National Statistics Office of Georgia
GeoStat
www.geostat.ge | info@geostat.ge
Methodological Document

Brief Methodology and Practice
of Compilation of External
Merchandise Trade Statistics

In accordance with the UN Statistics Division recommendations (IMTS 2010) — exports, imports, nomenclature, data sources and dissemination.

IMTS
2010 Standard
HS2022
Commodity Nomenclature
Monthly
Dissemination Frequency
🌐
Overview — Methodological Basis
International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS 2010)

External Merchandise Trade Statistics is compiled in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Statistics Division, as set out in:

  • "International Merchandise Trade Statistics, Concepts and Definitions, 2010" (United Nations, New York, 2011)
  • "International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Compilers Manual, Revision 1" (IMTS 2010-CM), (United Nations, New York, 2013)
📌
For the compilation of External Merchandise Trade Statistics, Georgia applies the "General System", whereby the main criterion for recording exports and imports is the crossing of the economic territory border of the country.

Partner country is determined as follows: for imports — the country of consignment (sending country); for exports — the country of final destination.

↔️
Exports & Imports
Definitions and Classification
Exports

Covers both domestic exports and re-exports of imported goods. Domestic exports include goods produced in the country as well as goods imported from abroad whose value has significantly increased as a result of domestic processing.

Imports

Covers the importation of goods into the country as well as the re-import of previously exported goods.

💱
Pricing System — FOB & CIF
Price Conventions in International Trade
FOB
Free On Board — exporting country's border price

Exports are valued at FOB prices, i.e., at the price at the exporting country's border, which includes the cost of delivering goods to that border and loading them onto the means of transport.

CIF
Cost, Insurance, Freight — importing country's border price

Imports are valued at CIF prices, i.e., at the price at the importing country's border, which in addition to the FOB price includes international freight and insurance costs.

💡
All value indicators are expressed in USD. Statistical values in USD are calculated by the relevant authorities at the time of customs declaration registration, using the official exchange rate set by the Tbilisi Interbank Currency Exchange.
🔢
Key Formulas
Calculation of Key External Trade Indicators
Calculation Scheme
Export Structure
Exports = Domestic Exports + Re-Exports
External Trade Turnover
Trade Turnover = Exports + Imports
External Trade Balance
Trade Balance = Exports − Imports
📎
A positive trade balance indicates that exports exceed imports; a negative balance indicates that imports exceed exports.
🗄️
Data Sources
Primary Information Sources for External Trade Statistics

The Database of Customs Declarations (DBCD) is the primary source of information on external trade transactions. The National Statistics Office (NSO) receives the DBCD from the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia on a monthly basis.

Specific Sources for Energy Carriers

Data on natural gas and electric power exports and imports are additionally obtained from:

  • LTD Georgian Gas Transportation Company
  • JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation
  • JSC Georgian State Electrosystem
  • JSC Electricity System Commercial Operator
Commodity Nomenclature

For recording import-export transactions, the "Commodity Nomenclature for External Economic Activities" (HS2022) is used, which is based on the Harmonized System for the Description and Coding of Goods. Data are detailed by country, commodity (HS, Broad Economic Categories — BEC, Standard International Trade Classification — SITC) and mode of transport.

📅
Dynamic time series of External Merchandise Trade Statistics are available from 1995. Since October 2018, data have also been disseminated with a breakdown by type of economic activity (NACE Rev.2) and by size of trading entity.
⚙️
Data Processing
Controls, Adjustments and Exclusions

Based on the received information, NSO carries out the following:

  • Controls key data fields of the DBCD — commodity codes, prices, weights, supplementary units of measure, and country codes of sender/recipient.
  • Controls price thresholds for key commodities and adjusts quantities, values or supplementary units of measure accordingly.
  • Excludes from the database goods that do not constitute external merchandise trade under internationally approved methodology:
    • Securities, banknotes and coins in circulation;
    • Goods temporarily imported or exported;
    • Diplomatic and other analogous consignments which, in accordance with international methodology, are not included in external merchandise trade.
⚠️
Data do not cover the Simplified Customs Declarations (Form N4), nor the occupied territories of Abkhazian Autonomous Republic and Tskhinvali Region.
📢
Dissemination
Frequency and Release Schedule

Data are compiled and disseminated on a monthly basis.

Release Calendar
Day 13 Express Release — aggregated data on exports, imports, trade turnover and trade balance (since 2012)
Day 19 Detailed Information by various breakdowns — country, commodity, mode of transport (since 2016)
Day 19 Domestic Exports detailed overview — new statistical product (since January 2020)
📎
Notice: Detailed methodology is available at: More →