National statistics

Overseas trade statistics corrections, 2015 - 2019: summary report

Published 11 November 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/overseas-trade-statistics-corrections-2015-to-2019/overseas-trade-statistics-corrections-2015-2019-summary-report

About this release

This article summarises the unscheduled corrections made to overseas trade in goods statistics for 2015 to 2019. Supporting data tables which detail the corrections implemented can be found at UK Trade Info

Summary

Following quality assurance and checking procedures, HMRC has identified several areas where businesses had submitted incorrect trade data on their original trade declarations. Corrections have been applied to the overseas trade in goods statistics from 2015 to 2019. These corrections have been released today in line with the UK statistical authority Code of Practice for statistics and the HMRC revision policy.

These revisions are reflected in the interactive data tables available on the HMRC trade data website.

Unscheduled corrections - exports 2019

The corrections made to exports for 2019 are:

  • Art and antiques, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £4,836.8 million decrease for Chapter 97
  • Precious metals, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £1,409.5 million decrease for Chapter 71
  • Mechanical appliances, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £342.0 million decrease for Chapter 84
  • Knitwear, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £162.8 million decrease for Chapter 61
  • Clothes, not knitted, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £146.3 million decrease for Chapter 62
  • Motor vehicles, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £107.3 million decrease for Chapter 87
  • Aircraft, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £95.0 million decrease for Chapter 88
  • Electronic equipment, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £86.2 million decrease for Chapter 85
  • Measuring devices and gauges, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £78.8 million decrease for Chapter 90
  • Articles of iron or steel, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £38.0 million decrease for Chapter 73
  • Footwear, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £35.8 million decrease for Chapter 64
  • Other base metals, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £34.9 million decrease for Chapter 81
  • Plastics and plastic products, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £24.9 million decrease for Chapter 39
  • Clocks and watches, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £22.4 million decrease for Chapter 91
  • Cosmetic products, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £18.0 million decrease for Chapter 33
  • Edible preparations, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £16.8 million decrease for Chapter 21
  • Beverages, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £13.9 million decrease for Chapter 22
  • Books and newspapers, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £13.4 million decrease for Chapter 49
  • Live animals, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £11.8 million decrease for Chapter 01
  • Leather goods, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £10.0 million decrease for Chapter 42
  • All other chapters, UK exports to non-EU countries
    • £84.4 million total decrease for all other Chapters

Unscheduled Corrections - Imports 2015 to 2019

The corrections made to imports from 2015 to 2019 are:

  • Cement, UK imports from EU countries
    • £8.3 million of movement within Chapter 25, 2018
  • Precious metals, UK imports from EU countries
    • £2.1 million decrease for Chapter 71, 2015
    • £14.2 million decrease for Chapter 71, 2016
    • £6.8 million decrease for Chapter 71, 2017
    • £8.8 million decrease for Chapter 71, 2018
  • Iron and steel, UK imports from non-EU countries
    • £29.2 million of movement within Chapter 72, 2015, with £0.3 million increase
    • £22.7 million of movement within Chapter 72, 2016
    • £18.4 million of movement within Chapter 72, 2017
    • £7.2 million of movement within Chapter 72, 2018, with £0.005 million decrease
    • 1.3 million of movement within Chapter 72, 2019
  • Iron and steel, UK imports from EU countries
    • 55.5 million kg decrease to net mass for Chapter 72, 2019, with no change to associated value
  • Trains and track fixtures, UK imports from EU countries
    • £238.0 million increase for Chapter 86, 2019
  • Motor vehicles, UK imports from EU countries
    • £36.5 million decrease for Chapter 87, 2018

Explanatory notes

  1. The Code of Practice for statistics defines unscheduled corrections as “amendments made to published statistics in response to the identification of errors following their initial publication” https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/code-of-practice/

  2. These unscheduled corrections have been made in accordance with the Code of Practice for statistics principles and practices, namely: T3.9 which states that “Scheduled revisions or unscheduled corrections to the statistics and data should be released as soon as practicable. The changes should be handled transparently in line with a published policy”; and Q3.4 “Scheduled revisions, or unscheduled corrections that result from errors, should be explained alongside the statistics, being clear on the scale, nature, cause and impact”.

  3. Please note that all value (£) changes listed in this document have associated net mass and supplementary changes, unless otherwise stated.

  4. Corrections to the regional trade in goods statistics (2015 to 2019) and UK Trade in goods by Business Characteristics (2015 to 2019) will be made within future releases respectively.

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