What Foreign Companies Should Research Before Selling in the US — Name the state, the sales tax, and the product file before you send money

Saudi, UAE, European, and Brazilian companies often treat the United States as one shop. The states are separate markets. Before money is sent, name who will buy, in which state, at what price after that state’s sales tax, and which product file applies. This page is a plain guide to US market entry research for foreign companies. It sits on the industry insights hub. It is for consumer and industrial brands, not for medicines.

If the first company is still in Saudi Arabia, use the Saudi market-entry research page. European brands going to the Gulf are on the Europe-to-GCC market entry research page. A Dubai shelf price is a different invoice. See UAE retail research when that comparison is the point.

What to settle before you send money

• Which state. California, Texas, Florida, and New York are four catchments. A national population is the frame.
• Who pays. A household, a retailer, a hospital buyer, or a distributor. Employer counts are not that person.
• What price, after the state’s sales tax. A 5% UAE shelf price or a 15% Saudi shelf price is not a US shelf price.
• Which product file. Food has an FDA file. A covered investment has a CFIUS file. They are not the same document.

Official numbers, and what each one measures

Quote each figure with its date. Goods trade, GDP, and a programme total are different series.

• People. From 1 July 2024 to 1 July 2025 the resident population grew 1.8 million (0.5%) to 341.8 million. Net international migration was 1.3 million, from 2.7 million. Natural change was near 519,000. On 1 July 2025, California was 39,355,309, Texas 31,709,821, Florida 23,462,518, and New York 20,002,427. The release date is 27 January 2026 (U.S. Census Bureau). QuickFacts puts the 1 July 2025 population at 341,784,857, up 3.1% from an April 2020 base of 331,516,113. Employer establishments in 2023 were 8,361,342. Employer firms were 5,934,950. Nonemployer establishments in 2024 were 31,985,874. In 2020–2024, 22.3% of people spoke a language other than English at home, and 14.1% were foreign-born. Median household income in 2024 dollars was $80,734. Total retail sales in 2022 were $6,974,691,329 thousand (Census QuickFacts).
• The South. From 1 April 2020 to 1 July 2025 the United States went from 331,516,113 to 341,784,857, up 10,268,744 (3.1%). The South went from 126,281,605 to 133,833,983, up 7,552,378 (6.0%). Ages 65 and over went from 55,628,091 to 64,617,088, up 16.2%. The release date is 25 June 2026 (Census Bureau, 25 June 2026).
• GDP. BEA’s 9 April 2026 release says real GDP rose 0.5% at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, and 2.1% for 2025 from the 2024 annual level. Real GDP increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The PCE price index rose 2.6% in 2025 (Bureau of Economic Analysis, 9 April 2026). A national growth rate is not a first-state plan.
• Foreign investment. The position was $5.86 trillion at the end of 2025, up $266.0 billion, led by $182.4 billion from Europe (Germany $49.0 billion; Canada $39.2 billion). By foreign parent, Japan was $776.3 billion, the Netherlands $751.8 billion, Canada $747.3 billion, and the United Kingdom $738.3 billion. By ultimate beneficial owner, Japan was $827.1 billion, Canada $819.8 billion, and Germany $706.2 billion. Manufacturing was 42.8% ($2.51 trillion), of which chemicals were $835.9 billion. U.S. direct investment abroad was $7.14 trillion. The release date is 21 July 2026 (BEA, 21 July 2026).
• A programme total is not that position. SelectUSA says that since inception it has facilitated more than $535 billion in investment, supporting over 290,000 U.S. jobs. The page says that is a programme-facilitation total, not the BEA position (SelectUSA).

The states did not move together

The South’s population rose 6.0% from the 2020 base. The United States rose 3.1%. The four large states above are four samples. A study that draws most of its interviews from one metro area and labels the file “US” is a one-city file.

Goods trade is also country by country, in millions of dollars, not seasonally adjusted.

