Finding Foreign Customers with Customs Import and Export Data｜Complete Practical Procedure for Accurately Developing B2B Buyers

Foreword: Why "Customs Import and Export Data" is the secret weapon to develop overseas customers?

Finding foreign buyers has always been a realistic and challenging problem for many Taiwanese companies that are expanding their foreign sales. Traditional methods such as attending international exhibitions, relying on existing traders, purchasing a stranger's list, or using B2B platforms such as Alibaba and Global Sources are feasible, but they are costly, competitive, and difficult to grasp the quality of the buyers, and often cannot be effectively converted into actual orders even after investing a lot of time and budget.

In recent years, however, a tool known as "customs import/export data" has been quietly changing the rules of the game. This data is not generated out of thin air, but is a record of transactions recorded by governments based on each import and export declaration. This information usually includes the exporter, importer, transaction items, HS CODE, import and export amounts, transaction frequency and transaction time, and even contact information and product descriptions in some countries, which is a map of the market for developing potential customers.

Why? Because through customs data, you are no longer looking for customers "based on feelings", but based on actual transaction records, you can directly target the companies that are buying your similar products, skip the ineffective potential lists and middlemen, and directly reach the key buyers. In the increasingly competitive global B2B market, this precise, trackable and comparable "data-based development" approach will significantly increase your hit rate and transaction rate in reaching buyers.

More importantly, for small and medium-sized enterprises with limited budget and brand awareness yet to be established, "Customs Data for Foreign Customers" is a rare low-threshold and high-efficiency solution.development methodYou don't need to go abroad to participate in exhibitions or spend money on advertising. You do not need to go abroad to participate in exhibitions, and do not need to spend money on advertising, as long as you learn to use these information correctly, you can effectively enhance your overseas development of the winning rate, and truly achieve the "unfamiliar development" into "accurate development".

This article will be from the source of customs data, query methods, analysis techniques, to practical applications and successful cases, for you to completely dismantle how to start from 0, with data to create a set of your own!B2B Development ProcessIf you're struggling to find foreign customers or your current B2B development methods are not converting well, then this article is the first map for your journey into overseas markets. If you are struggling to find foreign customers, or the conversion rate of the existing B2B development methods are not good, then this article will be the first map of your overseas market development journey.

What is Customs Data? Understanding basic concepts and data content

Customs import/export data is simply the records of actual trade transactions made public by the customs authorities of various countries. The original main purpose of these data is used by government agencies to audit tax, trade trends and policy regulation, but with the digitalization and commercial data open policy, many countries will provide some of the non-confidential transaction information to third-party platforms and enterprises to use, the formation of today's B2B marketing developers are extremely valuable resources.

Through these data, business owners no longer need to "guess" who may be interested in their own products, but can directly identify the enterprises that "are importing your kind of products" from the import and export records, and further target the procurement officers and supply chain decision makers of these enterprises to carry out precise development.

The application of this kind of data is very extensive, not only can be used to develop new customers, but also to analyze the export flow of competitors, grasp the import trend of a certain country, and even help enterprises to make market entry strategy and pricing strategy planning.

What fields are included in the Customs import and export data? From commodity to buyer information at a glance

For a standard import declaration, the import and export data of the Customs and Excise Department will usually contain the following fields: bill of lading, name of importer, etc.

Column Name	Illustrative Examples
dates	Actual transaction time, e.g. 2025-07-01
Name of Importer	ABC Import Co., Ltd.
Exporter's name	So-and-so Enterprises in Taiwan
Product Description	HS CODE + short description of the product, e.g. "8536.50: Electronic Relay".
Comparison of quantity/weight and price A good comparison of quantity/weight and price can help to assess the competitiveness of a product in the market.	1000 pieces/500kg
Value	USD 25,000
Country of origin	Taiwan
Arrival	United States
harbor	Los Angeles, CA

In some countries (e.g., the U.S., India, Brazil, etc.), the data even includes contact phone numbers, emails, or contact names, which is invaluable for companies that want to be proactive in developing customers. By cross-referencing these fields, you can quickly find out which companies regularly import a certain type of product, which countries have a relatively stable procurement scale, who are the main importers there, and even trace the growth trajectory of a company from a single transaction record.

Where do importers and exporters get their data? Explanation of Data Sources

The source of customs data comes from the customs declarations that enterprises in various countries fill out when they import or export goods. When exporting or importing merchandise, enterprises need to report complete product details, price quotes, supplier and buyer information to the local customs authorities, and this information will become part of the "customs declaration data", which is then stored in the customs database.

Most of the data is collected, cleaned and organized by "trade data intermediaries" and made available for enterprises to query and download through third-party platforms (e.g. Panjiva, ImportGenius, Trademo). Some countries, such as the U.S., even open API data streaming to further lower the query threshold. At present, most of the customs data platforms adopt subscription or point system payment method, while a few provide free sample query or trial function. The timeliness and accuracy of the data vary depending on the country and law of the data source.

Is there a difference in the way customs information is obtained in different countries? Legal Inquiry and Platform Selection

The extent of customs information disclosure varies greatly from country to country, and the following summarizes the status of data disclosure in a few major markets:

Country/Region	Level of data accessibility	Content richness	Conditions of lawful use of data
United States of America	your (honorific)	Contact details	Publicly and legally accessible
India	your (honorific)	mid-to-high	Need for cooperative platforms to obtain
Vietnam	center	center	Subject to intermediary cleansing
Japanese	lower (one's head)	restrict	Mostly replaced by a list of traders
European Union	center	Stricter regulations	Subject to GDPR conditions

When choosing a data platform, enterprises should confirm whether the source of the data on the platform is legal and complies with local regulations and ensure that the data obtained areActual Transaction InformationInstead of manually organizing the list, you can avoid spending money to buy "expired or fictitious lists". In addition, it is also recommended to choose a professional consulting platform that can provide teaching and support for data application, such as "WiseGuy", which can help you build a complete list development process from list analysis to real-world development.

