London

The International trade balance indicator is the difference between exports and imports of goods. Exports of goods record flows from an EA/EU Member State to a non-EA/EU country while imports record inwards flows. Exports are expressed in value terms and measured free on board (FOB), while imports are expressed in value terms and measured "cost, insurance, freight" (CIF ). "Goods" means all movable property including electric current. Data are expressed in million euros. Data are presented in the calendar and seasonally adjusted form.

International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of national rules which may differ from EU rules. European ITGS are the official harmonised source of information about exports, imports and the trade balances of the EU, its Member States and the euro area.   Type of users and requirements As international trade forms a major part of the world economy, statistics on trade in goods are an instrument of primary importance for numerous public and private sector decision makers. For example, international trade statistics • enable EU authorities to prepare multilateral and bilateral negotiations under the common commercial policy; • enable EU authorities to evaluate the progress of the Single Market and the integration of EU economies; • enable EU authorities to define and implement anti-dumping policies; • constitute an essential source of information for balance of payments statistics, national accounts and economic studies; and • help EU businesses conduct market research and define their commercial strategy. Statistics satisfy these needs in a variety of ways. Users may need either annual aggregated or detailed monthly data on products or partner countries. They may be interested in trade values in current prices or at constant prices. Alternatively, their interest may be in quantities rather than in values. These examples, which are far from exhaustive, show the diversity of users and their requirements. Eurostat tries to meet these various needs and to adapt to a changing environment, such as changes due to globalisation.   Extrastat and Intrastat: two data collection systems Traditionally ITGS are based on the data collected by customs authorities on trade transactions between countries. Customs declarations are used for statistical purposes as the basic data source which provides detailed information on exports and imports of goods with a geographical breakdown. The first piece of EU legislation on ITGS was adopted in 1975; it provided general guidelines on data collection and obliged Member States to send their data to Eurostat. The advent of the Single Market on 1 January 1993, with its removal of customs formalities between Member States and subsequent loss of trade statistics data sources, required the establishment of a new data collection system: Intrastat.. Since then ITGS are based on two data collection systems: Extrastat and Intrastat. Extrastat data on trade in goods with non-EU countries are collected by customs authorities and are based on the records of trade transactions in customs declarations, whereas Intrastat data are directly collected from intra-EU trade operators once a month. Alternative data sources may be used for some specific goods and movements like for among with ships, aircraft, gas and electricity.   Aggregated versus detailed data International trade in goods statistics are published through different datasets grouped into two categories:Aggregated data which refer to macroeconomic indicators for the EU and euro area. Data are aggregated by broad product categories, both monthly (short-term indicators) and annually (long-term indicators). Broad product categories are defined as one-digit codes of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) or aggregates of the Broad Economic Categories (BEC); andDetailed data which refer to the most detailed level of the following product nomenclatures: the Combined Nomenclature (CN), the SITC, the BEC, the Classification of Products by Activity (CPA) and the Standard Goods Classification for Transport Statistics/Revised (NSTR). Detailed data also contain aggregations at higher levels.   Statistical dimensions The frequency at which the data are compiled (data periodicity) and the product nomenclature differ depending on the dataset, but the following statistical fields are always available:reporting country: country or geo-economic area such as EU or euro area;reference period: month and/or year;trade flows: import and export;product according to the relevant classification; andpartner country: EU Member State, non-EU country or geo-economic area. Besides the dimensions listed above, specific datasets contain information on the mode of transport (e.g. by sea, by air or by road) or the statistical procedure (normal trade versus trade for processing activities).

