Database Specific
Database Specific Abstract AbstractAustralia's international merchandise trade statistics record goods which add to or subtract from the stock of material resources of Australia by entering (imports) or leaving (exports) its territory. Goods simply transported through Australia (goods in transit), or temporarily admitted or withdrawn, do not add to or subtract from Australia's stock of material resources and are not included in Australia's international merchandise trade statistics.
Source Source Contact person/organisation Contact person/organisationFor further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Services on 1300 135 070
Direct source Direct sourceInternational Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (cat. no. 5368.0)
Source Periodicity Source PeriodicityMonthly
Data source(s) used Data source(s) usedMerchandise trade statistics on a recorded trade basis are compiled from information submitted by exporters and importers or their agents to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs and Border Protection).
Data Characteristics Data Characteristics Periodicity PeriodicityMonthly
Unit of measure used Unit of measure usedThe compilation of international merchandise trade statistics can be complicated by the fact that transaction values may initially be expressed in a variety of currencies. The conversion of these values into a single currency is a prerequisite for the construction of consistent and meaningful statistics. Where currency conversion is necessary, the UN recommends, in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Valuation, the use of market rates of exchange which are in effect at the time of importation or exportation. These are published by the national authorities of the reporting country. In Australia's case, the data are presented in terms of Australian dollars, though for international comparisons it is customary to convert to US dollars. For countries where the exchange rate is volatile it may be more meaningful to present the time series in US dollars. For more details of valuation methods used, please see link below.
Variables collected Variables collectedTo find out other information available on merchandise trade data, see the link below.
Population & Scope Population & Scope Geographic coverage Geographic coverageThe statistical territory of a country consists of the geographic territory about which international merchandise trade data are actually collected. Overseas country is defined as a geographical entity which trades, or has the potential to trade, with Australia in accordance with Customs provisions. Australian territories such as Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands are treated as separate geographical entities for the purposes of Australia's international merchandise trade statistics, due to the Customs provisions that apply to them. Self-governing territories and dependant territories under the administration of countries other than Australia may be treated as individual countries in Australian trade statistics.
Concepts & Classifications Concepts & Classifications Aggregation & consolidation Aggregation & consolidationThe release of statistics for certain merchandise trade commodities is restricted in order to prevent the identification of the activities of an individual business, where this is requested by the business concerned. These restrictions do not affect the total value of exports and imports, but they can affect statistics at the country, state and commodity levels. Imports data that have the confidentiality restrictions 'No commodity details' or 'No value details' are aggregated into a single confidential commodity code. For data prior to September 2008, these data are added back into the appropriate state total and country total (i.e. these totals show the correct level of trade). From September 2008 these confidential data are not added back. Instead the confidential data are published as 'No country details' in the country totals and 'State not available for publication' in the state totals. Therefore, country and state totals from September 2008 may not represent the actual amount of trade in each country/state but only the trade in commodities without a 'No commodity details' or 'No value details' restriction. For more information, see link below.
Classification(s) used Classification(s) usedThe merchandise trade data on a recorded trade basis are presented using the commodity classification Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Rev4) and industry classification Australia and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06)
Key statistical concept Key statistical conceptInternational Merchandise Trade, Australia, Concepts, Sources and Methods (Cat 5489.0) provides a comprehensive description of concepts underlying Australian international merchandise trade statistics and the data sources and methods used to compile these statistics.
Other Aspects Other Aspects Quality comments Quality commentsFor the quality aspects of this statistical information, please refer to the link below.
Australia's international merchandise trade statistics record goods which add to or subtract from the stock of material resources of Australia by entering (imports) or leaving (exports) its territory. Goods simply transported through Australia (goods in transit), or temporarily admitted or withdrawn, do not add to or subtract from Australia's stock of material resources and are not included in Australia's international merchandise trade statistics.
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Services on 1300 135 070
Merchandise trade statistics on a recorded trade basis are compiled from information submitted by exporters and importers or their agents to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs and Border Protection).
International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia (cat. no. 5368.0)
Monthly
The compilation of international merchandise trade statistics can be complicated by the fact that transaction values may initially be expressed in a variety of currencies. The conversion of these values into a single currency is a prerequisite for the construction of consistent and meaningful statistics. Where currency conversion is necessary, the UN recommends, in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Valuation, the use of market rates of exchange which are in effect at the time of importation or exportation. These are published by the national authorities of the reporting country. In Australia's case, the data are presented in terms of Australian dollars, though for international comparisons it is customary to convert to US dollars. For countries where the exchange rate is volatile it may be more meaningful to present the time series in US dollars. For more details of valuation methods used, please see link below.
To find out other information available on merchandise trade data, see the link below.
Monthly
The statistical territory of a country consists of the geographic territory about which international merchandise trade data are actually collected. Overseas country is defined as a geographical entity which trades, or has the potential to trade, with Australia in accordance with Customs provisions. Australian territories such as Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands are treated as separate geographical entities for the purposes of Australia's international merchandise trade statistics, due to the Customs provisions that apply to them. Self-governing territories and dependant territories under the administration of countries other than Australia may be treated as individual countries in Australian trade statistics.
International Merchandise Trade, Australia, Concepts, Sources and Methods (Cat 5489.0) provides a comprehensive description of concepts underlying Australian international merchandise trade statistics and the data sources and methods used to compile these statistics.
The merchandise trade data on a recorded trade basis are presented using the commodity classification Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Rev4) and industry classification Australia and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06)
The release of statistics for certain merchandise trade commodities is restricted in order to prevent the identification of the activities of an individual business, where this is requested by the business concerned. These restrictions do not affect the total value of exports and imports, but they can affect statistics at the country, state and commodity levels. Imports data that have the confidentiality restrictions 'No commodity details' or 'No value details' are aggregated into a single confidential commodity code. For data prior to September 2008, these data are added back into the appropriate state total and country total (i.e. these totals show the correct level of trade). From September 2008 these confidential data are not added back. Instead the confidential data are published as 'No country details' in the country totals and 'State not available for publication' in the state totals. Therefore, country and state totals from September 2008 may not represent the actual amount of trade in each country/state but only the trade in commodities without a 'No commodity details' or 'No value details' restriction. For more information, see link below.
For the quality aspects of this statistical information, please refer to the link below.