Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions we are asked most frequently about our Bill of Lading, customs and trade statistics data — covering sources, fields, coverage, delivery, samples and custom reports.
What data does Trade Database provide?
Bill of Lading (shipment) data, Customs declarations, and Trade Statistics for 195+ countries, exports & imports, 2015–2026.
What are the sources?
Imports and exports details gathered from top ports, customs authorities and shipping-carrier manifests.
What fields are in a Bill of Lading record?
BL number, carrier, vessel, voyage, shipper & consignee (name, address, phone, email), notify party, ports & countries of loading/discharge, HS code, goods description, weight, TEU/FEU, container numbers and shipping date.
What do the periods mean?
Full = 2015–2026. We also sell two era packages: 2015–2021 and 2022–2026 (up to July).
How is the data delivered?
After payment confirmation, data is delivered by email, secure download link, or courier (CD).
Can I get a free sample?
Yes — request a free sample of any dataset from the Request a Sample page before you buy.
Can I request a custom report?
Yes. We prepare custom cargo, trend and market-share reports on request across any HS code or country.
What is the difference between Bill of Lading data and customs data?
Bill of Lading (BL) data comes from shipping manifests and is best for finding trading companies and their contacts — shipper and consignee name, address, phone, email, plus product, HS code, volume, ports and vessel. Customs data comes from official government declarations and adds the financial and regulatory detail — declared value, CIF/FOB, duty, VAT and exporter/importer tax IDs.
Why is customs data more expensive than Bill of Lading data?
Customs data is priced higher because it is harder and costlier to source (many governments license or restrict it), it contains sensitive commercial detail such as declared values, duties and tax IDs, and fewer countries release it. BL data is the contacts-and-activity tier. Customs data is the premium financial-intelligence tier.
How do I find suppliers or buyers with your data?
Search Bill of Lading data by product HS code and country to list the companies actually shipping or receiving that product, then use the shipper and consignee contact details — name, address, phone and email — to reach them directly. It is far more reliable than unverified B2B directories because every company shown has a real shipment history.
Do you offer multi-country or regional packages?
Yes. Multi-country packages bundle 3, 5, 10 or 20 countries of your choice, and region packages cover a whole region such as Asia, Europe, the Gulf, the Middle East, Africa or the Americas — all at a discount versus buying each country separately. A World package covers all 195+ countries.
How current is the data and how often is it updated?
Coverage runs from 2015 through 2026 (up to July 2026). Datasets are refreshed as new shipment and customs records are processed, so you always receive the latest available records for your selected country, flow and period at the time of purchase.
In what format is the data delivered and can I open it in Excel?
Every dataset is delivered as clean, ready-to-use Excel/CSV files that open directly in Excel, Google Sheets or any analysis tool — no special software needed. Large datasets are split into manageable files, and a CD by courier is available on request.
Can I request a specific slice of a dataset?
Yes. Alongside the standard country, flow and period options, we can prepare a custom extract limited to a single HS chapter, port, date range or set of countries. Contact us with your requirement for a tailored quote.