What is trade (import-export) data?

In the final Stage Talk of the year, we learnt the mechanics of investigating trade data thanks to this week's guest, Bellingcat research consultant and self-confessed data nerd Katherine de Tolly. Using the example of opioid shipments from India to West Africa, Katherine talked us through the intricacies of import-export data and how to navigate the many data gaps/inconsistencies inherit in the system.

The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday December 4th 2025. Music featured is courtesy of Artlist.

Recorded live in the Bellingcat Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/bellingcat

Links mentioned:

Katherine's slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JvDqFnM-caIPo39ez3aennGa9iwB-NwWPh9VXAKUFgg/edit?usp=sharing

Money channel in Discord: https://discord.com/channels/709752884257882135/710247961426395186

Comtrade: https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow

52WMB: https://en.52wmb.com/

BBC investigation: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyew21yyjzo