International merchandise trade data comprises original records of import and export transactions for nations (or regions), compiled annually by customs authorities worldwide. It constitutes a critical component of the current account in the balance of payments for trading nations. Currently, this dataset encompasses 59 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania, along with two regions: Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan, China. It covers merchandise trade data from 14 regional organizations, including:
- Latin American Integration Association (ALADI)
- Andean Community
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC21)
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN10)
- Newly Industrialized Economies in Asia (Asia NIES)
- Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)
- European Union (EU27)
- Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR 11)
- Middle East 15
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
Within the spectrum of external economic relations, foreign trade represents the most fundamental and predominant form. Consequently, international merchandise trade data enables analysis of the following critical issues:
Resource Complementarity and National Economic Development. Foreign trade facilitates global resource allocation by adjusting surpluses and shortages, coordinating proportional relationships across economic sectors, and promoting comprehensive, rapid, efficient, and harmonious socio-economic development. Analysis of changes in the value of key export/import commodities and shifts in trade deficits/surpluses reveals the overall economic conditions of nations.
Capital Accumulation and Employment Generation. Exports generate foreign exchange earnings, while import/export duties contribute to fiscal revenue. The expansion of merchandise trade stimulates growth in industrial and agricultural production, subsequently generating employment opportunities in supporting sectors such as commerce, transportation, and finance.
The CnOpenData International Merchandise Trade Database compiles country-specific trade data sourced from the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. It includes 14 subtables covering:
- Annual and monthly foreign trade values
- Exports to/Imports from major trading partners
- Exports to/Imports from major regional organizations
- Primary sources of trade balance
- Composition of major export/import commodities (by Chapter)
- Composition of major export/import commodities (by Section)
- Country/region composition of exports/imports across five major commodity categories
- Top ten export/import commodity categories.
This database provides authoritative, accurate, comprehensive, and timely data support for research on visible trade-related issues globally.
Time Coverage
2001-2019
Field Display
Sample Data
Annual and Monthly Foreign Trade Tables
Exports to Major Trading Partners
Imports from Major Trading Partners
Exports to Major Regional Organizations
Imports from Major Regional Organizations
Primary Sources of Trade Balance
Composition of Major Export Commodities (by Chapter)
Composition of Major Import Commodities (by Chapter)
Composition of Major Export Commodities (by Section)
Composition of Major Import Commodities (by Section)
Country/Region Composition of Exports in Five Major Categories
Country/Region Composition of Imports in Five Major Categories
Top Ten Import Commodity Categories
Top Ten Export Commodity Categories
Data Update Frequency
Annual updates