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<font color=maroon> 
International Affairs and Matters of State

</font>



<p> <a name="customs">
<br> </a>

<font size="4"><b>Have a question about import duties? </b> </font> <br>
<font size="5">
Find out more about overseas CUSTOMS: </font> 

<font size="2">
<br>  <br>
<DT><A HREF="http://www.embassy.org/embassies/index.html">
The Electronic Embassy</A> 
<DD>Contact DC's diplomats. <br><b>
Start here, to find official guidance regarding residence requirements, 
import duties, etc. for countries outside to the USA.</b> <br><br>
Also check out their other site: 
<a href="http://embassy.countrywatch.com">
countrywatch.com </a> for valuable information about each country.
 
Also see: 
[Links to: <a href="http://www.wcoomd.org/app/customswebsites.jsp">world customs organizations</a>]  
[Sefco's <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/informal-advice.htm">informal customs guidance</a>]  
 [Our <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/informal-advice.htm#selfservicetools">self-service tools</a>] 
[Guides: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/customs-index.htm">customs-index</a>] 
[Coming into the US? Read our <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/safeandsound.htm#alphachb">customs broker advisories</a>]
 [Find some links to our overseas agents <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/agents.htm">here</a>]
 [Some general business links related to international trade can be found <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/business.htm">here</a>]

<br> <a name="uspsintl"></a>  <br>
<DT><A HREF="http://www.usps.com/global/customs.htm">
U.S. Postal Service</A>  - International Mail<br>Be prepared to pass your mail or packages through customs. 
<DD> Listed here are a few helpful forms and general information you will need to know before you send mail to another country.
International mail is subject to customs examination in the destination country. The contents and value of an item must be declared on the applicable customs form. 

<br>  <br>
<DT><A HREF="http://usembassy.state.gov/">
U.S. Embassies and Consulates</A> 
<DD>Worldwide listing: <A HREF="http://usembassy.state.gov">http://usembassy.state.gov</a>

<br> Seach "Google's" online database for: 
<a href="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=Embassies+in+Washington%2C+DC"> 
Embassies in Washington, DC </a>
<br>  <br>



<DT>U.K. <A HREF="http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390554">
Foreign & Commonwealth Office</a>
<DD>King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH
<br> 
<br> 


<DT>U.S. Info - <A HREF="http://usinfo.state.gov/products/washfile/">
Washington File</a> - <A HREF="http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm">Electronic Journals</a>
<DD>International Information Programs, US Dept. of State<br><a href="http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html">Electronic Subscriptions</a> and RSS Feeds  
<br>Free U.S. Government <a href="#email-lists">e-Mail Newsletters</a>
<br>
<br> 
<br> <img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/whitehouselamp.jpg" alt="the lamp is light"><br>
<font size="2">White House front door </font>
 <br> 
<br>
<DT>
<A HREF="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/">Executive Branch - White House News and Policy</a>
<DD>Bush Administration USG info

<br> 
<br> 

<DT><A HREF="http://travel.state.gov">Bureau of Consular Affairs</A>, US Dept. of State 
<DD>International travel 
information <br>
<a href="http://www.state.gov/travel/">Travel and Living Abroad</a>
<br> 
<br>  
<DT><A HREF="http://exchanges.state.gov">
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs</A> (ECA), 
US Dept. of State 
<DD>Fosters mutual understanding between 
the United States and other countries through 
international educational and training programs.<br>
Overseas <a href="http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/c1684.htm">American Schools</a>
<br> 
<br>  
  
<DT><A HREF="http://foia.state.gov/mms/KOH/keyofficers.asp">Key Officers of US 
Foreign Service Posts</A><DD>Guide for Business 
Representatives 
<br> 
<br>
<DT><A HREF="http://www1.usatrade.gov/website/website.nsf">
US Department of Commerce
</A><DD>Export Assistance Centers

<br> 
<br>


<DT><A HREF="http://www.state.gov">US Department 
of State</A> <DD>Official home page. Access US Embassies abroad, for help regarding exporting 
American products into a foreign market (direct 
your inquiry to a commercial officer) 
or for other help and guidance. 
<br> <br> 
<br> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/library-of-congress.jpg">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/library-of-congress1.jpg" alt="The Library of Congress at dusk" border="0">
</a>
<br>
<font size="2">click the photo to see larger view (LOC viewed from Supreme Court front steps) </font>
 <br><br>

<DT><a href="http://www.loc.gov">
Library of Congress</a> (LOC) 
<DD>American Memory, US History and Culture.<br><a href="http://thomas.loc.gov">Thomas</a> - US Congress legislative information 


<br> <br> 
<DT><a href="http://www.state.gov/e/eb/cba/">
Commercial and Business Affairs </a>
<DD>The CBA coordinates State Department advocacy on behalf of 
American businesses and offers problem-solving assistance
 in opening markets, leveling the playing field, and resolving 
trade and investment disputes.

