International Trade Statistics Sources

Databases Print Sources Trade Classifications Research Aids

Source Comparison Click source title for more information.
Title	Medium	Reporting Countries	Years	Commodity Detail
World Trade Analyzer	CD-ROM	180	15-20	SITC 1-4 digit
SourceOECD	GALILEO@UGA	35	1960-	SITC 5 digit; HS 2-6 digit
USITC DataWeb	Web	U.S.	1989-	HTS 2-10 digit; NAICS; SITC 5
Eurostat	Web	25	1995-	CN8; HS 2-6 digit; SITC 5 digit
WTO Statistics Database	Web	Varies	1980- et al.	Broad groups
Global Insight	Web password	Varies	10+ et al.	Sectors
International Financial Statistics	CD-ROM	200 +	1948-	Broad groups; sectors
World Development Indicators	CD-ROM	208	1960-	Broad groups
UN International Trade Statistics Yearbook	Print	180+	1980-	SITC 1-3 & some 5 digit
World Trade Annual	Print	23	1964-1995	SITC 1-3 digit
UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics	Print & Web	Varies	Varies	SITC 1-3 digit
International Historical Statistics	Print	Most	1750-2000	Product groups
International Trade Statistics (WTO)	Print	Varies	1986-1995; 1998-	Broad groups; sectors
Direction of Trade Statistics	Print	186	1950-1990; 1992-	Total trade

World Trade Analyzer (CD-ROM)

Location

Non-internet workstation - Main Reference

Description

· Content: Detailed imports and exports data

· Trade classification: SITC 1-4 digit level

· Years: rolling 15 to 20 years

· Frequency: annual

· Countries: 180 reporting countries including former east block; all trading partners

· Other groupings: world, world regions

· Indicators: value, in U.S. dollars (default) plus 13 other currencies. Other indicators: percent change and share of market.

· Data format: MS Excel, delimited text

Retrieving data

· Click "table view" on start-up menu.

· Click button in upper left (aqua box) to bring up a data selection dialog.

· Select any of the five table "dimensions".

· Click "list items" to bring up a selection list to customize table content.

Downloading data

· Click "export" from menu bar.

SourceOECD

Location

http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=xoec-uga1 (GALILEO@UGA)

Description

· Content: Detailed imports and exports data; other economic data and information

· Trade classification: SITC 1-5 digit level; Harmonized System 2-6 digit level

· Years: 1960- (SITC, Rev. 2); other classifications: 1993- (SITC, Rev. 3); 1996- (Harmonized System, 1996 Rev.); 1990-2000 (Harmonized System, 1988)

· Frequency: annual

· Countries: 35 reporting countries; all trading partners

· Other groupings: OECD, world, world regions

· Indicators: value in U.S. dollars and quantity (units vary).

· Data format: MS Excel, delimited text

Retrieving data

· Open "Go to" drop-down menu and select "OECD Databases".

· Select "ITCS International Trade by Commodity".

· Choose one of five trade databases

· Select a country table. (NOTE: in the SITC 2 database there are two tables per country, each covering a different range of years.)

· Click "Deliver Data" at bottom of the abstract.

· Follow steps to interactively retrieve data.

Downloading data

· Open "Download Report Data" to select output format.

HINT: Prior to downloading tables with many columns try rearranging the table onscreen by dragging and dropping one or more table dimensions so that they display as rows rather than columns.

USITC Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb

Location

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/ (requires free registration)

Description

· Content: Detailed imports and exports data

· Trade classification: Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 2-10 digit level; SITC 1-5 digit level; SIC 1-4 digit level, NAICS 2-6 digit level

· Years: 1989-

· Frequency: annual, quarterly, monthly

· Countries: 1 reporting country (U.S.); all trading partners

· Other groupings: world, world regions, economic regions, U.S. import programs

· Indicators: value in U.S. dollars and quantity (units vary); other indicators: percent change

· Data format: delimited text

Retrieving data

· Login with ID and password created when you registered.

· Follow steps to select and format data.

NOTE: To look up 6-10 digit HTS commodity descriptions use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States.

Downloading data

· Scroll to bottom of output screen.

· Under Method 1 select ‘comma’ or preferred file delimiter and click download button.

· Right click on file link and select ‘save target as’ to set up download to your local PC.

Eurostat

Location

http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/

Description

· Content: Detailed imports and exports data; aggregated and derived trade data

· Trade Classification: Combined Nomenclature 8 digit (CN8) Harmonized System (HS) 2-6 digit level, SITC 1-5 digit level

· Years: 1995-

· Frequency: annual, monthly

· Countries: 25 EU reporting countries. All trading partners.

