1143.0.55.001 - Directory of Culture and Leisure Statistics, 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/08/2002   
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Contents >> Alphabetic index of collections >> International merchandise trade

INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE

PURPOSE

To collect information about Australia's merchandise trade with its major trading partners and selected country groups. Details of imports and exports of thousands of commodities are available, several hundred of which are related to culture and leisure.

DESCRIPTION

International trade statistics are compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from information submitted by exporters and importers or their agents to the Australian Customs Service (Customs). Merchandise trade covers all moveable goods which add to (imports) or subtract from (exports) Australia's stock of material resources, as a result of their movement into or out of Australia. The following are excluded from this collection:

  • Direct transit trade, i.e. goods being trans-shipped or moved through Australia for purposes of transport only;
  • ships and aircraft moving through Australia while engaged in the transport of passengers or goods between Australia and other countries; and
  • non-merchandise goods, consisting primarily of goods moving on a temporary basis (e.g. mobile equipment; goods under repair; goods for exhibition; and passenger's effects).

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

Covers imports into Australia, and exports out of Australia.

FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION

Monthly

DATA ITEMS

Commodities imported or exported

Commodities are classified according to the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System, known as the Harmonised System (HS), developed by the World Customs Organisation. Australia has expanded the 6-digit level of the HS to an 8-digit level for exports (5623 categories) and 10-digit level for imports (7723 categories). Commodities are also classified using the United Nations Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Revision 3) (3138 categories).

The Australian Culture and Leisure Classifications include a Product Classification, which incorporates a Correspondence to Australian and New Zealand Standard Product Classification (ANZSPC). In turn, the ANZSPC incorporates correspondences to the various merchandise trade classifications.

Export details

Value of goods
Quantity of goods
Gross weight of goods
Overseas country of final destination
Destination country groups (e.g. APEC, ASEAN, OECD and the EU)
Overseas port of discharge (available from July 1992 onwards)
Australian State/Territory (and port) of loading
Australian State/Territory of origin
Mode of transport

Import details

Value of goods
Quantity of goods
Gross weight of goods (available from July 1992 onwards)
Overseas country of origin for imports and import clearances
Origin country groups (e.g. APEC, ASEAN, OECD and the EU)
Overseas port of loading for imports and import clearances (available from July 1992 onwards)
Australian State/Territory (and port) of discharge
Australian State/Territory of final destination
Mode of transport
Nature of entry details (imports and import clearances)
Import duty rates and amount of duty paid on goods cleared for Australian consumption (import clearances)
Nature of tariff (import clearances) to distinguish between goods entered as normal, government, reduced and confidential

HISTORICAL DATA

Before Federation, each State recorded its trade independently and the only available means of ascertaining the total trade of Australia for those years is by aggregating the records of the States. However the results are subject to error, as those past records of values and direction of trade were compiled on differing bases across the States.

After Federation, uniform recording systems were introduced and trade data began to be compiled annually. Annual statistics were first presented on a financial year basis for 1914-15; and monthly statistics in August 1917. Monthly statistics have been available since then.
    DISSEMINATION

    Publications

    Australian Bureau of Statistics, International Merchandise Imports, Australia, Cat. No. 5439.0, ABS, Canberra. Price $22.00. Released monthly.
    Australian Bureau of Statistics, International Merchandise Trade, Australia, Cat. No. 5422.0, ABS, Canberra. Price $27.00. Released quarterly until March quarter of 2003.
    Cultural Ministers Council Statistics Working Group 2003, Australia's Trade in Culture, 2000-01. Available free of charge under 'Statistical information' on the CMC SWG web site at <http://www.dcita.gov.au/swg>. Includes comparisons with 1994-95.
    Cultural Ministers Council Statistics Working Group 1996, Australia's Balance of Trade in Culture, CMC SWG, Canberra. Free of charge. (Contains information for 1993-94 and 1994-95.)

    Other

    International Trade Statistics from 1 January 1988 are available on a subscription or ad hoc basis via hard copy reports, electronic tables or text files.
    National Sport and Recreation Industry Database and Directory (NSRIDD).

    CONTACT

    In the first instance, refer to To obtain data or further information in the Introduction to this directory.

    Manager
    International Trade
    Australian Bureau of Statistics
    Locked Bag 10
    BELCONNEN ACT 2616

    Telephone: Canberra 02 6252 5411
    Facsimile: Canberra 02 6252 5501
    Email: client.services@abs.gov.au



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