# How to Choose an Import-Export Data Provider: 5 Checks

*Source: https://eximagent.ai/blog/trade-data-provider-evaluation-checklist · Published: September 17, 2026 · Updated: October 27, 2026 · Category: Global Trade*

> Use a practical checklist to compare trade data providers by coverage, sources, freshness and evidence before choosing a research workflow.

A trade data provider should be evaluated by the evidence it can support, not by the size of its marketing page.

## Coverage

Ask which countries, ports, products and time periods are represented. Check whether the provider covers the corridor and HS codes your team actually researches. A large global claim is not a substitute for coverage that fits your market.

## Sources and field detail

Review the origin of the records and the fields exposed for each shipment. Useful fields may include shipper, consignee, product description, HS code, date, port and quantity, where law and source availability permit. Confirm whether names are standardised and whether gaps are visible. For what each field can tell you, see [bill of lading data](https://eximagent.ai/blog/bill-of-lading-data-what-it-reveals-about-buyers), and for how shipment records differ from firmographic sources, see [trade data vs company databases](https://eximagent.ai/blog/trade-data-vs-company-databases).

## Freshness and history

Run the same query against a recent period and an older period. Compare update frequency, date coverage and whether records arrive with a meaningful delay. If the provider cannot explain the refresh cycle, treat latest as unverified.

## Evidence quality

A good workflow lets a researcher open the record behind a conclusion. Test whether you can trace a shortlist back to shipment evidence, record dates and the filters used. Separate observed fields from inferred company fit and current buying intent.

## Access and agent use

Check export options, saved queries, collaboration, API access and the time required to move from a result to a qualified company brief. A cheaper plan that produces unreviewable data may cost more in analyst time. Ask whether the provider can be used from your AI agent, for example through a CLI or an MCP connector, and what each call costs.

## Document a repeatable decision

Score each provider against the same criteria: corridor coverage, field depth, freshness, traceability, usability and total workflow cost. Keep a sample query and the date tested so the comparison can be repeated. If you are shortlisting specific platforms, our comparison of [ImportYeti alternatives for exporters and AI agents](https://eximagent.ai/blog/importyeti-alternatives) compares six tools on coverage, pricing model, AI agent access and compliance. For contact-database tools, see [Apollo.io alternatives for exporters](https://eximagent.ai/blog/apollo-io-alternatives-for-exporters).

## Run this from your AI agent

When "AI agent access" is on your checklist, here is what it looks like with EximAgent.

- **Install the CLI** (macOS Apple silicon, Linux, Windows x64): `curl -fsSL https://cli.eximagent.ai/install | sh`. On Windows PowerShell: `irm https://cli.eximagent.ai/install.ps1 | iex`
- **Sign in:** `eximagent login` (approve in your browser), then check with `eximagent whoami`
- **Or add the hosted MCP connector** (OAuth with Google sign-in, no API key to paste): `claude mcp add --transport http eximagent https://mcp.eximagent.ai/mcp --scope user`, then run `/mcp` and sign in. It also works in Codex, Cursor, and Claude desktop and web.
- **Commands for this job:** `eximagent shipments search …` and `eximagent trade lookup …` (both use credits), and `eximagent --dry-run search run …` (free preview; it returns the plan and cost before anything uses credits).

[CLI docs](https://eximagent.ai/cli) · [MCP connector setup](https://eximagent.ai/docs/integrations/mcp)

*Not technical? Ask the same question in the [EximAgent web app](https://chat.eximagent.ai/).*

EximAgent is designed for buyer research that starts with shipment evidence and continues into company qualification. Use the [Trade Data workspace](https://eximagent.ai/trade-data) to test the evidence your corridor requires.