Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Direction Générale des statistiques, des études et de l'international - Direction de la balance des paiements
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
17 April 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
17 April 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
17 April 2026
3.1. Data description
Statistics on international supply of services (ISS) by modes of supply (MoS) show how and where services are supplied internationally, namely by answering the question of 'how' services are exchanged across countries and 'where' services are supplied to foreign customers. Detailed information on international supply of services statistics by services category, mode of supply and partner country help policymakers carry out the ongoing and future trade negotiating agenda with facts and strong, evidence-based arguments and they allow to monitor the impact of services trade agreements.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the first multilateral agreement to cover trade in services, defines trade in services as the supply of a service through any of four modes of supply, outlined in the bullet points below.
Mode 1 - cross-border supply: from the territory of one country into the territory of another country;
Mode 2 - consumption abroad: in the territory of one country to the service consumer of another country;
Mode 3 - commercial presence: by a service supplier of one country, through a commercial presence in the territory of another country. The FATS framework is designed to provide information on the activities of enterprises located in foreign markets;
Mode 4 - presence of natural persons: by a service supplier of one country, through the presence of natural persons of that country in the territory of any other country.
Table 1. Product breakdown by EBOPS 2010 main and detailed components, and complementary groupings
EBOPS 2010 Main Components
EBOPS 2010 Detailed components
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
Optional: 2.a Of which: goods
3. Transport
Optional: Valuation of freight transport services on a transaction-basis
3.1. Sea transport
3.2. Air transport
3.3. Other modes of transport
3.4. Postal and courier services
4. Travel
4.a. Of which: goods
5. Construction
5.a. Of which: goods
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
9.1. Telecommunications services
9.2. Computer services
9.3. Information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
Optional items:
10.2.1. Legal, accounting, management consulting, and public relations services;
10.2.2. Advertising, market research, and public opinion polling services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
Optional items:
10.3.1. Architectural, engineering, scientific, and other technical services;
10.3.2. Waste treatment and de-pollution, agricultural and mining services;
10.3.3. Operating leasing services;
10.3.4. Trade-related services;
10.3.5. Other business services n.i.e.
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
11.1. Audiovisual and related services
11.2. Other personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e
12.a Of which goods
EBOPS 2010 complementary grouping C. Total trade-related transactions (optional item) C.a Trade-related services (item 10.3.4 – optional item) C.b Distribution services
Product breakdown according to CPA classification is voluntary.
Mode of supply breakdown is defined in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, Annex VI, Section 2: — Total international supply of services (total of modes 1, 2, 3 and 4) — Mode 1 (‘cross border transactions’), — Mode 2 (‘consumption abroad’), — Mode 3 (‘commercial presence’), and — Mode 4 (‘presence of natural persons’).
3.5. Statistical unit
Not applicable.
3.6. Statistical population
Total international supply of services by all four modes of supply.
3.7. Reference area
France
3.8. Coverage - Time
Year 2024
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data are reported in national currency (thousands).
Eurostat disseminates data in million euro.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics sets the data requirements in the field of international supply of services by modes for the EU Member States and EFTA countries. The exact technical specifications are listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The requirements concerning the MoS domain are defined in table 38 "Statistics on international activities – International Supply of Services by Mode of Supply – annual data" of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The variable must be reported annually with first reference year 2023.
There is no specific French legislation for the production of MOS statistics.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
At national level, statistical confidentiality is guaranteed by the loi n°51-711 du 7 juin 1951 modifiée on the obligation, coordination, and confidentiality in matters of statistics.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
MOS data are transmitted to Eurostat with a primary confidentiality status, depending on the weight and the number of enterprises of a cell. Then, a secondary confidentiality treatment is applied in order to avoid direct or indirect recalculation of confidential cells.
In general, according to the information available from the quality reports, the data providers have applied the recommendations available in the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Annual international supply of services by mode of supply for France.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available
12.3. Completeness
All mandatory data points that will be mandatory for reference year 2027 are included.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100 % of mandatory points in 2023.
