Eligible Expenses
Discover the wide range of business expenses that qualify for the Branded Program
What Business Expenses Qualify?
Below are examples of business expenses that qualify for the Branded Program. Reach out to our in-market representatives if you have questions about what does and does not qualify for inclusion.
Marketing and Point-of-Sale Materials
Production and distribution of sell sheets, brochures, catalogs, shelf-talkers, give-away items, banners, posters, recipe cards and related materials including translation costs.
Advertising
Production and placement of advertisements in magazines, newspapers, posters, billboards, direct mail, transit, TV, radio and importer/distributor websites.
Website Development
Costs associated with developing, servicing and updating websites that target a foreign audience.
International Tradeshows and Virtual Events
Exhibit fees, freight, and construction of a temporary booth for trade-only exhibits and shows held outside of the U.S. and its possessions. Other eligible costs: set-up charges, electricity, and furniture rental. Limited international travel expenses (air and federal per diem only) for a maximum of two representatives of the U.S. Supplier (including agent/distributors) are ONLY eligible if exhibiting. International virtual event costs are also eligible, including registration and booth fees, marketing materials, videos, or other marketing made specifically for the event.
Online Marketing and Social Media
Electronic marketing such as text messages, e-mails, podcasts, advertisements on webpages, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) costs. Content creation, social media management, promotion by influencers or KOLs, and advertisements on social media pages.
Foreign Market Compliant Packaging
Costs associated with design (as necessary to accommodate changes only), production and printing of a one-year supply of labels and any labour costs to attach or sticker (if outsourced). Participants must demonstrate that the changes are necessary to meet importing requirements of the importing country.
Part-Time Contractors
Demonstrators, interpreters, and translators that assist with eligible promotional activities such as in-store demonstrations, tradeshows and seminars. Employee, importer and distributor wages are not eligible.
Demonstrations / Merchandising
In-store and food service promotions, consumer and trade demonstrations, shipment of promotional samples (but not the cost of the actual samples), temporary displays and rental of temporary space for displays such as end-of-aisle and gondola displays.
Loyalty Point Promotions
Fees to participate in loyalty point promotions may be eligible for reimbursement on a case-by-case basis. That can include shelf talkers or other advertisements created for the promotion, as long as they include a U.S. origin statement.
Freight Costs
Costs for shipping samples to importers/distributors, consumer and trade demonstrations, and for shipping tradeshow materials and samples to eligible tradeshows and seminars.
International Trade Seminars
Site rentals, interpreters, translation and duplication of seminar materials. Some expenses related to seminars and educational training for international audiences in the United States are also eligible.
Public Relations
Production and distribution of press releases, press kits and other materials and information directed at the media, trade and consumers.
Key Points to Remember
Reimbursement Rate
All eligible expenses are reimbursable at 50% of invoiced cost, effectively doubling your marketing budget.
U.S. Origin Statement Required
All activities and materials must clearly identify the origin as "Product of the U.S.A.", "Grown in the USA", or similar approved statement.
Documentation Required
Submit all invoices, proofs of payment, and evidence of activities to your U.S. supplier within 60 days of completion.
Pre-Approval Essential
Your U.S. supplier must be approved before promotional activities begin. Only pre-approved activities are eligible for reimbursement.
Special Considerations
Trade Shows
Limited international travel expenses (airfare and federal per diem only) for a maximum of two representatives of the U.S. Supplier (including agents/distributors) are ONLY eligible if actively exhibiting at the trade show.
Packaging and Labels
Costs for foreign market compliant packaging are eligible only for design changes necessary to accommodate foreign requirements, production and printing of a one-year supply of labels, and outsourced labor costs to attach or sticker labels. Participants must demonstrate the changes are necessary to meet importing country requirements.
Loyalty Point Promotions
Fees to participate in loyalty point promotions may be eligible for reimbursement on a case-by-case basis, including shelf talkers or other advertisements created for the promotion, as long as they include a U.S. origin statement.
Part-Time Contractors
Demonstrators, interpreters, and translators assisting with eligible promotional activities are eligible. Important: Employee, importer, and distributor wages are NOT eligible.
Product Samples
Shipping costs for promotional samples are eligible, but the cost of the actual samples themselves is NOT eligible for reimbursement.
Have Questions About Eligible Expenses?
Our in-market representatives are here to help you understand what expenses qualify and how to maximize your program benefits.