International Merchandise Trade Statistics

The International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Compilers Manual, Revision 1 (IMTS 2010-CM) supports statisticians in countries in the implementation of the new and updated recommendations contained in International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions, Revision 3 (IMTS 2010). The Manual contains further and more detailed explanation of certain recommendations and provides practical guidance for trade statistics compilers by describing good or best practices applicable under different circumstances. However, the Manual is also a very valuable source of information for all users and analysts of trade statistics as it highlights critical issues of trade statistics and its compilation and describes existing country practises in numerous examples. Readers will gain an inside look in trade statistics, allowing an in depth understanding of issues and practises.

This edition provides a comprehensive methodological framework for collection and compilation of international merchandise trade statistics in all countries, irrespective of the level of development of their statistical system. The conceptual framework reflects both the multipurpose nature of these statistics and concern for availability of the adequate data sources and data compilation procedures. It is intended primarily for the producers of international trade statistics, particularly the staff of national statistical offices and/or customs involved in the collection and compilation of merchandise trade statistics, but may be also useful to researchers and other users interested in better understanding the nature of trade statistics.

This publication contains updated recommendations on methodology for compiling international merchandise trade statistics adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission in March 1997. These recommendations are an essential references for trade statistics analysis and understanding. They take into account new developments in international trade, national practices of data compilation, new international agreements regarding customs procedures, and previously adopted revisions of methodology of national accounting and balance of payments statistics. They address basic issues such as coverage of statistics and time of recording, trade system, commodity classifications, valuation, quantity measurement, partner country, and reporting and dissemination. The publication also contains detailed lists of goods to be included and excluded from imports and exports; two tables which make it possible to determine, at a glance, how various categories of goods are treated in both the general and the special trade systems; and linkages between statistical concepts and international conventions regarding trade matters.

The International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Compilers Manual, Revision 1 (IMTS 2010-CM) supports statisticians in countries in the implementation of the new and updated recommendations contained in International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions, Revision 3 (IMTS 2010). The Manual contains further and more detailed explanation of certain recommendations and provides practical guidance for trade statistics compilers by describing good or best practices applicable under different circumstances. However, the Manual is also a very valuable source of information for all users and analysts of trade statistics as it highlights critical issues of trade statistics and its compilation and describes existing country practises in numerous examples. Readers will gain an inside look in trade statistics, allowing an in depth understanding of issues and practises.

America's international economic decisions rest to a large degree on the information available to policymakers. Yet the quality of international trade and financial data is in serious doubt. This book reveals how our systems for collecting and analyzing trade data have fallen behind the times-and presents recommendations for new approaches to accuracy and usefulness of these economic data. The volume traces the burgeoning use of international economic data by public and private analysts at a time when the United States is becoming increasingly integrated into the world economy. It also points out problems of capturing new transactions, comparing data from different sources, limited access to the data, and more. This is the first volume to review all three types of U.S. international data-merchandise trade, international services transactions, and capital flows. Highlights include: Specific steps for U.S. agencies to take. Special analyses on improving the accuracy of merchandise trade data, filling data gaps on the fast-growing international services transactions, and understanding structural changes in world capital markets. Comments, complaints, and suggestions from an original survey of more than 100 key users of trade data. This practical volume will be invaluable to policymakers, government officials, business executives, economists, statisticians, and researchers.