Watch the narrated market-research checklist
This 34-second English video explains how to keep trade-data research separate from an actual customer order and freight discussion. Its worksheet is illustrative; it contains no market rankings or shipment figures.
Open the narrated checklist. Read the complete subtitles.
Entering new overseas lanes works best when logistics planning starts with official trade records rather than guesswork. Public Indian trade portals show where specific goods already move by quantity and value, helping exporters shortlist target markets before requesting carrier quotes. However, national export volume never replaces buyer vetting or a live freight quotation.
Three-Step Market Shortlisting Process
1. Review Commodity and Country Trade Baselines
Start with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade reference on commodity and country trade data, which outlines how official statistics record export quantity and value across destinations. Keep quantity and value units separate, and note the reporting period you selected. Aggregate trade figures do not describe individual consignment sizes.
2. Filter Annual Reports by HS Code
Next, query the TradeStat commodity-country export database using its HS-code, year, country-region, and value-unit filters. Read the portal notice carefully: TradeStat cautions about HS code reallocations and unit changes from April 2026, so always confirm that multi-year comparisons align across classification codes and units.
3. Check Monthly Views for Shipment Pacing
For a second historical view, review the TradeStat monthly commodity export view by selecting an available reporting period and unit. Treat these monthly figures strictly as historical reported flows for the selected period, and never treat them as real-time activity or today's buyer demand.
Evidence Checklist for Your Shipment Brief
Existing Indian export flows confirm that a commodity moves to a destination, but they do not verify a specific buyer's demand, creditworthiness, or current freight rate. Before requesting carrier pricing, compile this practical shipment brief checklist:
- Confirmed HS code and reporting unit: Check whether April 2026 code reallocations or unit changes affect your product line.
- Comparable research: Keep the selected HS code, country, period, value unit and source alongside each figure. Choose dispatch size and frequency from your own orders and packing plan.
- Packed cargo specifications: Estimate gross and volumetric weight early using our air freight chargeable weight guide.
- Document alignment: Verify commercial invoice and packing details against our shipment document consistency checklist.
Ready to turn your market shortlist into a practical routing plan? Share your target destination, packing dimensions, and target schedule via the WCL contact page to build your shipment brief.