Comparison of common customs data platforms (e.g. ImportGenius, Panjiva, Trademo, etc.)

Below is a table comparing the current mainstream platforms:

Platform Name	Number of Countries	Support Columns	Features and Benefits
ImportGenius	20+	your (honorific)	Complete U.S. data to support supply chain tracking
Panjiva	90+	your (honorific)	Part of S&P, Business Credit Information Consolidation
Trademo	100+	your (honorific)	Visual Dashboard + Auto Push Analytics
TradeData.	60+	center	Lower price, intuitive interface, suitable for SMEs

Choosing a platform is not only about the amount of data, but also about "whether it can be used".Actual Development ProcessThe "in" is not the same as the "out". For example, some platforms have complete data but are unable to export Excel analyses, while others lack advanced filters, resulting in inefficient development.

Can SMEs in Taiwan use it? Regulations and Practices on the Use of Customs Data by Enterprises

Many SMEs are concerned about whether the use of foreign customs data is in breach of the law. Is it an infringement of personal information? In fact, most of the information provided by the platforms comes from "publicly available information" and has been anonymized so that it does not involve confidentiality or trade secrets.

In the case of Taiwanese companies, using Customs data to develop customers isLegitimate and practicable marketing strategiesAs long as you cooperate with professional consultants and platform usage recommendations, you can safely use and effectively enhance your overseas contact rate and resell lists. With professional consultants and advice on platform usage, as well as the principles of data utilization (e.g. avoiding mass spamming, and using the platform for business development purposes rather than reselling lists), you can use the platform safely and effectively to increase your overseas contact rate and find potential customers.

If you would like to learn more about list sources that are legal and suitable for Taiwan businesses, you can consult the B2B development consulting solutions provided by [WiseGuy] to assist you with platform selection and data retrieval,List FilteringThe whole process is in place, from developing scripts to designing them.

How can customs import and export data help you find foreign customers? Application Scenario Analysis

traditionalB2B unfamiliar developmentThe sales process is often viewed as a time-consuming, low-return, and high-failure sales method. However, if we can make good use of "customs import and export data", the overall development strategy will undergo a crucial change. Changing from "shooting at random" to "accurate data development" not only saves a lot of time and cost, but also directly targets enterprises with actual import records, increasing the response rate and the likelihood of a transaction.

This section will illustrate how customs data can be valuable in the real world by looking at five application scenarios, including finding lists, determining customer potential, researching competitors, building contact strategies, and integrating the sales process.

How to find the list of potential buyers from the data? The logic of the operation is disassembled

Among the many data fields, the most critical are "Importer Name" and its corresponding "Import Commodity Class (HS CODE)" and "Import Frequency", which can be obtained through customs data query. Enterprises can use these three pieces of information to filter out potential buyers that are most likely to cooperate with them.

For example, if you are a manufacturer of waterproof wire connectors, you can filter for the HS CODE 8536.90 and find a U.S. or German company that has imported the product on a quarterly basis for the past year. Even if these companies are not currently working with you, it means that they "do haveStabilizing Procurement Requirements"The Government is also open to new sources of supply and may not be able to provide them.

You can further combine keyword filters, such as "importer of waterproof cable gland" and "buyer of 8536.90", with the platform's search engine to quickly focus on potential lists.

Accurately analyze buyer transaction frequency and transaction amount: identify long-term stable importers.

Not all buyers have long-term cooperation value, therefore, the core of data analysis is "who is worth spending time to develop". Customs data can provide you with the buyer's import frequency, total transaction amount and product categories over the past 12 or 24 months, which can be determined by cross-referencing:

• Does the business have a stabilization need?
• Which countries or suppliers do they work with the most?
• Are there any signs of continued growth or switching suppliers?

For example, a buyer who regularly imports a certain product once a month, with a total amount of over USD 100,000, is much more valuable to work with than a buyer who only imports once in 12 months. You can set the criteria of "more than 4 transactions" and "average single transaction amount over USD 10,000" to filter out high potential targets.

Through this filtering mechanism, the chance of "wrong development" can be effectively reduced, so that unfamiliar development becomes like "operating a market with known demand".

Mastering competitors' export targets and quickly replicating successful order patterns

Customs data can also be used to analyze who your competitors are exporting to. This is a very strategic application.

Assuming that you are a manufacturer of a certain type of plastic mold, and you find in the customs information that the main competitors in the last six months exported to the United States of America, a company, you can reasonably assume that this company is purchasing the type of molds, and the price and quality of a certain degree of acceptance.

Take that, you can:

1. Analyze the frequency and amount of imports to estimate the procurement cycle.
2. Check to see if the other party has not imported from the competitor in the last few times, which indicates a possible break in the cooperation.
3. Contacts are made with more competitive terms and alternative suppliers are negotiated.
4. This approach allows you to "leverage your strengths" and utilize other people's development results to quickly enter the market, which is especially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the early stages of seeking a quick breakthrough.

How to Match Customs Data to LinkedIn Search for Business Decision Makers

Getting a list of potential importers is only the first step, the next step is to 'find the right people'. The business can be found quickly through LinkedIn:

• Procurement Manager
• Import Manager
• CEO or Founder (if small)

The operating tips are as follows:

1. Enter your business name on LinkedIn and go to your company page.
2. Touch "People" or "All Employees".
3. Search for keywords such as "Procurement", "Buyer", "Sourcing" and "Logistics".
4. If the position shown on the platform is clear, you can further link or send an InMail.

You can also use the company's official website to find an email to send a further development letter. This way you can move from the "list" to the "contact window" and really start to build the B2B development process.

Extension tools: Hunter.io, Snov.io, etc. Can also be used to find Email.

