Wire
Commerce raises fees for export and investment help
The updated schedule starts July 22 and drops older small- and midsize-business discounts. Commerce says the new pricing is meant to cover its full costs and add services tied to trade missions and market research.
For companies that lean on federal trade-promotion help, the bill is going up. In Washington, the International Trade Administration is revising the fees it charges for export and investment promotion services and events, and the new schedule takes effect July 22, 2026. That matters most for smaller businesses and other users that watch overhead closely while trying to break into new markets or court investors.
Comment deadline: rolling basis Submit comments: www.regulations.gov Effective date: July 22, 2026
A cost study behind the change
Commerce says the update is meant to line up with Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, Circular A-25, the federal guidance that tells agencies to recover the full cost of the services they provide. An independent cost study found the agency was not fully covering those costs under the current fee structure. The existing export and investment promotion schedule dates to July 1, 2018, so this is more than a routine tweak. It is a reset of how the department prices its support.
The change is not framed as a cutback in service. Instead, Commerce says the fee structure is being revised because the current one no longer matches the cost of doing the work.
More than a higher bill
The notice also says the International Trade Administration will introduce new services and programs as part of the updated menu. For businesses that use U.S. Commercial Service events, export promotion and investment outreach, that could mean more options alongside higher charges. Commerce is also seeking comments on the revised user fee schedule, the added services and other related topics as it moves toward the rollout.
Agency: U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce Docket ID: 260617-0145 CFR parts: export and investment promotion services/events Comment deadline: rolling basis Effective date: July 22, 2026 Submit comments: www.regulations.gov Contact: Mr. Carlos Ortiz • Office of Strategy & Engagement • (202) 768-0821 • 245 Main Street, Suite #630, White Plains, New York 10601