Frequently asked questions
Usage and features
About our data
Plans and pricing
Usage and features
With ImportGenius, you can easily discover your competitor's suppliers by navigating to the search function. From the filter dropdown, choose consignee. Afterward, enter the name of your competitor.
Our platform provides an instant results overview, tabs for shipments, suppliers or importers, and contact information. Select the "Shipment" tab to see which overseas factories supply each ocean freight shipment.
To see this in action, you may go to https://www.importgenius.com/search and try searching for a company. Click "Suppliers," to view their top traders and ports. For a more in-depth look at the platform, don’t hesitate to schedule a demo.
Verifying suppliers is crucial to ensure they are reliable, compliant with regulations, and capable of meeting quality and delivery expectations. It helps minimize risks like fraud, supply chain disruptions, and financial losses. Proper verification likewise builds trust and safeguards the reputation of your business.
For thorough due diligence, it's essential to confirm that the company you're considering is legitimate.
- Do they truly export the products you're interested in?
- How many shipments have they completed?
- Which other countries and companies do they supply?
With ImportGenius, you can instantly access this information, along with details like product descriptions, ports, and more, making it easier for you to verify suppliers.
We offer a suite of analytics and reporting tools that you can use to optimize your operations and expand your market reach.
- Multiple Graph Generation: You can create multiple graphs at once, tailored to your specific requirements for more efficient analysis.
- Customizable Dashboard: Work with us to customize your view with the exact company, product, or shipment that matters most to your business.
- Instant Report Downloads: Get tailored, business-specific reports based on your search, delivered in your preferred format to ensure the most relevant and actionable insights.
- Visual Mapping: Reveal a comprehensive diagram of importers’ and shippers' trading relationships through our visual mapping option.
With ImportGenius, you'll have the data-driven insights and tools needed to make smarter decisions, streamline your workflow, and stay ahead of the competition.
ImportGenius makes it easy for you to track the shipping activities of specific goods.
Proceed to the search function, choose “Product” from the filters dropdown, and enter the keyword (eg. exact name of the product). To further refine your search, you can add more parameters, like country of origin, consignee, or shipper. Click search.
Our platform instantly pulls up a list of shipments. Scroll through the list until you find the goods you’re looking for.
You can save your search or set an automated alert for the shipment. This way, you can be notified of any changes in shipping activities related to the specific goods you are monitoring.
Yes, among our tools that empower your business through insights like market trends or product demands are:
- In-depth Search Capabilities: Search through highly-detailed and specific data according to your requirements, including importer names, overseas factory information, products, ports of entry, date ranges, countries, and more. By analyzing detailed shipping information such as these over time, businesses like yours can identify trends such as emerging markets or declining product categories, and adjust your strategy accordingly. You can even search through historical US Import data through our Lighthouse tool.
- Data Visualization: ImportGenius’ Visual Mapping tool provides a diagram of the trading relationships among all the importers and suppliers available in our database. This allows you to identify which companies are best-connected, and identify potential opportunities or threats to your business.
- Highly-Customizable Dashboards: Organize information on your dashboard through filters that will help you highlight and analyze data trends. Cut out information that you do not need to identify critical data and mobilize your insights faster.
This wide array of data and tools to view and manage them will give businesses like yours a panoramic view of global trade activities.
Simply follow these steps:
- Login: Log in to your ImportGenius account.
- New Search: Conduct the search whose results you want to export.
- Export: Click the “Export report” button on the left hand side of the screen.
- Format: Under the “Format” drop-down menu, select the format you would like to export. “.XLSX”, “.XLS”, and “.CSV” formats are available.
- Download: Narrow your report range according to the options provided, and when you are ready, click “Generate Report”.
If you encounter any issues or have specific requirements, you can always reach out to the customer service team for assistance.
Yes, on ImportGenius, you can set up alerts for specific companies or commodities. This feature allows you to stay informed about the latest shipment activities of particular companies or the movement of certain commodities according to your business’ needs.
To set up these alerts, create a search query through the “New Search” tab on your ImportGenius account, then click the “Create Email Alert” button above the search results.
