Trade Statistics

Trade Statistics provides explanation of flows and directions of imports and exports values. It provides statistics on imports and exports that form a valuable component of a country’s statement on economic transactions in the National Economic Accounts (NEA) and Balance of Payments (BOP). Trade Statistics that are accurate, detailed and timely delivered have always been a priority as they are vital for the planning and future development of a country or economy.

Methodology

Trade statistics are compiled in accordance with the General Trade System in which all goods that enter or leave the Zanzibar territory are recorded. The methods used to compile trade data closely follow the recommendations of common external tariff for East African Community (EAC).

Source of Data

These statistics are compiled from documents (Declaration Forms) provided by exporters and importers to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). As such only goods crossing international borders with appropriate customs documentation are included in this external trade information

Considerable reliance is placed on exporters and importers or their agents on submitting correct codes and information. Data validation and other necessary adjustments are made before processing and the releasing of the publication. TRA - Customs Department, through its computerized database is responsible for all data management issues.

Time of Recording

Import and Export Statistics are compiled by Date of Assessment. This is the date on which the duty to be paid (if any) is assessed by the Customs Service, in effect of “clearing” the goods for import/export.

Limitations of data

It should be noted that goods crossing international borders without appropriate Customs documentation are not included in Trade Statistics.

Statistical Value of Imports and Exports

Statistical value is the value assigned to goods, in accordance with the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Customs Valuation (WTO-ACV), by the Tanzania Revenue Authority as follows:

• i. Imported goods are valued at Cost, Insurance and Freight (C.I.F), which includes the transaction value of the goods, the value of services performed to deliver goods to the border of the exporting country and the value of the services performed to deliver the goods from the border of the exporting country to the border of importing country.
• ii. Exported goods are valued as Free on Board (F.O.B) at port or place of exit. It includes transaction value of the goods and the value of services performed to deliver goods to the border of the exporting country.

Symbols Used

- : Means no good exported or imported at particular time
NA : Means Not Available

CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS

Concepts and definitions used to collect and analyse Trade Statistics, follows UN “International Merchandise Trade Statistics”.

Export

In the International Trade, "exports" implies both export of domestic goods and re-exports of imported goods to abroad.

Domestic Goods

Domestic goods are the goods locally grown or produced (unprocessed) or goods locally produced (processed).

Re Export

Re export consist of foreign goods exported in the same state as previously imported, from the free circulation area, premises for inward processing or industrial zones, directly to the rest of the world and from premises for customs warehousing or commercial free zones, to the rest of the world.

Import

An import includes all foreign goods entering the economic territory of a compiling country that are directly declared for home use and those for warehousing.

Transferred goods

Transfer of imported goods from Zanzibar to Tanzania mainland duty paid Zanzibar.

Total Trade Value or Volume of Trade

Total trade value is an aggregate value of both imports and exports. It is also referred to as the volume of trade.

Balance of Trade

Balance of trade is a difference in value of imports from exports.

Import and Export Sections

The Harmonized System (HS) comprises of 21 Sections which cover all commodities of international trade. A section is the integral part of goods which have similar manner.

Country of Origin

The country of origin of goods is determined by EAC Rules of Origin. Generally, rules of origin consist of two basic criteria, namely: -

• i. The criterion of goods "wholly produced" (obtained) in a given country, where only one country enters into consideration in attributing origin;
• ii. The criterion of "substantial transformation", where two or more countries have taken part in the production of the goods.

Country of Destination

It is a country known at the time of dispatch to be the final country of destination where goods are to be delivered.

Capital Goods

Capital Goods are goods that used in producing other goods, rather than being bought by consumers.

Consumer Goods

Goods bought and used by consumers, rather than by manufacturers for producing other goods.

Intermediate goods

Intermediate goods are goods or services that used in the eventual production of final goods, or finished product. These goods are sold by industries to one another for the purpose of resale or producing other goods.