What is Shipment Data? Definition, Sources & Shipping Datasets to buy

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Eugenio Caterino
Editor & Data Industry Expert

What is Shipment Data?

The shipment of cargo is the most crucial aspect of any economy as it facilitates exports and imports of goods. Export and import are indicators of a country’s economical well-being. For manufacturing and retail organizations, understanding shipment data is a critical aspect of tracking down the day-to-day running of operations. As a crucial driver of the supply chain of any given business, shipment data helps business organizations to quantify their shipping metrics and work on ways to improve them.

Best Shipment Databases & Datasets

Here is our curated selection of top Shipment Data sources. We focus on key factors such as data reliability, accuracy, and flexibility to meet diverse use-case requirements. These datasets are provided by trusted providers known for delivering high-quality, up-to-date information.

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Shipment Data is essential for a wide range of business applications, offering valuable insights and driving opportunities across industries. Below, we have highlighted the most significant use cases for Shipment Data.

Shipment Data Explained

Shipment data refers to information related to the transportation of goods, including details such as origin, destination, weight, and tracking information. Examples of shipment data include shipping manifests, bills of lading, and customs declarations. Shipment data is used for various purposes, such as supply chain management, logistics optimization, trade analysis, and market research. In this page, you’ll find the best data sources for international shipping data and shipment databases.

How is Shipment Data collected?

Shipment data is often collected and compiled by logistics companies that are directly involved in the shipping business. However, aided by proper documentation, companies can also keep a copy of their shipment data when they receive or dispatch goods. By working hand-in-hand with shipping companies and logistics-based government agencies, businesses are also in a better position to collect shipment data.

What are the attributes of Shipment Data?

Shipment data consists of information that pertains to the qualities of the cargo and transport moving it. This data gives details about the weight of the cargo, cubic metrics, the destination of the shipment, shipper, consignee, loading number, departure date, and arrival dates. Furthermore, shipment data offers a view of the total cost of carrying, loading, unloading, and transferring cargo.

What are the uses of Shipment Data?

When businesses decode their shipping data, they are in a better position to carry out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of their shipping metrics. Based on the core attributes of shipment data, businesses can build their shipping profile by:

• Comprehending the shipping weights of the cargo
• Knowing which zones they ship to and from
• Assessing how the business takes care of the billing aspect of the whole shipping process
• Fully comprehending the technical specifications is crucial in the management, consolidation, and packaging of shipments
• Evaluating the synchronization aspect of various company departments in different geographical locations
• Determining the robustness of the organization’s shipment and tracking technology to get an insight into the best alternatives.

When businesses have a developed shipment profile that is drawn from shipment data, they are placed to have a ‘panoramic view’ of the whole shipping operations. This clear view of operations is used by organizations to plan their budget and arrest any mistake that might arise during the shipping process.

How can a user assess the quality of Shipment Data?

Operationally, users of shipment data can define data quality by taking into account the aspect of quality parameters and quality indicators. A data quality indicator is a data attribute that gives objective information concerning the data. Sources, time of creation, method of collection are examples of a quality indicator. On the other hand, the data quality parameter refers to a qualitative dimension through which a user assesses the data quality. Factors such as credibility and timeliness are perfect examples of quality parameters. Based on this analysis, the dimensions of data quality management (DQM) objectives for shipment data involves taking into account the following general accounting settings:

  • Accuracy/correctness - can the shipment data be verified as true when compared to other sources?
  • Level of completion - are there gaps in the data provider’s shipment dataset?
  • Timeliness - can the data provider supply real-time shipment updates?
  • Consistency - does the shipment data provider offer reliable cutsomer service?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can I Buy Shipment Data?

You can explore our data marketplace to find a variety of Shipment Data tailored to different use cases. Our verified providers offer a range of solutions, and you can contact them directly to discuss your specific needs.

How is the Quality of Shipment Data Maintained?

The quality of Shipment Data is ensured through rigorous validation processes, such as cross-referencing with reliable sources, monitoring accuracy rates, and filtering out inconsistencies. High-quality datasets often report match rates, regular updates, and adherence to industry standards.

How Frequently is Shipment Data Updated?

The update frequency for Shipment Data varies by provider and dataset. Some datasets are refreshed daily or weekly, while others update less frequently. When evaluating options, ensure you select a dataset with a frequency that suits your specific use case.

Is Shipment Data Secure?

The security of Shipment Data is prioritized through compliance with industry standards, including encryption, anonymization, and secure delivery methods like SFTP and APIs. At Datarade, we enforce strict policies, requiring all our providers to adhere to regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant data protection standards.

How is Shipment Data Delivered?

Shipment Data can be delivered in formats such as CSV, JSON, XML, or via APIs, enabling seamless integration into your systems. Delivery frequencies range from real-time updates to scheduled intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, or on-demand). Choose datasets that align with your preferred delivery method and system compatibility for Shipment Data.

How Much Does Shipment Data Cost?

The cost of Shipment Data depends on factors like the datasets size, scope, update frequency, and customization level. Pricing models may include one-off purchases, monthly or yearly subscriptions, or usage-based fees. Many providers offer free samples, allowing you to evaluate the suitability of Shipment Data for your needs.

What Are Similar Data Types to Shipment Data?

Shipment Data is similar to other data types, such as Aviation Data, Trucking Fleet Data, Freight Data, Road Data, and Maritime Data. These related categories are often used together for applications like Supply Chain Intelligence and Procurement Intelligence.

Eugenio Caterino

Eugenio Caterino

Editor & Data Industry Expert @ Datarade

Eugenio is an editor and data industry expert with over a decade of experience specializing in B2B data marketplaces and e-commerce platforms. He has a strong background in data analytics, data science, and data management. Eugenio is passionate about helping companies leverage data and technology to drive innovation and business growth, ensuring they can easily and efficiently access the solutions they need.

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