China customs data sources
China Customs Data Sources: GACC, ETCN, UN Comtrade, and Cleaned HS Data
Overseas users often need the same outcome: a trustworthy China trade dataset that can be used in a spreadsheet, research memo, procurement workflow, or market-entry model. The best source depends on whether the job is tariff lookup, official source checking, global comparison, or cleaned HS code delivery.
Start with GACC
GACC is the source to verify China customs statistics, but the public query workflow still leaves cleaning and formatting work.
Use UN Comtrade
UN Comtrade is useful for global normalized trade data, especially when comparing China with other reporting countries.
Request cleaned HS data
ChinaData publishes Top 20 partner pages and delivers full all-country CSV / Excel files by scoped request.
Compare China customs data sources
| Source | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| GACC public statistics | Official monthly China customs statistics and direct source checking. | Manual query flow, limited bulk workflow, and cleaning still required for analysis. |
| ETCN / e-to-china | HS code, tariff, customs restriction, and legacy customs information lookup. | Older product experience and less transparent public sample delivery for modern CSV workflows. |
| UN Comtrade | Free global trade data with standardized country reporting across many economies. | Different reporting structure, release lag, and less direct alignment with China GACC monthly extracts. |
| Large trade intelligence platforms | Sales intelligence, buyer / supplier search, and broad trade workflows. | Higher cost, opaque pricing, and features that may be unnecessary for narrow HS research tasks. |
| ChinaData cleaned HS data | Overseas users who need cleaned China HS trade data as CSV, Excel, API-style tables, or scoped analysis. | Public pages show Top 20 partner data; full all-country files are delivered by request. |
Decision guide
Quick HS code or tariff lookup
Best first source: ETCN / tariff portals
ChinaData fit: Use ChinaData only when trade values or partner-country trends are needed.
Free global comparison
Best first source: UN Comtrade
ChinaData fit: Use ChinaData when direct China monthly GACC-style extracts are needed.
Official source validation
Best first source: GACC public statistics
ChinaData fit: Use ChinaData when you want cleaned files after source coverage is confirmed.
One HS6 CSV / Excel file
Best first source: ChinaData custom data
ChinaData fit: Request the exact HS code, flow, years, partner-country scope, and format.
Research pack across products
Best first source: ChinaData custom data or specialist platforms
ChinaData fit: Best fit when the output should be analyst-ready rather than a broad search dashboard.
What ChinaData publishes publicly
Frequently asked questions
Where can overseas users get China customs data?
Common sources include GACC public statistics, ETCN / e-to-china, UN Comtrade, paid trade intelligence platforms, and cleaned HS data providers such as ChinaData. The best source depends on whether the user needs tariff lookup, global comparison, or analyst-ready China HS data files.
How is GACC data different from UN Comtrade?
GACC is the China customs source used for monthly China trade statistics. UN Comtrade is a global normalized database, useful for cross-country comparison but often different in timing, structure, and reporting conventions.
Is ETCN the same as ChinaData?
No. ETCN is a legacy customs information portal with HS, tariff, restriction, and trade tool positioning. ChinaData focuses on public Top 20 HS partner pages and scoped CSV / Excel delivery for overseas users who need cleaned trade data.
What should I request if I already know the HS code?
Send the HS code, export or import flow, years, partner-country scope, fields, and delivery format. ChinaData can confirm coverage and quote a cleaned CSV / Excel delivery.