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GOODS EXCLUDED FROM AUSTRALIA'S INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS

2.41 The following goods are excluded from Australia's international merchandise trade statistics. Most of the goods are excluded as recommended by the international standards, however some goods are excluded because there is either no available data source or their exclusion is consistent with the scope of the statistics.

2.42 Goods simply being transported through Australia, e.g. goods in transit (including transhipments). Goods entering or leaving a country with the sole purpose of reaching a third country are excluded, since they do not add to or subtract from the stock of material resources of the country through which they pass. Goods leaving a country, to return after crossing another country, are excluded from both countries' imports and exports. International transportation routes are such that goods may be transported via one or more countries on their way to or from Australia. Alternatively, goods may transit through Australia on their way elsewhere. DIBP do not require full import or export declarations for goods in transit.

2.43 Goods temporarily admitted or dispatched. Goods are sometimes brought into a country, or dispatched from it, with a reasonable expectation of subsequent withdrawal or return within a limited time without any change (except normal depreciation). These include art exhibits, specialised equipment used in particular projects, vehicles, race horses, the belongings of competitors who participate in sporting events, and animals for breeding. Where the transaction has a large value as determined by ABS editing processes it will be checked by an ABS editor to ensure that it is accurately classified as international non-merchandise trade (and therefore excluded from Australia's international merchandise trade statistics).

2.44 Goods for repair or maintenance. This comprises goods temporarily crossing international borders so they can be repaired - this is an activity that reinstates the quality of impaired goods and does not result in the creation of a new product. It includes goods that must be repaired abroad because of warranty arrangements or unavailability of Australian services, and goods brought to Australia for repair. For more information about the treatment of specific repairs (see paragraphs 2.64-2.70 in Special Cases and their Treatment). Goods entering or leaving Australia for repair do not add to, or subtract from, the stock of resources so they are excluded from international merchandise trade statistics, however the repair services are recorded separately for inclusion in international trade in services in the balance of payments.

2.45 Monetary gold. Monetary gold is gold that is exchanged between national or international monetary authorities or authorised banks. These authorities include the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and other central banks, which hold gold as part of an economy's official reserves (a financial asset). Exchanges of monetary gold between monetary authorities are treated as financial transactions and are excluded from Australia's international merchandise trade statistics. When the RBA sells or lends gold to non-monetary authorities, which may then be exported, it is said to demonetise the gold, turning it into non-monetary gold. Any export of non-monetary gold is recorded in international merchandise trade statistics. Likewise, when the RBA receives gold from abroad (e.g. the repayment of a gold loan) it is said to monetise the gold, turning it into monetary gold. Any import of the gold prior to monetisation is recorded in international merchandise trade statistics.

2.46 Issued banknotes and securities and coins in circulation. Where these goods flow into and out of the Australian economy as payments and receipts for international transactions, they are treated as financial assets as they represent a financial claim. These items are not included in Australia's international merchandise trade statistics.

2.47 Goods consigned to and from territorial enclaves. The economic territory of Australia includes Australian embassies, military bases and other installations that are physically located within the geographic boundaries of other countries, and excludes the enclaves of other nations and international organisations located within Australia's geographic boundaries. The movement of goods between Australia and Australian enclaves abroad is considered an internal flow, and therefore these goods are excluded from international merchandise trade statistics. Goods supplied to foreign embassies or military bases in Australia are also excluded. If a customs declaration is received for these goods, the ABS treats it as out of scope and excludes it from international merchandise trade statistics.

2.48 Non-financial assets, ownership of which has been transferred from residents to non-residents, without crossing borders. These assets are land, structures, equipment and inventories which are excluded from international merchandise trade because they changed ownership without entering or leaving Australia. The acquisition or disposal of land and buildings for Australian embassies overseas are examples of the assets to which this treatment applies.

2.49 Goods treated as part of trade in services. The boundary between goods and services is sometimes blurred. Items classified as goods may include some service element, and vice versa. For example, personal goods acquired by travellers are included in travel services in the balance of payments and not included in international merchandise trade statistics. The value of transportation services to the border of the exporting country is included in the value of goods exported (see Diagram 3.1 in Valuation). Goods treated as services in the balance of payments and national accounts are:

• Media with stored computer software and/or data developed to order and audio and video containing original recordings and customised blueprints and the like. These goods are included in services in the balance of payments because their value is in the creative content, not the physical good used as the storage medium.
• Goods acquired by non-residents for their own use while travelling, working or studying in Australia and by residents while travelling, working or studying abroad not exceeding amounts established by the DIBP. These goods are included in travel services in the balance of payments.
• Goods purchased in Australia by foreign governments for their own use in Australia and equivalent expenditure abroad by Australian governments. These goods are included in government goods and services n.i.e. in the balance of payments.
• Goods purchased in Australia by foreign government employees and their dependants while stationed in Australia and goods purchased abroad by Australian government employees and their dependants while stationed abroad. These goods are included in government goods and services n.i.e. in the balance of payments.
• Newspapers and periodicals sent under direct subscription. These goods, which come through the post or via couriers, are included in telecommunications, computer and information services in the balance of payments.
• A service transaction which includes goods incidental to the main transaction. For example, a business consultancy which includes the consultant providing low value items such as pens, coffee mugs or computer mouse mats advertising their services - these low value goods are included in international trade in services.