General Expense Eligibility:

1. All expenses must directly relate to the execution of the approved activity and category to qualify for reimbursement.
2. Expenses related to travel for the approved activity must be incurred during the official activity window and must be directly related to the business purpose of the trip.

• Example: Uber/Taxi expenses to and from the airport, to and from business meetings, to and from conference or trade show location during official travel window ARE eligible
• Uber/Taxi expenses incurred during the window but un-related to the business reason for travel are NOT eligible for reimbursement. 
  • Uber/taxi to personal meals, meetings, activities are NOT eligible.

The IEDC retains the right to request additional information about line-item expenses included in any reimbursement request to ensure the expense falls within the eligibility guidelines. 

Eligible Expenses:

 International and Domestic Trade Shows or International Trade Missions:

Travel Costs:

• Travel, lodging, and general reimbursement for two company employees, including round trip economy airfare on a U.S. carrier, in accordance with the Fly America Act
• Lodging costs to be reimbursed at the nightly rate set by the U.S. Department of State (international) and the U.S. General Services Administration (domestic)
  • Lodging duration must match official activity window unless there is a documented explanation and exception
• Luggage Fees (expense from checking a bag at an airport)
• Parking fees
• Economy rate ground transportation for business activities surrounding conference travel (taxi, uber, lyft, etc.)
• Mileage Per Diem reimbursement at the rate of $0.70 per mile for use of personal vehicle or rental vehicle during official activity window. 
  • Eligible for up to two company employees. 
  • Requests for mileage per diem reimbursement for more than one vehicle must accompany a business justification.

  Trade Show Exhibition Costs:

  • Booth space rental, design and construction
  • Booth rental, booth design, electricity, carpet, furniture, shelves, tablecloths, banners
  • Expenses must come from explicitly related and essential components of a successful trade show booth. Components, if reusable, must only be used for the purposes of trade show participation and export-development activities. IEDC retains the right to deny an expense that is not confirmed to have been directly relevant to the approved activity.
• Registration or Credential Expenses for two company employees
• Fees for shipping sample products
• Freight cost to ship both materials and products
• Product Translation Services
• Translation of supplemental material, including flyers, handouts, business cards

Translation for International Languages, Search Engine Optimization, and Website Globalization and Localization Services

• Translation of website into foreign languages, translated add-ons, plug-ins or updates
• Search engine optimization
• Website globalization and localization services

International Marketing Media Design

• Design, translation, production of marketing material or advertising plans to increase access and product awareness in international markets 
• Brochures
• Social media platforms
• Websites
• Billboards
• Newspapers
• Posters
• Branding
• Advertising.

U.S. Federal and Private Export and Commerce Support and Training Services

• U.S. Department of Commerce Services and U.S. Federal Government Trade Resources Scheduling matchmaking appointments
• Creation of market research and industry specific briefings
• Export strategy and planning consultation
• Export seminars/webinars
• Trade workshops
• Market research subscription tools

Product Compliance Testing or Certification

• Product compliance testing or certification to increase international market access

Ineligible Expenses (includes but are not limited to the following):

• Airfare not compliant with the Fly America Act
• Immunizations
• Individual meals
• Travel per diem (meals)
• Passport and visa fees
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Incidental costs
• Medical expenses
• Administrative costs
• Gifts and souvenirs
• Cellphones, cellphone charges and landline charges
• TV and radio production
• Salaries and office expenses
• Company uniforms or clothing
• Business Cards, unless translated for approved activity
• Unapproved trade activities
• New product development or alteration of existing Product
• New or augmented marketing materials and advertising campaigns to draw international visitors to a state for purposes other than meeting prospective client for export activities 
• Expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials
• Travel expenses for distributors or sales representatives not employed by the business
• Any expense incurred by traveling to, selling to, or attending an activity in an adversary nation (BOLIVIA, CUBA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA, SYRIA)

Funded in part through
a grant with the U.S. Small
Business Administration.