The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) administers a survey every five years to collect information from U.S. persons that hold, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the voting interest in a foreign affiliate. The BE-10 Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad is mandatory for U.S. companies within its scope. The survey collects financial and operating data on the U.S. parent and information on its foreign affiliates. The BE-10 responses are due by May 30, 2025, or by June 30, 2025, for filers with 50 or more foreign affiliates.

The BE-10 survey gathers information on each of the U.S. person’s foreign affiliate’s ownership, industry classification, total sales, employment figures, exports, imports, and certain financial information.  The reporting period for the BE-10 is the company’s 2024 fiscal year.

The required BE-10 response includes one BE-10A regarding the U.S. company, plus one form BE-10B, BE-10C, or BE-10D for each foreign affiliate (based on the total assets, sale and net income of the affiliate). All entities subject to the reporting requirements must file, even if they are not contacted by BEA.  

BEA is required to protect the confidentiality of survey data. 

Additional information, including links to the BE-10 forms, are available on the BEA website.