International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of national rules which may differ from EU rules. European ITGS are the official harmonised source of information about exports, imports and the trade balances of the EU, its Member States and the euro area.   Type of users and requirements As international trade forms a major part of the world economy, statistics on trade in goods are an instrument of primary importance for numerous public and private sector decision makers. For example, international trade statistics • enable EU authorities to prepare multilateral and bilateral negotiations under the common commercial policy; • enable EU authorities to evaluate the progress of the Single Market and the integration of EU economies; • enable EU authorities to define and implement anti-dumping policies; • constitute an essential source of information for balance of payments statistics, national accounts and economic studies; and • help EU businesses conduct market research and define their commercial strategy. Statistics satisfy these needs in a variety of ways. Users may need either annual aggregated or detailed monthly data on products or partner countries. They may be interested in trade values in current prices or at constant prices. Alternatively, their interest may be in quantities rather than in values. These examples, which are far from exhaustive, show the diversity of users and their requirements. Eurostat tries to meet these various needs and to adapt to a changing environment, such as changes due to globalisation.   Extrastat and Intrastat: two data collection systems Traditionally ITGS are based on the data collected by customs authorities on trade transactions between countries. Customs declarations are used for statistical purposes as the basic data source which provides detailed information on exports and imports of goods with a geographical breakdown. The first piece of EU legislation on ITGS was adopted in 1975; it provided general guidelines on data collection and obliged Member States to send their data to Eurostat. The advent of the Single Market on 1 January 1993, with its removal of customs formalities between Member States and subsequent loss of trade statistics data sources, required the establishment of a new data collection system: Intrastat.. Since then ITGS are based on two data collection systems: Extrastat and Intrastat. Extrastat data on trade in goods with non-EU countries are collected by customs authorities and are based on the records of trade transactions in customs declarations, whereas Intrastat data are directly collected from intra-EU trade operators once a month. Alternative data sources may be used for some specific goods and movements like for among with ships, aircraft, gas and electricity.   Aggregated versus detailed data International trade in goods statistics are published through different datasets grouped into two categories:Aggregated data which refer to macroeconomic indicators for the EU and euro area. Data are aggregated by broad product categories, both monthly (short-term indicators) and annually (long-term indicators). Broad product categories are defined as one-digit codes of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) or aggregates of the Broad Economic Categories (BEC); andDetailed data which refer to the most detailed level of the following product nomenclatures: the Combined Nomenclature (CN), the SITC, the BEC, the Classification of Products by Activity (CPA) and the Standard Goods Classification for Transport Statistics/Revised (NSTR). Detailed data also contain aggregations at higher levels.   Statistical dimensions The frequency at which the data are compiled (data periodicity) and the product nomenclature differ depending on the dataset, but the following statistical fields are always available:reporting country: country or geo-economic area such as EU or euro area;reference period: month and/or year;trade flows: import and export;product according to the relevant classification; andpartner country: EU Member State, non-EU country or geo-economic area. Besides the dimensions listed above, specific datasets contain information on the mode of transport (e.g. by sea, by air or by road) or the statistical procedure (normal trade versus trade for processing activities).

International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of national rules which may differ from EU rules. European ITGS are the official harmonised source of information about exports, imports and the trade balances of the EU, its Member States and the euro area.   Type of users and requirements As international trade forms a major part of the world economy, statistics on trade in goods are an instrument of primary importance for numerous public and private sector decision makers. For example, international trade statistics • enable EU authorities to prepare multilateral and bilateral negotiations under the common commercial policy; • enable EU authorities to evaluate the progress of the Single Market and the integration of EU economies; • enable EU authorities to define and implement anti-dumping policies; • constitute an essential source of information for balance of payments statistics, national accounts and economic studies; and • help EU businesses conduct market research and define their commercial strategy. Statistics satisfy these needs in a variety of ways. Users may need either annual aggregated or detailed monthly data on products or partner countries. They may be interested in trade values in current prices or at constant prices. Alternatively, their interest may be in quantities rather than in values. These examples, which are far from exhaustive, show the diversity of users and their requirements. Eurostat tries to meet these various needs and to adapt to a changing environment, such as changes due to globalisation.   Extrastat and Intrastat: two data collection systems Traditionally ITGS are based on the data collected by customs authorities on trade transactions between countries. Customs declarations are used for statistical purposes as the basic data source which provides detailed information on exports and imports of goods with a geographical breakdown. The first piece of EU legislation on ITGS was adopted in 1975; it provided general guidelines on data collection and obliged Member States to send their data to Eurostat. The advent of the Single Market on 1 January 1993, with its removal of customs formalities between Member States and subsequent loss of trade statistics data sources, required the establishment of a new data collection system: Intrastat.. Since then ITGS are based on two data collection systems: Extrastat and Intrastat. Extrastat data on trade in goods with non-EU countries are collected by customs authorities and are based on the records of trade transactions in customs declarations, whereas Intrastat data are directly collected from intra-EU trade operators once a month. Alternative data sources may be used for some specific goods and movements like for among with ships, aircraft, gas and electricity.   Aggregated versus detailed data International trade in goods statistics are published through different datasets grouped into two categories:Aggregated data which refer to macroeconomic indicators for the EU and euro area. Data are aggregated by broad product categories, both monthly (short-term indicators) and annually (long-term indicators). Broad product categories are defined as one-digit codes of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) or aggregates of the Broad Economic Categories (BEC); andDetailed data which refer to the most detailed level of the following product nomenclatures: the Combined Nomenclature (CN), the SITC, the BEC, the Classification of Products by Activity (CPA) and the Standard Goods Classification for Transport Statistics/Revised (NSTR). Detailed data also contain aggregations at higher levels.   Statistical dimensions The frequency at which the data are compiled (data periodicity) and the product nomenclature differ depending on the dataset, but the following statistical fields are always available:reporting country: country or geo-economic area such as EU or euro area;reference period: month and/or year;trade flows: import and export;product according to the relevant classification; andpartner country: EU Member State, non-EU country or geo-economic area. Besides the dimensions listed above, specific datasets contain information on the mode of transport (e.g. by sea, by air or by road) or the statistical procedure (normal trade versus trade for processing activities).

