What does a partner need to know before joining TradeLens?

Enjoy more visibility and collaboration when key supply chain partners join the TradeLens platform.

Information for clients and their client partners

Many companies in the supply chain management (SCM) industry often interact with each other. Traditionally, though, there’s been no efficient way of connecting them, since individual organizations have different account management processes and architecture.

Through our Partner Access feature, we aim to connect this ecosystem and become the digital backbone of the global SCM industry. This functionality starts a process that allows network members to own these relationships. It also facilitates the sharing of shipment data and trade objects.

As a TradeLens subscriber, first, you need to understand who you want to invite to collaborate on the TradeLens platform.

You can use the platform to search for your clients and suppliers and establish a partnership. You’ll also be able to:

• Search and invite companies already on the TradeLens platform to become your partner
• Invite your own partners to join the TradeLens platform with a simple email-based click and accept process
• Choose whether you as a company want to be searchable or not
• Choose whether to accept or reject partnership requests
• Refer to a partner using a unique party identifier – either user-specified, or system generated

Once a partnership has been established, the party identifier can be used to give the party access to a trade object, like a shipment, consignment, or transport equipment.

After establishing your list of partners and confirming if they are already on the Tradelens platform, next you can approach them to turn on your data. 

If your partner is not already on the platform, you can request they join as your partner through a setup process. Contact support to find out more. 

What are the supported Partner roles?

Access to information within the TradeLens platform is governed but the Data Sharing Specifications (DSS). Read our guide on the DSS: How to understand your party's data permissions in the DSS

3PLs and Freight Forwarders:

• TradeLens subscribers will need to identify the scope of their 3PL/FFW to determine partner access guidelines: e.g. a booking agent who can publish or consume shipment milestones

The scope will determine how the entity is mapped, as well as the corresponding platform permissions.

Customs house brokers (CHBs):

• The CHB provider must be included in the carrier booking as the notify party, or the client will need to use the rules base access engine to permission the broker
• CHBs can access and publish relevant documents to improve the customs clearance process

Trucking/drayage providers:

• Intermodal providers and truckers can publish events to TradeLens using the booking number or container number
• Truckers can use TradeLens to plan their pickups more efficiently 

Non-onboarded ocean carriers:

• Can be set up as partners and publish/create the client's ocean consignment on the platform

Trade partners/suppliers/vendors: 

• Can be onboarded to provide milestones, or to provide structured documents

Your Customers:

• You can grant access to your clients and customers to provide near real-time access to shipment information and manage any limitations as determined by you, the TradeLens customer