To find active importers, search trade records using relevant HS codes and product keywords, then evaluate recent shipments, purchasing frequency, and product relevance. This helps distinguish companies with a relevant buying history from businesses that simply appear in a directory.

Topease Global Trade Pal supports buyer discovery through product, HS code, and competitor searches, helping exporters identify companies with recorded import activity. AI SalesBot extends this research into buyer qualification, contact discovery, and personalized outreach.

Why Use Both HS Codes and Product Keywords?

HS codes classify internationally traded goods, while product keywords help identify specific products, materials, and applications within trade descriptions. Using both addresses two common research challenges:

Broad classifications: An HS code may cover products with different specifications or uses. Keywords help narrow results to relevant goods.

Inconsistent descriptions: Similar products may appear under different names, abbreviations, or languages. Related terms help capture transactions that a single keyword could miss.

Global Trade Pal 8.0 supports AI-powered product recognition, keyword expansion, and automatic translation to help account for these variations. Combining classification codes with product terminology provides a more focused starting point than relying on either alone.

1. Define Your Products and Target Buyers

Before searching, establish what you sell and which companies are likely to buy it. Useful inputs include:

With Topease AI SalesBot, you can begin with your company website, a company profile PDF, or manually entered information.

AI SalesBot uses this information to build a business and product profile that guides buyer discovery. Review the profile before proceeding: accurate product details and clear customer criteria are essential to relevant recommendations.

2. Search with HS Codes and Product Keywords

Use relevant HS codes to establish the product category, then add keywords to identify more specific goods. Include alternative names, common abbreviations, and material or application terms where appropriate.

Global Trade Pal supports combined HS code and keyword searches, including multiple product terms connected by OR conditions. AI Keyword Expansion and Automatic Translation help broaden coverage across different descriptions and markets.

For example, an LED lamp exporter can combine relevant HS classifications with product-specific terms, then inspect the original transaction descriptions to confirm relevance.

AI SalesBot can also identify product terms, related keywords, exclusion terms, and corresponding HS codes from your business profile. This supports automated discovery without requiring you to prepare a prospect list manually.

3. Check Recent and Recurring Import Activity

A relevant product match is only the beginning. Review the company’s purchasing history to understand whether its recorded activity is recent and consistent.

Focus on three indicators:

Recency: When did the company last import relevant goods?

Frequency: Does it purchase regularly or only occasionally?

Trend: Has its transaction activity increased, declined, or remained stable?

Global Trade Pal 8.0 provides transaction-date filters covering the past year, three years, or five years, alongside transaction-frequency filters.

Choose thresholds that suit your industry. A machinery importer may place a few high-value orders, while a components distributor may purchase much more frequently. A single frequency threshold will not suit both.

Recent imports demonstrate recorded trading activity—not an immediate intention to purchase from a new supplier.

4. Evaluate Product Relevance and Buyer Fit

A company’s total import volume does not necessarily reflect demand for your products. Examine product-specific transactions, original descriptions, and corresponding HS codes to understand what it actually purchases.

Global Trade Pal company records can show the latest transaction date, total trade records, and transactions associated with particular product keywords.

AI SalesBot adds automated background research across four areas:

These findings contribute to a buyer-fit score that helps prioritize prospects. Treat the score as an indication of alignment with your criteria, not a guarantee of purchasing intent or conversion.

5. Connect Importer Research with Sales Outreach

Once suitable companies have been identified, AI SalesBot can continue with contact discovery and customer development.

The system identifies relevant business contacts and prepares personalized emails using your product information and the prospect’s company background and purchasing history. Automated follow-up sequences can introduce additional product information over time.

Prospect details, communication records, and follow-up status are recorded in CRM. Daily and weekly reports help sales teams review researched companies, potential buyers, email performance, and follow-up priorities.

Before launching outreach, review contact relevance, message accuracy, and sending preferences. Personalization should reflect supported business information rather than assumptions about a buyer’s current needs.

Can You Add Importers Found Through Manual Search?

Yes. You can research importers directly using HS codes, product keywords, transaction filters, and company information, then assign selected companies to AI SalesBot for further research and development.

Existing prospect lists can also be incorporated into supported workflows. This gives sales teams two routes:

Automated discovery: Start with your company and product profile.

Research-led discovery: Add companies identified through trade searches or existing prospecting efforts.

Both routes can support subsequent qualification, contact discovery, email outreach, and CRM tracking. Feedback such as “Not Interested” helps refine future recommendations.

Turn Importer Data into Relevant Sales Opportunities

Effective importer discovery combines product relevance with evidence of purchasing activity. HS codes establish the category, keywords sharpen the search, and transaction histories help reveal which companies deserve further attention.

Topease Global Trade Pal 8.0 connects this research with AI SalesBot, helping exporters move from buyer identification to qualification and personalized outreach.