Import Yeti

Tool Description : A supply chain intelligence tool that helps users discover who imports products into the United States and which overseas suppliers they use.

Import Yeti

Quick Overview

URL

https://www.importyeti.com/

What it does

Searches and analyses U.S. import records to reveal supplier-customer relationships, shipping activity, manufacturers, sourcing locations & supply chain connections.

How to use it

Search by company name, supplier, brand, manufacturer, or product keyword to explore import records and supply chain relationships.

Cost

Free with optional premium features and business services.

Account required

No for basic searching. Some features may require an account.

Very minimal - uses a security/anti-bot cookie, most likely generated by Cloudflare.

Ownership

A US-based company founded by David Applegate and James Brewer.

Use in Reporting

Useful for supply chain investigations, corporate profiling, sanctions research, ESG investigations, due diligence, procurement analysis, trade intelligence and identifying business relationships.

What does Import Yeti do?

Import Yeti transforms complex U.S. customs and shipping records into an easy-to-search database, making it possible to map business relationships, identify manufacturers, uncover sourcing patterns, and investigate supply chains.

The lowdown: It can reveal hidden business connections that may not be obvious from company websites or public statements.

How to Use:

1. Simply enter the name of a company, brand, importer, or manufacturer into the search bar.

2. Review the profile page to see shipment history, suppliers, and trade activity. Explore supplier relationships, then pivot and expand your investigation.

Cost

Free
Partially Free
Paid

Free with optional premium features and business services.

Data Processing

Account Required:

No for basic searching. Some features may require an account.

Cookies:

Very minimal - the site uses a security/anti-bot cookie, most likely generated by Cloudflare.

Use in Reporting

Import Yeti can support reporting by helping researchers:

Verify supply chain claims.
Identify overseas manufacturers.
Investigate sourcing practices.
Confirm trade relationships.
Support due diligence investigations.
Examine corporate transparency.
Trace import activity over time.
Identify potential links between companies.
Contextualise business operations.

The Global Investigative Journalism Network includes ImportYeti in its guidance for investigating supply chains and specifically mentions it as a free tool for finding suppliers through a database of tens of millions of U.S. sea shipment records.

Capabilities

Limitations

Identifies suppliers, manufacturers, and importers linked to a company.

Coverage is largely restricted to U.S. customs and import data.

Maps commercial relationships across supply chains.

Records may be incomplete, delayed, or inconsistently reported.

Reveals historical import activity and sourcing patterns.

Company names and entities can be difficult to match accurately.

Supports due diligence, procurement, and investigative research.

Import records alone do not confirm current business relationships.

Helps uncover business connections that may not be publicly disclosed.

Summary

Import Yeti provides a fast and accessible starting point for supply chain intelligence and is typically most valuable during the enrichment, analysis, and relationship-mapping stages of the OSINT workflow.

Ownership

ImportYeti is a US-based company founded by David Applegate and James Brewer.

Ethical Considerations

Remember that shipping records show commercial activity, not wrongdoing.
Avoid drawing conclusions from a single shipment record.
Corroborate findings using multiple independent sources.
Consider the age and completeness of the data.
Be mindful of privacy, reputational impact, and context when reporting findings.
Follow organisational and legal guidelines when conducting investigations.