Comparison of the difference between using customs information for unfamiliar development and EDM and B2B advertisements

The biggest advantage of customs data is "finding the right people" rather than relying on content push to attract people. It is more suitable for proactive development process than general EDM ads or B2B content marketing.

Comparison Items	Customs Data Development	EDM/Advertising Development
Object Accuracy	High (select according to actual import records)	Medium (by quality of list source)
Repeatability	Medium-high (with practical needs)	Low (need to rely on attraction and massive exposure)
development cost	Medium (contact manpower for cost of information required)	Medium-high (advertisement fee + list fee + content production)
build trust	Fast (in the context of actual counterparty transactions)	Slow (requires multiple exposures or brand promotion)
Suitable Industries	Transmission, OEM, Equipment Parts, B2B Industrial Products	More suitable for B2C products or brand promotion oriented products.

How to Find Customs Import and Export Data? Common Search Pipelines and Operation Tips

Once the business owner understands the value and application of customs data, the next question is: "Where should I check the data? How to search efficiently? This chapter will illustrate several common search channels, and provide the search techniques and filtering logic that businesses should have to help you quickly find potential buyers from thousands of transaction data.

Whether you are a small trader just starting out, or a large-scale manufacturing factory, you can follow the instruction in this chapter to choose the appropriate query method, build with the appropriate platform tools, and further transform into a feasible development list.

How to set up filters? Precise Search from HS CODE to Destination Country

It is not enough to have the platform and the data, if you do not know how to set the correct filtering conditions, but it will be difficult to read because of too much data and too much noise, this is a common problem when utilizing the customs data.

Below are a few common suggestions for setting precise search criteria:

Search Item	Suggested settings, including how to effectively utilize Customs data to enhance your business efficiency
Commodity Classification (HS CODE)	Precise locking of the product line according to the international standard of 6-digit setting.
Time Zone	The last 6 to 12 months is the best, reflecting the recent purchasing trend.
Purpose country	Choose according to your export market, e.g. USA, Vietnam, Germany, etc.
Minimum trade size	It is recommended to set it to at least 2~3 times to exclude one-time transaction buyers.
Minimum Amount Range	Set to at least USD 3,000 per order to filter out fractional orders.

For example, if you sell aluminum alloy fittings, you can set it:

• HS CODE: 7608, which is clearly categorized in the customs data system.10
• Region: USA, Thailand
• Trading frequency: at least 2 trades per six months
• Product Description Keywords: aluminum pipe fitting

By matching these criteria, we can quickly filter out the list of companies that have actually purchased this type of product, and then analyze the contact window and sales strategy.

How to set up your own search SOPs to avoid data filtering errors?

The reason why many organizations fail to convert their data platforms into real business opportunities is that they have not established internal data processing SOPs.

Below is an example of a suggested SOP for the search and screening process:

1. Define the HS CODE for the product: Don't just use the brand or product name.
2. Setting up target markets and language regions: Focus on communicable languages to enhance the efficiency of follow-up.
3. Labeling by category after downloading: Excel labeling of attributes such as country, commodity, and purchase frequency.
4. Mark Priority Contacts: Sorted by amount and frequency of import.
5. Compare to LinkedIn/business websites to create an address bookThe
6. Setting up a development letter sending schedule and tracking logsThe
7. Review development results on a monthly basis and adjust search criteria or list sources to better identify potential customers.

The establishment of SOPs ensures the consistency and reproducibility of data applications and establishes a set of data development processes for the organization.

How to avoid being misled by inaccurate or outdated importer lists? How to recognize the difference

There are many vendors of "customs lists", which are in fact old lists or manually edited lists of companies. Such information is likely to be long out of date, the contact person has moved on, and there is no real record of imports and exports.

To avoid being deceived or misled, you can judge the authenticity of the information from the following points:

• Does it include the actual date and number of transactions?
• Is it possible to provide the original customs declaration details field?
• Does it state the country of origin and the applicability of the law?
• Does it allow you to customize your query?

Genuine customs information will have the "time stamp" of the transaction and provide specific product details and company name. If there is only "company name + Email" but no import/export records, it is likely to be a list of names pieced together with external searches, and no real background of the transaction can be found.

If you are not sure about the authenticity of the platform, you can choose to cooperate with a legally authorized platform, such as [WiseGuy], whose cooperative data platforms are all connected with international trade databases, which can provide customized and up-to-date accurate lists of sources, and can provide value-added support for you to establish a complete sales strategy.

Practical process｜5 steps to find potential buyers with customs data

After understanding the structure of customs import and export data and query, the next most important thing is to effectively transform this information into potential business opportunities. This chapter will provide a set of query, filtering, organizing, comparing to the actual contact of the complete operation process, so that you can build your own "B2B unfamiliar development system" from scratch.

This chapter is especially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), factories in traditional industries and traders who have just started to develop the international market. With the right development methodology and tools, you can build up a potential and trackable list of foreign customers in a short period of time.

Step 1: Select the right customs data platform and set up key query criteria.

The first step is to choose a source of information that suits your product and market. If you have a limited budget, we recommend that you prioritize consultant-assisted platforms, such as the list collection service provided by WiseGuy.

After selecting the platform, please set the following query conditions immediately:

• Product HS CODE: For example, "848071" can be used for plastic injection molds.
• Destination Markets: If the target market is Germany or the United States, please specify the country directly.
• Time Zone: Select the most recent year to avoid outdated lists.
• Import threshold: Filtering for small quantity or sample buyers.
• Trading Frequency: It is proposed to screen companies with more than three imports in a year.

By combining these criteria, you can filter through thousands of pieces of data to find the precise target with the greatest business potential.

