The Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) presents the value of merchandise exports and imports disaggregated according to a country's primary trading partners. Area and world aggregates are included in the display of trade flows between major areas of the world. Reported data is supplemented by estimates whenever such data is not available or current. Imports are reported on a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) basis and exports are reported on a free on board (FOB) basis, with the exception of a few countries for which imports are also available FOB. Time series data includes estimates derived from reports of partner countries for non-reporting and slow-reporting countries.

For further details, please see the Guide to Direction of Trade Statistics, 1993.

This collection includes only a subset of indicators from the source dataset.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) database contains data on the value of merchandise exports and imports between each country and all its trading partners. Total bilateral and multilateral exports and imports are aggregated at national or regional group level. For each reporting country or group, all the trading partners are listed. The corresponding monetary values of total imports and total exports are then provided as time series for each country/trading partner pair. All exports are valued free on board (f.o.b.). Imports are usually reported cost including insurance and freight (c.i.f.), although a small number of countries report imports f.o.b.

Along with data from reporting countries, estimates are provided by partner countries for non-reporting countries or for those that are slow to report.

The period for which data are available varies from country to country, but data extends from 1948 to the present.

There can be inconsistencies between exports to a partner and the partner's recorded imports from a particular country, i.e. the exports from Country A to B do not always equal the imports of Country B from A. This is due to the different ways countries report their trade, i.e. differences in classification concepts and detail, time of recording, valuation, and coverage, as well as processing errors.

This database was first provided by UK Data Service in December 2003.

Imports of environmental goods comprise all environmental goods entering the national territory. A relatively high share of environmental goods imports indicates that an economy purchases a significant share of environmental goods from other economies. Exports of environmental goods comprise all environmental goods leaving the national territory. A relatively high share of environmental goods exports indicates that an economy produces and sells a significant share of environmental goods to other economies. An economy’s environmental goods trade balance is the difference between its exports and imports of environmental goods.Comparative advantage is a measure of the relative advantage or disadvantage a particular economy has in a certain class of goods (in this case, environmental goods), and can be used to evaluate export potential in that class of goods. A value greater than one indicates a relative advantage in environmental goods, while a value of less than one indicates a relative disadvantage.Sources: Department of Economic and Social Affairs/United Nations. 2022. United Nations Comtrade database. https://comtrade.un.org. Accessed on 2023-06-28; International Monetary Fund (IMF) Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS). https://data.imf.org/dot. Accessed on 2023-06-28. World Economic Outlook (WEO) Database. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/April. Accessed on 2023-06-28; IMF staff calculations.Category: Cross-Border IndicatorsData series: Comparative advantage in environmental goodsEnvironmental goods exportsEnvironmental goods exports as percent of GDPEnvironmental goods exports as share of total exportsEnvironmental goods importsEnvironmental goods imports as percent of GDPEnvironmental goods imports as share of total importsEnvironmental goods trade balanceEnvironmental goods trade balance as percent of GDPTotal trade in environmental goodsTotal trade in environmental goods as percent of GDPMetadata:Sources: Trade data from UN Comtrade Database (https://comtrade.un.org/). Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) 2017. Trade aggregates from IMF Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) (data.imf.org/dot). GDP data from World Economic Outlook.Methodology:Environmental goods imports and exports are estimated by aggregating HS 6-digit commodities identified as environmental goods based on OECD and Eurostat, The Environmental Goods & Services Industry: Manual for Data Collection and Analysis, 1999, and IMF research. Total goods imports and exports are estimated by aggregating all commodities. Environmental goods trade balance is calculated as environmental goods exports less environmental goods imports. A positive trade balance means an economy has a surplus in environmental goods, while a negative trade balance means an economy has a deficit in environmental goods.Total goods are estimated by aggregating all commodities. Comparative advantage is calculated as the proportion of an economy’s exports that are environmental goods to the proportion of global exports that are environmental goods. Total trade in environmental goods is calculated as the sum of environmental goods exports and environmental goods imports. This measure provides an indication of an economy’s involvement (openness) to trade in environmental goods.National-accounts basis GDP at current prices from the World Economic Outlook is used to calculate the percent of GDP. This measure provides an indication of an economy’s involvement (openness) to trade in environmental goods.Methodology Attachment Environmental Goods Harmonized System Codes

