# From Shipment Records to a Buyer Shortlist: An Evidence-Based Walkthrough

*Source: https://eximagent.ai/blog/shipment-data-buyer-shortlist-case-study · Published: September 17, 2026 · Category: Global Trade*

> A transparent walkthrough shows how an exporter can move from shipment records to a buyer shortlist while keeping sources and uncertainty visible.

A buyer shortlist is only useful when another person can understand how each company was selected. This walkthrough shows a repeatable path from shipment records to a reviewable shortlist.

Step 1: define the question

Choose the product, destination market, time range and evidence you need. Write the inclusion rule before you search, for example: companies with repeated records for the relevant product in the selected corridor during the last twelve months. The rule keeps the sample from drifting.

Step 2: inspect the records

Filter by the relevant HS code and product wording. Review the available shipper, consignee, date, port and shipment fields. Save the query date and the filters used. If a field is missing, leave it blank rather than inferring it.

Step 3: build a candidate table

Create one row per company. Record the shipment evidence, the product match, the most recent observed date and a source link or record reference. Add a confidence note that separates what the record shows from what still needs confirmation.

Step 4: verify company fit

Check the company website, catalogue and public contact path. Confirm that its business model and market match the offer. A company that appears in a record may be a broker, affiliate or logistics intermediary, so role and fit require a second source.

Step 5: rank for outreach

Rank candidates by evidence strength, recency, product match and reachable contact path. State the reason for each ranking. Do not turn the score into a claim of purchase intent; it is a prioritisation aid.

Step 6: review and update

Have a second reviewer sample the shortlist and trace several rows back to the original records. Record corrections and the date of the next refresh. A historical result becomes more useful when its limits are visible.

EximAgent supports this workflow by bringing shipment research and company qualification into one place. Use the Trade Data workspace at [https://eximagent.ai/trade-data](https://eximagent.ai/trade-data) to create an evidence-based shortlist for your next corridor.