B. Compilation of quantity data from customs sources and non-customs sources

Box XV.4

Compilation of quantity information in the Intrastat system of the European Union

In the Intrastat system, the collection of data on net mass is not always required. Member States may opt not to request the net mass for all CN codes. In such cases, either member States define a list of codes exempted from reporting the net mass or the net mass is not collected for the CN codes with a specified supplementary unit.

However, if the information is not collected, member States shall estimate the net mass at the CN8 subheading level. In order to facilitate the task of the member States, Eurostat has established European average conversion factors for all the CN codes with a supplementary unit. These conversion factors were established on the basis of EU historical trade data after the filtering of outliers. Member States are free to use either the list of conversion factors provided by Eurostat or any other estimation method.

In member States that apply a simplification threshold, the providers of statistical information (PSI) may be exempted from providing information on quantity (net mass or a supplementary unit) if they belong to the group that benefits from the simplified reporting obligation.

PSIs which report the transactions below €200 do not have to report quantity (net mass or a supplementary unit).

It should be noted that the provisions for compilation of quantity for some specific goods and movements differ from those that fall under the standard rules for compiling statistics on European Union trade in goods; that is to say, the quantity is optional for industrial plants, goods delivered to vessels and aircraft (except for net mass of goods belonging to CN chap. 27) and goods delivered to and from offshore installations (except for goods belonging to CN chap. 27). As far as vessels and aircraft are concerned, the quantity is expressed in net mass and pieces. The provisions for specific goods and movements mentioned here are identical for compilation of intra- and extra-EU statistics.

Box XV. 5

Norway: direct reporting of quantity of exports of petroleum products

Significant parts of Norway’s petroleum exports are produced outside Norway’s customs territory and hence are not included in data received from customs. As an alternative, reports of figures for Norway’s exports of crude oil are received both from Government institutions and directly from the oilfield operators. 

Crude oil. Preliminary figures for Norway’s exports of crude oil are received directly from the oilfield operators. There are different reports depending on whether the mode of transportation is oil tanker or pipeline. Monthly field reports of transportation by oil tankers contain lifting date, cargo number, name of vessel, name of shipper, destination, net barrels (bbls) and net metric tons. The report of transportation by pipeline contains volume in barrels per terminal. Destination countries for transportation by pipeline are based on reports from Norway’s authorities.  On a quarterly basis, final shipment figures, volume and price per barrels (FOB) are received from the owners of the oil cargos. Occasionally, figures for crude oil transported by pipeline are also received; information is received on a quarterly basis. 

Natural gas. Preliminary volume figures forNorway’s exports of natural gas are received monthly from the oilfield operators. There are two means of transportation: a significant proportion of the pipeline exports goes through the pipeline transportation system, but to some extent there is also transportation by gas tankers (LNG).  Monthly reports of transportation by pipeline contain volume in standard cubic metres (scm). Information on destination countries for transportation by pipeline is based on reports fromNorway’s authorities. Field reports of transportation by tankers contains lifting date, cargo number, name of vessel, name of shipper, discharge port and net metric tons. Preliminary prices are based on information from petroleum companies.  Final figures, volume and value, are received from the largest producing companies on a quarterly basis. 

Box XV.6

Uganda: quantity units used in the Informal Cross Border Trade survey

In Uganda, prior to conduct of an Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) survey, various units of measurement based on the WCO standard units of quantity were developed for commonly transacted commodities, with the aim of guiding data collection. The weight of commodities was derived by physically weighing them (especially agricultural products) or by using already established packaging weights of informal survey practitioners. Nevertheless, there were challenges encountered in respect of obtaining weights of assorted commodities in the same package and converting certain weights to internationally recommended weights for a particular product.