General

Customs data refers to the bill of lading or customs declaration data of foreign countries, which can accurately display the export records of peers and the procurement records of target customers. It is one of the essential tools for foreign trade personnel in their daily work.

01 What is customs data

1. Concept

Customs data refers to various import and export statistical data generated by customs in fulfilling their import and export trade statistics functions. The task of customs statistics is to investigate, analyze, and supervise import and export goods, and provide statistical services.

2. Content included

Trade information: purchaser (importer), supplier (exporter)

Product information: weight, quantity, amount, HS code, HS code description/product description, etc

Shipping information: port of origin, destination port, date, mode of transportation, carrier, country of origin, etc

3. Customs Code

HS code, also known as customs code, is a commodity classification and coding system used by customs, statistics, import and export management, and all parties involved in international trade. The first 6 digits of the HS code are the internationally standardized codes, and each country prepares the digits after 6 digits according to its own actual situation.

usage method

After entering the standard product name of the product, the system will display information related to keywords such as HS code, product name, item structure, declaration elements, item classification, regulatory conditions, inspection and quarantine categories, etc., and then further filter and organize according to one's own needs.

How do foreign traders use customs codes?

1. Analyze the target market

When a new product is just launched or when the existing business volume is not saturated and you are preparing to explore new markets, you must want to know which country has greater demand and business opportunities.

Through customs data, it is possible to intuitively understand the number of purchasers, transaction times, and import quantities of each country, thereby mastering the market demand and trend of that country, and providing key information and valuable reference for foreign trade enterprises' market decision-making.

2. Insight into industry changes

Foreign trade enterprises can monitor supplier changes in target countries or regions through customs data. When new suppliers continue to join the industry and market, it indicates that the industry and market may have high profits and demand, thereby continuously attracting new participants.

But for enterprises, it also means that market competition is becoming increasingly fierce. It is important to adjust market strategies in a timely manner to put oneself in a favorable position in the competition.

3. Lock in competitors

By continuously analyzing the shipper's name in the customs bill of lading, foreign trade enterprises can accurately understand which peers in their industry there are and what their supply volume is.

Combined with further information inquiries, it is possible to analyze the types, operating conditions, and production scales of these competitors, in order to better understand their position and advantages in the industry and facilitate targeted market strategies for enterprises.

4. Monitor peer customers

Foreign trade enterprises can continuously track and analyze the transaction records of their competitors through customs data, and grasp the procurement laws of their purchasers.

For example, how often to make purchases, how many times a year, and how much to purchase each time, in order to recommend suitable products to buyers at the appropriate time, improve the success rate of signing orders, and quickly seize the market of competitors.

5. Consolidate existing customers

The customer may also have other suppliers besides us. By using customs data, foreign trade enterprises can track and analyze the transaction records of existing customers, and understand the supply sources and situation of customers other than their own enterprises.

By comparing and analyzing with these competitors, one can understand their own strengths and weaknesses, thereby finding breakthroughs, further consolidating cooperative relationships, and expanding order share.

6. Revitalize old customers

If there are old customers who have collaborated multiple times and have been poached by their peers, new suppliers and transaction records can be queried through customs data. This information helps to objectively analyze the reasons for customers' order transfers, identify problems in their own products, prices, communication, delivery times, and other aspects, and make targeted improvements and adjustments, in order to regain customer recognition, renew orders, and cooperate.

7. Develop new customers

The biggest problem with customs data is the inability to obtain customer email addresses. The "Customs Data" customer acquisition function on NetEase Foreign Trade supports multiple search methods, supports one click search of customer email addresses, and accurately identifies contact information for different positions such as boss, management, and procurement.