<br>
<br>

<DT> <a href="http://hostings.diplomacy.edu/baldi/mofa.htm"> 
Ministries of Foreign Affairs (A) </a><DD>
Global online listings, compiled by Stefano Baldi <P> 
<DT>
<a href="http://www.le.ac.uk/csd/dsp/mfas.html">
 Ministries of Foreign Affairs online (B) </a> 
<DD> By the Centre for the Study of Diplomacy 
(<a href="http://www.le.ac.uk/csd/index.html">CSD</a>)
<br> <br> 

<DT><A HREF="http://geography.state.gov/index.html">
U.S. Dept. of State's Geographic Learning Site</A> 
<DD>Office of the Geographer and Global Issues 
<br> 
<br> 
<br> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/gates2.jpg">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/gates3.jpg" alt="Gateway to the West Wing, White House" border="0">
</a>
<br>
<font size="2">click the photo to see larger view (West Wing gate) </font>
 <br><br>


<DT><A HREF="http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/statemag/">
State Magazine</A> <DD>US State Department 
related news and features <br>

Special feature - Bureau of Diplomatic Security:<br>
<a href="http://www.rewardsforjustice.net">
www.rewardsforjustice.net</a><br>

 &nbsp; Principally for Audiences outside the US: 
 <a href="http://usinfo.state.gov">
http://usinfo.state.gov</a> <br>
American Corners: <a href="http://www.amcorners.ru">In Russia</a> &nbsp; 
 <br>
Persian website: 
<a href="http://persian.usinfo.state.gov">
http://persian.usinfo.state.gov</a><br>
Reaching out to Arab Youth: <a href="http://www.himag.com">www.himag.com</a>
<br>
Public-Private Partnership: <a href="http://www.globaltechcorps.org/info.html">www.globaltechcorps.org</a>
<br><a href="http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm">Electronic Journals</a>
 &nbsp; 
<a href="http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/">Information USA</a>
<br> 
<br> 
<DT><a href="http://travel.state.gov/vital_records_services.html">
Vital Records Services </a>
<DD>US State Dept.
<br> <br>

<DT><a href="http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/">Office of Authentications</a>
<DD>
"The DOS is responsible for providing 
authentication service to U.S. citizens 
and foreign nationals on all documents that will be used overseas. 
Types of documents include corporate documents such as company bylaws 
and articles of incorporation, power of attorney, patent applications 
and trademarks, diplomas, transcripts, letters relating to degrees, 
non-marital status, references and job certifications, home studies, 
deeds of assignments, distributorship agreements, papers for adoption 
purposes, etc." <br> <a name="bciuorg"></a> <br>
<DT><a href="http://www.bciu.org">
BCIU</a> Business Council for International Understanding 
(<a href="http://www.bciu.org/links/links_of_interest.htm">links</a>)
<DD>Promoting commerce through partnerships in business and diplomacy<br><br>
 &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp; <font color="#000000">[To access more of Sefco's "Business and Commerce" courtesy links: <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/business.htm">click here</a>]</font>
<br> <br>

<DT><a href="http://clerkweb.house.gov/members/index.php">
Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives</a>
<DD>
Member Information
<br> <br>

<DT><a href="http://www.ned.org/sitemap.html">
NED-National Endowment for Democracy</a>
<DD>Site map for the world<br><br>





<DT><A HREF="http://www.undp.org/toppages/unsys/index.html">
UN System</A>
<DD>Permanent Missions [<a href="http://www.un.int/index-en/webs.html">click here</a>], NGOs, bookmarks & home<br><a href="http://www.un.org/search/">
SEARCH </a>the UN database. 