By setting up these alerts, you can receive notifications whenever there are new records or updates related to your specified search criteria, enabling you to monitor competitors, track supply chain activities, or stay updated on market trends efficiently.
Yes, ImportGenius can help in identifying potential new suppliers. Our platform easily pulls up detailed information about global suppliers, including company profiles, trading partners, and their shipment records, each of which contains insights like consignee, product, port, etc.
This helps businesses verify the credibility and reliability of these suppliers, reducing risks in their supply chains.
To compare the import/export activities of companies, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Lighthouse feature within your ImportGenius console and select a criterion from the filter dropdown (e.g., importer or consignee). Enter the company names you want to view. You can search for multiple companies, including your own for benchmarking. Click search.
- ImportGenius will generate a list of their shipments within the selected date range.
- Download the results to perform a detailed comparison using your existing systems.
- Alternatively, visit the Analytics tab and select fields for comparison (e.g., importer and shipments).
- Use the analytics tool to generate instant comparisons through various graph formats.
Instead of navigating towards the Lighthouse, you may also go to either the US Data or Non-US Data tab. From there, you may again choose the criteria from the dropdown and enter the keyword to search.
To see this feature in action, book a demo with us today!
Yes, ImportGenius provides support and consultancy for data interpretation. Our team of experts not only provides guidance on how to use various features and tools available within the platform. They also help you analyze and make sense of the trade data to gain valuable insights for your business.
There are numerous success stories of businesses using ImportGenius to find new clients, work with top manufacturers, and streamline their operations. Companies like Nike, Philips, and Unilever trust ImportGenius to gain valuable trade insights and stay ahead of the competition. To hear directly from our users and see how ImportGenius has empowered their businesses, visit our homepage for testimonials.
ImportGenius offers easy-to-use search tools for locating shipments by port. To begin, navigate to the Lighthouse, US Data, or Non-US Data tab. From there, select one of the following options, depending on what’s available from the dropdown menu:
- US Port
- Foreign Port
- Port of Origin
- Port of Destination
- Port
Enter the relevant keyword for the port, add any additional filters if needed, and click “Search” to view your results.
Yes, ImportGenius makes it easy to analyze seasonal trends in trade data since you can select a specific timeframe to track changes and patterns.
For example, navigate to the Lighthouse and search for shipments of a product (e.g., crude oil) over the past 3 months. Once you have the results, go to the Analytics tab, choose the fields and measurements you want to analyze (e.g., consignee and shipment volume), and you’ll see details such as which consignees had the most crude oil shipments during that period.
With ImportGenius' analytics tool, you can create multiple graphs simultaneously, including pie charts, line charts, and bar graphs. As you adjust fields and measurements, the graphs automatically update in real-time to reflect the new data.
See this in action by signing up or booking a demo.
Yes, ImportGenius offers tools that can assist with the risk assessment of suppliers.
Our platform provides detailed import and export data, which includes information on transaction history, shipment volumes, and trading partners. Analyzing this data helps you identify patterns, assess the reliability of suppliers, and detect any potential red flags such as irregular shipment volumes or inconsistent trading practices.
Additionally, our tools can help you monitor the activities of specific suppliers over time to ensure they meet your compliance and quality standards.
Yes, ImportGenius offers integration options for your existing tools and platforms. Our data can be downloaded in multiple formats (.csv, .xlxs), allowing you to easily import it into workflows that support these file types. For enterprises, we provide API capabilities, enabling seamless integration with systems like Salesforce, NetSuite, and more, to streamline your operations and enhance data accessibility.
ImportGenius offers a variety of resources to help you easily navigate the platform and maximize its benefits for your business. Your dashboard includes a convenient Customer Service button, where you can access:
- An overview tab showing how industries are leveraging ImportGenius
- Tips and tricks for refining searches and avoiding errors
- A comprehensive FAQ section
- A video library
- A glossary of terms
You can also chat directly with a support representative, and the Overview tab makes it easy to schedule a training session at your convenience.
Businesses can use ImportGenius for a variety of strategic purposes, including analyzing the movement of goods across borders, tracking competitors’ activities, finding new suppliers, and even obtaining contact information for potential customers.
