3) Tools for
Competitive Intelligence
1. Panjiva
Premium
Panjiva is a global trade data platform that provides detailed import and export shipment records from ~20 countries, helping businesses track competitors, suppliers, and buyers.
It offers supply chain insights, company profiles, and trade analytics, making it a valuable tool for exporters seeking new market opportunities.
Pricing is not publicly listed, but access requires a paid subscription, with plans starting at several thousand dollars per year.
2. TradeAtlas
Freemium
TradeAtlas is a digital platform that provides detailed importer and exporter company information collected from 50+ countries, utilizing artificial intelligence to identify suitable importers and forecast potential markets.
It offers features like advanced search capabilities, average price analysis, and monitoring of competitors, aiding exporters in strategic decision-making.
Pricing for the Professional Data Package starts at $2,950 per year for access to 15 HS codes.
3. ImportGenius
Freemium
ImportGenius is a trade intelligence platform that provides global shipping data, allowing exporters and international traders to access detailed import and export records.
It helps businesses analyze competitors, find new buyers or suppliers, and track global trade trends for strategic decision-making.
Pricing starts at $99 per month for the Basic Plan, while the Data Pro Plan costs $199 per month, offering more advanced features and greater data access.
4. Abrams
Freemium
Abrams.wiki is a trade data platform that provides detailed import and export records, helping exporters and international traders identify potential buyers, suppliers, and market trends.
It offers global trade insights by analyzing shipment data, allowing businesses to track competitors and discover new opportunities.
Pricing is not publicly available
5. ExportGenius
Freemium
Export Genius is a global trade data provider offering import and export shipment records to help exporters and international traders identify buyers, suppliers, and market trends.
It provides detailed trade insights, including HS codes, company names, and product descriptions, making it a valuable tool for competitive analysis and market expansion.
Pricing starts at $149 per month for access to a single country's trade data, with higher plans offering more extensive data coverage and additional features.
6. Tradeint
Freemium
TradeINT is a trade intelligence platform that provides global import and export data, helping exporters and international traders find new opportunities and analyze market trends.
It offers detailed shipment records, buyer and supplier insights, and customizable data reports to support business growth and decision-making.
Pricing starts at $99 per month for a basic plan, with advanced packages offering broader data access and additional features.
7. Market Inside Data
Freemium
Market Inside Data is a global trade intelligence platform that provides import-export data, shipment records, and market insights to help exporters and international traders expand their business.
It offers AI-powered analytics, competitor tracking, and trade trends across multiple industries to support strategic decision-making.
Pricing is not publicly available.
Information about the industry
Competitive intelligence, also known as trade intelligence or market intelligence, provides companies with valuable insights into global trade activities. By accessing company-level international trade data, exporters and traders can analyze shipment details, track competitors, identify new markets, and optimize their supply chains.
This industry helps businesses gain a competitive edge by offering detailed information on imports and exports, including supplier and buyer details, product descriptions, shipment values, and trade routes. These platforms provide extensive databases that companies can use to make informed business decisions.
What is competitive intelligence (trade intelligence), and why is it important?
Competitive intelligence offers global shipment data to help businesses monitor competitors, analyze market trends, and uncover new opportunities. With comprehensive datasets, you can:
Find Importers Worldwide – Identify companies already importing your products.
Analyze Suppliers & Pricing – Discover suppliers by product category and assess their export prices.
Track Competitors' Trade Activity – Monitor your competitors’ customers and suppliers to understand their business relationships.
Investigate Your Business Network – Evaluate your customers, suppliers, and distributors to gain insights into their trading activities.
How can trade intelligence help my company?
By using trade intelligence platforms, you can track your competitors' export destinations, identify potential buyers, evaluate market demand, and refine your sourcing strategy for maximum efficiency.
What type of data can I find in trade intelligence platforms?
These platforms provide shipment details with the following information:
exporter and importer names, addresses and countries
product descriptions,
HS codes,
shipping routes including ports of arrival and ports of departure,
transaction values,
weight and packaging information,
and container details.
Is trade intelligence legal?
Yes, trade intelligence platforms gather data from customs records, shipping manifests, and government trade databases, which are publicly available in many countries. For example, in the United States, customs records are published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Each country has its own designated authority responsible for releasing such data. Currently, trade intelligence platforms provide access to shipment data from approximately 60 countries, including:
United States
Most Central and South American countries
Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries
India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and several East Asian nations (excluding China)
Nearly 20 countries in Central and South Africa (excluding South Africa)
How can I use trade intelligence for market research?
By analyzing shipment data, you can identify high-demand markets, understand trade flows, and determine pricing trends in different regions.
Can trade intelligence help me find new buyers?
Yes, these platforms allow you to search for companies that import or export specific products, helping you connect with potential buyers and suppliers. After subscribing to any platform, you can search by
HS codes or product definitions to find importers
exporting companies to find their international customers
importer companies to identify and analyze their shipments
How does trade intelligence help in competitor analysis?
By tracking your competitors’ shipments, you can see who they are selling to, what products they export, and which markets they focus on. This helps you adjust your business strategy accordingly.
What industries benefit the most from trade intelligence?
Almost all industries that are involved in international trade may benefit from trade intelligence, as it helps optimize supply chains and identify growth opportunities. Trade Intelligence data is mainly used by the following industries;
manufacturers, to find customers
international traders and brokers, to analyze markets & products and to find customers
chambers and associations, to organize trade events, exhibitions, trade delegations and publish information to their members about industries and importers
trade promotion organizations, to promote their members' international trading activities and encourage new companies to start exports
logistics industry, to analyze routes, ports and companies
customs authorities to investigate shipments, companies and prices
customs agents, to find trading companies for promoting their customs clearance services
anti-money laundering and sanctions specialists, to track companies and products
supply chain security and resilience companies, to analyze shipments, identify risks and find opportunities
banks and financial institutions, to find customers for their trading services
How much does trade intelligence cost?
Pricing varies depending on the platform and the level of access you need. Some platforms offer free trial versions, but full access can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year. While most companies offer yearly subscriptions, monthly subscriptions are also possible on some platforms.
Pricing of the industry is mainly determined by the usage details, namely number of searches or downloads in a limited time.
The number of users for a subscription is also another indicator which may affect the price.
How can I get started with trade intelligence?
You can start by signing up for a trade intelligence platform, searching for your industry keywords, and analyzing key data points like top buyers, suppliers, and trade routes.