A company called Trade Privacy (via Fortune) reported today that Apple has successfully blocked public access to their shipping freight import records in preparation for the iPad launch.
As the arrival of Apple's new iPad approaches, industry competitors as well as the media will be unable to acquire early intelligence on arriving Apple products from overseas manufacturers. Apple, well known for their operational secrecy, continues to show leadership in the technology industry by protecting the iPad and future product shipment records.
Apple is said to have made efforts to protect their shipping records after the exposure of shipping records back in 2008 related to the iPhone 3G. Apple is apparently the only major electronics company to have done so. Microsoft, Sony, and Google continue to have publicly accessible records.
The iPad is expected to first launch in late March, though Apple hasn't yet provided any details about pre-orders or a specific launch date.