The University Libraries

Trade Data Workshop:

1. Introduction to commodity codes
1. Harmonized
2. SIC (industry codes)
3. NAICS (industry codes)
4. Cross classification table
2. The two types of trade data
3. PC-TAS (trade data cd-rom)
   1. Description
   2. How to access it
   3. Flash demos
   4. Basic steps to create a search
4. Comtrade (for the latest data)

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 1. Introduction to Commodity Codes

 Introduction

• In trade data, numbering codes are used to identify commodities (i.e. raw materials or products.)
• The codes are hierarchal:
  • The longer the number, the more specific the commodity (aggregated data.)
  • The shorter the number, the broader category of commodities (disaggregated data.)

It's vital to have the proper commodity codes
before retrieving trade data! 
Take your time with this.

For details, see my Trade Data guide.

 a. Harmonized System (HS)

• Also called Harmonized Tariff Code (HTC)
• Used by the U.S. government to classify U.S. imports and exports.
• These codes can be up to 10 digits long.
  • Exports codes (also called Schedule B) are administered by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Import codes are administered by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

Examples of HS codes:

61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted
6103 Men's or boys' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets....knitted or crocheted
610319 Of other textile materials
61031920 Of cotton
6103192010 Jackets imported as parts of suits

 b. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

• Until 1987, the U.S. Census Bureau used SIC codes to classify business activities.
• However, some publishers (ex. Duns) still use it.
• NAICS (see below) is the successor to SIC codes.
• Use a company directory to find a company's codes.

Examples of SIC codes:

23 Apparel made from fabrics and similar materials
232 Men's and boys' furnishings, work clothing, and allied garments
2325 Men's and boy's separate trousers and slacks

 c. North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)

• NAICS replaced SIC in 1992.
• (However, some databases still use SIC.)
• NAICS is more detailed than SIC, and does a much better job of covering service and technology industries.
• It was created by the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican governments.
• Use a company directory to find a company's codes.

Examples of NAICS codes:

51 Information
513 Broadcasting and Telecommunications
5133 Telecommunications
51332 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
513322 Cell phones and cell phone service

 d. Cross-Classification Table

• After you have found a 10-digit HS code, use this table to find the corresponding SIC and SITC codes.
• This kind of table is also called an industry concordance.

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 2. The Two Types of Trade Data

 Summary Global Trade (country to world)

The total exports of a commodity from one country to the rest of the world, OR total imports of a commodity from the rest of the world to one country. 

Examples: 

• how much cotton the U.S. exports to all other countries.
• how much crude oil the U.S. imports from all other countries.

 Bilateral Global Trade (country to country)

Trade between two countries (sometimes called trading partners), or between one country and a country group. 

Examples:

• how much cotton the U.S. exports to Mexico.
• how much crude oil the U.S. imports from South America.

The Trade Data guide lists databases available for each type of trade data.

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 3. How to Use PC-TAS CD-ROM

You'll use this for your split-share analysis.

a. Description

b. How to access PC-TAS 

United Nations Trade Analysis System (UN PC/TAS) is a networked CD-ROM available in IRC computer labs (including the Super Lab and the Bryan School labs).

1. Open "All Programs"
2. Open "TAS Personal"
3. Select "PC-TAS HS "

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c. Flash demos

1. Searching for your summary global trade data (523K)
2. Searching for your bilateral trade data (526K)

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d. Basic steps to to create a search

1. From the View menu, choose Screening.
2. Click the button labeled Product.
3. In the box labeled Codes beginning with, type the HS code.
4. Click the List button (in the upper-right area of the window).
5. Click on the product code to select it.
6. Click the button labeled Copy (in the middle of the window).
7. Click the button labeled Done (in the lower-right area of the window).
8. Click the button labeled Reporter (in the upper-left area of the window).
9. Select the country(s) or country group(s) you need. CTRL-click to select more than one.
10. Click the button labeled Done  
11. Click the button labeled Partner Country (in the upper-left area of the window).
12. Select the country(s) or country group(s) you need. CTRL-click to select more than one.
13. Click the button labeled Done
14. Choose "Import" or "Export".
15. Click the button labeled Run (in the upper-right area of the window) to display the data
16. To export the data into Excel, select the View menu, and then Export.
17. To display graphs of the data, select the View menu, and then Graph.

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4. Comtrade (use if you need the most recent data)

This is the web-version of the PC-TAS CD-ROM.

Description 

• From the United Nations, the main source of world trade data.
• Covers 1962-near present
• Uses up to 5-digit SITC codes, and 6-digit harmonized codes.
• Data can be downloaded into Excel.

Searching Comtrade

1. You can also get to Comtrade from the library database lists.
2. Select the "Basic Selection" option from "Data Query."

3. Select HS2002 as the classification. Also select the proper classification under the "Commodities" tab before you search for a code.

4. To select a commodity code, follow these steps:

5. As you go through the tabs, don't forget to "Add" each selection.

6. To select more than one country or year from the menus, use Ctrl-click (hold down the Ctrl key with you click with mouse). Use Shift-click to select a range of countries or years.

7. Finally, select "Submit Query" to run the search. 

Working with the Results

1. The results are sorted alphabetically by country name. Change the sort to trade value, and select "Refresh".

2. Notice these options to download to a spreadsheet and create graphs.