china-export-data

# China Export Data **Purpose**: Provide straightforward access to official Chinese export statistics for research, verification, and baseline market analysis. **Target Users**: Researchers, analysts, students, small business owners, and anyone needing factual China export data without advanced analytics requirements. --- ## Official Data Sources ### Source 1: UN Comtrade Database **Website**: https://comtradeplus.un.org/ **What it contains**: - China's exports reported to the UN by partner countries - Mirror data (what partner countries report importing from China) - Global coverage with standardized HS codes - Historical data from 1962 to present **Best for**: - Comparing China with other exporting countries - Analyzing China's exports to specific destination markets - Long-term historical trend analysis - Cross-country benchmarking **Access methods**: | Method | URL | Requirements | Best For | |--------|-----|--------------|----------| | Web Interface | https://comtradeplus.un.org/lab?r=156 | Free | One-off queries | | API | https://comtradeapi.un.org/docs/v1 | Registration + API key | Automated queries | | Bulk Download | Premium subscription | Paid subscription | Large datasets | **API Registration**: 1. Visit https://uncomtrade.org/docs/api-subscription-keys/ 2. Create account 3. Request API key for "comtrade - v1" (free tier: 100 calls/hour) 4. Premium tier available for unlimited access ### Source 2: China Customs Statistics **Website**: http://stats.customs.gov.cn/indexEn **What it contains**: - Official export statistics from China's General Administration of Customs - More granular data than UN Comtrade - Port-level breakdowns - Trade mode classifications - Domestic destination information **Best for**: - Most authoritative China-specific data - Port and regional analysis within China - Recent monthly data (1-2 month lag) - Detailed product classifications **Navigation Guide**: ``` English Interface Navigation: Home (http://stats.customs.gov.cn/indexEn) ├── Query by HS Code │ ├── Select Year/Month │ ├── Select HS Code (Chapter → Heading → Subheading) │ ├── Select Trade Flow (Export/Import) │ └── Select Filters (optional) ├── Query by Country/Region │ ├── Select Partner Country │ ├── Select Time Period │ └── Select Product Category └── Query by Customs Port ├── Select Port ├── Select Time Period └── Select Product/Partner ``` --- ## How to Query Data ### Step-by-Step: UN Comtrade Web Query ``` Step 1: Access Query Builder → Go to https://comtradeplus.un.org/lab?r=156 (Pre-filtered for China as reporter) Step 2: Select Trade Flow → Click "Flow" dropdown → Select "Exports" (or "Re-exports" if needed) Step 3: Select Partner Country → Click "Partner" field → Search and select destination country → Or select "All" for global exports Step 4: Select Product (HS Code) → Click "Commodity Code" field → Choose classification level: • HS 2-digit (broad category, e.g., "84 - Machinery") • HS 4-digit (specific heading) • HS 6-digit (detailed subheading) → Enter or select code Step 5: Select Time Period → Choose "Year" (single or range) → For monthly data, select specific months Step 6: Run Query → Click "Preview" for quick view → Click "Download" for CSV/Excel export Step 7: Interpret Results Columns explained: • Reporter: Exporting country (China) • Partner: Importing country • Trade Value (USD): Export value in US dollars • Netweight (kg): Quantity in kilograms • Quantity: Alternative unit (if applicable) ``` ### Step-by-Step: China Customs Web Query ``` Step 1: Access English Interface → Go to http://stats.customs.gov.cn/indexEn Step 2: Choose Query Type → "Query by HS Code" for product-focused search → "Query by Country/Region" for market-focused search → "Query by Customs Port" for logistics analysis Step 3: Set Parameters For HS Code Query: → Select Year and Month (or range) → Click HS Code selector • Expand chapters (01-97) • Select 2-digit chapter • Select 4-digit heading • Select 6-digit subheading (optional) → Select Trade Flow: "Export" → Apply additional filters (optional): • Trade Mode (General, Processing, etc.) • Customs Port • Domestic Destination • Transport Mode Step 4: Execute Query → Click "Query" button → Wait for results (may take 10-30 seconds) Step 5: Review Results → Table shows: HS Code, Description, Unit, Quantity, Value → Click column headers to sort → Use pagination for large result sets Step 6: Export Data → Click "Export" or download icon → Choose format (Excel/CSV) → Save to local drive ``` --- ## Data Dictionary ### Common Fields Explained | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | **HS Code** | Harmonized System product classification | 8517.12 (Phones) | | **Trade Value** | Export value in US dollars | $1,234,567 | | **Netweight** | Weight