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Data Collection
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PIERS has access to import /export data due to the Freedom of Information Act
along with U.S. Customs Regulations which authorize press organizations to copy
certain shipping documents available to the public.
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U.S. Import Products
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Import information is obtained from vessel manifests and U.S. Customs Automated
Manifest Systems (AMS) data tapes from all U.S. ports. Reporters throughout the
country (including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) collect import information
from all U.S. ports. PIERS information is verified by the PIERS quality
control staff, whom audits our records every month against a list, supplied by
U.S. Customs, of vessels arriving at U.S. ports. In the event of a discrepancy,
PIERS requests the appropriate documentation from either U.S. Customs or the
ship line. In addition, ship lines and importers that subscribe to PIERS verify
their own shipments in our system and notify us of any discrepancies.
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U.S. Export Products
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Reporters throughout the country (including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico)
gather export information from bills of lading at all U.S. ports. The ship
lines are obliged by law to submit documentation for every item on board the
vessel. The PIERS quality control staff verifies PIERS export information
against a list of vessels, supplied by U.S. Customs, exiting U.S. ports. Ship
lines and exporters that subscribe to PIERS verify their own shipments and
notify us of any disagreements among the shipment records.
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Global Imports
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PIERS obtains Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Peruvian and
Venezuelan import data by forming partnerships with companies that specialize
in manifest collection. We enhance this data to meet our conventions through a
rigorous quality control process that includes codification and
standardization.
PIERS Mexican Import Data is obtained via a contract with the Coordinacion
General de Puertos y Marina Mercante who provide us with import documentation
in the 11 Mexican ports we cover. For most of our import data we use ship
manifests as documentation. However, import pedimentos are used for our data
when no manifest is available. PIERS has 15 reporters covering 11 ports on the
Pacific and Gulf Coasts. These ports are Ensenada, Mazatlan, Manzanillo,
Acapulco, Lazaro Cardenas, Salina Cruz, Altamira, Tampico, Tuxpan, Veracruz and
Progreso.
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Global Exports
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PIERS obtains export data for Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and
Venezuela through the formation of partnerships with companies that specialize
in manifest collection. We enhance this data to meet our conventions through a
rigorous quality control process that includes codification and
standardization.
PIERS Mexican Export Data is obtained via a contract with the Coordinacion
General de Puertos y Marina Mercante who provide us with export documentation
in the Mexican ports we cover. Export data is retrieved from pedimentos which
is similar to U.S export declaration. PIERS has 15 reporters covering 11 ports
on the Pacific and Gulf Coasts. These ports are Ensenada, Mazatlan, Manzanillo,
Acapulco, Lazaro Cardenas, Salina Cruz, Altamira, Tampico, Tuxpan, Veracruz,
and Progreso.
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