 <p>

<DT><a href="http://www.revenue.ie/links/linksgov.htm">
Foreign Government finance links </a>
<DD>Various Ministries of Finance and Customs around the world 
(provided by the Government of Ireland) 

 <p>

<DT><a href="http://www.fsmgov.org/fsmun/orglink.html">
UN System links </a>
<DD>Courtesy of The Federated States of 
Micronesia (UN). <br>For more UN links, go to <a href="http://www.c-fam.org/UN/un.htm">
c-fam.org
</a> 

<br>
 <br>
<DT><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=righteous+diplomats">Righteous Diplomats</a>
<DD>Part of a touring exhibit, visiting the UN and elsewhere. 
<br><br> 
<br> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/1600.jpg">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/1600a.jpg" alt="1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" border="0">
</a>
<br>
<font size="2">click the photo to see larger view (N-E corner, Penn Ave & 17th Street)<br>
see map: <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/map.html">here</a></font>
 <br><br>


<DT><A HREF="http://foia.state.gov">
US Dept. of State Freedom of Information Act 
reading room</A> <DD>Provides access to foreign 
affairs manuals and related documents.
 <br> <br> 




<DT>FAA - US <a href="http://www2.faa.gov/">Federal Aviation Administration</a>
<DD> Are you prepared for takeoff? <br>
TSA <a href="http://129.33.119.130/public/theme_home1.jsp">
Security tips for travelers</a> 
- Freedom of Movement 
<br>
CAA - UK <a href="http://www.caa.co.uk/">Civil Aviation Authority</a>




 <br> <br> 




<DT>FDA - <a href="http://www.fda.gov/foi/electrr.htm">
Food and Drug Administration </a>
<DD> FOIA reading room 
<br><br>
<DT>BXA - <a href="http://www.bxa.doc.gov">
Bureau of Export Administration</a>
<DD>
Federal resources for <a href="http://www.bxa.doc.gov/reslinks.htm">
export promotion and control.</a> 
<br><br>


<DT>US Census Bureau: Correct way to fill out the 
<a href="http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/correct.way.html">
SED</a> 
<DD>Shippers Export Declaration -  Required for US export shipments valued at over US $2500.
Download form <a href="http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/forms/index.html">
7525-V</a> <br> <a href="http://www.aesdirect.gov/">E-file</a> your ExDec.
<br>
<br> 
Learn more about export shipment & documentation. <br>
Read: "<a href="http://www.exporter.com/aboutus.asp?hotpage=4">Capture the flag</a>".
<br>
<a name="uscustoms">
<br></a>
<a href="http://www.usda.gov">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/fmd.jpg" align="right" alt="US Dept of Agriculture" border="0"> </a>

<DT><A HREF="http://www.customs.gov">
US Customs</A> 
<DD>Official web site 

<br> 
<br> 
<DT> <a href="http://www.usda.gov">
USDA</a><DD>Remember to declare <font color="#5D478B">
<b>any</b> </font>overseas visits to farms or contact with livestock. 
Entrants to the US should remember to declare <font color="#5D478B">
<b>all</b></font> food and agricultural items in your possession on your Customs form. 

<br> 
<br> 
<DT>General Accounting Office - <A HREF="http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces160.shtml"> GAO reports </a>
<DD>
Connect to databases online via GPO Access. <br>
"<A HREF="http://www.access.gpo.gov">Keeping America informed</a>" electronically. 

<br><br>

<DT><A HREF="http://www.acronymfinder.com/">
Acronym Finder</A> 
<DD>Database with over 62,000 acronyms and 
abbreviations concerning computers, technology, 
telecommunications and the military, as well as 
their meanings. <br> <br> 
<DT><A HREF="http://www.broadcast.com/events/usstate">
State's audio feed</A> <DD>Daily press briefings 
<br> 
<br> 
<DT><A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3076">
US Government links page</A> <DD>Links to the 
executive departments, agencies, armed forces, US Congress, Library of Congress, US courts and 
state governments <br> <a name="state"></a><br> 
<DT><a href="http://www.aafsw.org">
Foreign Service Lifelines</a> 
<DD>Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide. Features articles written by members of the foreign service community. <br> 

<br> 
<br> <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/state-c.jpg">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/state-c1.jpg" alt="C Street entrance, US Dept. of State" border="0">
</a>
<br>
<font size="2">click the photo to see larger view ("Main State")  <br>
or {<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/stateroofview2.jpg">click here</a>} for a rooftop view</font>
 <br><br><a name="afsa"></a><br><br>
<br>
<DT><a href="http://www.state.gov/s/p/of/">
The Secretary's Open Forum </a>
<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/expat.htm#exlibrus">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/usembassybook9d.jpg" align="right" alt="Ex Librus - From the Library of..." border="0"></a>

