Before you price your records
Is import data public? Manifests, confidentiality and HMRC
Updated
Part of a US importer's shipping history is published by law, which is why trade-intelligence firms can sell it. What an importer files with its broker, and what the UK customs authority holds, is a different matter.
US vessel manifests are disclosed by default
Section 1431(c) of Title 19 makes available for public disclosure "The name and address of each importer or consignee and the name and address of the shipper to such importer or consignee, unless the importer or consignee has made a biennial certification" claiming confidential treatment.
Source: 19 U.S. Code section 1431
How an importer keeps its name off the manifest
The regulation says "An importer or consignee may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in inward manifests, to include identifying marks and numbers." A shipper may do the same for an outward manifest.
Source: eCFR, 19 CFR 103.31
In the UK, the customs authority may not disclose
The Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 says "Revenue and Customs officials may not disclose information which is held by the Revenue and Customs in connection with a function of the Revenue and Customs." Wrongful disclosure of information about an identifiable person is an offence under section 19.
Source: Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, section 18
What is not public anywhere
Tariff classifications, declared values, invoices, rulings and correspondence held in an importer's own systems are not on a manifest. That private part of the record is what a buyer cannot get from a manifest vendor. Each provision is on our customs register.