With ImportGenius:
- Manufacturers can track their competitors' supply chains, discover new suppliers, and optimize sourcing strategies globally.
- Logistics companies and freight forwarders can identify potential clients, monitor their shipments, and gauge their market share by trade lane.
- Trade law attorneys can investigate compliance issues, review trade disputes, and gather evidence on import/export practices for legal cases.
- Business consultants can provide clients with actionable insights on market trends, competitive positioning, and global supply chain opportunities.
- Software developers can integrate trade data into supply chain management tools or analytics platforms to enhance visibility into global trade patterns.
- Retailers can identify emerging products, monitor competitors' sourcing strategies, and find new suppliers in international markets.
- Miners can track the global movement of raw materials and identify key buyers and suppliers in the mining industry.
- Wholesale traders can source products, assess market demand, and identify reliable international trading partners.
- Asset managers can gauge the operating health of companies with much shorter lags than typical quarterly reporting.
Interested in how ImportGenius can help your business? Schedule a demo or sign up.
Yes, shipment data can be downloaded in multiple formats. After completing your search, go to the Shipments tab and click "Download Results." You’ll then be prompted to select a file format (csv, xlsx), specify a file name, and define the data range. Once ready, click "Generate File" and your download will begin.
In addition to shipment data, you also have the option to download information on consignees, shippers, or suppliers.
Your dashboard offers multiple ways to connect with our team of ImportGenius experts. In the top-right corner, you can reach out by selecting the "Chat with Us" or "Customer Service" buttons.
The "Customer Service" option allows you to book a training session, start a live chat, or leave a message for your dedicated account manager—ensuring you get the most out of our import/export data.
We are also available 24/7 through the following:
- Contact form
- Phone: +1-855-374-1199
At ImportGenius, our mission is to provide world-class service by empowering clients to make informed international trade decisions. Our innovative technology will help your business grow and succeed.
Genius Company Profiler is an AI-powered tool inside ImportGenius that instantly generates in-depth company profiles from global trade data. It goes beyond basic customs info—showing shipment history, trade relationships, and potential synergies—so you can uncover suppliers, customers, or competitors in seconds without leaving the platform.
The Genius Company Profiler AI helps businesses by:
- Speeding up research - Get detailed company insights in seconds instead of hours or days.
- Identifying the right partners - Uncover reliable suppliers, customers, and competitors with greater accuracy.
- Making smarter decisions - Access actionable intelligence that supports faster, more confident trade and sourcing decisions.
- Streamlining workflows - Automate batch processing of large datasets to save time and resources.
Whether you're sourcing new suppliers, analyzing competitors, or vetting potential customers, the Genius Company Profiler gives you a powerful edge in global trade research.
ImportGenius puts the data you need at your fingertips. Search by any of these fields:
- Product
- Importer
- Shipper (Supplier)
- Shipper Address
- Port
- Bill of Lading
- HS Code
- Container & Carrier
- Vessel Name
- Country of Origin
- …and more
Just open the Fields panel, choose what you want to search, and—if you need to get granular—add extra fields or keywords for pinpoint results.
Business Plan
Yes. Automatic HS-Code filters are built in. Just choose the HS Code filter, enter the number, and you’re done.
Essentials Plan
You can still locate shipments by HS Code:
- Select Product as your search field.
Enter the HS Code.If the code appears in the Bill of Lading’s product description, the matching records will surface. (Note that some BoLs don’t list an HS Code, so a few shipments may not appear.)
Tip for any plan: Add extra fields or keywords, such as importer, shipper, or port, to sharpen your results. ImportGenius pulls every matching record in seconds.
Source: New Pricing Page (not yet final) https://import-genius-new-2025.webflow.io/pricing
If you can't find a particular company on ImportGenius, there could be several reasons:
- There are no trade records available: The company might not be involved in international shipping (imports/exports) that generate public shipping records, such as bills of lading. ImportGenius primarily tracks data from maritime shipments, so companies dealing only in domestic trade or using alternative shipping methods (like air freight not reported to customs in the same way) might not appear.
- There are jurisdiction limits: ImportGenius aggregates data from 23+ regions, but not all regions make their trade data public. If the company operates in a country not covered or does business in a jurisdiction with strict data privacy rules, it won’t show up in the database.
