International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia

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Statistics about international trade in goods and services, on a balance of payments and international trade basis.

Reference period

December 2021

Released

3/02/2022

View all releases

Release date and time

03/02/2022 11:30am AEDT

Key statistics

The seasonally adjusted balance on goods and services surplus decreased $1,400m to $8,356m in December.
Goods and services credits (exports) rose $360m (1%) to $45,320m driven by a rise in exports of Metal ores and minerals.
Goods and services debits (imports) rose $1,761m (5%) to $36,964m driven by a rise in imports of Non-industrial transport equipment.

Main features

Key Figures, Seasonally Adjusted
		Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Balance on goods and services		10,876	9,756	8,356	- 1,400	na
	Credits (Exports of goods & services)	43,375	44,960	45,320	360	1
	Debits (Imports of goods & services)	- 32,499	- 35,203	- 36,964	1,761	5

na not applicable

Balance on goods and services
	Seasonally Adjusted ($m)
Sep-20	5,747
Oct-20	6,619
Nov-20	5,361
Dec-20	8,433
Jan-21	10,238
Feb-21	8,572
Mar-21	6,860
Apr-21	9,184
May-21	9,999
Jun-21	11,228
Jul-21	13,308
Aug-21	12,618
Sep-21	11,045
Oct-21	10,876
Nov-21	9,756
Dec-21	8,356

Balance on goods and services

["","Seasonally Adjusted"]

[["Sep-20","Oct-20","Nov-20","Dec-20","Jan-21","Feb-21","Mar-21","Apr-21","May-21","Jun-21","Jul-21","Aug-21","Sep-21","Oct-21","Nov-21","Dec-21"],[[5747],[6619],[5361],[8433],[10238],[8572],[6860],[9184],[9999],[11228],[13308],[12618],[11045],[10876],[9756],[8356]]]

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COVID-19

Suspension of trend estimates

The trend series attempts to measure underlying behaviour in international trade activity. In the short term, this measurement will be significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent changes to regular patterns in international trade resulting from it. If the trend estimates in this publication were to be calculated without fully accounting for this unusual event they would provide a misleading view of underlying international trade activity.

It may be some time before the underlying trend in international trade activity can be accurately estimated. The trend series has therefore been suspended from March 2019 and will be reinstated when more certainty emerges.

Seasonal adjustment and COVID-19

International Accounts uses the concurrent seasonal adjustment method, meaning that seasonal factors are re-estimated each time new data becomes available. If not appropriately accounted for, unusual events such as COVID-19 can distort estimates calculated using this method. From March 2020, seasonal factors for series that have been notably impacted by COVID-19 will be calculated using data up to and including February 2020, then projected from March 2020 onwards. This approach, known as the forward factor method, ensures that seasonal factors are not distorted by COVID-19 impacts.

The ABS has advised users that it moved to using forward factors for seasonal analysis of a number of series, including Travel Services. Current ABS (and international) practice requires at least three years of data to assess whether a change in seasonal pattern has occurred. Should COVID-19 result in a long-term change to the seasonal pattern then revisions to these series may occur in the future. The ABS will consult with users on any future methods changes to seasonal adjustment and potential revisions. The Feature Article International travel services time series outlines the matter in greater detail.

Quality of international trade in services statistics

Monthly International Trade in Services statistics (ITS) are compiled using multiple data sources. These data, compared with the publication reference period, are lagged. The lag in data results in most ITS estimates being nowcast when initially published. In recent times, these estimates have been more volatile, due in part to COVID-19 but also due to services data availability. While the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) make every effort to ensure estimates of monthly ITS are reflective and robust, in the current environment, the ABS recommends monthly services estimates be interpreted and used with caution. The International Trade in Services; Concepts, Source and Methods outlines this in further detail.

Changes to timing of release of International Trade, Supplementary Information, financial year (2020-21) and calendar year (2021)

COVID-19 has impacted the availability and quality of source data used to compile international trade in services estimates. As a result the 2020-2021 and 2021 International Trade, Supplementary Information publications (former cat. Nos. 5368.0.55.003 and 5368.0.55.004) have been delayed. Both publications are expected to be released commencing from June 2022.

Balance on goods and services

In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $8,356m in December 2021, a decrease of $1,400m on the surplus in November 2021.