• Saudi Arabia. 2025 exports 14,107.7, imports 10,486.8, balance 3,620.9. 2024 exports 13,146.5, imports 12,854.5, balance 292.1 (Census Bureau).
• United Arab Emirates. 2025 exports 31,435.8, imports 7,680.2, balance 23,755.6. 2024 exports 27,025.1, imports 7,400.7, balance 19,624.5 (Census Bureau).
• Brazil. 2025 exports 54,329.2, imports 39,881.5, balance 14,447.7. 2024 exports 49,012.9, imports 42,313.9, balance 6,699.0 (Census Bureau).
• European Union. 2025 exports 412,548.3, imports 632,896.5, balance −220,348.1 (Census Bureau).
• United Kingdom. 2025 exports 97,393.8, imports 64,784.4, balance 32,609.4 (Census Bureau).
• Germany. 2025 exports 82,822.1, imports 155,827.9, balance −73,005.8 (Census Bureau).

A Country Commercial Guide is an official market and regulatory overview. It is a desktop frame, not primary demand evidence for a named product (International Trade Administration). A USTR country page is a policy frame, not a product forecast (USTR).

Tax, customs, and a product file

Corporations, including qualified personal-service corporations, figure federal income tax by multiplying taxable income by 21% (IRS Publication 542).

In South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (2018), the Supreme Court said a state may require an out-of-state seller to collect and remit sales tax where the seller has a substantial economic nexus with the state, even without a physical presence (Supreme Court, 2018). The sales-tax question is state by state.

Importers and exporters share responsibility for compliance. Partner government agencies may set commodity-specific requirements. Section 321 of the Tariff Act, as amended, authorises an administrative exemption from duty and tax for qualified imports of not more than $800 fair retail value. The customs page was last modified on 10 February 2026 (Customs and Border Protection).

For food, importers are responsible for products that are safe, sanitary, and labelled to U.S. requirements. The FDA says it is not authorised to approve, certify, license, or otherwise sanction individual food importers, products, labels, or shipments. That page is not a product file. Facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food must be registered, and prior notice of incoming shipments must be provided (FDA). Owners, operators, or agents in charge of a domestic or foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for consumption in the United States must register the facility, unless exempt under 21 CFR 1.226 (FDA).

Investment screening is not a product approval

CFIUS is an interagency committee authorised to review certain foreign investments in U.S. businesses, and certain real-estate transactions by foreign persons, for their effect on national security (U.S. Treasury). The investor guide says CFIUS reviews certain foreign-investment and real-estate transactions for national-security effect only (SelectUSA Investor Guide).

The annual report for calendar 2025, released 7 August 2026, records 347 notices and declarations of covered transactions or covered real-estate transactions. 67 percent of distinct transactions cleared in the 30-day declaration assessment or the initial 45-day notice review. Treasury launched the Known Investor Pilot Program. Mandatory filing requirements apply to certain transactions involving critical technology, critical infrastructure, and sensitive personal data (Treasury, 7 August 2026). A clearance percentage is not a demand figure. Do not write “CFIUS approved the SKU.” A standard goods sale is a different question from a covered investment.

ISO 20252:2026 is the service-requirements standard for market research (ISO). The Market Research Society says certification to the 2026 standard is mandatory from September 2029, replacing the 2019 edition (Market Research Society). The ICC/ESOMAR code is the 2025 code (ICC/ESOMAR).

Questions to ask any research firm

Ask every firm, including BioNixus, to answer these in writing before you sign.

1. Which state is the first sample, and which city?
2. Which sales-tax rule is on the price card?
3. Is the product a food that needs facility registration and prior notice, or something else?
4. Is any part of the deal a covered investment, or is it a standard goods sale?
5. What is guaranteed: the work you will deliver, or the findings?
6. Which Census or BEA series will you quote, and what is its date?

