GENERAL EXPENSE ELIGIBILITY:
- All expenses must directly relate to the execution of the approved activity and category to qualify for reimbursement.
- Expenses related to travel for the approved activity must be incurred during the official activity window and must be directly related to the business purpose of the trip.
- Example: Uber/Taxi expenses to and from the airport, to and from business meetings, to and from conference or trade show location during official travel window ARE eligible
- Uber/Taxi expenses incurred during the window but un-related to the business reason for travel are NOT eligible for reimbursement.
- Uber/taxi to personal meals, meetings, activities are NOT eligible.
The IEDC retains the right to request additional information about line-item expenses included in any reimbursement request to ensure the expense falls within the eligibility guidelines.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:
International and Domestic Trade Shows or International Trade Missions
Travel Costs:
- Travel, lodging, and general reimbursement for two company employees, including round trip economy airfare on a U.S. carrier, in accordance with the Fly America Act
- Lodging costs to be reimbursed at the nightly rate set by the U.S. Department of State (international) and the U.S. General Services Administration (domestic)
- Lodging duration must match official activity window unless there is a documented explanation and exception
- Luggage Fees (expense from checking a bag at an airport)
- Parking fees
- Economy rate ground transportation for business activities surrounding conference travel (taxi, uber, lyft, etc.)
- Mileage Per Diem reimbursement at the rate of $0.70 per mile for use of personal vehicle or rental vehicle during official activity window.
- Eligible for up to two company employees.
- Requests for mileage per diem reimbursement for more than one vehicle must accompany a business justification.
- Trade Show Exhibition Costs:
- Booth space rental, design and construction
- Booth rental, booth design, electricity, carpet, furniture, shelves, tablecloths, banners
- Expenses must come from explicitly related and essential components of a successful trade show booth. Components, if reusable, must only be used for the purposes of trade show participation and export-development activities. IEDC retains the right to deny an expense that is not confirmed to have been directly relevant to the approved activity.
- Registration or Credential Expenses for two company employees
- Fees for shipping sample products
- Freight cost to ship both materials and products
- Product Translation Services
- Translation of supplemental material, including flyers, handouts, business cards
Translation for International Languages, Search Engine Optimization, and Website Globalization and Localization Services
- Translation of website into foreign languages, translated add-ons, plug-ins or updates
- Search engine optimization
- Website globalization and localization services
International Marketing Media Design
- Design, translation, production of marketing material or advertising plans to increase access and product awareness in international markets
- Brochures
- Social media platforms
- Websites
- Billboards
- Newspapers
- Posters
- Branding
- Advertising
U.S. Federal and Private Export and Commerce Support and Training Services
- U.S. Department of Commerce Services and U.S. Federal Government Trade Resources Scheduling matchmaking appointments
- Creation of market research and industry specific briefings
- Export strategy and planning consultation
- Export seminars/webinars
- Trade workshops
- Market research subscription tools
Product Compliance Testing or Certification
- Product compliance testing or certification to increase international market access
INELIGIBLE EXPENSES (include but are not limited to the following):
- Airfare not compliant with the Fly America Act
- Immunizations
- Individual meals
- Travel per diem (meals)
- Passport and visa fees
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Incidental costs
- Medical expenses
- Administrative costs
- Gifts and souvenirs
- Cellphones, cellphone charges and landline charges
- TV and radio production
- Salaries and office expenses
- Company uniforms or clothing
- Business Cards, unless translated for approved activity
- Unapproved trade activities
- New product development or alteration of existing Product
- New or augmented marketing materials and advertising campaigns to draw international visitors to a state for purposes other than meeting prospective client for export activities
- Expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials
- Travel expenses for distributors or sales representatives not employed by the business
- Any expense incurred by traveling to, selling to, or attending an activity in an adversary nation (BOLIVIA, CUBA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA, SYRIA)