Balance on goods and services(a), seasonally adjusted
			Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Balance on goods and services			10,876	9,756	8,356	- 1,400	na
	Total goods and services credits		43,375	44,960	45,320	360	1
		Total goods credits	38,671	40,165	40,456	291	1
		Total services credits	4,704	4,795	4,863	68	1
	Total goods and services debits		- 32,499	- 35,203	- 36,964	1,761	5
		Total goods debits	- 27,830	- 30,268	- 32,004	1,736	6
		Total services debits	- 4,669	- 4,935	- 4,960	25	1

na not applicable
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.

Goods and services credits (exports), seasonally adjusted

Goods credits

	Seasonally Adjusted ($m)	Trend (a) ($m)
Dec-17	25,476	25,710
Jan-18	26,726	26,127
Feb-18	27,032	26,591
Mar-18	26,784	27,093
Apr-18	27,088	27,625
May-18	28,152	28,180
Jun-18	29,107	28,788
Jul-18	29,482	29,366
Aug-18	29,830	29,826
Sep-18	30,101	30,114
Oct-18	30,623	30,308
Nov-18	30,611	30,478
Dec-18	30,128	30,694
Jan-19	31,466	30,996
Feb-19	31,500	31,466
Mar-19	30,364	-
Apr-19	31,622	-
May-19	33,862	-
Jun-19	34,159	-
Jul-19	35,155	-
Aug-19	33,179	-
Sep-19	33,699	-
Oct-19	31,499	-
Nov-19	31,971	-
Dec-19	32,078	-
Jan-20	30,810	-
Feb-20	28,684	-
Mar-20	34,340	-
Apr-20	31,673	-
May-20	29,162	-
Jun-20	29,515	-
Jul-20	28,712	-
Aug-20	27,731	-
Sep-20	28,545	-
Oct-20	30,314	-
Nov-20	31,437	-
Dec-20	33,400	-
Jan-21	34,849	-
Feb-21	34,811	-
Mar-21	34,436	-
Apr-21	35,750	-
May-21	37,388	-
Jun-21	38,763	-
Jul-21	41,300	-
Aug-21	41,981	-
Sep-21	39,051	-
Oct-21	38,671	-
Nov-21	40,165	-
Dec-21	40,456	-

["","Seasonally Adjusted","Trend (a)"]

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(a) Trend series suspended from March 2019.

Goods credits, seasonally adjusted
			Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Total goods credits			38,671	40,165	40,456	291	1
	General merchandise		36,342	38,162	38,127	- 35	-
		Rural goods	5,024	5,533	5,367	- 166	- 3
		Non-rural goods	31,318	32,629	32,760	131	-
	Net exports of goods under merchanting(a)		32	32	31	- 1	- 3
	Non-monetary gold(a)		2,297	1,971	2,298	327	17

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) This component is not seasonally adjusted.

Rural goods

Rural goods, seasonally adjusted
	Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Rural goods	5,024	5,533	5,367	- 166	- 3
	Meat and meat preparations	1,332	1,348	1,364	16	1
	Cereal grains and cereal preparations	1,488	1,589	1,565	- 24	- 2
	Wool and sheepskins	288	285	296	11	4
	Other rural(a)	1,916	2,310	2,142	- 168	- 7

Non-rural goods

Non-rural goods, seasonally adjusted
		Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Non-rural goods	31,318	32,629	32,760	131	-
	Metal ores and minerals(a)	11,425	11,302	12,658	1,356	12
	Coal, coke and briquettes(a)	7,593	8,630	7,404	- 1,226	- 14
	Other mineral fuels(a)	7,204	6,904	6,885	- 19	-
	Metals (excl. non-monetary gold)	935	1,158	1,131	- 27	- 2
	Machinery	847	940	962	22	2
	Transport equipment	303	328	325	- 3	- 1
	Other manufactures	1,727	1,838	1,948	110	6
	Other non-rural (incl. sugar and beverages)(b)	1,065	1,311	1,213	- 98	- 7
	Goods procured in ports by carriers(c)	219	218	234	16	7

