Import Geniuses

Now, I may be the TradeGURU but there a couple guys that have developed a GENIUS idea!

ImportGenius.com allows users to monitor their suppliers and watch their competitors’ imports by datamining the mass volumes of import data made available by the Freedom of Information Act. Genius, really, but I almost feel violated and a little sad that I didn’t develop this plan myself – lord knows we’ve all talked about it!

Although I am all about using data to monitor performance and develop efficiency there is something to be said for keeping one’s import data confidential. Not everyone knows but you can request to keep your import manifest data confidential. See 19 CFR 103.31 for the steps for requesting this confidentiality.