If you’re looking to expand your business into the U.S. market, finding trustworthy importers and exporters is a crucial first step. Fortunately, with the right tools and strategy, this process can be much easier than it sounds.

Step 1: Start with a Reliable U.S. Business Directory

A great starting point is Dexknows.com, one of the oldest and most trusted U.S. company directories with over a century of history. It contains detailed listings of local American businesses — perfect for preliminary research or customer profiling.

You can search in two simple ways:

（1）Browse by Category and Location

Choose your target city (for example, New York) and select the industry you want to explore.

If you pick “auto parts” in New York, the site will generate a list of relevant companies — complete with phone numbers, fax, addresses, and websites.

（2）Search by Keywords

Simply type in a product or industry keyword (e.g., “LED lighting”) and select a location like Los Angeles. You’ll instantly see a list of related companies, each with their own business details and contact information.

Clicking on a company name reveals even more — address, website, operating hours, and business type. This is a great way to compile your initial list of potential leads.

Step 2: Verify Trade Activity with Real Data

Keep in mind — not every company listed on Dexknows is engaged in import or export activities. To confirm whether they’re actually involved in global trade, you’ll need to cross-check with trade data.

That’s where Tendata comes in. Tendata offers up-to-date global import and export records that allow you to see:

·Recent purchase and shipment data

·Suppliers and buyers involved

·Products traded and their details

For example, if you find WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK, you can search the company in Tendata’s trade database to confirm its trading records. You’ll know whether it’s importing or exporting, who its partners are, and even access decision-maker contact information for outreach.

Step 3: Engage via LinkedIn

Once you’ve confirmed the company’s trading background, it’s time to connect. Head to LinkedIn and look for key contacts such as managers or procurement officers.

By following their updates, you can:

·Understand their latest business needs

·Maintain consistent relationship building

·Initiate direct communication at the right time

This combination of tools — Dexknows for discovery, Tendata for verification, and LinkedIn for engagement — helps you efficiently identify and connect with genuine U.S. importers and exporters.

Finally

Finding real trading partners is not just about data — it’s about using information strategically. With the right workflow, you can go from identifying a company to building a business relationship in just a few steps.

If you haven’t explored trade data yet, give Tendata a try and see how powerful accurate data can be in developing your international business.

🔗 Learn more: www.tendata.com