending on the country and the size and potential of their market, an exporter can find information on doing business in that country, the business culture, the import regulations, Country Commercial Guides, etc.

Often times, the best way to find market research is to actually travel to the market and research the environment and potential customers or buyers for your product. Unz & Co. provide a guide to performing Market Research and Developing a Market Plan at no charge on their website www.unzco.com/basicguide/c2.html.

The RMWTC Institute provides seminars on Basic Exporting and Developing a Winning Export Market Plan that provide exporters with information on how to perform and use market research. For more information on upcoming classes and seminars, please visit our Export Training and General World Trade index pages.

Export.gov provides a broad overview of U.S. Government export financing programs, including those that can provide working capital, export insurance, and federal grant resources. This can be found at www.export.gov/finance/exp_international_fin_home.asp. This includes information on the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Export-Import Bank.

There are also many Private Banks that will provide loans and working capital to companies looking to expand their business internationally. A listing of Financial Services, Banking and Accounting providers that are currently WTC Denver members can be found in our Member Listings by Industry index page.

The World Trade Center Denver recently announced a working relationship with Coface North America that establishes the WTC Denver as a reseller of Coface "Credit Reports" or "Credit Opinions." Normally, you can only access these reports through a yearly, quarterly or monthly contract, but WTC Denver members can buy fresh credit reports or Coface @Rating Credit Opinions on an individual basis.

Fresh Credit Reports and investigations are available worldwide for companies in over 200 countries utilizing Coface's global network and expertise to provide fresh, comprehensive information in a timely fashion. Fresh investigations include the option to submit questions, comments, or additional information to the investigator. @Rating Credit Opinions categorize companies into one of five levels of creditworthiness determined by Coface's underwriting department. Find out what credit limits Coface would accept under a credit insurance policy, without having to purchase the protection.

An export license grants permission to conduct a certain type of export transaction. It is issued by the appropriate licensing agency after a careful review of the facts surrounding the given export transaction. Not all exports require a license. In fact, a relatively small percentage of all U.S. export transactions require licenses from the U.S. government.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for licensing products for export. The specialists at BIS can also help you navigate the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to find out whether you must apply for a license and how to submit the requisite application. An excellent explanation of how to understand the Export Administration Regulations and more information on Export Compliance is available on the BIS Web site at www.bis.doc.gov/licensing/ExportingBasics.htm. BIS's Office of Exporter Services in Washington, DC, (202-482-4811) can also guide you through this process.

The RMWTC Institute also provides training focused on Export Compliance, as well as an annual two-day BIS Compliance Seminar taught by the specialists from the Bureau of Industry and Security. For more information on upcoming compliance classes and seminars, please visit our Compliance Training index under our EVENTS/PROGRAMS Education & Training section.

To obtain U.S. tariff (duty) rates for imports, check on regulations such as import quotas, or obtain general import information, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) website at www.cbp.gov and click on "Import." You should also visit the U.S. International Trade Commission website at www.usitc.gov and click on "Tariff Schedule." Local Customs offices can also be contacted for import information. A comprehensive listing of U.S. Customs offices and contacts is available on the U.S. Customs website at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/.

The RMWTC Institute also provides classes and seminars on the Basics of Importing, Intermediate Importing, Import Law, Import Valuation, and Duty Drawback. For more information on upcoming classes and seminars, please visit our Import Training index under our EVENTS/PROGRAMS Education & Training section.

When shipping a product overseas, the exporter must be aware of packing, labeling, documentation, and insurance requirements. Most exporters rely on an international freight forwarder to perform these services because of the multitude of considerations involved in physically exporting goods.

Export.gov provides information and assistance in shipping both agricultural and non-agricultural products overseas on their website www.export.gov/logistics/exp_shipping_overseas.asp. The information found there can help an exporter distinguish the documentation requirements for export shipments, explain the considerations when selecting a method of shipment, and provide insurance and foreign tax information.

Customs Brokers are the only persons who are authorized by U.S. Customs regulations to act as agents for the importers for the transaction of their Customs business. Customs brokers are private individuals or firms licensed by the Treasury Department to prepare and file the necessary Customs entries for importers, including arranging for the payment of duties found due, securing release of goods in Customs custody and otherwise representing principals in Customs matters. Many brokers help clients choose modes of transportation and appropriate carriers, provide assistance to importers in assigning shipments the best routes, assisting with estimates for landed costs, payments of goods through draft, letters of credit insurance, and re-delivery of cargo if there is more than one port of destination.

The customs broker must possess thorough knowledge of tariff schedules and Customs regulations and keep abreast of the amendments made through constant changes in the law and administrative regulations. The broker must be well-versed in determining proper classifications and dutiable value, and be fully aware of the vast number of commodities subject to quotas.

To find a list of WTC Members who can assist you with your Customs Brokerage needs, please visit our Member Listings by Industry.

To comply with export documentation and shipping requirements, many exporters utilize a freight forwarder to act as their shipping agent. The forwarder advises and assists clients on how to move goods most efficiently from one destination to another. A forwarder's extensive knowledge of documentation requirements, regulations, transportation costs and banking practices can ease the exporting process for many companies.

Whether the firm is large or small, the weight of the cargo light or heavy, the freight forwarder will take care of cargo from "dock to door" if requested to do so. This can include the correct filing of export documentation, all arrangements with carriers, packing, crating and storage needs. So, the small and medium-size exporter need not deal with many of the details involved with the logistics of exporting their goods. In addition, freight forwarders typically charge modest rates for their services and have access to shipping discounts.

A listing of Freight-Forwarders that are currently WTC Denver members can be found on our website under the Member Listings by Industry.

The World Trade Center Denver hires unpaid interns for the fall and spring semesters. The applicant should be in graduate school or in his or her senior year of undergraduate school, and studying International Trade, Economics, or Business. More information on the internship, the dates, and the application requirements can be found in our ABOUT US sub-menu in the blue navigation bar above.

The World Trade Center Denver is located in the World Trade Center buildings on the east side of downtown Denver on the corner of 16th Street and Broadway. Our address is 1625 Broadway, Suite 680 (6th floor), Denver, CO 80202. Find our location by MAPQUEST here or enter "WTC Denver, Colorado" in Google Earth (latitude=39.742488°N, longitude=104.987803°W).

The Netherlands Consulate is located in our office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 680. You must have an appointment in order to meet with the Consulate representative. For more information on the Consulate of the Netherlands, please visit their website at www.ncla.org/. The Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC) is also located in our office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 680. For more information on the JASC, please visit their website at www.jascolorado.org/.

The U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also share Suite 680 with the WTC Denver. The U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) is the federal government's office which promotes and assists businesses in exporting and financing U.S. goods and services worldwide. For more information on the USEAC, please visit their website at www.export.gov. For more information on the SBA, please visit their website at www.sba.gov.

The Colorado Tourism Website, www.colorado.com, has covered every aspect of traveling to Colorado, from things to do throughout the state, to where to stay and how to get there. They have also included available discounts and coupons on hotels and restaurants.

The Downtown Denver Partnership website, www.downtowndenver.com, provides visitors with a listing of events and attractions, areas for shopping and dining, and information on parking and hotels in Downtown Denver. From here, you can navigate to find information on different parts of downtown, from Capital Hill to Lower Downtown. You can also find information on parking and directions to our building under our CONTACT US page.

The Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.denver.org/VisitingDenver.aspx, the DMCVB is a membership-based organization dedicated to promoting and marketing the Denver Metro area as a visitor and meeting destination. Their website provides detailed information on the downtown Denver area as well as tips for getting around Denver, hotel information, lists of things to do, dining suggestions and more.