Step 2: How do I organize my data after I download it? Common Fields and Comparison Strategies

The downloaded data may contain hundreds or even thousands of records, so you need to do the first level of data cleansing and categorization. It is recommended to use Excel or Google Sheet to create the following column structure:

Company Name	countries	Product Description	Number of imports per year	Annual Transaction Amount	Date of last import	Preferred Contact Level

Using the formula and filters, you can prioritize the top 50 buyers to build a development list based on "import frequency" and "value", which are derived from customs data. If you have several product lines at the same time, the list can be further divided into:

• Potential buyers of core products
• Extended Product Possible Buyers
• Competitors Existing Customers

It is also recommended to create a "note field" to record your initial judgment of the buyer, such as "known importer of the same product", "region and language match", or "not yet working with a Taiwan supplier", etc., to serve as a reference for your subsequent development strategy.

Step 3: Analyze Importer Type, Size and Purchase Frequency from the List

After the initial collation, you need to conduct a second level of list evaluation using the customs data. The question to be answered at this stage is: "Which companies are the best value to develop?" Here are three suggested ways to evaluate the value of importers:

1. Type DeterminationIs it a distributor, a brand or a manufacturer? If it's a brand or an end-user, it can be developed to shorten the channel level.
2. Scale Analysis: Extrapolates company size and order size from total transaction value.
3. Stability Assessment(b) The number of transactions in a year is higher than the number of transactions in a year, which means that there is a steady demand for supply, which also has a positive impact on the price comparison.

You can use website searches or LinkedIn queries to supplement your list with industry classifications and company backgrounds. For example, if a LinkedIn search reveals a company with more than 200 employees and a separate purchasing department, the buyer is likely to be a stable and long-term potential partner.

Step 4: Use tools to find buyer contacts (LinkedIn/business website/email)

Once you've compiled your refined list, it's time to start identifying your decision window. There are three ways to do this:

1. LinkedIn Seeking::

• Search for company name → click "People" → filter job titles such as Buyer, Purchasing Manager, Sourcing Director.
• You can send InMail or add a friend and develop a direct message.

1. Official Contact Form and Department List::

• Use tools like Hunter.io, Snov.io, etc. to capture emails from corporate websites.
• Check the generic email info@ or sales@ via Whois or website footer.

1. Working with Google Tips::

• Search for: "Company name + procurement executive + Email" or "Company name + procurement contact" keywords.

The goal of this phase is to create a Contact List and mark Email, LinkedIn account and time of first contact to establish the basis for subsequent correspondence, follow-up and negotiation.

Step 5: Begin writing the opening letter and contact strategy to establish the first round of communication.

Once you have the right target, the real test of your development skills is the "development letter writing strategy". The development letter must fulfill the following points:

• Tap into the pain points or needs of the other party (analyzed based on customs data)
• Demonstrate your supply strengths (lead time, certifications, price, capacity)
• Directing the other party's actions (replying, scheduling a video appointment, requesting a catalog)

It is recommended that the content of the development letter contain the following structure:

1. Draw attention to: mention the goods and trends that the other party has imported in recent years.
2. Build trust: Explain your company's background, export track record and product strengths.
3. Calls to action: Invite further replies, join Line, schedule a Zoom, and more.

Example:

Dear [Name].

I noticed your company has been importing from Asia in the past year, as seen in customs data, which is accessible through the Customs data query.
We are a certified manufacturer in Taiwan with over 15 years of experience supplying similar products to EU and US markets.
Would you be open to evaluating a sample or product spec for reference?

Please remember:The goal of the first development letter is not to close the sale, but to get feedback and build trust.You can also synchronize your LinkedIn messages or track your movements, creating a "multi-touch" development strategy.

No matter how much theory is talked about, it is not as convincing as the successful experience of actual operation. Many SMEs will ask: "We don't have an international brand, we don't have exhibition resources, can we really rely on a single piece of customs information to enter the international market?

The answer is yes, and there are more and more such cases. Below we have compiled three real-life experiences of Taiwanese companies in different industries, including metal parts, textile foundries and OEM factories, to give you a clear picture of the logic of the operation and the details of the real-life battle. These cases prove one thing:Data-driven development processes have become the new mainstream of B2B sales.

How Metal Parts Manufacturers Can Tap Into Stable Importers in Japan and Germany

A hardware processing factory in Changhua specializes in the production of CNC-turned parts made of zinc alloy and stainless steel. In the past, the company's export channels were dominated by traders, and they had long been in a position where they were subject to price pressure and information control. It was not until 2022 that they decided to take the initiative and started to try to useImport and export data of the Customs and Excise DepartmentDeveloping foreign customers.

ThroughSmartHome Client List Service The company obtained a list of buyers from Japan and Germany, which were screened for having purchased HS in the last 12 months. CODE "7318.15"The company is a manufacturer of metal parts (screws, nuts, etc.). From the data, they found that a German company had been regularly purchasing from the same Italian supplier for the past 6 months, with a monthly import amount of more than USD 15,000.

They found the Sourcing Manager of the organization through LinkedIn and mentioned it directly when they sent the development letter:

"We noticed you have been importing metal fasteners from Italy regularly. Would you be open to evaluating a competitive quote from Taiwan with shorter lead time? lead time?"

Due to the competitive price and better delivery time than the original supplier, both parties completed the sample evaluation within 3 weeks and finalized the first USD 12,000 order 2 months later. Since then, the German company has gradually transferred the order to the Taiwan factory and established a stable relationship.

The textile OEM's success in receiving orders from Europe and the U.S. shared in the content of the opening letter

Another case is a small to medium-sized garment OEM that specializes in functional fabrics, with a focus on sweatshirts and yoga wear. Facing low price competition from China, they wanted to expand into Europe and the US, but their budget did not allow them to exhibit or advertise.