in kilograms | 50,000 kg | | **Quantity** | Product-specific unit (if different from kg) | 10,000 units | | **Trade Flow** | Direction of trade (Export/Import/Re-export) | Export | | **Reporter** | Country reporting the data | China | | **Partner** | Trading partner country | United States | | **Customs Port** | Chinese port of departure | Shanghai | | **Trade Mode** | Type of trade arrangement | General Trade | ### HS Code Structure ``` HS Code Hierarchy Example (Electronics): 85 ← Chapter (2-digit): Electrical machinery ↓ 8517 ← Heading (4-digit): Telephone sets ↓ 8517.12 ← Subheading (6-digit): Phones for cellular networks ↓ 8517.12.00 ← Full code (8-digit): Detailed classification Where to find HS codes: • https://www.trade.gov/harmonized-system-hs-codes • https://www.foreign-trade.com/reference/hscode.htm • China Customs website HS code lookup ``` --- ## Query Examples ### Example 1: China's Laptop Exports to USA (2023) ``` UN Comtrade Query: ├── Reporter: China (156) ├── Partner: United States (842) ├── Flow: Exports (2) ├── HS Code: 8471.30 (Laptops) └── Period: 2023 China Customs Query: ├── HS Code: 8471.30 ├── Trade Flow: Export ├── Partner: United States └── Period: 2023 ``` ### Example 2: China's Top Export Products (Latest Month) ``` China Customs Query: ├── Query Type: Top Products ├── Trade Flow: Export ├── Period: Latest available month └── Result: Sorted by trade value ``` ### Example 3: China's Exports by Port ``` China Customs Query: ├── Query Type: By Customs Port ├── Select Port: All (or specific like Shanghai, Shenzhen) ├── HS Code: Your product ├── Trade Flow: Export └── Period: Select time range ``` --- ## Data Availability & Limitations ### Update Schedule | Source | Frequency | Typical Lag | Coverage | |--------|-----------|-------------|----------| | UN Comtrade | Monthly | 1-3 months | 200+ countries | | China Customs | Monthly | 1-2 months | China only | ### Known Limitations | Limitation | Explanation | Workaround | |------------|-------------|------------| | Mirror data discrepancies | Partner countries may report different values | Compare both sources, use as range | | Confidential data suppression | Some transactions not disclosed | Use aggregated categories | | HS code revisions | Codes change every 5 years | Use concordance tables for historical comparison | | Transshipment goods | Goods passing through China may be included | Filter by trade mode when possible | ### Data Quality Indicators | Indicator | Good Quality | Questionable | |-----------|--------------|--------------| | Completeness | >95% of expected records | <80% coverage | | Timeliness | <2 months lag | >6 months lag | | Consistency | Matches mirror data within 20% | >50% discrepancy | --- ## Troubleshooting Common Issues ### Issue 1: "No data found" **Possible causes**: - HS code doesn't exist for selected period - Too restrictive filters applied - Data not yet reported **Solutions**: - Try broader HS code (2-digit instead of 6-digit) - Remove optional filters - Check if data for period is available ### Issue 2: "Query timeout" **Possible causes**: - Query too broad (all countries, all products) - Server load high **Solutions**: - Narrow query scope - Query in smaller batches - Try during off-peak hours ### Issue 3: Inconsistent values between sources **Possible causes**: - Different reporting methodologies - Timing differences - Data revisions **Solutions**: - Document both values with sources - Use ranges instead of precise figures - Check metadata for known issues --- ## Quick Reference Card ``` ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ CHINA EXPORT DATA - QUICK ACCESS │ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ UN COMTRADE │ │ URL: comtradeplus.un.org │ │ Best for: Global comparison, historical data │ │ API: 100 calls/hour (free) │ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ CHINA CUSTOMS │ │ URL: stats.customs.gov.cn/indexEn │ │ Best for: Official China data, port details │ │ Update: Monthly (1-2 month lag) │ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ HS CODE LOOKUP │ │ trade.gov/harmonized-system-hs-codes │ │ foreign-trade.com/reference/hscode.htm │ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ NEED HELP? │ │ UN Comtrade: unstats.un.org/wiki/display/comtrade │ │ China Customs: Contact via website │ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` --- ## Output Formats When retrieving data, you can typically export as: | Format | Extension | Best For | |--------|-----------|----------| | CSV | .csv | Data analysis in Excel, Python, R | | Excel | .xlsx | Presentation, sharing with stakeholders | | JSON | .json | API integration, web applications | | PDF | .pdf | Reports, documentation | **Recommended**: CSV for analysis, Excel for sharing