The Leader in Global Trade Information

In the 1970's, the Port Import Export Reporting Service ("PIERS") was founded as an electronic data service. Since then, the PIERS database has offered the most comprehensive statistics on global cargo movements transiting seaports in the United States, Mexico and South America to companies around the globe. Because of the quality and timeliness of its data, PIERS has become the leading provider of global trade information.

PIERS is a division of The Journal of Commerce, an international daily newspaper. The Journal of Commerce has been the leading independent source of global trade and transportation information since 1827. PIERS is also a member of The Economist Group, whose publications have gained worldwide respect as the authority on international affairs and business.

How does PIERS collect data?

In the United States, The Freedom of Information Act and U.S. Customs' Regulations allow press organizations to make specific shipping documents available to the public. Every day, PIERS collects more than 10,000 bills of lading from U.S. Customs' Automated Manifest Systems (AMS)data tapes. In addition, over 100 PIERS reporters collect import and export information daily from actual bills of lading and vessel manifests -- from every leading U.S. port across the country, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. PIERS quality control staff then verifies this information against the U.S. Customs' list of vessels exiting and arriving at U.S. ports.

Recognizing our customers' expanding needs for comprehensive trade information, PIERS has established relationships with Mexico and the leading countries of South America. PIERS de Mexico, a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 1995, has exclusive access to import and export information from vessel manifests in Mexico. Likewise, PIERS also has exclusive access to information from vessel manifests in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The data provide detailed information regarding the movement of cargo transiting the leading Latin American seaports.

This Fall, PIERS will also capture manifest and bill of lading information on waterborne cargoes moving through India's leading seaports. Every month, trade information compiled from over 60,000 shipments will be available on this emerging market.