International merchandise trade statistics record all goods which add to (+), or subtract from (-), the stock of material resources of a country by entering (as imports) or leaving (as exports) its economic territory. Goods being transported through a country or temporarily admitted or withdrawn (except for goods for inward or outward processing) are not included in merchandise trade statistics.
DATA EXTRACTION TOOL
Customize Data Extraction (See Products By Country)
Web Comext enables users to access merchandise trade data in a searchable database format. The result of the extraction will be displayed, but the user can also generate the output file(s) in one (or several) available formats (Excel, CSV, SDMX, Text, PDF, RTF)
Tables and figures
Trinidad and Tobago Import Partners 2023
Trinidad and Tobago is located in the southern Caribbean, northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. It is located between 10° 2′ and 11° 12′ N latitude and 60° 30′ and 61° 56′ W longitude. In 2019, Trinidad and Tobago’s main imports partners were the United States, China, Brazil, Netherlands, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, Mexico and Thailand.
International Merchandise Trade Statistics Tables
The following monthly, quarterly and annual analytical/summary trade statistics tables are available for download in spreadsheet xlsx format.
Standard International Trade Classification (SITC)
The Standard international trade classification, abbreviated as SITC, is a product classification of the United Nations (UN) used for external trade statistics, allowing for international comparisons of commodities and manufactured goods. Similarly to the Harmonized System, the SITC uses a standardised coding system to classify traded merchandise. The categories are different from the HS in that it looks at the function and economic uses of the product as opposed to the material composition. The United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) maintains the classification revisions.
The SITC is categorised by Sections and further broken down by Divisions and then into Groups.
Within these tables you will be able to quickly access cumulative aggregate values for each classification and trading partners, enabling you to investigate trends, patterns and relationships. These analytical tables cover trade values and indices for individual countries and regions (e.g. % contribution, country ranking and TT dollar value).
The Harmonized System is a standard coded classification commonly used throughout the world to process goods traded between countries. It is administrated by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and is updated every 5 years. The WCO assigns the first 6 digits of the codes and this cannot be adjusted by any country; however, countries are allowed to add extensions to these 6-digit codes for further clarification/description of certain products in their respective nations.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Customs & Excise Division has opted to add two (2) additional digits to the 6-digit coding classification making our HS classification 8-digits long. HS is categorized by the material composition of the product.
Data on merchandise trade are compiled and disseminated by the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago only. Adjustments are made to the trade data to reflect the guidelines of the “International Merchandise Trade Statistics 2010”.
Scope
Scope of the data
Imported goods capture transport cost and insurance and scope adjustments are needed as coverage is broader due to the change in ownership between residents and non-residents when they cross the economic territory of the compiling country.
Exceptions to coverage
Goods not entering/leaving the economic territory of the reporting country or does not surpass the customs threshold of temporary entry or exit including goods in transit or transshipment.
Unrecorded activity
No adjustment is made for smuggling. There are no seasonal adjustments.
Classification
Data is classified using the World Customs Organisation’s Standards for Harmonised System (HS) up to the 8-digit level and the United Nations’ Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) up to the 3-digit level.
Valuation
A statistical value is recorded for all goods covered in international merchandise trade statistics, whether sold, exchanged or provided without payment.
Basis of recording
Imports are recorded c.i.f. (cost, insurance and freight), exports are recorded f.o.b. (free on board). Flows of goods sent for processing and re-export are recorded.
Data captures both net and gross measurements. Data is disseminated using the net weight.
Source of Data
Customs declarations are the sole source of data which indicates the customs procedures under which goods enter, move within or leave the country. All customs declarations adhere to the international standards for classifications, valuations, scope and recording time as required. Customs declarations are submitted daily to the Central Statistical Office. Processing to dissemination takes an average of six (6) months. Based on international recommendations, the customs declarations are examined for accuracy by the Central Statistical Office before disseminations to the public.
Statistical Techniques
Each declaration is measured against international recommendations and adjusted to meet the target standards. Statistical programming and visualization is applied throughout the processing phase to understand and build modules.
Data validation
An editing and validation program is employed at the beginning and middle stages of the processing phase to capture discrepancies before the data enters the main database.
Using an editing and validation program, data is manually and systematically analysed before uploading to the main domain.
Preliminary analysis is conducted on post production data to review the quality and determine further action.
Monthly statistical analysis is conducted resulting in revisions and updates to the trade domain. These revisions will be reflected in quarterly dissemination of the data.
Periodicity and Timeliness
Trade date is available Annually, Quarterly and Monthly.
Trade data will show a six (6) months lag after the reference period.
Consistency
Imports and exports are broken down by commodity group. The classification used is the aggregate levels (Section level: one-digit, Division level: two –digits and Group level: three- digits) of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC). However, statistics are also available according to the Harmonised System (HS). Imports and exports are also broken down by countries. More detailed tabulations are available, and disseminated to selected users.
Temporal consistency is performed at the end of every month’s processes.
Reconcilability is conducted periodically after collaborations with users and stakeholders.
Data revisions
Trade data is updated daily.
A notice is released on the “News” panel of the online extraction tool as to the status of the data, be it provisional, revised or finalized.
Using Official Statistics for SDGs
Indicators
10.a.1 – Proportion of tariff lines applied to imports from least developed countries and developing countries with zero-tariff
17.4.1 – Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services
17.11.1 – Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global exports
17.12.1 – Weighted average tariffs faced by developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing States
Tables and figures
Trinidad and Tobago Import Partners 2023
xlsx format. 
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