Official Site of The State of New Jersey

NCBFAA VETERANS to TRADE (V2T) PROGRAM
Veterans to Trade (V2T) is a National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America Education Institute (NEI) program. The Program is designed for veterans who want to switch their career within the cross-border trade industry, this program is for active military as well.

The V2T program is an educational pathway to achieve credentialing and certification in customs and export specialties. The goal is to support veterans (and active military) looking to begin or advance a career in the international trade community by providing industry-focused training.  Certification courses available in Certified Customs Specialist and Certified Export Specialist.  Click here for more information.

ADVANCING U.S. GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN AI
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the implementation of the American AI Exports Program, designed to help American companies expand the export of artificial intelligence (AI) products and services. Underscoring the importance of maintaining leadership in AI, this program will provide resources and guidance to businesses navigating international markets, with an emphasis on compliance, best practices, and promoting ethical AI standards abroad.

To help shape the program, and ensure that policy outcomes meet your industry’s needs, the Federal Register has published a Request for Information (RFI) form. Comments are due by December 13, 2025.

To learn more about it, please visit: https://www.AIexports.gov

WHERE IS THE NEXT STEP GRANT?
Currently, it is nowhere. The beginning of the government shutdown was timed with the beginning of the Fiscal Year 2025 Grant (STEP 13).  This has caused a few, obvious, delays in awarding entities (states and territories) any amount of money for the STEP 13 Grant cycle. 

We do not have an estimated time of when and how much has been set aside for STEP, nor do we have an idea of how much we may be awarded, keep in mind, we could be awarded $0 for this year.  

More recently, the budget has had $20 Million allotted in the Federal Budget for STEP to cover over 50 different entities.  The entire amount is split among the entities based on applications submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration in July.  Notifications are usually sent to each entity around mid-August to early September.  Due to the government not having an approved budget, there has not been an award in STEP for New Jersey, (or any other entity).

Once we have more information, we will share it with you at our earliest convenience. 

NEW JERSEY STEP GRADUATION POLICY
The NJ State Trade Expansion Program is designed to provide companies with support aimed at achieving self-sufficiency and long-term success in exporting. The program's graduation policy, mandated by the U.S, Small Business Administration (SBA), states participants are to graduate upon meeting specific criteria, which is: receiving an overall total of $50,000.00 in awards and / or in the program for five (5) years, whichever comes first.

This signifies the company has begun to establish a foundation in exporting and is prepared to maintain and build their independence without ongoing STEP support. Upon graduation, you may think you are no longer able to work with the Office of Export Promotion, but, that is the furthest from the truth, we welcome all companies to continue to access follow-up with us for additional resources and networking, such as OEP or BAC hosted webinars, networking events, referral networks, and work with all of the Business Action Center offices, to ensure sustained success beyond the program's structure.

What is "Success" to You?
Is it seeing your firm's consumer packaged goods on the shelves of a British store? Perhaps, it is entering the United Arab Emirates with a breakthrough cosmetic? Or, it might be selling your firm's AI-powered consulting services in Japan.
 
Whichever country, or language, spells "Success" to you, the Office of Export Promotion is your go-to resource. Send an email to William Spear, Manager of the New Jersey Office, at william.spear@sos.nj.gov.
 
Let’s talk about what your “Success” will be.

Have an Export-Related Need? NJBAC Office of Export Promotion Can Help.
The Office of Export Promotion works with New Jersey’s small and mid-sized companies interested in expanding sales and their customer base for their products and services through export. Companies interested in global business activity can tap into a number of resources on business export planning available through the NJBAC Export Promotion unit.

Have a Business Need? NJBAC Can Help.
The NJBAC offers no-cost technical assistance, training, and problem-solving. From site selection and incentive identification to one-off questions, the NJBAC is here to support all NJ businesses. In addition to the Office of Export Promotion, NJBAC is home to the Office of Small Business Advocacy, Office of Business Advocacy, and the Office of Planning Advocacy. The NJBAC offers free online chat and telephone (800-537-7397) assistance in English and Spanish to any New Jersey business. The NJBAC Small Business Manual, a one-stop tool for many business concerns, is available online. A Spanish version of the manual is also available for download. A print copy in both versions is available on request.

Please feel free to share the information in this email with other NJ companies interested in exporting.

Please note we will be sending out these OEP Updates emails typically once a month. If there is a topic you would like us to address, please tell us. If you would rather not receive these emails, let us know and we will remove you from our list.

Best Regards,

The Office of Export Promotion Team
William E. Spear Jr., Manager, NJBAC Office of Export Promotion
Marielle Wolf, NJSTEP Project Director and International Business Advocate
Jean Chang, International Business Advocate
Sophie Werner, International Business Advocate