BEA uses surveys to collect data about U.S.-owned business activities in other countries. The data are needed for statistics measuring the scale of direct investment abroad and the effects these activities have on the U.S. economy.
Data from these surveys contribute to many of BEA's international and national economic statistics and help answer questions such as:
- Which countries get the most direct investment from U.S. parent companies?
- Which industries are U.S. companies investing in abroad?
These statistics aid decision-making by Congress and federal officials; help analysts and researchers study the impact of direct investment on employment, wages, productivity, and tax revenues; and help American businesses make informed decisions about hiring, growth, and investment. All surveys of U.S. direct investment abroad are mandatory and confidential.
A foreign affiliate is a business enterprise located outside the United States in which a U.S. person or business holds a 10 percent or more voting interest.
This tool will help you determine if you need to file the BE-180 form.
Launch Decision ToolInternational Surveys
File Electronically Now
Electronic Filing with eFile
Use BEA's electronic filing system to file your responses securely, or use secure chat to receive customer service.
File Electronically Now International SurveysElectronic Filing with eFile
Use BEA's electronic filing system to file your responses securely, or use secure chat to receive customer service.
International Surveys Fax or Mail Filing
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
When communicating by email with BEA, please do not include sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in the text or in an unencrypted attachment.
Sensitive PII is information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as a Social Security Number (full or partial).
Any document containing sensitive PII that is attached to an email must be encrypted. Any email received by BEA that contains sensitive PII in the text or in an unencrypted attachment will be blocked and deleted.
If you have any questions, please contact us using the contact information on the survey you are completing.
Via U.S. Postal Service
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Balance of Payments Division (SSB)
4600 Silver Hill Rd.
Washington, DC 20233
Via Private Express Delivery
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Balance of Payments Division (SSB)
4600 Silver Hill Rd.
Suitland, MD 20746
FAX
(301) 278-9506Quarterly Survey of Foreign Airline Operators' Revenues and Expenses in the United States
Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States
To be Reported by Foreign Carriers' U.S. Agents
FAX
(301) 278-9505Questions?
be-30help@bea.govOcean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of United States Carriers
FAX
(301) 278-9505Questions?
be-30help@bea.govOcean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of United States Carriers
Resources Guides, Materials & Related Information
News Blogs & Articles
- Activities of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Multinational Enterprises in 2015 PDFSurvey of Current Business, August 2017
- Statistics on the Activities of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Multinational Enterprises Now Available for 2015; Revised Data Available for 2014The BEA Wire, August 16, 2017
- Detailed Direct Investment Data for 2016 Now AvailableThe BEA Wire, July 24, 2017
- Direct Investment Positions for 2016 PDFSurvey of Current Business, July 2017
Resources Video Tutorials & Visuals
