Foreign Trade

Getting Started

This guide describes major Foreign Trade datasets, both U.S. and International, focusing only on electronic formats. It also includes links to the major trade classification systems and some statistical indexes and trade policy web sites.

Guides

When doing research on Foreign Trade it is helpful to understand definitions of frequently used terms and the various classification systems used to collect data. Below are some basic guides and descriptions of the classification schemes.

Concordances for Trade Statistics
On-line concordances between the Standard Industrial Trade Classification, Tariff Schedules of the US, Harmonized Schedules, Standard Industrial Classification, and International Standard Industrial Classification. Uses combinations and class dates.
Guide to Foreign Trade Statistics
ITC description of the Foreign Trade Statistical Program.
Organization of American States(OAS) Foreign Trade Information System
Text of trade and investment treaties in the Western Hemisphere. Links to trade data and trade classification systems of Organization of American States members.
Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade
State Department annual reports on economic policies of individual countries beginning 1993, including basic trade data for past three years. Ceased publication, primarily historical value.
TRAINS: Trade Analysis Information System
Contains information on Imports, Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures over 150 countries.

Classification

What is the SITC Classification?

HTS/SIC/SITC/NAICS/END USE Description Lookup
Select and Display a table of codes with descriptions.

North American Industry Classification Codes(NAICS)
Classification system used to collect government statistics.

Tariff Act of 1930. Title I, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (Online)
The USITC (Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements) is responsible for publishing the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSA). The HTSA provides the applicable tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the United States; it is based on the international Harmonized System, the global classification system that is used to describe most world trade in goods.

U.N Statistics Division Methodology