Statistics specification : Import and export of goods according to SITC

Title of statistics

Import and export of goods according to the Standard International Trade Classification SITC

Collector

Finnish National Board of Customs

Description

The SITC classification is applied to compile foreign trade statistics owing to its international comparability. This classification maintained by the UN is used in most countries. On the basis of detailed nomenclatures (HS, CN), commodities are classified by SITC into rougher categories e.g. with regard to their degree of processing. Since the SITC classification is not amended annually, it enables comparisons by means of longer time series.

Data content

The SITC statistics specify the monthly import and export of commodities and groups thereof. The value information is indicated at all classification levels, but it is feasible that quantitative data be indicated at the more accurate classification levels only.

Data collecting method

Statistics on the trade between Finland and the other EU Member States are collected by means of the statistical declarations submitted by enterprises through the Intrastat system of internal trade. Information on the trade between Finland and Third Countries is obtained by means of customs declarations to be submitted on each import and export consignment. The data on internal and external trade are combined to form the Foreign Trade Statistics of Finland.

Applied classifications

The SITC statistics are compiled in accordance with the international trade classification standard of the UN called the Standard International Trade Classification SITC, Rev. 4, ex 2007. The data complying with the SITC classification are deducted from the Combined Nomenclature CN in accordance with the definitions of the UN. The most detailed SITC classification level contains 2 970 commodity categories.

The country classification is based on the Commission Regulation (EC, 1833/2006) on the nomenclature of countries and territories for the external trade of the Community and the internal trade between the Member States. The country codes comply with those of the ISO/DIS 3166 standard of the International Organization for Standardization.

Uppdating frequency

Monthly

Completion or publication date

Detailed statistics on imported and exported commodities are completed after abt. nine weeks upon the expiry of the respective month. The exact publication timetable is defined for about one year ahead. The publication timetable is maintained on the web site of the National Board of Customs.

Time series

Data exist since 1988 (Rev. 3) and 2007 (Rev. 4).

Electronic data is available in the Uljas database.

Foreign trade statistics were compiled according to the earlier SITC versions from 1958 to 1987. These can be inquired for at the Statistics Service.

Keywords

import, export, foreign trade of goods, SITC

Contact information

National Board of Customs / Statistics Unit
Statistics Service, Tel. +358 20 690 603
E-mail: statistics[at]tulli.fi    (replace [at] in the address with @)
Internet: www.tulli.fi
Statistical database Uljas: uljas.tulli.fi

Further information

Foreign trade statistics on other countries are also available at the reading room of the Statistics Service.

Statistics on the foreign trade of the EU Member States are available from the publications, web site, and Easy Comext database of Eurostat. This database can be consulted free of charge through Internet.


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