In 2023, they searched for HS CODE "6109.10" related to US imports using the Customs Data Platform and found that a US fitness apparel brand had been steadily sourcing thousands of sports undershirts per month from Vietnam for nearly a year. After identifying the buyer, they found the brand name and company website of the buyer, and grabbed the email through Snov.io, and sent out a highly targeted development letter, which reads as follows:

"We noticed your brand consistently imports yoga tank tops under HS6109.10 from Asia.
We're a Taiwan-based manufacturer specializing in functional moisture-wicking apparel for activewear brands.
Would love to send samples and quote if you are exploring Taiwan as an alternative sourcing location."

The letter was answered within two days. The buyer indicated that he was facing the problem of supply chain delay in Vietnam, and was willing to try out the samples, and then proceeded to evaluate three samples. Three months later, a trial order of 4,000 pieces was successfully placed.

The point is: the core of this letter is not to push the product, but to "understand the needs of the other party" and "show the advantages of supply".Customs information gives you a bargaining chip for communicationThe value of the

How OEM factories can find brand-specific supply chains through import and export data.

The last case is a plastic injection molding OEM factory that used to be an OEM for a local brand in Taiwan, but was never able to go overseas. With the help of "SmartHome", they were able to target global brands of hardware tools and find the "Overseas Importers and Designated OEMs" of a specific brand by using customs data in reverse.

In the case of a U.S. brand, although it is not possible to work directly with the head office, it is possible to find out from the data that the Mexican agent of the brand is a "regional buyer" for the brand. By analyzing the description of the goods imported by this agent in the past year (e.g., plastic tool cases, injection molded housings), as well as the amount of money and the number of imports, it was confirmed that the agent had indeed been working with the brand for a long time.

Then they sent a letter through the official website and business contacts, offering their own equipment, mold development capabilities and rapid sampling advantages. Although no direct deal was made at the initial stage, the company was given the opportunity to make samples and was successfully put on the back-up list.

This kind of "brand supply chain penetration" development method is particularly suitable for those OEM factories with manufacturing process advantages.Counter-checking the supply chain of brands, and cutting into the sub-agent and OEM cooperation mode.The

How to write an open letter to get a reply? Tips to increase response rate with customs information

For unfamiliar developers, the success or failure of the development letter often determines the overall conversion rate. You've spent time collecting customs data, analyzing potential buyers, and finding a contact window, but if it's not written in a compelling enough way or doesn't generate interest, it will end up in the spam or "unread" list.

This chapter will tell you: how to integrate customs information into the content of the letter, how to hit the potential buyer's needs, how to establish a sense of trust and professional image, and ultimately increase the rate of opening and replying to the letter, and really open up opportunities for cooperation.

How to Write a Commercially Valuable Opening Letter Based on the Other Party's Imported Goods

The biggest reason why most open letters fail is that they are "too generic". Recipients can easily see that it is a template message and will not reply. Therefore, if you know "what products are actually imported" through the customs import information, you can write the following messageCommercially viable contentThe

For example:

• The counterparty has been importing power supplies with HS CODE "850440" for the past six months, with stable quantity and medium to high value.
• Your product is a replacement or compatible product for this type of power module.

At this point you can just mention it at the beginning:

"We noticed that your company has consistently imported power supply modules under HS850440.
We specialize in high-efficiency power modules that are compatible with your product line and meet international safety standards."

In this way, the development letter is no longer "talking out of your ass," but rather clearly addresses the type of product the other party is currently purchasing, letting the recipient know you arePartners who have done their homework and have the potential to create valueThis sense of "information reciprocity" is the strongest first impression in starting an unfamiliar relationship. This sense of "information equivalence" is the strongest first impression in opening an unfamiliar relationship.

Use data to prove you understand each other's needs and build first trust

In addition to product matching, further availableSpecific dataProof of your knowledge of the market or purchasing behavior of your counterparty is especially critical in B2B markets.

For example, if you find out that the total amount of imports per month is about USD 30,000 and the main importing countries are Vietnam and China, you can add this in your letter:

"Based on recent shipment data, we understand you are sourcing from Vietnam and China for .
With increasing lead time and logistics cost from these regions, Taiwan may serve as a faster, more stable option."

Proactive observation and solution through data will make the other party feel subconsciously that you are not "here to sell" but "to provide information of value".

Especially when the other side is facing pressure from supply chain shift or geopolitical risks, such insightful open letter content can generate more interest and trust than just introducing the product.

Combine website content with a development letter: navigate to your corporate website's introductory page.

In addition to the power of words, a development letter also needs supporting information. This is where your business website isTrust Reinforcement ToolThe

If you mention it in your open letter:

• What countries have you exported to?
• What capabilities and certifications (e.g., ISO, CE, RoHS) are available?
• Which famous brands have cooperated with us and the information can be found in the Customs Data System.

If this information can be directed to your [company website] or [product page] through hyperlinks, the overall professionalism of the letter will be greatly enhanced, reducing the time for the other party to verify and making it more likely that they will write to you.

In addition to text, it is also recommended to set up "downloadable catalogs", "company profile PDF", "inquiry form" and other contents in the website, so that the clicking behavior of the opening letter can be converted into real interaction and the conversion rate of the list can be enhanced.

Follow-up strategy design: How to follow up after sending an email? How often should I be contacted?

After a development letter is sent, it is not the end of the story, but the "beginning of the story". According to the experience of B2B development, it takes an average of 3 to 5 interactions before there is a chance to get a real cooperation invitation. Therefore, the "follow-up strategy" after the development letter is very important.

Below is a practical follow-up procedure:

number of days	Action
Day 1	Send the first development letter, which leads to the company's website + a link to the presentation.
Day 3-4	If no response, LinkedIn tracks the buyer's account / sends invitation
Day 7	Second development letter, featuring another product advantage / with sample photos
Day 10-12	Try phone or voice mail (if contact information is available)
Day 15	Send a reminder: asking if information has been received and if a 10-minute meeting can be scheduled

It is recommended that instead of using a "mass mailing" style of tracking, each letter should be kept in the same place.Personalized ContentThis includes product matching, sourcing information and asking specific questions, for example:

"We hope you had the chance to review our product specs.
May I know if you're currently considering new vendors for

This quarter?"