Services credits

	Seasonally Adjusted ($m)	Trend (a) ($m)
Dec-17	7,073	7,214
Jan-18	7,348	7,313
Feb-18	7,541	7,417
Mar-18	7,519	7,512
Apr-18	7,579	7,586
May-18	7,613	7,642
Jun-18	7,694	7,692
Jul-18	7,713	7,746
Aug-18	7,832	7,806
Sep-18	7,871	7,866
Oct-18	7,954	7,926
Nov-18	7,966	7,984
Dec-18	8,010	8,044
Jan-19	8,098	8,106
Feb-19	8,240	8,171
Mar-19	8,210	-
Apr-19	8,292	-
May-19	8,391	-
Jun-19	8,475	-
Jul-19	8,545	-
Aug-19	8,632	-
Sep-19	8,668	-
Oct-19	8,750	-
Nov-19	8,764	-
Dec-19	8,772	-
Jan-20	8,202	-
Feb-20	7,468	-
Mar-20	6,898	-
Apr-20	5,465	-
May-20	5,562	-
Jun-20	5,758	-
Jul-20	5,276	-
Aug-20	5,087	-
Sep-20	5,274	-
Oct-20	5,364	-
Nov-20	5,442	-
Dec-20	5,407	-
Jan-21	5,312	-
Feb-21	5,121	-
Mar-21	5,023	-
Apr-21	4,981	-
May-21	5,165	-
Jun-21	5,308	-
Jul-21	5,030	-
Aug-21	4,898	-
Sep-21	5,050	-
Oct-21	4,704	-
Nov-21	4,795	-
Dec-21	4,863	-

["","Seasonally Adjusted","Trend (a)"]

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(a) Trend series suspended from March 2019.

Services credits, seasonally adjusted
			Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Total services credits			4,704	4,795	4,863	68	1
	Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others(a)		3	2	2	-	-
	Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.(a)		4	1	2	1	100
	Transport		308	319	317	- 2	- 1
		Passenger(b)(c)	1	11	11	-	-
		Freight(d)	24	24	24	-	-
		Other	162	162	161	- 1	- 1
		Postal and courier services(e)	122	122	121	- 1	- 1
	Travel(c)		1,596	1,650	1,715	65	4
	Other services		2,793	2,823	2,828	5	-
Memorandum item
	Tourism related services credits(f)		1,597	1,661	1,726	65	4

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) This component is not seasonally adjusted.
(b) Passenger transportation services includes agency fees and commissions for air transport.
(c) This component has been seasonally adjusted using the forward factor method since March 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19.
(d) In using these seasonally adjusted series, care should be exercised because of the difficulties associated with reliably estimating the seasonal pattern.
(e) Postal and courier services includes indirect commissions for sea transport.
(f) For a more detailed explanation of tourism related services, see the Explanatory notes.

Goods and services debits (imports), seasonally adjusted

Goods debits

	Seasonally Adjusted ($m)	Trend (a) ($m)
Dec-17	26,320	25,186
Jan-18	25,502	25,595
Feb-18	26,006	25,911
Mar-18	26,152	26,142
Apr-18	25,356	26,329
May-18	26,805	26,515
Jun-18	27,222	26,773
Jul-18	26,592	27,016
Aug-18	27,186	27,109
Sep-18	26,804	27,056
Oct-18	27,206	26,878
Nov-18	27,281	26,671
Dec-18	24,977	26,554
Jan-19	26,875	26,529
Feb-19	26,782	26,578
Mar-19	26,405	-
Apr-19	26,783	-
May-19	27,131	-
Jun-19	26,543	-
Jul-19	26,721	-
Aug-19	26,837	-
Sep-19	27,417	-
Oct-19	27,463	-
Nov-19	26,167	-
Dec-19	26,443	-
Jan-20	25,372	-
Feb-20	24,796	-
Mar-20	24,948	-
Apr-20	25,248	-
May-20	24,044	-
Jun-20	24,216	-
Jul-20	25,860	-
Aug-20	26,321	-
Sep-20	24,337	-
Oct-20	25,018	-
Nov-20	27,365	-
Dec-20	26,249	-
Jan-21	25,925	-
Feb-21	27,272	-
Mar-21	28,476	-
Apr-21	27,334	-
May-21	28,267	-
Jun-21	28,461	-
Jul-21	28,537	-
Aug-21	29,700	-
Sep-21	28,344	-
Oct-21	27,830	-
Nov-21	30,268	-
Dec-21	32,004	-

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(a) Trend series suspended from March 2019.

Goods debits (imports) (a), seasonally adjusted
			Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Total goods debits			- 27,830	- 30,268	- 32,004	1,736	6
	General merchandise debits		- 27,468	- 29,794	- 31,433	1,639	6
		Consumption goods	- 8,618	- 9,043	- 9,758	715	8
		Capital goods	- 6,617	- 7,392	- 7,582	190	3
		Intermediate and other merchandise goods	- 12,233	- 13,359	- 14,093	734	5
	Non-monetary gold(b)		- 362	- 474	- 571	97	20

(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.
(b) This component is not seasonally adjusted.