How to brief BioNixus

BioNixus is a primary market research firm, founded in 2012. It has worked with 118 clients in 48 countries and has run 127 studies so far in 2026. Custom studies are priced from $10,000 to $60,000. Forty client reviews sit on the firm’s public profiles. The line “Guaranteed in writing” covers the agreed scope, timing, and deliverables. It does not cover what the research will find. Respondents who do not qualify are replaced at no charge.

Leadership offices are in Sheridan, Wyoming, London, and Sheikh Zayed, Giza. Field offices are in Dubai, Al Khobar, and Salmiya, Kuwait. São Paulo is a field office for LATAM. Latin America is covered today from the US office with a local consultant network.

To brief a study, use the contact form or email admin@bionixus.com. In the United States call +1-888-465-5557. In the United Kingdom call +44 7727 666682. In Saudi Arabia call the Al Khobar field office on +966 50 182 5336.

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Population Growth Slows Due to Historic Decline in Net International Migration. Vintage 2025 estimates, released 27 January 2026. Resident population grew 1.8 million (0.5%) from 1 July 2024 to 1 July 2025 to 341.8 million. Net international migration 1.3 million (from 2.7 million). Natural change near 519,000. California 39,355,309; Texas 31,709,821; Florida 23,462,518; New York 20,002,427 on 1 July 2025. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
2. U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: United States. Population estimates, 1 July 2025 (V2025) 341,784,857; April 1, 2020 estimates base 331,516,113; +3.1% from the 2020 base. Total employer establishments 2023: 8,361,342. All employer firms, 2023: 5,934,950. Total nonemployer establishments 2024: 31,985,874. Language other than English at home, 2020–2024: 22.3%. Foreign-born persons, 2020–2024: 14.1%. Median household income (2024 dollars), 2020–2024: $80,734. Total retail sales 2022: $6,974,691,329 thousand. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
3. U.S. Census Bureau. Populations in All Age Groups Growing in the South, Driven by Outlying Counties in Metro Areas. Released 25 June 2026. Vintage 2025: United States 331,516,113 (1 April 2020) to 341,784,857 (1 July 2025), +10,268,744 (3.1%). South 126,281,605 to 133,833,983, +7,552,378 (6.0%). Ages 65+ 55,628,091 to 64,617,088 (+16.2%). Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
4. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. GDP (Third Estimate), Industries, Corporate Profits, State GDP, and State Personal Income, 4th Quarter and Year 2025. Released 9 April 2026. Real GDP +0.5% SAAR in 2025:Q4; +2.1% for 2025 from the 2024 annual level. Real GDP increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2025. PCE price index +2.6% in 2025. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
5. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Direct Investment by Country and Industry, 2025. Released 21 July 2026. Foreign direct investment in the United States position $5.86 trillion at end-2025, +$266.0 billion, led by +$182.4 billion from Europe (Germany +$49.0 billion; Canada +$39.2 billion). By foreign parent: Japan $776.3 billion, Netherlands $751.8 billion, Canada $747.3 billion, United Kingdom $738.3 billion. By UBO: Japan $827.1 billion, Canada $819.8 billion, Germany $706.2 billion. Manufacturing 42.8% ($2.51 trillion), of which chemicals $835.9 billion. U.S. direct investment abroad $7.14 trillion. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
6. International Trade Administration / SelectUSA. SelectUSA program page. SelectUSA is the U.S. Department of Commerce program that facilitates job-creating business investment into the United States. The page states that since inception SelectUSA has facilitated more than $535 billion in investment, supporting over 290,000 U.S. jobs. That is a program-facilitation total, not the BEA FDI position. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
7. International Trade Administration / SelectUSA. SelectUSA Investor Guide. First-step resource for companies exploring business investment in the United States, including chapters on FDI restrictions and CFIUS. CFIUS reviews certain foreign-investment and real-estate transactions for national-security effect only. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
8. International Trade Administration. Country Commercial Guides. Official U.S. government market and regulatory overviews used as a desktop frame, not as primary demand evidence for a named SKU. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
9. Office of the United States Trade Representative. Countries and regions. Official U.S. trade-policy pages for Europe, the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere. A USTR country page is a policy frame, not a SKU forecast. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