Such open-ended questions are designed to increase response rates and continue the rhythm of business conversations.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions: Pitfalls of Using Customs Import and Export Data to Develop Foreign Customers

When many enterprises use customs data for the first time for unfamiliar development, they often have high expectation that they can close the deal as soon as they get the list. However, in reality, if you do not have the correct operating mentality and methodology, this valuable information may be reduced to a pile of cold Excel sheets, which is ineffective and a waste of time.

In this chapter, the four most common misunderstandings and wrong operations will be dismantled to help you establish a correct mindset, avoid misuse of resources, and at the same time, guide the direction of the development strategy, so that customs import and export data can really bring high-quality B2B business opportunities for enterprises.

Relying too much on data and not building relationships

Many businesses are under the mistaken impression that once they have a list of buyers, they can solve all their problems with a single development letter. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings. Although customs information provides an "objective basis" and "procurement records", the key to real cooperation lies in theTrust Building and Relationship ManagementThe

For example, if you target a German importer, although you have information that he has been steadily importing a certain type of product for nearly a year, if you send an open letter with no warmth or personalized content, he may still simply ignore you. The reason: B2B purchasing decisions involve risk and responsibility, and it's not possible to reach a partnership based on a single, unfamiliar contact.

Therefore.Data is the beginning, not the end, of development.You have to build a sustainable trust relationship. You have to build a sustainable, trusting relationship through a combination of LinkedIn interactions, website credentials, sample shipments and meeting scheduling so that the customs list actually turns into a real business opportunity.

Use of unfiltered lists is a waste of business resources.

Another common mistake is that companies get a complete list of importers and then invest in contacting all of them without screening. The result is a large number of unread letters, blocked as spam, or even labeled as a "nuisance" by the target customer, which reduces the chances of future cooperation.

A valid development list should have the following three elements:

1. Precision Industry Response: Whether the product type and HS CODE are the same as those imported by the other party.
2. Achievement of procurement frequency and amount: Whether there is stable demand and scale.
3. Contact possibilities: Whether you can find the decision maker's contact information, LinkedIn account, or website.

If the list is not filtered through these three layers, it is very likely to send out 100 letters but only get 1 open rate, which will result in the team's confidence being undermined. It is recommended to customize and pre-filter the list through "SmartHome｜List Collection Service and Prospect Development Process" to ensure that resources are focused on high-potential targets.

Unlawful sources of information, resulting in goodwill and legal risks

Legitimacy" is a key issue that should not be overlooked in the application of customs data. Some enterprises purchase lists of unknown origin or "black market data" in the market, which seems to be cheap and informative on the surface, but in fact, it hides the following risks:

• Violation of local data protection laws (e.g. EU GDPR, US CAN-SPAM Act)
• Getting listed in spam lists, domain blocking
• Complaints of unauthorized harassment by buyers

Especially in Europe and the United States, if you send a letter to a contact person who has not agreed to receive marketing information, you may be directly complained, and even lead to fines. If you are unable to identify the source of the data, you will be held responsible for the consequences.

Therefore, it is important to choose a partner withLegitimate Platforms and AdvisorsFor example, the partner platforms of "SmartHub" are all authorized by the government or legal sources, and provide "Compliance Advice" to ensure that your strategy does not step on the red line.

Ignore the buyer's cultural background and the language style of the email.

The last error that is often overlooked is that the content of the open letter is not based on theBuyer's Country and Cultural BackgroundAdjustments will be made. For example:

• It may be considered imprudent to use overly enthusiastic or commercialized language with Japanese customers.
• It is considered unprofessional for a German buyer to fail to include full technical specifications and documentation.
• Excessive urging and frequent questioning of buyers in the Middle East has caused resentment.

In addition, using "Chinese English" to write development letters is also a common problem, e.g., unnatural sentence structure, wording that is too direct or difficult to understand, which will lower the brand image and professionalism.

The solution is:

1. Develop country-specific templates for development letters.
2. Use AI tools such as GPT, Grammarly, etc. to refine sentences.
3. Work with the local language or hire a foreign consultant to help with the semantic check.

You can also obtain development letter suggestions and multilingual templates through the WiseGuy Content Optimization Service to reduce language and cultural risks and increase response rates.

How to Pair Your Business Website with SEO to Boost Your Customs List Conversion Rate?

With an accurate list of customs data, if the buyer is ultimately guided to a "unconvincing" corporate website, the potential business opportunity will still be lost in a few seconds of browsing. Therefore, if you want to turn customs data into actual orders, the optimization of your corporate website and SEO strategy will be an indispensable part of the conversion process.

This chapter will explain how to create a B2B enterprise website that can "drive traffic to the development list", and at the same time, combined with SEO structure design, so that you are unfamiliar with the development of letters and website content, to establish effective persuasive power and sense of trust.

Establishment of English website and product pages: with the customs list to import traffic.

The first step is to make sure you have an English website that can "catch" potential buyers. Many Taiwanese companies have websites, but the content is too brief to be readable in English, or the product information is not marketable, resulting in high click-through rates but low conversion rates.

For customs list development, it is recommended to have at least the following pages:

Web Module	Content Highlights
Home	Company profile, export markets, core strengths, and production capacity overview, which can be found in the bill of lading information.
Product Page	Categorized product catalogs with technical specifications and application diagrams
About Us	Team introduction, manufacturing process, certification (ISO, CE, RoHS)
Inquiry Form	Convenient for buyers to leave their contact information and inquire about product details.
Download	Toolkit for downloading catalogs, quotations, sample request forms, etc.