Consumption goods

Consumption goods(a), seasonally adjusted
	Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Consumption goods	- 8,618	- 9,043	- 9,758	715	8
	Food and beverages, mainly for consumption	- 1,281	- 1,321	- 1,329	8	1
	Household electrical items	- 464	- 554	- 566	12	2
	Non-industrial transport equipment	- 1,679	- 1,790	- 2,249	459	26
	Textiles, clothing and footwear	- 1,713	- 1,717	- 1,743	26	2
	Toys, books and leisure goods	- 628	- 639	- 706	67	10
	Consumption goods n.e.s.	- 2,853	- 3,022	- 3,165	143	5

Capital goods

Capital goods(a), seasonally adjusted
	Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Capital goods	-6,617	-7,392	-7,582	190	3
	Machinery and industrial equipment	-2,242	-2,199	-2,235	36	2
	ADP equipment	-1,111	-1,184	-1,277	93	8
	Telecommunications equipment	-1,049	-1,182	-1,345	163	14
	Civil aircraft and confidentialised items(b)(c)	-503	-752	-784	32	4
	Industrial transport equipment n.e.s.	-1,086	-1,358	-1,422	64	5
	Capital goods n.e.s.(d)	-625	-717	-520	-197	-27

Intermediate and other merchandise goods

Intermediate and other merchandise goods(a), seasonally adjusted
	Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Intermediate and other merchandise goods	-12,233	-13,359	-14,093	734	5
	Food and beverages, mainly for industry	- 187	- 196	- 196	-	-
	Primary industrial supplies n.e.s.(b)	- 196	- 487	- 205	- 282	- 58
	Fuels and lubricants(c)	- 3,338	- 3,507	- 3,785	278	8
	Parts for transport equipment	- 1,154	- 1,185	- 1,256	71	6
	Parts for ADP equipment	- 85	- 86	- 90	4	5
	Other parts for capital goods	- 1,648	- 1,732	- 1,850	118	7
	Organic and inorganic chemicals	- 353	- 424	- 643	219	52
	Paper and paperboard	- 200	- 206	- 220	14	7
	Textile yarn and fabrics	- 137	- 142	- 152	10	7
	Iron and steel	- 421	- 489	- 519	30	6
	Plastics	- 451	- 472	- 539	67	14
	Processed industrial supplies n.e.s.	- 4,027	- 4,358	- 4,581	223	5
	Other merchandise goods(e)	- 32	- 68	- 53	- 15	- 22
	Goods procured in ports by carriers(d)	- 4	- 5	- 5	-	-

Services debits

	Seasonally Adjusted ($m)	Trend (a) ($m)
Dec-17	7,832	7,781
Jan-18	7,906	7,908
Feb-18	8,042	8,018
Mar-18	8,164	8,109
Apr-18	8,152	8,182
May-18	8,177	8,246
Jun-18	8,300	8,309
Jul-18	8,453	8,368
Aug-18	8,393	8,416
Sep-18	8,406	8,447
Oct-18	8,508	8,458
Nov-18	8,527	8,458
Dec-18	8,370	8,465
Jan-19	8,459	8,485
Feb-19	8,479	8,510
Mar-19	8,567	-
Apr-19	8,637	-
May-19	8,598	-
Jun-19	8,472	-
Jul-19	8,558	-
Aug-19	8,638	-
Sep-19	8,566	-
Oct-19	8,522	-
Nov-19	8,418	-
Dec-19	8,638	-
Jan-20	8,610	-
Feb-20	8,398	-
Mar-20	6,059	-
Apr-20	3,845	-
May-20	3,821	-
Jun-20	3,838	-
Jul-20	3,748	-
Aug-20	3,786	-
Sep-20	3,736	-
Oct-20	4,041	-
Nov-20	4,154	-
Dec-20	4,124	-
Jan-21	3,997	-
Feb-21	4,088	-
Mar-21	4,123	-
Apr-21	4,212	-
May-21	4,287	-
Jun-21	4,382	-
Jul-21	4,484	-
Aug-21	4,561	-
Sep-21	4,712	-
Oct-21	4,669	-
Nov-21	4,935	-
Dec-21	4,960	-

["","Seasonally Adjusted","Trend (a)"]

