International Merchandise Trade Statistics

Methodology

IMTSS is responsible for the development and maintenance of the methodological guidelines on IMTS, including the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) and related correspondence tables. As part of this work several surveys of national practices have been conducted.  

1. Concepts and methods

- International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions, Revision 2 (1998)

- International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Compiler's Manual (2004)

- International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Supplement to the Compiler's Manual (2008)

- UN Expert Group on IMTS (EG-IMTS) - Towards IMTS, Revision 3

Additional:

- Statistical Territories of the World for Use in International Merchandise Trade Statistics (2005)

2. National Practices

- National Compilation and Reporting Practices in IMTS - Survey Results 2006 (and 1996)

- National Practices in Compilation and Dissemination of External Trade Index Numbers: A Technical Report

3. Inventory of IMTS classifications and related correspondence tables

- Standard International Trade Classifications, Revision 4 (SITC, Rev. 4)

- Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding Systems (HS) (WCO website)

- Classification by Broad Economic Categories (BEC)

- Complete HS and SITC conversion and correspondence tables along with detailed note on its conversion methodology

- Additional Correspondence Tables (UNSD Classification website)