If you have not yet built the above structure, you may refer to [ ].WiseGuy's corporate website building service】()

Common Content Modules for B2B Business Websites

An excellent B2B marketing website is not just about "putting up a company profile", but also about supporting your unfamiliar development and SEO strategies.

The following advanced modules are recommended for import:

1. FAQ Page: Addresses common buyer questions, such as minimum order quantities, lead times, payment terms, etc., which are often answered in the bill of lading information.
2. Success Stories: List the brands you have worked with or exported to, to increase trust.
3. Customized Process Page: Show the operation flow chart from inquiry to shipment, so that customers can clearly know the mode of cooperation.
4. Movie Module: Introduce factory equipment, QC process or product features through a short video.
5. Multi-Language FunctionsIf you are expanding to Japan, Korea, Germany and France, we suggest you to introduce multi-language versions to increase your search visibility in the local market.

With these module configurations, the site is not only more transformative, but also allows clicks on links in the C&ED letter to land on marketing-ready pages, resulting in real conversations and inquiries.

How to increase trust by naturally placing a link to your official website in your development letter

When writing a development letter to a potential buyer, don't just include a homepage URL, but rather direct them to a page that is "highly relevant" to their needs. For example:

• If the other party is importing a certain type of electronic component, the letter can be annotated:

"You may view our full specification sheet for

here.
 [https://yourdomain.com/product/xyz]"

• If the letter focuses on "Factory Size and Quality Control Capability", it can be directed to the "Factory Introduction Video Page" or the "Manufacturing Process Page".

Such a hyper-connected design enhances trust and accelerates the decision of the other party to make a "proactive inquiry", shortening the wait-and-see period in the development process.

At the same time, the website has built-in tracking tools such as Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel, which can further analyze which buyers clicked on which pages and for how long they stayed, so as to further design re-marketing strategies or precise re-contact.

SEO optimization brings the benefits of secondary search and return visits, and complements the development of the letter

Many businesses miss the point: "A potential buyer may not always write back immediately, but he may search for you." At this point, if your business website has been optimized with SEO fundamentals, it will have the opportunity to appear on the first page of Google when buyers return to search for your brand, product or company name.

It is recommended to optimize the following SEO key items:

• Company name, product category keywords (e.g. Taiwan cable gland manufacturer)
• Question type content that customers often search for (e.g. "How to choose waterproof connectors")
• Industrial products related long-tail keywords with application articles (e.g.:Combining SEO and Marketing Funnel for Web Design Organization Planning)

Combining the SEO dual-engine strategy of "active development" and "passive search" allows you to grasp the opportunities for subsequent search exposure even after the development list has been touched, increasing the overall conversion rate of development letters.

Extended Application｜How to combine customs data with B2B advertising and LinkedIn development strategy?

When you have a list of screened customs buyers, in addition to writing development letters, you can do more. Today's B2B development no longer relies on a single point of contact, but rather on a "multi-point, multi-frequency, cross-platform" precise exposure and marketing layout. This chapter will further explain: how to integrate customs information with LinkedIn, B2B advertising and automated marketing tools to create a customized all-round unfamiliar development system.

Whether you're looking to boost response rates, strengthen brand impressions, or extend the contact time for potential buyers, these extended application strategies will give you a boost in overall list conversion efficiency.

LinkedIn Private Messaging and InMail Ads for Customs Lists

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful B2B social platforms available, with high penetration rates especially among buyers in North America, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Through LinkedIn, you can directly reach out to the key decision makers on your list, establish personal connections or communicate with them in private messages.

The following is the procedure for the operation of the program:

1. Retrieve the company name and title keywords from the Customs list.（These positions (e.g. Procurement Manager, Sourcing Director) often require the use of customs data for market analysis.
2. Using LinkedIn Advanced Search or Sales Navigator ToolsIf you are not able to find your account number, please contact your local government office.
3. Send an invitation with a personalized message(e.g. "Hi James, I noticed your company has been sourcing industrial fasteners - I'd love to connect and explore synergy between us.")
4. If the other party does not accept the invitation, you may also consider submitting the following InMail AdvertisementThe buyer's list group is contacted as a business page.

Many companies also use the LinkedIn Corporate Ads feature to channel their customs lists into their audiences and place display ads (e.g. product videos, success story articles), so that even if the other party doesn't open a letter, they can still see your brand and professional impression on LinkedIn over and over again.

This "double-touch" is effective in increasing buyers' familiarity with you and boosting your second letter response rate.

Building a Remarketing List: Combining Google Ads and Website Behavior

If your email has been directed to your company's website, but you don't get an immediate response from the buyer, you can use the "remarketing mechanism" to prolong the attention of the other party and reinforce the brand impression, further attracting potential customers.

Specific recommendations are as follows:

1. Installation of Google Ads Remarketing Tag on websiteThe
2. Customs buyers are marked on the re-marketing list when they click on the website.The
3. Designing advertising materials to target such potential customersWe also offer a wide range of services such as "Customized Product Advantage", "Limited Time Sample Request", "Invitation to Free Online Presentation", etc.
4. Display remarketing ads on Google Display Network (GDN) or YouTube.The

This strategy helps you track potential buyers who have already visited your website but have not yet made an inquiry, and builds trust and awareness through "continuous exposure," which ultimately boosts your website's return rate and willingness to make inquiries.

In addition, if combined with Meta (Facebook) Pixel, it can also synchronize B2B ads on Facebook/Instagram, which is especially suitable for clients who are accumulating brand image or focusing on the Southeast Asian market.

Customs data + content marketing: planning targeted white papers or product kits

Sometimes it's not easy to get an immediate reply to a development letter, so you can provide theFree valuable contentThe "Soft Entry" tool attracts potential buyers to leave their contact information.