<DD> Inside the US Dept. of State, contrasting opinions, new and alternative views can co-exist. Since 1967, the forum provides a venue for discussing strategies that serve America's national interest.<br>
<br><br> 

<DT><A HREF="http://www.afsa.org">
American Foreign Service Association</A> 
<DD>Become a <em>
<A HREF="http://www.afsa.org/FriendsBulletin.cfm">Friend of Foreign Service</a> </em>
<br>Access websites concerning <br>
the <a href="http://www.afsa.org/related.cfm">Foreign Affairs community</a>. <a name="exlibrus"> </a>
<br>&nbsp;  &nbsp; <font color="#000000"><b>Ex Librus...</b></font><br>
Read AFSA publications, such as <br>"<a href="http://www.afsa.org/inside/index.cfm">Inside a US Embassy</a>." <br>
[book photo, captioned at right]
<BR> &nbsp;  &nbsp; <font color="#000000">
<b>Expats...</b></font>  [<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/expat.htm#publ">featured publications</a>]
  <br>
 &nbsp;  &nbsp; Foreign Service<br>

 &nbsp;  &nbsp; <font color="#000000">
<b>Authors...</b></font>  
[<a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/expat.htm#exlibrus">featured articles</a>]
  
<BR><br>
<br>
<br>
<dt><a href="http://library.uncg.edu/depts/docs/international/embassy.html">
International Governments </a><br>
There are 191 countries in the world, 
and the United States maintains diplomatic relations with some 180 of them.
<dd><a href="http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/Defense.shtml#vgn-immigration-and-citizenship-vgn">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/firstgov.gif" alt="US in the World; Defence, Trade, Immigration, Aid" border="0"> 
</a><br>Have questions for the US Government? Try FirstGov's 
<a href="http://answers.firstgov.gov/cgi-bin/gsa_ict.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=KTOOiSBh">FAQ's and Answers</a><br>
<br>
<br> 
<DT>
<a href="http://www.fvap.gov/index.html">Federal Voting Assistance Program 
</a>
<DD> This web site provides information to US citizens 
covered by the Uniformed and 
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). 
<a name="service"> </a> 
<br>
<br> 
<br> 
<DT>
Security issues: Read the report <br>
<a href="http://www.9-11commission.gov">9-11commission.gov</a>
<DD>Import/Export 
<A HREF="http://www.sefco-export.com/security1.htm">safety considerations</a> <br>
Featured images: <A HREF="http://www.sefco-export.com/issues1.htm">public diplomacy</A> gallery. 
<br>Work for a safer, more secure and harmonious world. <a name="flag"></a><br>
Remembering <a href="http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/veterans.htm">Veterans on 11-11</a> - Get your free 
<a href="http://americanflags.com/featuredflag.htm">American flag</a>
<br><a href="http://www.freedom.gov">www.freedom.gov</a> &nbsp; 
 <a href="http://www.defendamerica.mil">www.defendamerica.mil</a> 

<br><br> <br>NGO <a href="http://www.sefco-export.com/philanthropy.htm">philanthropic links</a> - disaster relief - <b>how to help</b><BR><br>
<A HREF="http://www.sefco-export.com/issues1.htm">
<img src="http://www.sefco-export.com/cap2a.jpg" border="0">
</a> <br><font size="2"> US Capitol, as seen from the Supreme Court</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>

<dt><a href="http://www.fmcs.gov/internet/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=26&itemID=15898">
Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service </a><br>
International Dispute Resolution Services <br>
<dd><a href="http://www.fmcs.gov">
FMCS</a> has a broad mandate -- part of which includes providing a variety of conflict management services to foreign nations. 

<br><a name="email-lists"></a>
<br>
<br>

<dt><a href="http://contacts.gsa.gov/listgov.nsf/FirstGovEmailListDistribution">
Free U.S. Government e-Mail Newsletters</a>
<dd><a href="http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/aboutus.htm">Federal Citizen Information Center</a><br>
  Office of Citizen Services and Communications, U.S. General Services Administration<br>
All Government Services, Business and Finance, Defense, Education, Employment and Benefits, Environment and Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, 
Health, Safety and Consumer Protection, Taxes, Travel <br> 

<br>
</DL> </font>
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