Home > Information > Reference > Introduction of Trade Statistics

Introduction of Trade Statistics

Provisional data / Detailed data / Fixed data
Provisional data : This data is prepared according to the results of totaling based on reports that is submitted by importers when they recieve goods.
(Notice : There is no provisional data in Exports trade statistics.)
Detailed data : This data is prepared according to the results of totaling based on reports that is submitted by importers when they pay taxes for their goods.
This data means the numerical values after deciding amounts and values of goods for paying taxes, so detailed data is more correct than provisional one.
Fixed data : This data is the revised version of the detailed data. It is opened to the public in the middle of March every year.
Statistical timing
(1) Exports : Entry is made to a month to which belongs a date when any ship or aircraft loading the goods concerned leaves a Japanese port.
(2) Imports : (a) Entry is made to a month to which a date of an import permit belongs.
(b) As regards those goods delivered for domestic commerce prior to an issuance of import permit, entry is made to a month to which a date of an approval of delivery belongs.
Classification of goods

Goods are classified according to "Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade Statistics (C.C.F.T.S.)" (Ministry of Finance Notification No. 94 of 1987). This classification is based upon the "Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS)".

Classification of goods by Country

In principle, exports are classified by country (place) of destination, imports are classified by country (place) of origin.

Quantity

The quantity is indicated in terms of the unit specified against each item in the "Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade Statistics" and quantity less than the unit is disregarded. The unit means a net weight, when reference is made to a weight.

Value

The value of exports is based on the FOB value, the value of imports is based on the CIF value.
The unit value is 1,000 "yen", a value less than the unit value is disregarded.

Marks
  1. The following marks are employed in the colon of the quantity and value, to indicate the following ; "-" indicates "nil"
    "0" indicates "less than the prescribed unit"
  2. With respect to the abbreviation of names of Countries, a reference may be made to a "Statistical Classification of Countries" attached to the end of this return.
HS Classification

HS is divided into the following units; Sections, Chapters, Headings and Subheadings. The Subheadings of the Schedules are further divided into national tariff and statistic subdivisions which are based on national laws, with a view to more detailed commodity classification

Sections: Sections are the largest classification units, composed of "Section 1 Live animals; animal products" to "Section 21 Works of art, collectors' pieces, and antiques".
Chapters: Chapter 77, however, is reserved for possible future use in the HS Convention.
Headings: Headings are the classification units which divide Chapter,given by 4 digits.
Subheadings: Subheadings are the classification units which divide headings, given by 6 digits.
Statistic subdivisions: "Statistic subdivisions" are the classification units which divide HS subheading based on Commodity Classification for Foreign Trade Statistics, given by 3 digits.
The list price in trade statistics

Values included in Trade statistics of Japan have been opened to the public by only yen denominated since April/1996.