[["Dec-17","Jan-18","Feb-18","Mar-18","Apr-18","May-18","Jun-18","Jul-18","Aug-18","Sep-18","Oct-18","Nov-18","Dec-18","Jan-19","Feb-19","Mar-19","Apr-19","May-19","Jun-19","Jul-19","Aug-19","Sep-19","Oct-19","Nov-19","Dec-19","Jan-20","Feb-20","Mar-20","Apr-20","May-20","Jun-20","Jul-20","Aug-20","Sep-20","Oct-20","Nov-20","Dec-20","Jan-21","Feb-21","Mar-21","Apr-21","May-21","Jun-21","Jul-21","Aug-21","Sep-21","Oct-21","Nov-21","Dec-21"],[[7832],[7906],[8042],[8164],[8152],[8177],[8300],[8453],[8393],[8406],[8508],[8527],[8370],[8459],[8479],[8567],[8637],[8598],[8472],[8558],[8638],[8566],[8522],[8418],[8638],[8610],[8398],[6059],[3845],[3821],[3838],[3748],[3786],[3736],[4041],[4154],[4124],[3997],[4088],[4123],[4212],[4287],[4382],[4484],[4561],[4712],[4669],[4935],[4960]],[[7781],[7908],[8018],[8109],[8182],[8246],[8309],[8368],[8416],[8447],[8458],[8458],[8465],[8485],[8510],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null],[null]]]

[]

[{"axis_id":"0","tick_interval":"12","axis_min":"","axis_max":"","axis_title":"","precision":-1,"axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"$m","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"(m)","table_units":"($m)","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"$","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

(a) Trend series suspended from March 2019.

Services debits(a), seasonally adjusted
			Oct-21 ($m)	Nov-21 ($m)	Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 ($m)	Nov-21 to Dec-21 (%)
Total services debits			- 4,669	- 4,935	- 4,960	25	1
	Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others(b)		-	-	-	-	-
	Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.(b)		- 46	- 55	- 25	- 30	- 55
	Transport		- 1,738	- 1,976	- 2,017	41	2
		Passenger(c)(b)	- 73	- 116	- 109	- 7	- 6
		Freight	- 1,635	- 1,830	- 1,878	48	3
		Other(b)	- 19	- 19	- 19	-	-
		Postal and courier services(e)(f)	- 11	- 11	- 12	1	9
	Travel(d)		- 84	- 102	- 117	15	15
	Other services		- 2,801	- 2,802	- 2,800	- 2	-
Memorandum item
	Tourism related services debits(g)		- 157	- 218	- 226	8	4

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory Notes.
(b) This component is not seasonally adjusted.
(c) Passenger services includes agency fees and commissions for air transport.
(d) This component has been seasonally adjusted using the forward factor method since March 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19.
(e) Postal and courier services includes indirect commissions for sea transport.
(f) In using these seasonally adjusted series, care should be exercised because of the difficulties associated with reliably estimating the seasonal pattern.
(g) For a more detailed explanation of tourism related services, see the Explanatory notes.

Supplementary information

Selected commodities

Selected commodities, quantities (a)
	Jul-21 (%)	Aug-21 (%)	Sep-21 (%)	Oct-21 (%)	Nov-21 (%)	Dec-21 (%)
Iron ore - Lump	- 11	10	2	- 15	16	8
Iron ore - Fines	- 8	4	6	- 2	- 6	15
Coal - Hard coking	- 18	16	- 9	8	- 10	10
Coal - Semi-soft	- 10	2	11	- 6	- 5	- 13
Coal - Thermal	15	- 4	- 5	- 7	- 2	6
Gas - LNG	22	2	- 2	3	- 2	2

(a) Data in this table is on a revised international merchandise trade basis and excludes value adjustments applied to balance of payments series.

Selected commodities, unit values (a)
	Jul-21 (%)	Aug-21 (%)	Sep-21 (%)	Oct-21 (%)	Nov-21 (%)	Dec-21 (%)
Iron ore - Lump	1	- 20	- 27	- 8	- 14	8
Iron ore - Fines	1	- 21	- 26	- 21	- 14	16
Coal - Hard coking	35	18	20(p)	31	15(p)	- 29(p)
Coal - Semi-soft	20	15	12	23(p)	15(p)	- 18(p)
Coal - Thermal	15	15	8	19	12(p)	- 13(p)
Gas - LNG	16	8	9	10	10	- 1

p preliminary figure or series subject to revision
(a) Data in this table is on a revised international merchandise trade basis and excludes value adjustments applied to balance of payments series.

