CONCEPTS, DEFINITIONS, CLASSIFICATIONS

Did you know...

... that international merchandise trade statistics record all goods which add to or subtract from the stock of material resources of a country by entering or leaving its economic territory?
... that trade of the export processing zones, as well as re-exports, should be included?
... that imports are valued inclusive of freight and insurance costs (C.I.F.) while exports are valued “free on board” (F.O.B.)?...

International standards governing the measurement of trade statistics are set forth in the UN International Merchandise Trade Statistics: concepts and definitions, Rev.2 (IMTS).

• IMTS Rev.2
  > Download (pdf format; 318KB)
    

• Compiler’s Manual
  > Download (pdf format; 2210KB)
    

• Supplement to the Compiler’s Manual (final draft submitted to UN editors on 07/03/08)
    

• A revised Manual for the Export and Import Price Indices is currently being prepared
    

Classifications in use in International Merchandise Trade Statistics:

• Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized
  System, or HS)

• Standard International Trade Classification (SITC),

  • revision 3

  • revision 4