Flying Business Class

Q: I like to fly business class when I travel internationally. Can I be reimbursed for the cost of my business class airline ticket when traveling on an activity for which I will request Branded reimbursement?

A: When requesting reimbursement for travel to an international trade show or approved trade mission, travelers must fly on a U.S. carrier leaving from the states and returning to the states. Travelers will be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of a full fare coach/economy class ticket. Therefore, business or first class travelers must submit a quotation of the coach/economy class fare. The quote must be obtained around the same date the business or first class ticket was purchased. The quote cannot be submitted after the trip takes place.

Oh, No! I Forgot a Photo!

Q: I forgot to take a photograph of my booth at a trade show, and now I need proof of performance to be reimbursed for the activity. Is there any way I can still meet the Branded proof of performance requirements and receive funds for the show?

A: Companies are required to submit a photograph of the products displayed in the booth at the trade show. Photos must also clearly show the required U.S. origin identification. Therefore, it is important the Branded Department has photographs when reviewing expenses because of the following:

• Many times companies are listed in the trade show catalog or an empty booth is present at the show, but the company decided not to exhibit after all.
• A company may be promoting brands or products that are not listed in their approved Branded application. When this occurs, expenses must be prorated.

Travel Notification Forms

Q: Where do I send the Travel Notification Form prior to my activity?

A: In order to receive Branded reimbursement for an activity, the Travel Notification Form must be sent to the appropriate Foreign Agricultural Service post prior to travel. The Foreign Agricultural Service overseas offices can be found using the following link:
www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/fasfield/ovs_directory_search.asp

Printed Sales Materials

Q: I do not have any printed sales materials available in other languages, and I have Branded activities scheduled for markets where I do not speak the language. Can I create new materials for these upcoming promotions and request Branded reimbursement?

A: A company can be reimbursed for printed sales materials for the markets approved in their Branded application. All promotional materials in a foreign language must show an English translation. Therefore, a company should submit the English version of the materials along with the foreign printed sales materials. If a company has not submitted a Branded application and been approved for a certain market, an Activity Plan Amendment Request (APAR) form must be completed and approved by the Branded Department before the promotional activity takes place.

Company from Another Region

Q: My company is based in California. Can we apply for funding with SUSTA?

A: A company from another region must contact the State Regional Trade Group (SRTG) that covers the state where their company is located (in the case of California, this is WUSATA). Four SRTGs work with small agribusinesses in different regions of the United States (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West). If the SRTG in your region is unable to assist you with funding, you may apply for funds through SUSTA.

New Company

Q: My company is new, and does not have a brand or the required yearly sales for MAP Branded yet. Can you assist my company?

A: A company is eligible for the Branded program if the following requirements are met:

• Small according to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) guidelines
  - SBA determines a company’s eligibility according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Based on a company’s primary industry, the NAICS code indicates the size standards in number of employees or the size standards in millions of dollars
• Be incorporated in the United States and have a corporate office or production facility from the Southern United States Trade Association’s (SUSTA) region:
  1. Alabama
  2. Arkansas
  3. Florida
  4. Georgia
  5. Kentucky
  6. Louisiana
  7. Maryland
  8. Mississippi
  9. North Carolina
  10. Oklahoma
  11. Puerto Rico
  12. South Carolina
  13. Tennessee
  14. Texas
  15. Virginia
  16. West Virginia
• Promote a product under a brand name and label the product as “Made in USA”, “Product of U.S.”, or “Made in Louisiana" (the state must be spelled out in its entirety; abbreviations are not accepted)
• Products must be at least 50% U.S. agricultural origin by weight excluding added water and packaging (Note: The U.S. content of food and agricultural products is determined by the percentage of the finished product measured by weight that originates in the United States). Products must be grown in the U.S.; products that are only processed in the U.S. are not eligible.
• Have sales of at least $100,000.00 in the previous years
• Have sufficient products to supply to buyers
  
  If a company is just starting up, I suggest the company do their research. Once a company meets all the necessary requirements, the company can apply for funding.