Selected commodity movements

On an international merchandise trade basis, in original terms (noting the footnote in the above table), between November 2021 and December 2021 the largest movements recorded for the following selected commodities were:

Iron ore (lump), movement by country, Nov-21 to Dec-21
	Value ($m)	Value (%)	Quantity (%)	Unit Value (%)
Iron ore (lump) - Total movement	386	17	8	8
Japan	205	63	50	8
Korea, Republic of (South)	78	53	6	44
Hong Kong (SAR of China)	77	-	-	-
Taiwan	38	53	47	4
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)	- 33	- 2	- 4	2

Iron ore (fines), movement by country, Nov-21 to Dec-21
	Value ($m)	Value (%)	Quantity (%)	Unit Value (%)
Iron ore (fines) - Total movement	1 664	34	15	16
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)	1 065	27	10	15
Japan	201	50	39	8
Hong Kong (SAR of China)	194	-	-	-
Korea, Republic of (South)	116	25	-	26
Indonesia	58	1 932	1 581	21

Hard coking (high rank) coal, Nov-21 to Dec-21
	Value ($m)	Value (%)	Quantity (%)	Unit Value (%)
High rank coal - Total movement	- 819	- 21	10	- 29
India	- 274	- 25	15	- 34
Japan	- 228	- 33	3	- 35
Netherlands	- 192	- 74	- 48	- 49
France (includes Andorra and Monaco)	- 163	- 87	- 75	-50
Indonesia	- 135	- 60	- 38	- 35

Semi soft coal, movement by country, Nov-21 to Dec-21
	Value ($m)	Value (%)	Quantity (%)	Unit Value (%)
Semi soft coal - Total movement	- 373	- 28	- 13	- 18
Japan	- 131	- 24	- 6	- 19
Korea, Republic of (South)	- 96	- 40	- 25	- 19
Vietnam	- 85	- 71	- 61	- 25
India	- 68	- 25	- 22	- 4
Taiwan	40	44	51	-5

Thermal coal, movement by country, Nov-21 to Dec-21
	Value ($m)	Value (%)	Quantity (%)	Unit Value (%)
Thermal coal - Total movement	- 241	- 7	6	- 13
Japan	- 289	- 16	- 7	- 10
Taiwan	- 134	- 33	- 27	- 8
Thailand	55	92	146	-22
Vietnam	64	65	74	-5
Korea, Republic of (South)	174	32	47	- 10

Liquid Natural Gas, total movement, Nov-21 to Dec-21
	Value ($m)	Value (%)	Quantity (%)	Unit Value (%)
Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) - Total movement	73	1	2	-1

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)

Selected commodities, quantity and unit value analysis - International merchandise trade basis: Original terms

International merchandise trade exports data presented in the above tables are based on information reported by exporters to the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs). For commodities such as iron ore and coal, newly negotiated contract prices are not fully reflected in data first reported to Home Affairs. Final quantity and/or unit price information is updated progressively in international merchandise trade data as exporters revise the information provided to Home Affairs. When additional information for these commodities is available, the ABS may adjust the data to reflect actual transaction values.

Unit values in this publication are presented in Australian dollar terms. Movements in the unit values for some commodities incorporate movements in the United States dollar prices reported to Home Affairs and movements in the Australian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate.

Value adjustments

Goods credits on an international merchandise trade basis

On a merchandise trade basis, adjustments have been applied to iron ore lump and iron ore fines. When actual final transaction prices become available estimates are replaced with these data. For price and volume details, see the Selected commodities section.

Iron Ore Adjustment, Original Terms
	Jun-21($m)	Jul-21($m)	Aug-21($m)	Sep-21($m)	Oct-21($m)	Nov-21($m)	Dec-21($m)
Iron ore lump	0	-10	-70	-90	25	0	0
Iron ore fines	20	15	-145	-245	30	25	0

Goods credits on a balance of payments basis

Coal (in original terms)

On a balance of payments basis, adjustments have been applied to the coal, coke and briquettes component in September (+$5m), October (+$5m), November (+$55m) and December (+$1,020m) 2021. This adjustment takes into account additional information on the unit value of hard coking, semi-soft and thermal coal exports. All previous adjustments have been removed.