- Data formatting and spelling issues: Variations in company names, abbreviations, or misspellings can affect search results. Try alternate spellings, aliases, or broader filters. Note: In U.S. Import Data, you can search by Importer Entity, the standardized name derived from the Importer name using machine learning. This feature covers misspellings but is currently available to this dataset.
- There is only recent or low-volume shipping activity: If the company only recently began trading or has very low shipment volumes, it may not yet appear in the dataset.
They have private or protected shipments: Some data may be redacted or withheld for legal or competitive reasons, especially if it's protected under trade secrecy regulations.
About our data
Our data includes detailed shipment information such as the date, port of origin, port of destination, and the shipping line used. It also offers insights into the companies involved in these transactions, giving you access to crucial company data. Product descriptions are meticulously noted, featuring HS codes, specifications, and quantities. Furthermore, ImportGenius provides information on trade partners, including suppliers and buyers, as well as data on the volume and weight of shipments.
Our data is sourced from the United States Customs and Border Protection and equivalent agencies in other countries. For datasets in the United States, we acquire data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), making it a public record. Data from other countries is legally obtained and proprietary.
Our dataset includes import information from the Bill of Lading for shipments entering or leaving 20+ countries. Specifically for the U.S., we obtain shipping manifest data for ocean shipments entering the country from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
We license our data from various sources, including records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other government agencies, non-profit organizations, and partnerships with private data services.
We provide raw data containing all available information on the bill of lading for each shipment entering a U.S. port by ocean. This information is classified as a public record. For other countries, we provide a mix of import and export data for shipments by air, sea, and land.
Incoterms (short for International Commercial Terms) are a set of standardized trade terms used globally in international and domestic contracts for the sale of goods. Published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), they clearly define the responsibilities, costs, and risks involved in the transportation and delivery of goods between buyers and sellers.
The first seven Incoterms can be applied to any mode of transport (or a combination of modes):
- EXW (Ex Works): Seller makes goods available at their premises; buyer covers all transport costs.
- FCA (Free Carrier): Seller hands over goods, cleared for export, to the carrier chosen by the buyer at a specified location.
- CPT (Carriage Paid To): Seller pays for transport to the named destination. Risk and costs transfer to buyers when goods are handed over to the first carrier.
- CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To): Same as CPT, but the seller also pays for insurance.
- DAP (Delivered At Place): Seller covers all transport costs until the goods are delivered to the named destination. Unloading is the buyer’s responsibility.
- DPU (Delivered At Place Unloaded): Seller pays and is responsible for transport and unloading at a specified destination.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Seller covers all costs, including import duty. Risk transfers when goods are delivered to the buyer's premises.
The following Incoterms are applicable only for sea or inland waterway transport:
- FAS (Free Alongside Ship): Seller delivers goods alongside the vessel at a specified port. Buyer covers loading and transport.
- FOB (Free On Board): Seller loads goods onto the vessel; risk transfers to the buyer once loaded.
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Seller pays for transport to the destination port. Risk transfers once goods are on board.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): Same as CFR, but the seller also pays for insurance.
These terms reduce uncertainties and misunderstandings in international trade by providing a common framework for defining responsibilities in the shipping process.
ImportGenius partners with U.S. Customs & Border Protection to deliver the most accurate and up-to-date market data. This information is received daily and uploaded within minutes, ensuring you always get timely access to the latest data.
Our datasets from non-U.S. countries are likewise regularly updated, often every month, as new records are received from our trusted sources.
ImportGenius provides detailed shipment information at the bill of lading level, including the quantity of goods imported by a specific company. For most non-U.S. datasets, you'll also have access to the declared value of these goods, offering deeper insights into international trade activities.
Even for U.S. shipments, our platform provides comprehensive volume and shipment details, empowering you to make data-driven decisions about market trends and competitor activity.
ImportGenius is committed to continuously expanding its dataset by integrating trade information from a growing number of countries worldwide. Currently, our platform offers comprehensive data on over 8 million importers from the United States and global markets. Our non-U.S. coverage spans key regions, including:
- Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan
- Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Turkey
- Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Panama Canal, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela
- Africa: Cameroon
This extensive coverage enables businesses to access critical trade data across diverse markets, supporting informed decision-making and strategic growth.
