Barter systems operate by allowing businesses to trade goods and services for barter cash (trade dollars) which in turn can be used to purchase other goods and services from other members in the barter network.  It is a way for businesses to purchase the goods and services they need without having to use real cash.  In return for facilitating the transaction barter networks take a fee per transaction or charge a membership fee.  Some barter networks operate on a local, regional, national, international, or industry specific basis.

 

Over 500,000 businesses in the U.S. uses the barter system to advance their businesses.

 

Small businesses should look for barter opportunities.  Small businesses with lots of inventory and low on cash can use barter to offload slow moving inventory and get barter dollars (trade dollars) that they can in-turn use to purchase other goods and services that will advance their businesses.  This is especially true in a slow economy. 

 

There are tax advantages as well as reporting requirements when using barter.  Consult a tax professional before using barter.

 

Bartering has tax consequences:  The IRS requires tax reporting on bartering services.  According to the IRS you must include in gross income in the year of receipt the fair market value of goods and services received in exchange for goods or services you provide or may provide under the bartering arrangement.  You will be required to file Form 1040, Schedule C or Form 1040, Schedule C-EZ.

 

 

 

Organization

Description

American Barter Exchange (ABE) ABE is a service organization for business and professional persons trading goods and services among themselves in a structured mutually beneficial system
Barter Business Exchange, Inc. (BBE) If you want to barter for dental service this is the ideal barter service for you.
Barter Card Join a business network with 55,000 cardholders who barter-trade over $60m in spare capacity or excess stock every month through 72 offices around the world.
Basrter Network We are a full service business to business barter exchange that was founded on the principles of helping all types of businesses increase their sales and conserve their cash. We have over 100 combined years of barter experience, with over 20,000 trading partners.
Barter Systems As the leading Barter Exchange network servicing the local Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. market, Barter Systems Inc. acts as a clearinghouse, keeping track of transactions and helping members link up with businesses that have something you want, or that need your services
EOA Commerce Network this is an Alaska Barter network that caters to any business in Alaska that sells products, services or a combination of both.
Florida Barter Florida Barter is the largest organized independent, barter organization on the U.S. east coast. With 30 years of experience and 1,785 members strong
Give N Take We don’t just barter here at Give ‘N Take! We promote you and help you network. We build meaningful connections and you’ll see that our barter-exchange is like no other.
Global Barter Corporation Global Barter Corporation is the largest business and corporate barter company in the world. With a vast and growing network of members worldwide, and offices around the globe.
International Monetary Systems (IMS) IMS helps you sell your excess products and unused time to the other 16,000 members within the IMS network. In return, IMS helps you trade what you have, for what you need
International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA) IRTA maintains a directory of barter networks in many countries.  Use it to find barter networks in the U.S. and other countries.
ITEX The Membership Trading Community℠ is a marketplace for B2B cashless transactions across North America. ITEX processes more than $140 million a year in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) through thousands of member businesses and 90 franchisees and licensees.
Jambalaya Trade Exchange (JTX)

Jambalaya Trade Exchange incorporates accountability at every level and gives our members a voice in how our exchange operates.  Membership is constantly scrutinized to determine how many businesses from each category should be allowed and to find the very best participants to fill those needs.

Lancaster Exchange of Goods and Services (LEGS) LEGS offers businesses the opportunity to barter within a network of businesses.
Merchant Barter Exchange

Trade goods and services with other businesses without the actual exchange of money.

OurGoods OurGoods is a community of artists, designers, and cultural producers who want to barter skills, spaces, and objects.
San Antonio Business Networking The San Antonio Business Networking is part of a chain of over 600 city business networks across the United States. Each is comprosed of local professionals, small businesses and major corporations, all coming together to learn, connect and grow their businesses through referrals.
Saturn Barter Saturn Barter is one of the fastest growing, independently owned Tacoma barter exchanges in the country.
Simplicity Barter The mission of Simplicity Barter is to help grow your business, by providing a simple marketing plan that allows you to easily trade your products and service for critical business need.
Swap It Swap It Marketing is a Business to Business Barter Exchange Company based in Scottsdale. Swap It Marketing helps business owners in Arizona use their unused time & inventory.
The Art of Barter The Art of Barter Inc., based in Elgin, works with about 1,400 small businesses across the Chicago area.
The Barter Company The Barter Company (TBC), with offices in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, was founded in 1996. It is a recognized leader in the barter industry and is the largest and fastest growing barter exchange in the Southeast.  TBC has developed, throughout the country, reciprocal agreements with other barter exchanges, thus giving TBC clients access to a wide range of goods and services.
The Barter Group Based in Scottsdale, AZ.  If you wish to become a member of this network and barter with other businesses your business must be based in Arizona.
The Hotel Barter Network The Hotel Barter Network Is In The Process of Developing “A One Of A Kind” Barter, Trade, and Swap Website In Which The Hospitality Industry Will Be Able To Exchange Their Unused Hotel Room Inventory & Guest Accommodations For Small Business Goods & Services.
Trade First Tradefirst is based in Florida.  They provide the opportunity to barter nationally and internationally with its over 5,000 member businesses.
Tradebank Tradebank is a global trade network that assists companies of all sizes to convert what they have into what they need using a means of exchange called the Tradebank Dollar (T$) in the United States, the Tradebank Canadian Dollar in Canada.
Tradebank Las Vegas Tradebank of Las Vegas, an affiliate of Tradebank, is a twenty-five year old trade and barter network based in Las Vegas.
Tradebank Charlotte With over 13,000 clients in over 70 regions and 4 countries, the list is almost endless! The Charlotte Metro region alone has 300 local clients and traded $1,000,000 in 2011.  We are easily the largest barter organization in the area.
U-Exchange There are no membership fees, no percentages taken on trades and no barter currency. It's free to contact, post and trade. We provide the meeting ground and you set up the trades.