· Other groupings: EU 15, EU 25, Eurozone

· Indicators: value in Euros, quantity in 100 KG

· Data format: delimited text

Retrieving data

· Select language to enter Eurostat

· Select “External Trade” from menu on left

· Select “Data” tab

· Scroll down page and drill down through the “External Trade Detailed Data” until you get to an Access database icon. Click the icon.

NOTE: A choice for SITC data is not present at the step above—it can be selected only after first selecting either CN8 or one of the HS choices!

· On the following screen click the database you want and select “New Query”

· Follow subsequent steps to retrieve the data. You can retrieve a maximum of 3,000 data cells per query.

NOTE: The data retrieved will be displayed in small chunks in an interactive applet. You can change any of the dimensions to display a different portion of the table. To download the entire subset of data you retrieved, see Downloading data below.

Downloading data

· Click “Save Extraction” to download the entire subset of data you retrieved. “Save Table” will download only the chunk displayed onscreen.

· Save the zipped file to your local workstation. When you unzip the file it will yield 2 delimited text files, one containing the data and one containing the documentation explaining the country codes, commodity codes, etc., used in the actual data file.

WTO Statistics Database

Location

http://stat.wto.org/Home/WSDBHome.aspx?Language=

Description

· Content: Aggregated and derived trade data

· Special focus: total imports and exports, broad commodity groups, overall trade index

· Years: Varies, some series 1980-, some series 1990-, total trade 1948-.

· Frequency: annual

· Countries: Reporting countries varies by series. Trading partners in few very broad groupings only available for some series.

· Other groupings: world, world regions depending on series

· Indicators: value, mostly U.S. dollars at current prices

· Data format: Excel, delimited text

Retrieving data

· Select “Time Series” or “Profiles” and follow the steps.

Downloading data

· With retrieved table displayed click download link on left and follow steps.

Global Insight

Location

Data Services workstations (UGA affiliated users only) - Main Reference.

UGA users with a WRDS account can access on the Web at: http://wrds.wharton.upenn.edu/

Description

· Content: Economic data including aggregated and derived trade data

· Special focus: total imports and exports, broad sectors, balance of trade, indices

· Years: Most series provide at least 10 years of data. A few series go back to 1960.

· Frequency: annual, quarterly, monthly

· Countries: Varies by series. No trading partners.

· Other groupings: world, world regions

· Indicators: value, some series in U.S. dollars, others in national currency or Euro

· Data format: delimited text, dBase, SAS, html

Retrieving data

· Click on WRDS icon on desktop to start application.

· Select Global Insight from WRDS home page.

· In left hand menu select annual, quarterly, or monthly under "International" and follow the steps.

NOTE: Trade data are also available under "IMF Data" – See International Financial Statistics for additional details about the IMF data.

Downloading data

· When data retrieval request has run to completion right click on the link to the output file and select "save target as" (Internet Explorer users).

International Financial Statistics (CD-ROM)

Location

Non-internet workstation - Main Reference

Description

· Content: Financial and economic data including aggregated and derived trade data

· Special focus: total exports and imports, exports of broad commodity groups, total goods & services, balance of trade

· Years: 1948- (annual series); 1957- (quarterly & monthly); depends on country.

· Frequency: annual, quarterly, monthly

· Countries: approximately 200 reporting countries; no trading partners

· Other groupings: world; world regions; economic and development bank groupings

· Indicators: value, some series in U.S. dollars, others in national currency; other indicators: volume and price indices

· Data format: MS Excel, delimited text, html

Retrieving data

· Select “Options” tab to set countries and broad topical groupings

· Select “Browse with constraints” tab and use Economic Concepts View to select more detailed listings of series within each topical grouping.

· Use Add button to move individual series and countries into the bottom right window.

· Click Retrieve button to generate a table.

Downloading data

· File / 'Save as' from within the Excel Viewer table.

