Bill of lading data, explained
What it is, how it differs from customs data, and how to use it to learn who is shipping what.
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading is the document a carrier issues for goods it takes on board. It records the shipper, the consignee, the ports, the cargo and the weight. In countries that release these records, each shipment becomes a searchable line of data.
Bill of lading data or customs data?
They come from different places and answer different questions.
| Bill of lading data | Customs data | |
|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Carrier cargo manifests | Import and export declarations |
| Best for | Who shipped to whom, routes, frequency | Value, quantity, exact HS code |
| Usual gap | Often no value, and mostly sea freight | Names may be hidden |
| Well-known example | United States ocean imports | India, parts of Latin America |
Four things to look for in the records
- Frequency. A company importing every month is a better lead than a one-off.
- Consistency of supplier. One supplier for years is hard to replace. Three suppliers means they're open to a new one.
- Unit value. Divide value by quantity for a rough market price, and ignore the outliers.
- Consignee versus buyer. The name on the record may be a freight forwarder or agent. Check before you reach out.
Is it legal to use?
Trade data of this kind comes from records that countries choose to release, and it's widely used for market research. Rules on using personal data still apply, so check your local law before you send marketing messages.
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