AHK (German Chamber of Commerce Abroad)
An AHK (Auslandshandelskammer) is a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad - a bilateral organisation that promotes German business in a foreign market; in the US these are the German American Chambers of Commerce.
The AHK network spans around 140 locations worldwide and is the official representation of German business abroad. In the United States the German American Chambers of Commerce (GACC, in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and elsewhere) help German companies enter and grow in the US market - market entry support, partner search, trade-fair representation, and networking. For a German firm coming to the US, the local AHK/GACC is a natural first contact.
See also: IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
Frequently asked questions
- How can an AHK help a German company enter the US?
- The German American Chambers of Commerce offer market-entry consulting, partner and distributor search, trade-fair and back-office services, and a member network - a practical first port of call before committing to US legal and tax setup.
- Is the AHK a government agency?
- No. AHKs are membership-based bilateral chambers, supported by but independent of the German government; they work alongside the German embassy and consulates rather than being part of them.