We at Zepol are pleased to announce that we've fully updated the interface for our tools TradeIQ™ and TradeView™. To make these tools better and easier to use, our new interface was developed incorporating our customers' feedback and includes the following features:

• Updated interface look and feel
• Moved [Show Bill of Lading] and [Show List] to directly above results
• Replaced [View By] buttons with tab system directly above results

View the video below for more information on this enhancement and feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions.

Zepol has compiled a new report illustrating imports and exports for the U.S. Citrus industry. We derived all of this information from our trade data tools, TradeIQ and TradeView.

Each citrus HTS Code is profiled with the following information:

• 2009 import and export trends
• 2009 total value
• 2008 total value
• Change from 2008 to 2009
• Number of import or export records recorded by U.S. Customs
• Top countries of origin and destination
• Top U.S. Customs districts
• Key consignees

• Important statistics for each import and export 10-digit HTS Code
• Key import consignees
• Key import suppliers
• Top U.S. ports for imports and exports of citrus products
• Top countries of origin and destination

To download this report, please click this link.

Zepol is pleased to provide this information to the public for the first time. Unlike other reports, this information is derived completely from information collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Census Bureau. Please let us know if you have any questions about the methodology or information reported in this report by filling out our Contact Me form.

Zepol has compiled a new report illustrating imports into the top 50 U.S. containerized import ports by twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Zepol derived all of this information from our trade data tools, TradeIQ and TradeView.

Each port is profiled with the following information:

• U.S. Port Ranking
• 2009 TEU Volume
• 2008 TEU Volume
• Change from 2008 to 2009
• Total Value of Imports for 2009 (Jan to Nov)
• Total Value of Imports for 2008
• Number of Bills of Lading Reported
• 2009 Monthly TEU Trend
• Top International Port Trading Partners
• 5 Key Consignees
• Top Carrier Partnerships 

To download this report, please click this link.

Zepol is pleased to provide this information to the public for the first time. Unlike other reports, this information is derived completely from information collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Census Bureau. Please let us know if you have any questions about the methodology or information reported in this report by filling out our Contact Me form.

As we wrap up Christmas, it is time to look back and compare how Christmas imports fared this year to previous years. As you can see below, holiday total imports have taken a hit over the years.

Imports of holiday knick knacks have decreased severely over the years. When comparing yearly highs, wood ornaments are down 25.21% from September 2008 while glass ornaments have decreased 33.3%. Christmas trees have also taken a big hit with plastic tree imports decreasing 31.89% from September 2008 and real trees down 38.41%.

However, it has been reported that seasonal sales are actually up this year. Some are attributing this to better inventory management and an increase in online sales, but as others have noted, we really won't be able to compare seasons until after this next week; the week after Christmas accounts for 15% of the season's sales.