In the international merchandise trade series, the unit value of coal, coke and briquettes rose 12.3% between October 2021 and November 2021 and fell 20.3% between November 2021 and December 2021.

In the balance of payments series, the unit value of coal, coke and briquettes rose 13.0% between October 2021 and November 2021 and fell 9.6% between November 2021 and December 2021.

International merchandise trade exports data presented in this publication are based on information reported by exporters to the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs). At the time of initial reporting to Home Affairs, the final prices at which transactions take place are not known for some commodities. Final quantity and/or unit price information is updated progressively in international merchandise trade data as exporters revise the information provided to Home Affairs.

For commodities such as iron ore and coal, newly negotiated contract prices are not fully reflected in data first reported to Home Affairs. When additional information on quantity and/or unit price for these commodities is available, the ABS may adjust the data to reflect actual transaction values.

Iron ore adjustments are applied on an international merchandise trade basis at the Australian Harmonized Export Commodity Classification (AHECC) level. Coal, coke and briquettes are adjusted on a balance of payments basis in current price, original terms. When actual final transaction prices become available estimates are replaced with these data.

In most instances, transfer of ownership occurs when goods cross the customs frontier. In certain circumstances the change of ownership of large value capital expenditure items can occur prior to the items crossing the customs frontier. The ABS may adjust the relevant balance of payments series to record the timing when transfer of ownership was affected.

Revisions

Changes in this issue

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 5368.0.

Data downloads

We will be progressively transitioning to releasing Excel files in .XLSX format from 3rd December 2021.

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Time series spreadsheets

Data files

Table 1. Goods and services, summary - seasonally adjusted and trend estimates, current prices
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Table 2. Goods and services, summary - original, current prices
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Table 3. Goods credits, original, current prices
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Table 4. Goods debits, original, current prices
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Table 5. Goods credits, seasonally adjusted, current prices
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Table 6. Goods debits, seasonally adjusted, current prices
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Table 7. Goods credits, trend estimates, current prices
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Table 8. Goods debits, trend estimates, current prices
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Table 9. Services, summary - original, current prices
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Table 10. Services, summary - seasonally adjusted and trend estimates, current prices
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Table 11a. Services credits, original, current prices - quarterly
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Table 11b. Services debits, original, current prices - quarterly
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Table 12a. Merchandise exports, standard international trade classification (1 and 2 digit), FOB value
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Table 12b. Merchandise exports, standard international trade classification (3 digit), FOB value
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Table 13a. Merchandise imports, standard international trade classification (1 and 2 digit), customs value
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Table 13b. Merchandise imports, standard international trade classification (3 digit), customs value
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Table 14a. Merchandise exports, country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 14b. Merchandise imports, country and country groups, customs value
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Table 15a. Merchandise exports, state and Australia, FOB value
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Table 15b. Merchandise imports, state and Australia, customs value
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Table 16. Period average exchange rates, units of foreign currency per Australian dollar
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Table 17. Summary of revisions, goods and services
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Table 31. Merchandise exports, broad economic category, FOB value
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Table 32a. Merchandise exports, industry (ANZSIC 2006), FOB value
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Table 32b. Merchandise exports, industry (ANZSIC 1993), FOB value
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Table 33. Merchandise imports, broad economic category, customs value
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Table 34. Merchandise imports, balance of payments broad economic category, customs value
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Table 35a. Merchandise imports, industry (ANZSIC 2006), customs value
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Table 35b. Merchandise imports, industry (ANZSIC 1993), customs value
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Table 36a. Merchandise exports, state of origin New South Wales, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36b. Merchandise exports, state of origin Victoria, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36c. Merchandise exports, state of origin Queensland, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36d. Merchandise exports, state of origin South Australia, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36e. Merchandise exports, state of origin Western Australia, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36f. Merchandise exports, state of origin Tasmania, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36g. Merchandise exports, state of origin Northern Territory, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36h. Merchandise exports, state of origin Australian Capital Territory, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36i. Merchandise exports, state of origin not available, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 36j. Merchandise exports, re-exports, by country and country groups, FOB value
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Table 37a. Merchandise imports, state of destination New South Wales, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37b. Merchandise imports, state of destination Victoria, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37c. Merchandise imports, state of destination Queensland, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37d. Merchandise imports, state of destination South Australia, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37e. Merchandise imports, state of destination Western Australia, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37f. Merchandise imports, state of destination Tasmania, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37g. Merchandise imports, state of destination Northern Territory, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37h. Merchandise imports, state of destination Australian Capital Territory, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 37i. Merchandise imports, state of destination not available, by country and country groups, customs value
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Table 91. Monthly combined seasonal adjustment factors
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Data Cubes