10. U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with Saudi Arabia. Not seasonally adjusted, millions of U.S. dollars. 2025 total: exports 14,107.7; imports 10,486.8; balance 3,620.9. 2024 total: exports 13,146.5; imports 12,854.5; balance 292.1. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
11. U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with United Arab Emirates. Not seasonally adjusted, millions of U.S. dollars. 2025 total: exports 31,435.8; imports 7,680.2; balance 23,755.6. 2024 total: exports 27,025.1; imports 7,400.7; balance 19,624.5. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
12. U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with Brazil. Not seasonally adjusted, millions of U.S. dollars. 2025 total: exports 54,329.2; imports 39,881.5; balance 14,447.7. 2024 total: exports 49,012.9; imports 42,313.9; balance 6,699.0. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
13. U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with European Union. Not seasonally adjusted, millions of U.S. dollars. 2025 total: exports 412,548.3; imports 632,896.5; balance −220,348.1. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
14. U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with United Kingdom. Not seasonally adjusted, millions of U.S. dollars. 2025 total: exports 97,393.8; imports 64,784.4; balance 32,609.4. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
15. U.S. Census Bureau. Trade in Goods with Germany. Not seasonally adjusted, millions of U.S. dollars. 2025 total: exports 82,822.1; imports 155,827.9; balance −73,005.8. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
16. U.S. Department of the Treasury. Treasury Releases CFIUS Annual Report for 2025. Released 7 August 2026. Calendar year 2025: 347 notices and declarations of covered transactions or covered real estate transactions; 67 percent of distinct transactions cleared in the 30-day declaration assessment or the initial 45-day notice review. Treasury launched the Known Investor Pilot Program. Mandatory filing requirements apply to certain transactions involving critical technology, critical infrastructure and sensitive personal data. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
17. U.S. Department of the Treasury. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment into U.S. businesses and certain real-estate transactions by foreign persons for their effect on U.S. national security. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
18. Internal Revenue Service. Publication 542 (01/2024), Corporations. Corporations, including qualified personal service corporations, figure their tax by multiplying taxable income by 21% (0.21). Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
19. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Importing Food Products into the United States. Importers are responsible for ensuring that food products are safe, sanitary and labeled to U.S. requirements. FDA is not authorized to approve, certify, license or otherwise sanction individual food importers, products, labels or shipments. Facilities that produce, store or handle the products must be registered, and prior notice of incoming shipments must be provided. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
20. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Registration and Listing. Owners, operators or agents in charge of a domestic or foreign facility that manufactures/processes, packs or holds food for human or animal consumption in the United States must register the facility with FDA, unless exempt under 21 CFR 1.226. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
21. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Basic Importing and Exporting. Last modified 10 February 2026. Importers and exporters share responsibility for compliance. Partner Government Agencies may set commodity-specific requirements. Section 321(a)(2)(C) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, authorizes an administrative exemption from duty and tax for qualified imports of not more than $800 fair retail value (de minimis entry). Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
22. Supreme Court of the United States. South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., 585 U.S. 162 (2018). A state may require an out-of-state seller to collect and remit sales tax where the seller has a substantial economic nexus with the state, even without a physical presence. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
23. ISO. ISO 20252:2026, Market, opinion and social research, including insights and data analytics — Vocabulary and service requirements. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
24. Market Research Society. Quality standards: ISO 20252:2026 replaces ISO 20252:2019; certification to the 2026 standard mandatory from September 2029. Source (accessed 17 October 2026).
25. ICC / ESOMAR. International Code on Market, Opinion and Social Research and Data Analytics (2025). Source (accessed 17 October 2026).