ImportYeti Tools for Claude

Two tools for querying the ImportYeti US import data API - a FastMCP server and a lightweight CLI query helper.

Background

This started as an attempt to build a custom MCP server for use inside Claude's Cowork mode. The MCP server works correctly when run standalone, but Cowork mode uses its own isolated connector system and doesn't load custom MCPs from claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.claude/settings.json. There may be elements to salvage, so I'm sharing this and may revisit to figure a workaround.

The solution: a simple Python script (iy_query.py) that hits the ImportYeti API directly, writes results to a JSON file, and lets Claude read it. Less elegant, completely reliable.

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Files

File	Purpose
importyeti_mcp.py	FastMCP server - 13 tools covering companies, suppliers, BOLs, and PowerQuery. Works in standard Claude Desktop chat if custom MCPs are supported in your setup.
iy_query.py	CLI query helper. Runs a query and saves results to iy_result.json for Claude to read. The reliable path for Cowork mode.
run_setup.ps1	PowerShell script that patches claude_desktop_config.json to register the MCP server. Windows only.

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Setup

1. Get an API key

Sign up at importyeti.com/yeti-api to get your API key.

2. Set your environment variable

Windows (CMD):

set IMPORTYETI_API_KEY=your_key_here

Windows (PowerShell):

$env:IMPORTYETI_API_KEY = "your_key_here"

Mac/Linux:

export IMPORTYETI_API_KEY=your_key_here

Or copy .env.example to .env and fill it in. Then load it before running scripts.

3. Install dependencies

pip install mcp[cli] httpx pydantic

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iy_query.py - CLI Query Helper

Run a query and save results to iy_result.json. In Cowork sessions, paste the CMD command into your terminal, then tell Claude to read iy_result.json.

# Search for a US company
python iy_query.py search-company "Acme Robots"

# Get full company profile (use slug from search results)
python iy_query.py get-company "acme-reobots"

# Get recent shipments for a company
python iy_query.py get-company-bols "acme-reobots" --page-size 50

# Search overseas suppliers
python iy_query.py search-supplier "Shenzhen Robots"

# Get full supplier profile
python iy_query.py get-supplier "shenzhen-robot-co"

# Find overseas suppliers by product
python iy_query.py search-product-suppliers "Robot manipulator"

# Find US companies importing a product
python iy_query.py search-product-companies "Robot manipulator"

# Advanced BOL search with filters
python iy_query.py powerquery-bols --product "LRobot manipulator" --country "China" --start 01/01/2024

# Advanced company search
python iy_query.py powerquery-companies --product "Robot manipulator" --entry-port "Los Angeles"

# Advanced supplier search
python iy_query.py powerquery-suppliers --product "Robot manipulator" --country "China"

# Check database freshness
python iy_query.py db-updated

PowerQuery filters

--product, --company, --supplier, --country, --entry-port, --exit-port, --start (MM/DD/YYYY), --end (MM/DD/YYYY), --hs-code, --weight, --vessel, --carrier, --page-size, --page

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importyeti_mcp.py - MCP Server

For use in standard Claude Desktop chat or any MCP-compatible client.

Register with Claude Desktop - run run_setup.ps1 (Windows) or manually add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "importyeti": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/importyeti_mcp.py"],
      "env": {
        "IMPORTYETI_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Then fully restart Claude Desktop.

Known issues

• mcp 1.27.0 on Windows: JSONRPCMessage blank-line parsing error breaks the stdio handshake. Downgrade to mcp[cli]==1.6.0.
• Cowork mode: Does not load custom MCPs from config files. Use iy_query.py instead.
• The annotations= parameter in @mcp.tool() is not supported in mcp 1.6.0 - already removed from this version of the server.

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MCP Tools Reference

Tool	Description
importyeti_get_bol	Get a bill of lading by number
importyeti_search_companies	Search US companies by name
importyeti_get_company	Get full company profile by slug
importyeti_get_company_bols	List BOLs for a US company
importyeti_search_suppliers	Search overseas suppliers by name
importyeti_get_supplier	Get full supplier profile by slug
importyeti_get_supplier_bols	List BOLs for a supplier
importyeti_search_product_suppliers	Find overseas suppliers by product keyword
importyeti_search_product_companies	Find US buyers by product keyword
importyeti_powerquery_bols	Advanced BOL search (15+ filters)
importyeti_powerquery_companies	Advanced US company search
importyeti_powerquery_suppliers	Advanced overseas supplier search
importyeti_database_updated	Get database last updated date

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Notes

• get-company returns large JSON responses (40k+ tokens for active importers). Read the first portion for key fields.
• get-company-bols returns BOL numbers only, not full shipment detail. Use powerquery-bols with a company filter for detailed shipment data.
• API credits are consumed by PowerQuery and get-company-bols calls. Simple searches are free.