World Development Indicators (CD-ROM)

Location

Non-internet workstation - Main Reference

Description

· Content: Socio-economic data including aggregated and derived trade data

· Special focus: 70+ series including total imports and exports, broad commodity groups, economic sectors, derived indicators

· Years: 1960- depending on series and country

· Frequency: annual

· Countries: 208 reporting countries; no trading partners

· Other groupings: world, world regions, economic/development level

· Indicators: value, mainly U.S. dollars; other indicators: percent, ratios

· Data format: MS Excel, delimited text, SAS, MS Access, dBase

Retrieving data

· Select Query;

· Select countries, years, & time series

Downloading data

· Click Save button

PRINT SOURCES

International Trade Statistics Yearbook (UN)

Location

Latest: UN ST ESA STAT SER. G - Main Reference

(1996-): Gov Docs - UN area - Main Library, 2nd floor

(1980-1995): HF 91 .U59 - Main Library, 5th floor

Description

Content: imports and exports

Trade Classification: SITC 1-3 digit (selected 5 digit)

Countries: 180+ reporting countries; selected trading partners

Other groupings: World, world regions

Indicators: Value in U.S. dollars; quantity & percentage for world

Overview:

Volume I: Trade by country

Data for 180+ countries. Major data types included for each country:

· Total imports/exports for the world, 16 world regions, and 30 largest trading partners. Rolling five years. Value in US dollars.

· Percentage of the value of total imports/exports represented by major world regions. Rolling 10 years.

· World total imports/exports for principal commodities. Arranged by 1-5 digit SITC codes. Rolling 4 years. Value in US dollars. Quantity in units appropriate to the product.

· Percentage of the value of world total imports represented by 29 broad economic categories. Rolling 7 years.

· Percentage of the value of world total exports represented by 12 industrial sectors. Rolling 7 years.

Volume II: Trade by commodity

Data for 231 commodities at the 3-digit SITC level. Major data types included for each commodity:

· Imports/exports by 16 major world regions and 30 major countries that import/export the commodity. Rolling 5 years. Value in US dollars.

· Percentage of the value of the world total imports/export represented by 16 world regions.

Various special tables. Among the most important:

· Total imports/exports by countries and areas. Rolling 10 years. Value in US dollars.

· World exports by commodity classes between world regions. Rolling 5 years. Value in US dollars.

World Trade Annual

Location

1964-1995: HF 53 .W6 - Repository

Description

Content: imports and exports

Trade Classification: SITC 1-3 digit (selected 5 digit)

Countries: 23 reporting countries (primarily developed economies); all trading partners

Indicators: Value in U.S. dollars; quantity (units vary)

Overview:

The 1964-1968 sets comprise 4 volumes each. The 1969-1995 sets comprise 5 volumes each. Each volume covers a range of SITC codes. The 5-volume set arrangement is as follows.

Volume I: Food (SITC 0); Beverages and Tobacco (SITC 1); Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels (SITC 2); Animal and Vegetable Oils and Fats and Waxes (SITC 3, part).

Volume II: Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials (SITC 3, part); Chemicals (SITC 5).

Volume III: Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material (SITC 6).

Volume IV: Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles (SITC 8).

Volume V: Machinery and Transport equipment (SITC 7); Commodities and Transactions Not Classified Elsewhere in the SITC (SITC 9).

The data are aggregated from 1 digit down to 3 digits plus two decimal places. For the commodity level quantity and value are provided. Value in US dollars. Quantity in appropriate units for the product.

UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics

Location

Latest: UN TD STAT HS – Main Reference

2000-: UN TD STAT HS - Government Documents - UN area - Main Library, 2nd floor

1969-1996/97: UN ST TD HITD - Government Documents - UN area - Main Library, 2nd floor

Web version:

http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=1890&lang=1

(Requires registration.)

Description

Content: imports and exports; aggregated and derived trade data

Trade Classification: SITC 1-3 digit

Countries: Varies

Other groupings: World, world regions, trade groups, development level

Indicators: Value in U.S. dollars; quantity (units vary); growth; indices & rank

Overview:

The United Nations Committee on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) issues this data in print and online versions. The print version of the Handbook presents data in a more concise format than the online version, and focuses on recent time periods. (The online version has extensive time series data.)

Part I – International merchandise trade

Part II – Trade and commodity price indices

Part III – Structure of international trade by region

Part IV – Structure of international trade by product

Part V – International trade in services

Part VI – International finance

Part VII - Indicators of development

Part VIII – Special studies

Indicators of trade vary: units, value (US dollars), growth rate, indices. Some data are presented in ranked order. Data are usually annual. Years of coverage vary: 4-10 years, not always consecutive. Product detail varies: for example, broad product categories, 3-digit SITC.

International Historical Statistics: 1750-2000

Location

HA 4675 .M552 2003 (Africa, Asia, & Oceania) - Main Reference

HA 175 .M55 2003 (Americas) - Main Reference

HA 1107 .M5 2003 (Europe) - Main Reference

Description

Content: Economic statistics including aggregated trade data

Years: 1750-2000. Varies by country.