It is recommended that the following be planned in conjunction with the C&ED data application:

• Technical White Paper: Write technical reports on buyers' product application scenarios (e.g., power module efficiency comparison, sweat-wicking fabrics and import tariff difference analysis, etc.).
• Purchase Suggestion List: A list of common mistakes and suggestions for overseas buyers to make when selecting suppliers (to strengthen your brand's advantages).
• Industry Trend Report: Use customs data to organize the import trend and price direction of a certain item to build your insight into the industry.
• This content can be placed on the website in a "fill in the form before downloading" format to further obtain contact information and cultivate a warm list of potential buyers. You can also do "content-oriented development" with development letters:

"We recently published a report analyzing sourcing trends of waterproof connectors in the EU market based on customs data.
Would you be interested in receiving a copy?"

Such a content-based development approach is particularly effective among European and American buyers, who tend to judge the professionalism and credibility of suppliers from the "value of information".

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ：One-time answer to questions about using customs data to develop foreign clients

Q1：Where is the best place to check customs information? What platforms are recommended?

The most accurate source of customs information is the governments of various countries or authorized third-party platforms. Currently, common platforms on the market, such as ImportGenius, Panjiva, Trademo, etc., all have a certain degree of credibility. If you are a Taiwanese company, it is recommended that you use consulting platforms such as SmartHub to assist in the selection and integration of data, not only to obtain a legitimate and timely list, but also with a customized list strategy to enhance the conversion rate.

Q2：Can customs data really be used to find orders? Is the success rate high?

When used correctly and with a precise development strategy, customs data can effectively increase the success rate of outreach. The key to success is to filter, analyze and personalize the data, rather than treating the list as a mass mailing list. In practice, many SMEs have successfully entered foreign markets through this method, and continue to expand the scale of orders.

Q3：How can I follow up if the other person doesn't reply?

It is recommended to use a "multi-touch" approach, such as interacting again through LinkedIn after 3~5 days or installing a tracking code on the website for re-marketing exposure. In addition, the second follow-up development letter is recommended to provide other valuable content, such as photos of samples, technical documents or success stories, and add specific questions to guide the response, such as: "Are you considering developing new suppliers in the near future?

Q4: Is this kind of data legal? Is there any commercial risk?

As long as the data is used through legitimate sources (e.g. publicly available import/export data platforms) and the use of the data does not involve mass distribution or data resale, it is generally within the scope of the law. It is recommended to choose a platform with authorized background or a consulting firm, such as WiseGuy, which can provide compliance advice and data usage guidelines to help you reduce goodwill and legal risks.

Q5：Is this method suitable for small companies to start exporting?

Perfect for. Customs data allows SMEs to build up a precise customer list without having an exhibition budget and brand awareness. Selecting "buyers with real needs" through data is more practical and efficient than spending money on advertising and attending exhibitions, and is an important start to enter the international market.

Q6：Can I use AI tools to filter customs data?

Yes, there are many AI tools and advanced Excel functions available to help categorize and analyze customs data, such as automatic sorting by import value, marking prospects by buyer behavior patterns, etc. If you are using the list data provided by ThinkPower, there are also tagging fields and templates to reduce the burden of manual filtering. If you are using the list data provided by WiseGuy, it will also come with labeling columns and automatic classification templates to reduce the burden of manual screening.

Q7：What is the difference between customs data and general B2B development list?

The biggest difference lies in "authenticity". Customs data is based on actual transaction records, while most of the general B2B lists are manually collected or organized by the industry, and may have long been invalidated or reused. Customs lists allow you to target companies that are importing, which greatly increases the hit rate and the chance of conversation.

Q8：What industries are particularly suitable for development in this way?

It is especially suitable for "high unit price, low frequency" B2B industrial products or OEM-type products, such as metal parts, machinery equipment, plastic molds, electronic components, textile fabrics, building materials and hardware. Most of the buyers in these industries are long-term partners, so precise development is more effective than mass marketing.

Q9: Can we target importers of specific brands?

You can. Through customs information, you can reverse track the import flow and partners of a brand in recent years, and further find the brand's regional agents or OEM suppliers, and cut into the brand's supply chain. This approach is especially helpful for factories that want to cooperate with brand customers but are unable to connect directly with the headquarters.

Q10：Are there any templates for reference?

Yes, we can provide templates for different industries and countries, and help optimize phrases to avoid over-marketing style. In general, the development letter should contain "observed import behavior + own advantages + action guidance", avoiding long descriptions or sales language, in order to increase the opening rate and response rate.

Contact us: Let the professional team help you build a B2B development system.

If you've read this article and you're already thinking, "I'd like to start using customs data to find foreign customers," then now is the perfect time to get started.

We know that unfamiliar development is never easy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). You may not have a marketing team, you may not have data analysts, and you may not be able to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on overseas exhibitions. But you are still eager to reach more international buyers, stabilize your entry into overseas markets, and keep your products from being seen only in Taiwan, which requires the use of customs data to find potential customers.

This is exactly why SmartHome has designed the Total Business Opportunity Growth Solution.

We help enterprises to combine "Customs import and export data analysis", "list precision screening", "development process SOP establishment" and "digital image website construction" to create a set of replicable and mass-producible overseas customer development system, helping you to transform from the traditional passive waiting to the digital trade mode of active customer promotion.

Whether you want to make a one-time purchase of a customized list of potential buyers, need help designing an English-language development letter, optimizing your corporate website, or want to attend one of our hands-on classes and chamber of commerce development resources, we've got you covered.WiseGuy can customize the most suitable solution according to the current resource situation of your business.The

Make unfamiliar development become unfamiliar, make data into orders, so that you really grasp the global business opportunities.

Contact Us
Company Name｜Wisdom House Ltd.
Service｜02-28236998
E-Mailservice@cheerway-inc.com
Official Websitehttps://www.cheerway.tw
Services｜Corporate Website Construction, SEO Optimization, Marketing Website Planning, Digital Business Opportunity Growth Consultant