With ImportGenius, you can access a wide range of shipment details including:
- Importer Names: Identification of companies or individuals importing the goods.
- Overseas Factory Details: Information about the manufacturers or suppliers located in other countries.
- Products: Specific details about the products being shipped.
- Arrival Dates: Expected dates of arrival at the destination.
- Ports of Entry: Ports where the shipment will enter the destination country.
- Container Numbers: Unique identification numbers for the shipping containers.
- Gross Weight: The total weight of the shipment, including the weight of the goods, packaging, and any other materials associated with the shipment.
- Quantity: The number of units or items included in the shipment.
- Bill of Lading: Detailed records containing information on the shipment, including the shipper, consignee, and specific cargo details.
These are just a few of the data points available through ImportGenius. For more in-depth insights and additional information that can support your business, sign up or schedule a demo and discover how we can help you take your operations to the next level.
ImportGenius handles data privacy and security by adhering to GDPR principles and implementing various measures. We collect personal and usage data for service provision, improvement, and marketing, retaining it only as long as necessary. Users have rights to access, rectify, delete, and limit data use.
While ImportGenius employs commercially acceptable security measures, we acknowledge no method is 100% secure. We use third-party services for payments and analytics, ensuring these parties only access data for specific tasks. International data transfers occur with adequate controls in place.
At ImportGenius, we are transparent about our practices, allow users to opt out of marketing communications, and provide contact information for privacy-related inquiries. We also have policies for children's privacy, not collecting information from anyone under 18, and regularly update our privacy policy, notifying users of changes.
ImportGenius takes great pride in the accuracy and reliability of its data. We gather information from various authoritative and credible sources, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shipping manifests, and other international trade documentation. Our dedicated team of data professionals ensures that the data is meticulously processed, analyzed, and validated to maintain the highest level of accuracy. While we strive to provide the most precise information possible, we also recognize that discrepancies can sometimes occur due to factors beyond our control.
If you ever come across any issues or have specific concerns about the data, our customer support team is always here to assist you.
To find the contact information of manufacturers or exporters in the database, simply perform your search as usual. Review the shipment list and click on the exporter or manufacturer link. This will take you to the company profile, where you can view their shipments, importers, and suppliers. By clicking the 'About the Company' tab, you'll be directed to their contact information.
Note, however, that phone numbers are not required on the Bill of Lading, so they may not be readily available in some records. The good news is that ImportGenius has a dedicated team to find the contact information of importers and exporters.
Your subscription plan determines the number of contact information requests you can make. Starter plan members are entitled to up to 3 requests, Plus plan members up to 25, and Premium or non-US subscribers up to 50.
The product descriptions in the ImportGenius database are highly detailed. A shipment glance provides direct information such as product type, origin, destination, weight, and relevant certification numbers. For instance, you can see specifics like product names, trade details, HS codes, and more. Additionally, clicking on the bill of lading number reveals even more in-depth information, offering a comprehensive view of each shipment.
ImportGenius covers a wide range of trade data for various types of goods. However, there are certain limitations. The availability of trade data may depend on factors such as the country of origin and the type of goods being imported or exported. Some countries may have restrictions on specific types of data, and sensitive or restricted goods might not have publicly available data due to regulations or confidentiality.
Despite these limitations, ImportGenius still offers an extensive database with valuable insights. The platform has information on over 8 million US and global importers, covering a vast array of product categories. For the United States, records are updated daily, while data for more than 20 other countries is usually refreshed on a monthly basis.
Yes, ImportGenius provides access to historical trade data, though the available time span depends on factors such as the country and subscription plan. For example, our Mexico datasets offer around 9 years of data, while Panama Canal records span 14 years. The Plus Plan includes 12 months of U.S. import data, while the Premium Plan grants up to 17 years. All datasets are regularly updated. Visit our pricing page to learn more.
ImportGenius primarily collects and provides legitimate, publicly available import and export records. The data we offer is gathered from official customs records and other verified sources. Black market goods typically do not have recorded documentation and therefore may not show up in our database. Please reach out to our Enterprise team for further support.
