Entering a market is the most important issue for companies that will be dealing with foreign trade and are for companies that are currently dealing with when choosing a new product and a market. Knowing and understanding a market as deeply as possible greatly increases the maneuverability of companies. In recent years, United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Bank and International Chamber of Commerce (ITC) have created large databases in this field and made them available to companies. Customs duties, trade barriers, non-duties barriers, target market information, procedures, formalities etc. Such information is included in databases and provides great convenience to companies. The most important of these databases are:

1. International Export Potential Map

The Export Potential Map identifies export diversification opportunities as well as containing information on products, markets and suppliers with export potential for 226 countries and regions and 4,376 products. Based on the International Trade Center’s (ITC) export potential methodology, it evaluates and categorizes export performance, target market demand and market access conditions, as well as bilateral links between the exporting country and the target market, to provide a unique ranking of untapped opportunities, making them understandable to users.

2. International Trade Center Market Access Map

Market Access Map is a free analytical portal that allows exporters and importers to access, compare, analyze, and download tariffs, tariff-rate quotas, trade solutions and non-tariff measures that may apply to a given commodity in any market in the world. The web application is interactive, simple and easy to use. On the homepage you can find tariff information and other market entry requirements quickly, easily and for free.

3. EU Market Entry Database

Access2Markets is the new portal for EU exporters and importers, where they can find detailed information on tariffs, duties of origin rules and surcharges, import procedures and formalities, product requirements, trade barriers, and trade flow statistics.

4. International Trade Center Global Trade Helpdesk

The Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH) is an initiative jointly managed by ITC, UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) and the World Trade Organization, which aims to simplify market research for companies and especially micro, small and medium enterprises by integrating trade and business information. Using the Global Trade Helpdesk, companies can compare demand for their products across markets, discover tariffs and other market access conditions, access buyer details, navigate domestic export processes, and find business partners.

5. EuroMed Trade Helpdesk

EuroMed Trade Helpdesk, in cooperation with the EU Export Helpdesk, aims to facilitate trade and investment in the European Mediterranean Region. It is an institution established to analyze business opportunities and market access requirements or to provide more market information services on Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Turkey. EuroMed Helpdesk is available in English, French, Arabic and Turkish.

6. Doing Business Database

Doing Business, the finest publication of the World Bank, is a series of annual studies that measure the regulations that foster and restrict business activity. Doing Business provides quantitative data on business regulation and property rights protection that can be compared across 190 economies and time, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

7. World Bank WITS Simulation

World Bank WITS Simulation is a trading software provided by the World Bank for users to query various international trade databases. WITS allows the user to query trade statistics from the United Nations' official repository of international trade statistics and related analytical tables (UN COMTRADE), tariff and non-tariff measures (Non-Tariff Measures).

8. World Trade Organization I-TIP Portal

I-TIP provides comprehensive information on non-tariff measures implemented by WTO members on trade in goods. The information includes members' notices of unexplained trade barriers, i.e., as well as information on specific trade concerns raised by members at WTO committee meetings. Its purpose is to serve the needs of those seeking summary information as well as those seeking detailed information on trade policy measures.

9. ePing

Product-related notifications are regularly published within the World Trade Organization. WTO notifications contribute to the prevention of technical barriers by ensuring transparency in the legislation and practices of countries. Through notifications, you can learn about the regulations of other countries that may adversely affect your exports at the draft stage, comment and have them changed. A joint venture of the United Nations, World Trade Organization and ITC, ePing is an online tool that enables private and public stakeholders to access and understand WTO  notifications in a timely manner affecting products and markets of interest.

10. Technical Barriers to Trade Database

On this site, which is a service of the Ministry of Commerce, you can regularly follow the notifications published in the WTO. The technical legislation and authorized institutions of the countries, the mandatory documents they request, product safety inspection systems, etc. You can find the information here. You can obtain the contact information of the Turkish Consultants / Attachés working in the relevant country.

11. International Trade Center Non-Tariff Measures Survey

ITC conducts large-scale surveys of companies to improve knowledge on current non-tariff barriers by providing detailed qualitative impact analysis and addressing key stakeholders directly. Based on the experience and knowledge of exporters and importers who have to deal with these measures, these surveys are a viable and proven mechanism to deepen understanding of the perception of non-tariff measures, which is inherently difficult to quantify.

Trade Atlas is a global importer and exporter search engine that contains 1.5 billion bills of lading and shipment data of 17.5 million importer companies in more than 230 countries around the world. Trade Atlas is with you to accompany you in taking steps towards becoming a more important part of global trade! To be a part of the global ecosystem, you can register and search for free by clicking here.