Mode of transport

Latest release
International Merchandise Trade, Australia: Concepts, Sources and Methods
Cite
Reference period
2018

7.1 The mode of transport describes the manner in which goods enter or leave Australia. The availability of international merchandise trade data by mode of transport is very important for many purposes, including the monitoring of international transport routes, the formulation of transportation policy and the assessment of the impact of trade on the environment.

7.2 The mode of transport is included on exports and imports declarations. The Department of Home Affairs accepts air, sea, post and other for imports or air and sea for exports as valid forms of mode of transport. When mode of transport air or sea is specified an airline code or a vessel name and vessel id must also be provided. Mode of transport post is only valid for imports; exports by post are identified through the goods type field. Mode of transport other applies to imports which are hand carried by a passenger but the ABS re-classifies these to air or sea as shown below. The mode of transport is used by the ABS to verify other information about the transaction e.g. the overseas port information, and it is aggregated and available for release at the most detailed commodity level.

7.3 The mode of transport classification defined below is used to disseminate international merchandise trade statistics. There are four categories in this classification. A description of what is included in each of the categories follows. 

  • A - Air. Mode of transport A is used for goods entering or leaving Australia on an aircraft. It is also used for the import and export of aircraft which enter or leave Australia under their own power and imported goods which are hand carried on aircraft by passengers. Goods which use a postal service are excluded.
  • S - Sea. Mode of transport S is used for goods entering or leaving Australia on a ship or vessel. It is also used for the import and export of ships and vessels that enter or leave Australia under their own power and for imported goods which are hand carried on ships by passengers. It also includes goods moved through pipelines. Goods which use a postal service are excluded.
  • P - Post. Mode of transport P refers to goods that enter or leave Australia, either by sea or air, using a postal service.
  • U - Unknown. Mode of transport U is used for imports when the data are not available for publication.