International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of national rules which may differ from EU rules. European ITGS are the official harmonised source of information about exports, imports and the trade balances of the EU, its Member States and the euro area.   Type of users and requirements As international trade forms a major part of the world economy, statistics on trade in goods are an instrument of primary importance for numerous public and private sector decision makers. For example, international trade statistics • enable EU authorities to prepare multilateral and bilateral negotiations under the common commercial policy; • enable EU authorities to evaluate the progress of the Single Market and the integration of EU economies; • enable EU authorities to define and implement anti-dumping policies; • constitute an essential source of information for balance of payments statistics, national accounts and economic studies; and • help EU businesses conduct market research and define their commercial strategy. Statistics satisfy these needs in a variety of ways. Users may need either annual aggregated or detailed monthly data on products or partner countries. They may be interested in trade values in current prices or at constant prices. Alternatively, their interest may be in quantities rather than in values. These examples, which are far from exhaustive, show the diversity of users and their requirements. Eurostat tries to meet these various needs and to adapt to a changing environment, such as changes due to globalisation.   Extrastat and Intrastat: two data collection systems Traditionally ITGS are based on the data collected by customs authorities on trade transactions between countries. Customs declarations are used for statistical purposes as the basic data source which provides detailed information on exports and imports of goods with a geographical breakdown. The first piece of EU legislation on ITGS was adopted in 1975; it provided general guidelines on data collection and obliged Member States to send their data to Eurostat. The advent of the Single Market on 1 January 1993, with its removal of customs formalities between Member States and subsequent loss of trade statistics data sources, required the establishment of a new data collection system: Intrastat.. Since then ITGS are based on two data collection systems: Extrastat and Intrastat. Extrastat data on trade in goods with non-EU countries are collected by customs authorities and are based on the records of trade transactions in customs declarations, whereas Intrastat data are directly collected from intra-EU trade operators once a month. Alternative data sources may be used for some specific goods and movements like for among with ships, aircraft, gas and electricity.   Aggregated versus detailed data International trade in goods statistics are published through different datasets grouped into two categories:Aggregated data which refer to macroeconomic indicators for the EU and euro area. Data are aggregated by broad product categories, both monthly (short-term indicators) and annually (long-term indicators). Broad product categories are defined as one-digit codes of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) or aggregates of the Broad Economic Categories (BEC); andDetailed data which refer to the most detailed level of the following product nomenclatures: the Combined Nomenclature (CN), the SITC, the BEC, the Classification of Products by Activity (CPA) and the Standard Goods Classification for Transport Statistics/Revised (NSTR). Detailed data also contain aggregations at higher levels.   Statistical dimensions The frequency at which the data are compiled (data periodicity) and the product nomenclature differ depending on the dataset, but the following statistical fields are always available:reporting country: country or geo-economic area such as EU or euro area;reference period: month and/or year;trade flows: import and export;product according to the relevant classification; andpartner country: EU Member State, non-EU country or geo-economic area. Besides the dimensions listed above, specific datasets contain information on the mode of transport (e.g. by sea, by air or by road) or the statistical procedure (normal trade versus trade for processing activities).