Countries: Most reporting countries; main trading partners

Indicators: Value in current national currencies

Overview:

These volumes form a set that supplies primarily historical economic statistics, including external trade (imports and exports). Data are gathered from national, international, and special compilations.

· All volumes have two sets of tables: External Trade Aggregates Current Values: and External Trade with Main Trading Partners. Values are expressed in current national currencies.

· The Africa… and the Americas volumes have an additional set of tables: Major Commodity Exports by Main Exporting Countries. Commodities vary by country and include raw products (sugar, petroleum, wood, etc.) and major categories of manufactured goods (machinery, textiles, steel, etc.), as appropriate for each country. Values are expressed in current national currencies.

Note: Large coverage gaps may be present, especially for developing countries.

International Trade Statistics (GATT and WTO)

Location

2000-present: HF 1371 .I584 - Main Library, 5th floor

1998-1999: HF 1371 .A56 - Main Library, 5th floor

1986/1987-1995: HF10 .C7 - Main Library, 5th floor

Description

Content: Aggregated trade data

Countries: Varies

Other groupings: World, region, trade groups

Indicators: Value (US dollars), share of total, percentage change, rank

Overview:

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have issued trade statistics annually in various publications. The current publication has four parts and an appendix.

Part I - World trade in [year]

Part II - Selected long-term trends

Part III – Trade by region

Part IV – Trade by sector (agricultural, mining, manufactures, commercial services)

Indicators of trade vary: value (US dollars), share of total, percentage change. Some data are presented in ranked order. Sectors are broken down by broad product categories. Data is annual. Years of coverage vary widely, with some data back to 1950. Geographic areas vary: world, region, trade groups, and country.

Direction of Trade Statistics

Location

Last quarterly issue and Yearbook: HF 91 .D5 & Suppl. - Main Reference

(1980-1990; 1992-): HF 91 .D5 & Suppl. - Main Library, 5th floor

(1950-1979): HF 91 .D5 & Suppl. - Repository

Description

Content: Aggregated trade data

Countries: 186 reporting countries (yearbook), 156 (quarterly); major trading partners (quarterly)

Other groupings: World, oil/non-oil exporting, industrial/developing, EU, region (developing)

Indicators: Value (US dollars)

Overview:

Issued quarterly, and annually as a Yearbook. Aggregate imports and exports, with no sector breakdowns. Value only, expressed in US dollars.

Quarterly: Provides data on the merchandise trade of 156 countries with their major trading partners. Also data for the whole world, industrial countries as a group, the European Union, developing countries as a group, and regional breakdown of developing countries. Each issue gives most recent six quarters and latest annual total.

Yearbook: Provides annual data for the previous seven years for 186 countries, the whole world, industrial countries as a group, the European Union, oil exporting countries as a group, non-oil exporting countries as a group, developing countries as a group, and regional breakdown of developing countries.

TRADE CLASSIFICATIONS

Commodity Indexes for the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 3 (2 volumes)

Location

Index table 8f - Main Reference

SITC revision 3 can be searched online at, http://unstats.un.org/unsd/cr/registry/regcia.asp?Cl=14&Lg=1

Note: SITC revision 2 is still widely used in statistical reports and databases. A pdf version of revision 2 is available online through United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBISNET) http://unbisnet.un.org/. Search for “standard international trade classification rev. 2”. The Commodity Indexes … for revision 2 are in the UN microfiche on the 2^nd floor (UN ESA STAT Ser. M 38 Rev., VOLS. I & II).

Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States: Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes

Location

J84: ITC 1.10: and CD-ROM J84: ITC 1.10/4: - Main Reference

http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index.htm and http://dataweb.usitc.gov/

U.S. Foreign Trade, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States, Schedule B (HS)

Location

J84: C 3.50: B and CD-ROM J84: C3.6/2:C73/2/ - Main Reference

http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Location

J84: PREX 2.6/2:IN 27/2002/CLOTH - Main Reference

http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html

NAICS is a production-based system for classifying business establishments for statistical purposes. It has largely superseded the older SIC classification.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual, 1987

Location

HF1042 .A55 1987 – Main Reference http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html

SIC is an establishment-based system for classifying industries for statistical purposes. Now largely superseded by NAICS.

RESEARCH AIDS

LexisNexis Statistical

Location

http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=xstu-uga1 (GALILEO@UGA)

Description

Indexes statistical publications of the U.S. Federal Government as well as UN, EU, WTO, OECD and other IGOs.

GATT Digital Library, 1947-1994

Location