What is GEMS?
SUSTA's Global Export Market System^TM (GEMS) helps exporters identify and evaluate opportunities in foreign markets by providing key export considerations including trade statistics, currency conversions, and estimates of import tariffs and transportation rates.
GEMS provides information on:

• Trade statistics
• Import tariff rates
• Transport rates
• Foreign Exchange rates

How do I use GEMS?
Step 1: Select your tool
Step 2: Choose your product
Step 3: Select your market
Step 4: Select your location (required only for state-specific queries)
Step 5: Click SUBMIT. Your results will appear in a new window.

Tips & Tricks

• Change your search criteria at any time by clicking on any previous menu.
• The title in the middle of the results window is the most detailed - read it carefully.
• Move your mouse over the hand icon in the upper right hand corner of the results window for a detailed explanation of your results.
• Step 4 is necessary only if you are searching for trade data by state.

Why are products highlighted in the drop down menus?
In the My Product drop down menus, products are listed according to U.S. export value to the world. Dark green shading represents U.S. exports greater than $10 billion. Light green shading represents exports greater than $1 billion.

Countries Covered
GEMS includes information on all countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) identifies these regions as the best prospect export markets.

Trade Statistics
GEMS provides trade statistics at 4 levels:

1. Global - top countries importing/exporting a selected product to the world, top countries exporting to your selected country (e.g, your competitors)
2. National - U.S. exports to the world and to your selected country of interest
3. Regional - the SUSTA region compared to the other 3 regions of the U.S.
4. State - export data for each state in the SUSTA region

Regional and State trade data is tracked from the point of departure NOT the point of origin. Thus, products manufactured in Oklahoma, but shipped from Texas, will be attributed to Texas. Therefore, states with major ports may appear to have larger than expected exports in some product categories. This is a limitation of the source data.

Trade statistics are provided by and with the permission of CentradeX, Inc., Center for World Trade and Company Information. Trade data is compiled and integrated by CentradeX from official government sources and updated each year.

Import Tariff Rates
GEMS provides import tariff rate indications for 3 categories:

1. Min rate - the minimum rate normally applies on U.S. products.
2. Max rate - represents the maximum tariff rate allowed under World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements
3. Special Negotiated Rate (SNR) - a rate that is usually lower than the Min. If an icon appears in this column, move your mouse over the icon to find out the country that enjoys an SNR for your selected product. GEMS currently displays an SNR for a limited number of countries and products.

On any Import Tariff results table, move your mouse over the icon located to the left of the HS Code in order to find plain English translation for that HS code.

Tariff rates are compiled from a mix of publicly available sources including multilateral and foreign country organizations. Tariff changes, exceptions, and other charges are a normal part of trade in food and agricultural products. It is the responsibility of the exporting company to check with U.S. and foreign sources to confirm the exact rate of tariff applied to U.S. goods in each market.

Transportation Rates
The transportation rates displayed in GEMS are rate indications only and should not be considered actual quotes. The rates displayed are averages from different shipping lines serving selected trade lanes and are calculated from the base rate plus other variable charges which apply to shipment. These variable charges may include fuel surcharges, bunker charges, Panama Canal transit fees (where applicable), chassis usage charges, terminal handling charges, emergency bunker surcharges, and port or non-direct port fees.

GEMS provides ocean transport rates from 4 port zones in the U.S.: Atlantic, Miami, Gulf Coast and West Coast. Air cargo rates are provided from the major gateway cities in the U.S. The transport rate database was created specifically for the Southern United States Trade Association by the global logistics company Page & Jones, Inc.

Foreign Exchange Rates
Currency Exchange Rates are based on the daily interbank rate. Cash and credit card rates would be at least 2% to 4% higher, respectively.

Printing
Click on the printer icon in the upper right hand corner of the Results window. For best printing, set your page layout to Landscape Orientation from the printer Preferences menu.

Disclaimer
Transport rates provided on GEMS are cost indications only and should not be considered actual transport quotes.

Import tariff rates are rate indications only. Actual import tariffs may vary. Tariff changes, exceptions, and other charges are a normal part of trade in food and agricultural products. It is the responsibility of the exporting company to check with U.S. and foreign sources to confirm the exact rate of tariff applied to U.S. goods in each market.

The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) is providing information through the Internet-based GEMS software as a benefit and service in furtherance of SUSTA's nonprofit and tax-exempt status. SUSTA makes no warranties or representations about the suitability or accuracy of this information and these services for any purpose. SUSTA further disclaims any and all liability whatsoever in any information, material, or content of any external web sites or web pages that may be accessed through or linked to the SUSTA web site.

Any reference on GEMS or other pages of the SUSTA web site to any specific commercial product, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SUSTA or its employees or agents.

By using GEMS, each user agrees to abide by the copyright laws of the United States and all other applicable federal and state laws. Users may incur personal liability for any copyright violations resulting from the user's failure or refusal to abide by the terms of this disclaimer.

GEMS Development
GEMS is an initiative of the Southern United States Trade Association, developed in consultation with the state departments of agriculture from the SUSTA region and in collaboration with the Alabama International Trade Center at the University of Alabama, CentradeX, Inc. and Page and Jones, Inc.