Trade DB Service

Ask Before You Buy

Questions to Ask Before You Buy:

PIERS Trade Intelligence Is Unique for Its Quality and Added Value to Business

It is important to understand that the raw data that is at the core of PIERS U.S. import-export databases – selected information gathered from the ship manifests and bills of lading – is available to the public in the U.S. under the Freedom of Information Act, subject to U.S. Customs regulations. Since PIERS was launched over 30 years ago, competitors have come and gone trying to sell this raw data. None has yet matched PIERS on the verifiable quality, or added value of its trade information and intelligence solutions. You’ll want to compare any data vendor’s products against the PIERS standards of quality and value.

Here are more questions to ask a vendor before your business buys trade data.

	How long have you been in business?

	With roots that go back to the 1827 founding in New York City of The Journal of Commerce, still the one of the most respected news sources for global trade and transport, PIERS - the Port Import Export Reporting Service - was launched as the JoC’s first venture in electronic information over 30 years ago.

	What is the scale and scope of your business?

	Today, the PIERS staff of over 500 employees collects, verifies and processes in excess of 18 million transaction records a year. PIERS economists and information specialists use computer-based statistical models to analyze the data for errors and anomalies, assuring the quality of trade information supplied to our customers.

	Can you supply references?

	PIERS can and will supply references. Please let us know the industrial sector and geographic area that is most relevant to you, and we will furnish you with company names and contacts.

	What is the source of your data?

	PIERS collects its trade data directly from government customs authorities … then our reporters verify it against shippers’ documents. For example, PIERS U.S. export trade data is collected from shippers’ export declarations and U.S. Department of Commerce’s Automated Export System. PIERS U.S. import trade data is based on the information filed with U.S. Customs & Border Patrol.

	What does your data cover?

	PIERS data covers:
	-	U.S. containerized imports, bulk and breakbulk, as documented by both Automated Manifest System (AMS) and hardcopy filings.
	-	U.S. containerized exports, bulk and breakbulk, as documented by bills of lading.
	-	Historical data on cargoes moved through U.S. ports: available electronically back through 1984, on microfiche back through the 1950s.
	-	Latin American and Asian cross-border trade data, collected in cooperation with national Customs authorities

	Can you supply customized data?

	PIERS offers a range of trade information products based on its highly-regarded Asian, Latin American, and U.S. import-export trade databases. Our sales representatives and information specialists are ready to discuss your data requirements and, if need be, develop datasets expressly for your business.

	Beware if a data vendor is evasive in responding to these questions. If you suspect someone is offering counterfeit PIERS data, you can contact EC Plaza Service Team.

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Trade DB Service

Trade DB Service