Data files

Table 18. Balance of payments broad economic categories (detailed level), by country, latest 7 months, customs value, ($million)
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Table 19. Balance of payments broad economic categories (1 and 2 digit), by country, latest 7 months, customs value, ($million)
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Methodology

International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia methodology, December 2021

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APA

International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia

APA

Key statistics

Main features

COVID-19

Suspension of trend estimates

Seasonal adjustment and COVID-19

Quality of international trade in services statistics

Changes to timing of release of International Trade, Supplementary Information, financial year (2020-21) and calendar year (2021)

Balance on goods and services

Goods and services credits (exports), seasonally adjusted

Goods credits

Rural goods

Non-rural goods

Services credits

Goods and services debits (imports), seasonally adjusted

Goods debits

Consumption goods

Capital goods

Intermediate and other merchandise goods

Services debits

Supplementary information

Selected commodities

Selected commodity movements

Selected commodities, quantity and unit value analysis - International merchandise trade basis: Original terms

Value adjustments

Goods credits on an international merchandise trade basis

Goods credits on a balance of payments basis

Revisions

Changes in this issue

Revisions to seasonal estimates

Previous catalogue number

Data downloads

Time series spreadsheets

Table 1. Goods and services, summary - seasonally adjusted and trend estimates, current prices

Table 2. Goods and services, summary - original, current prices

Table 3. Goods credits, original, current prices

Table 4. Goods debits, original, current prices

Table 5. Goods credits, seasonally adjusted, current prices

Table 6. Goods debits, seasonally adjusted, current prices

Table 7. Goods credits, trend estimates, current prices

Table 8. Goods debits, trend estimates, current prices

Table 9. Services, summary - original, current prices

Table 10. Services, summary - seasonally adjusted and trend estimates, current prices

Table 11a. Services credits, original, current prices - quarterly

Table 11b. Services debits, original, current prices - quarterly

Table 12a. Merchandise exports, standard international trade classification (1 and 2 digit), FOB value

Table 12b. Merchandise exports, standard international trade classification (3 digit), FOB value

Table 13a. Merchandise imports, standard international trade classification (1 and 2 digit), customs value

Table 13b. Merchandise imports, standard international trade classification (3 digit), customs value

Table 14a. Merchandise exports, country and country groups, FOB value

Table 14b. Merchandise imports, country and country groups, customs value

Table 15a. Merchandise exports, state and Australia, FOB value

Table 15b. Merchandise imports, state and Australia, customs value

Table 16. Period average exchange rates, units of foreign currency per Australian dollar

Table 17. Summary of revisions, goods and services

Table 31. Merchandise exports, broad economic category, FOB value

Table 32a. Merchandise exports, industry (ANZSIC 2006), FOB value

Table 32b. Merchandise exports, industry (ANZSIC 1993), FOB value

Table 33. Merchandise imports, broad economic category, customs value

Table 34. Merchandise imports, balance of payments broad economic category, customs value

Table 35a. Merchandise imports, industry (ANZSIC 2006), customs value

Table 35b. Merchandise imports, industry (ANZSIC 1993), customs value

Table 36a. Merchandise exports, state of origin New South Wales, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36b. Merchandise exports, state of origin Victoria, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36c. Merchandise exports, state of origin Queensland, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36d. Merchandise exports, state of origin South Australia, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36e. Merchandise exports, state of origin Western Australia, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36f. Merchandise exports, state of origin Tasmania, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36g. Merchandise exports, state of origin Northern Territory, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36h. Merchandise exports, state of origin Australian Capital Territory, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36i. Merchandise exports, state of origin not available, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 36j. Merchandise exports, re-exports, by country and country groups, FOB value

Table 37a. Merchandise imports, state of destination New South Wales, by country and country groups, customs value

Table 37b. Merchandise imports, state of destination Victoria, by country and country groups, customs value

Table 37c. Merchandise imports, state of destination Queensland, by country and country groups, customs value

Table 37d. Merchandise imports, state of destination South Australia, by country and country groups, customs value

Table 37e. Merchandise imports, state of destination Western Australia, by country and country groups, customs value

Table 37f. Merchandise imports, state of destination Tasmania, by country and country groups, customs value