In a growing number of countries, however, customs administrators are willing to provide such information, especially as they begin to realize that selling tailor-made information about importers can be a valuable source of revenue. In the European Union, as national barriers fall, banks have replaced customs as the information source on import-export transactions. This is a trend to monitor, as it may be followed by other regional groupings. Importers associations Another source of information is importers associations in the target market. Lists of members generally offer detailed and useful contact information in specific product categories.
Market studies Market studies for various business sectors also contain lists of importers.
ITC also frequently publishes market information containing sector-related lists of importers. A willingness to investigate The rapid rise of the Internet, which in a short span has become an international information marketplace, can create a sense of misplaced complacency. The search for business leads cannot be perfected simply by mastering use of search engines on the Internet. A flair for seeking out business leads and a willingness to investigate are equally important. A Brazilian exporter of ceramic tiles who targets the Middle East, for example, may find that importers lists are not available.