ImportGenius aims to offer extensive global trade data. Currently, we provide 13 years of trade data for Russia. While China is not yet part of our direct coverage, you can still select China as a Country of Origin or Destination when searching U.S. and non-U.S. import/export records. This allows you to gain some insights into trade involving China.
Yes. All data provided by ImportGenius is either public record or legally obtained proprietary data. Maritime records have been public for decades, it just took the power of ImportGenius to transform this data into digestible information.
ImportGenius does not arbitrarily remove or hide data. Instead, we transform raw information from official, legally obtained sources into a user-friendly format tailored for business use.
However, in compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR, we allow individuals to request the removal of personally identifiable information (PII) that appears on public-facing company profile pages.
Plans and pricing
ImportGenius provides several subscription plans to suit your data needs:
- Starter: Access 3 months of U.S. import data with up to 15 searches per day.
- Plus: Get 12 months of U.S. import data, up to 25 searches per day, and full access to U.S. export data.
- Premium: Unlock up to 17 years of U.S. import data, 25 searches per day, and complete U.S. export data.
All plans include the option to add trade datasets from 20+ countries, set up automated alerts, and connect with ImportGenius experts. Plans can be upgraded or downgraded at any time. For larger data needs, we also offer enterprise-level packages. Learn more about our plans at ImportGenius Pricing.
With any of our U.S. data plans, you'll have access to key features such as search capabilities, company contact requests, email alerts, and the ability to download data in XLSX, XLS, or CSV formats, all backed by our excellent customer service. The main differences between the plans lie in the amount of U.S. shipment data available.
- The Starter Plan offers three months of shipment data and is ideal for businesses looking to monitor specific companies.
- The Plus Plan provides access to one year of data, allowing for more in-depth research and analysis of recent trends.
- The Premium Plan offers over 17 years of shipment data, enabling you to generate market insights and stay ahead of competitors.
You can also subscribe to non-U.S. plans by selecting the countries you wish to access import/export data from. This allows you to gain comprehensive insights into the global trade patterns of the companies you're interested in, with country-specific subscriptions. Each plan provides 50 daily searches, 5 automated alerts, 10,000 downloads per month, and 50 monthly contact requests per country. Learn more about our non-US plans here.
If you need more help deciding or have more questions on how our plans work, feel free to use the chat feature or leave a message through our contact page.
At ImportGenius, we are committed to providing you with the flexibility your business needs. That's why we offer monthly plans with no long-term contracts or commitments. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan as your needs change, add additional datasets when required, and even cancel your subscription at any time—no questions asked.
With your subscription, you'll have access to comprehensive U.S. ocean freight import data, including detailed information from the Bill of Lading for each shipment entering the country. Each subscription plan provides varying ranges of historical data, with some offering complete U.S. export data from January 1, 2014, to the present, covering all companies.
Additionally, we offer datasets from over 20 non-U.S. countries, providing a complete view of their import and export records, with data spanning up to 18 years.
ImportGenius is headquartered at 8901 E Pima Center Parkway, Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, USA. We also operate international offices in Seoul, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to better support our global clientele.
ImportGenius stands out by offering flexibility and customization—unlike competitors' one-size-fits-all models.
You can tailor your U.S. subscription by adding only the international datasets you need, with plan options available monthly, annually, or for enterprise use. We don’t lock clients into long-term contracts.
Our data is so authoritative it’s admissible in federal court, and we offer both shipment-level details and powerful analytics tools.
Plus, our live, Arizona-based support team is here to assist whenever you need help.
Yes, ImportGenius offers a monthly Essentials plan that can be canceled at any time without a fee. Our Business and Enterprise plans, however, are governed by specific terms of agreement.
As outlined in our Terms of Service, enrolling in a monthly billing plan for Business or Enterprise means you are committing to a full one-year (12-month) term. You remain responsible for the full value of the annual subscription, even if you cancel, deactivate, or stop using the service before the end of the term.
For questions or details specific to your account, please contact our support team.
Still have questions?
Our team is ready to help. Reach out to our trade data specialists and discover how we can support your business goals. Get in touch with our experts today!