Imports of low carbon technology products comprise all low carbon technology products entering the national territory. A relatively high share of low carbon technology products imports indicates that an economy purchases a significant share of low carbon technology products from other economies. Exports of low carbon technology products comprise all low carbon technology products leaving the national territory. A relatively high share of low carbon technology products exports indicates that an economy produces and sells a significant share of low carbon technology products to other economies. An economy’s trade balance in low carbon technology products is the difference between its exports and imports of low carbon technology products.Comparative advantage is a measure of the relative advantage or disadvantage a particular economy has in a certain class of goods (in this case, low carbon technology products), and can be used to evaluate export potential in that class of goods. A value greater than one indicates a relative advantage in low carbon technology products, while a value of less than one indicates a relative disadvantage.Sources: Department of Economic and Social Affairs/United Nations. 2022. United Nations Comtrade database. https://comtrade.un.org. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS). https://data.imf.org/dot. World Economic Outlook (WEO) Database. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/April. IMF staff calculations.Category: Mitigation,Transition to a Low-Carbon EconomyData series: Comparative advantage in low carbon technology productsExports of low carbon technology productsExports of low carbon technology products as percent of GDPExports of low carbon technology products as share of total exportsImports of low carbon technology productsImports of low carbon technology products as percent of GDPImports of low carbon technology products as share of total importsTotal trade in low carbon technology productsTotal trade in low carbon technology products as percent of GDPTrade balance in low carbon technology productsTrade balance in low carbon technology products as percent of GDPMetadata:Sources: Trade data from UN Comtrade Database (https://comtrade.un.org/). Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) 2017. Trade aggregates from IMF Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) (data.imf.org/dot). GDP data from World Economic Outlook.Methodology:Low carbon technology products are estimated by aggregating HS 6-digit commodities identified as low carbon technology products based on Pigato, Miria A., Simon J. Black, Damien Dussaux, Zhimin Mao, Miles McKenna, Ryan Rafaty, and Simon Touboul. 2020. Technology Transfer and Innovation for Low-Carbon Development. International Development in Focus. Washington, DC: World Bank, and IMF research. Trade balance in low carbon technology products is calculated as low carbon technology products exports less low carbon technology products imports. A positive trade balance means an economy has a surplus in low carbon technology products, while a negative trade balance means an economy has a deficit in low carbon technology products.Total goods are estimated by aggregating all commodities. Comparative advantage is calculated as the proportion of an economy’s exports that are low carbon technology products to the proportion of global exports that are low carbon technology products. Total trade in low carbon technology products is calculated as the sum of low carbon technology products exports and low carbon technology products imports. National-accounts basis GDP at current prices from the World Economic Outlook is used to calculate the percent of GDP. This measure provides an indication of an economy’s involvement (openness) to trade in low carbon technology products, which is important for understanding how these technologies can be transferred between economies.Methodology Attachment Low Carbon Technology Harmonized System Codes

No description is currently available for this record.

Oman OM: Exports: fob: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Peru data was reported at 0.440 USD mn in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.741 USD mn for 2016. Oman OM: Exports: fob: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Peru data is updated yearly, averaging 0.117 USD mn from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2017, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.741 USD mn in 2016 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 1999. Oman OM: Exports: fob: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Peru data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Oman – Table OM.IMF.DOT: Exports: fob: by Country: Annual.

ZA: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Emerging and Developing Asia: Nepal data was reported at 0.186 USD mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.329 USD mn for Apr 2018. ZA: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Emerging and Developing Asia: Nepal data is updated monthly, averaging 0.025 USD mn from Feb 1998 (Median) to May 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.311 USD mn in Oct 2017 and a record low of -1.426 USD mn in May 2006. ZA: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Emerging and Developing Asia: Nepal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

Annual country-level estimates of CO₂ emissions embodied in production and final demand for 66 countries are presented for the years 1995-2018.Annual country-level estimates of CO₂ emissions embodied in gross exports and gross imports for 66 countries are presented for the years 1995-2020.CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion embodied in domestic final demand, production, and trade are in million tons of CO₂ equivalent.Sources: OECD (2021), Trade in embodied CO2 (TeCO₂) Database, https://www.oecd.org/sti/ind/carbondioxideemissionsembodiedininternationaltrade.htm. International Monetary Fund (IMF). 2022. Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS). https://data.imf.org/dot.Category: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) EmissionsData series: CO₂ Emissions Embodied in Final Demand, balanceCO₂ Emissions Embodied in Final Domestic DemandCO₂ Emissions Embodied in Gross ExportsCO₂ Emissions Embodied in Gross Exports, balanceCO₂ Emissions Embodied in Gross ImportsCO₂ Emissions Embodied in ProductionMetadata:Total value of merchandise exports and imports by trade partners are taken from DOTS. CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion embodied in gross exports and gross imports in respect of the trade by 66 countries with the rest of the World have been taken from the OECD’s compilation of indicators on Carbon dioxide emissions embodied in international trade (2021 ed.) which combines the Input-Output Database and Trade in embodied CO₂ (TeCO₂) Database.Methodology:The methodology used in the estimation of CO₂ emissions embodied in international trade and domestic final demand for the years 1995-2018 is discussed in Yamano, N. and J. Guilhoto (2020), https://doi.org/10.1787/8f2963b8-en. Estimates for the years after 2018 have been compiled by the IMF by trending forward the time series of CO₂ emissions embodied in gross imports and gross exports using annual estimates of value of merchandise exports and imports by trading partner taken from the IMF’s Direction of Trade Statistics database.References:Yamano, N. and J. Guilhoto (2020), "CO₂ emissions embodied in international trade and domestic final demand: Methodology and results using the OECD Inter-Country Input-Output Database", OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, No. 2020/11, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/8f2963b8-en.

ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Taiwan data was reported at -10.368 USD mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.335 USD mn for Apr 2018. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Taiwan data is updated monthly, averaging -11.401 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to May 2018, with 240 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109.478 USD mn in Aug 2006 and a record low of -137.309 USD mn in Jun 2008. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Taiwan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Cyprus data was reported at -0.062 USD mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -1.084 USD mn for Apr 2018. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Cyprus data is updated monthly, averaging 0.344 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to May 2018, with 245 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.501 USD mn in Nov 2013 and a record low of -5.339 USD mn in Sep 2017. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Cyprus data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: France data was reported at -103.861 USD mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -112.426 USD mn for Apr 2018. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: France data is updated monthly, averaging -100.506 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to May 2018, with 245 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 112.112 USD mn in Feb 1999 and a record low of -434.932 USD mn in Mar 2005. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: France data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Canada data was reported at -8.051 USD mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of -1.133 USD mn for Apr 2018. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Canada data is updated monthly, averaging -6.891 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to May 2018, with 245 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 65.529 USD mn in Aug 2007 and a record low of -425.783 USD mn in Oct 2005. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Canada data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Emerging and Developing Asia: China, People Republic: Mainland data was reported at -33.187 USD bn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of -27.962 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Emerging and Developing Asia: China, People Republic: Mainland data is updated monthly, averaging -2.769 USD bn from Sep 1971 (Median) to May 2018, with 560 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 328.800 USD mn in Dec 1980 and a record low of -36.277 USD bn in Sep 2015. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Emerging and Developing Asia: China, People Republic: Mainland data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

Qatar QA: Trade Balance data was reported at 11.852 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.837 USD bn for Dec 2017. Qatar QA: Trade Balance data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.303 USD bn from Mar 1981 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 149 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.979 USD bn in Jun 2012 and a record low of -9.532 USD mn in Jun 1987. Qatar QA: Trade Balance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Qatar – Table QA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Quarterly.

United States US: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Austria data was reported at -630.191 USD mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -866.266 USD mn for Apr 2018. United States US: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Austria data is updated monthly, averaging -24.200 USD mn from Feb 1960 (Median) to May 2018, with 698 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 351.325 USD mn in Jan 2016 and a record low of -1.002 USD bn in Mar 2018. United States US: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Austria data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Belgium data was reported at 180.431 USD mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 126.755 USD mn for Apr 2018. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Belgium data is updated monthly, averaging 50.403 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to May 2018, with 245 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 272.115 USD mn in Sep 2014 and a record low of -29.930 USD mn in Jan 2009. ZA: Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Belgium data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Europe: CIS: Ukraine data was reported at 34.536 USD mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 206.098 USD mn for Apr 2018. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Europe: CIS: Ukraine data is updated monthly, averaging -7.400 USD mn from Feb 1992 (Median) to May 2018, with 316 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 206.098 USD mn in Apr 2018 and a record low of -196.600 USD mn in May 2006. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Europe: CIS: Ukraine data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan: Pakistan data was reported at -41.995 USD mn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -127.214 USD mn for Dec 2017. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan: Pakistan data is updated quarterly, averaging 34.000 USD mn from Mar 1960 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 233 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 266.400 USD mn in Dec 1988 and a record low of -778.700 USD mn in Sep 2006. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan: Pakistan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Quarterly.

United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Dominican Republic data was reported at 138.725 USD mn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 264.705 USD mn for Apr 2018. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Dominican Republic data is updated monthly, averaging -5.000 USD mn from Feb 1960 (Median) to May 2018, with 698 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 368.870 USD mn in May 2014 and a record low of -120.000 USD mn in Dec 2003. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Dominican Republic data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Bolivia data was reported at 27.836 USD mn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.078 USD mn for Dec 2017. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Bolivia data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.000 USD mn from Mar 1960 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 233 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64.000 USD mn in Dec 1998 and a record low of -359.548 USD mn in Dec 2012. United States US: Trade Balance: Emerging and Developing Economies: Western Hemisphere: Bolivia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Quarterly.