Manage Imports

Tracking your imports in kolum helps you monitor goods entering your supply chain, understand their associated emissions, and prepare accurately for reporting and compliance. This page gives you a clear overview of how imports work in kolum, why they matter, and what you can manage here.

What You Can Do in the Imports Section

In the Imports section of kolum, you can:

• View all your imports in one clean table, including details like CN code, supplier, country of origin, import date, quantity, and emissions data.

• Add new imports manually for quick updates or small batches.

• Bulk upload imports using a structured spreadsheet for efficient entry of multiple records.

• Edit imports when you need to update or correct data.

• Delete imports if you need to remove incorrect or test entries.

Managing imports accurately ensures your data stays aligned with your operational and emissions records, reducing manual tracking across spreadsheets.

Why Managing Imports Matters

Each import record connects your actual trade transactions to your emissions data in kolum:

• Articles are linked with imports in kolum. An article carries the product-level direct and indirect emissions data, and the import records the actual movement of that article into your supply chain.

• This structure means you do not need to request emissions data from your supplier for every shipment if emissions data for the article already exists in your system. Emissions data often remains valid for up to a year or based on the validity your supplier has specified.

• Managing imports effectively helps you:

  • Track trade activity accurately.

  • Align supplier and product-level emissions data for each import.

  • Maintain clear, audit-ready data for reporting and internal monitoring.

Common Questions

What is the difference between an article and an import?

This is a common point of confusion, so here’s a clear breakdown:

• Article: Represents the product itself in kolum, with a reference number, CN code, product description, and associated direct and indirect emissions data.

• Import: Represents the transaction where a quantity of that article is imported into your supply chain from a supplier, including:

  • The linked article (with its emissions data),

  • Supplier and country of origin,

  • Quantity and import date,

  • Customs details.

Because articles carry your emissions data and imports record the transaction, they work together to give you a complete picture of your supply chain and emissions tracking in kolum.

Do I need to create articles before I can add imports?

Yes. Articles need to be created first with their identifiers and emissions data. When adding imports, you link them using the exact Article Reference Number. If you have not yet created your articles, complete that step first.

Do I need to request emissions data from my supplier for every import?

No. If your supplier has already provided emissions data for an article, and it is within its validity period (often up to a year), you can continue using that data when creating imports for the same article. This reduces repetitive requests and ensures consistent data usage.

Should I add imports manually or use bulk upload?

• Use Add New Import for small batches or immediate entries.

• Use Bulk Upload for handling large volumes efficiently using spreadsheets.