The supplementary figures and tables provide detailed insights into the analysis of first record rates of established alien species across different regions and taxonomic groups. Supplementary Fig. 1 shows the number of first records of established alien species per region, with circles indicating the number of first records on small islands and archipelagos. Supplementary Fig. 2 compares first record rates on islands and mainland, highlighting trends over time. Supplementary Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 illustrate the mathematical functions used to describe the temporal development of first record rates, with the hump-shaped function often being the best fit. Supplementary Fig. 4 examines the temporal trends of annual values of imported commodities from 1870 to 2009. Supplementary Fig. 5 simulates the invasion process from mainland to islands, considering different shapes of the probability of translocation over time. Supplementary Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 show the temporal trends of continental first record rates and cumulative numbers of alien species, respectively. Supplementary Fig. 9 compares first record rates on continents and mainland countries/islands, with high similarity observed. Supplementary Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 provide additional insights into the temporal trends of vascular plants and the accumulation of alien species, respectively. Supplementary Table 1 lists the sources of first records used in the study, while Supplementary Table 2 compares correlation coefficients between time series of imported commodities and first record rates using deflated or non-deflated import values. The supplementary notes discuss data quality assessment and model results, emphasizing the robustness of observed trends despite potential biases.The supplementary figures and tables provide detailed insights into the analysis of first record rates of established alien species across different regions and taxonomic groups. Supplementary Fig. 1 shows the number of first records of established alien species per region, with circles indicating the number of first records on small islands and archipelagos. Supplementary Fig. 2 compares first record rates on islands and mainland, highlighting trends over time. Supplementary Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 illustrate the mathematical functions used to describe the temporal development of first record rates, with the hump-shaped function often being the best fit. Supplementary Fig. 4 examines the temporal trends of annual values of imported commodities from 1870 to 2009. Supplementary Fig. 5 simulates the invasion process from mainland to islands, considering different shapes of the probability of translocation over time. Supplementary Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 show the temporal trends of continental first record rates and cumulative numbers of alien species, respectively. Supplementary Fig. 9 compares first record rates on continents and mainland countries/islands, with high similarity observed. Supplementary Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 provide additional insights into the temporal trends of vascular plants and the accumulation of alien species, respectively. Supplementary Table 1 lists the sources of first records used in the study, while Supplementary Table 2 compares correlation coefficients between time series of imported commodities and first record rates using deflated or non-deflated import values. The supplementary notes discuss data quality assessment and model results, emphasizing the robustness of observed trends despite potential biases.