100 % of the points that will be mandatory in 2027.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Balance of Payments data:
Data on services come from a variety of surveys where the data can be reported either by the banks or directly by the enterprises.
Reported data are checked for their consistency and plausibility.
If any problems are detected (such as cross-domain inconsistency, outliers or atypical variations), Banque de France contacts the bank/enterprise to check the figures and/or correct their reporting.
Mode of supply distribution:
Mix of Eurostat WTO model and ad hoc survey.
Distribution services:
Distribution services are estimated by using SBS and TEC datasets
Goods included in balance of payments services flows:
Goods included in travel services, maintenance and repair services and government goods and services n.i.e. are currently not excluded from total international supply of services.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Mos statistics for mode 1, 2 and 4 are sent 10 month after the end of the reference period. They are revised 22 month after the end of the reference period and sent with the first and only version of Mode 3 and total statistics.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
MOS Statistics for mode 1, 2 and 4 are sent 10 month after the end of the reference period.
MOS Statistics for mode 3 and total are sent 22 month after the end of the reference period.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
MOS 1, 2 and 4 data is revised 22 month after the end of the reference period and included in the first and only version of total MOS statistics.
14.2. Punctuality
Publication takes place strictly in accordance with published release dates for MOS Statistics.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Publication takes place strictly in accordance with published release dates for MOS Statistics.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
No problems of comparibility between regions of France.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
bilatreral asymetries for mirror flow statistics have not been calculated
15.2. Comparability - over time
MOS statistics of France are comparable over time. MOS 1, 2 and 4 data are revised at T+22 month after the end of the year of reference to be coherent with revised BoP statistics.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Generally the length of comparable time series (CC2) = 2, as MoS data is available from reference year 2023 onwards.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The first version of MOS dataset (Mode 1, 2 and 4), produced at T+10, is mainly elaborated with SD20 version of balance of payments statistics, which is the first version of annual statistics. Therefore, they are consistent with the first annual version of BOP and ITS statistics, with restatements specific to the building of MOS statistics.
The second version of MOS dataset (Mode 1, 2, 3 and 4), produced at T+22, is mainly elaborated with SD30 version of balance of payments statistics, which is the second version of annual statistics. Therefore, they are consistent with the second annual version of BOP and ITS statistics, with restatements specific to the building of MOS statistics.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is ensured by integrity controls run on MOS statistics.
Not applicable.
17.1. Data revision - policy
French MOS statistics complies with data revision policy set by Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The first version of MOS dataset, including modes 1, 2 and 4 is produced at T+10. The second version of MOS dataset, including mode 3 and a revision of modes 1, 2 and 4 is produced at T+22.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Balance of Payments statistics
Eurostat TEC and SBS statistics
Eurostat-WTO model recommended default allocations
Ad hoc surveys for allocations and share of goods included in services
MOS3:
INSEE: OFATS, SIRUS, CONTOUR, FARE and ESANE
Banque de France: FIBEN and CRT
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual acquisition of BOP and other Banque de France's statistics, and INSEE data sources.
Use of ad hoc survey to sepcify detailed MOS allocation.
Ad hoc surveys for allocation of modes and share of goods in services were a one-shot.
Mode 3 calculation:
Inward Mode 3: Local Service Turnover from Foreign-Controlled Subsidiaries in France
The list of companies controlled by non-resident is defined by using an FDI table produced by Banque de France - DBDP (Direction de la Balance Des Paiements).
Service sales are sourced from:
INSEE (Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques) tables FARE and ESANE.
Banque de France’s FIBEN database.
Mode 3 Inward flows are estimated by using “local services turnover” or “local production sold” variables. If these variables are missing, the flows are estimated from “total turnover” or “total production” variables.
Sector classifications are harmonized by converting French APE/NACE codes to international EBOPS codes.
Specificity of banks: they are excluded from the ESANE and FIBEN data sources. Consequently:
The turnover of a bank is assumed to be 100 % of services.
Resident companies belonging to foreign groups are identified using INSEE’s SIRUS and CONTOUR databases.
A local activity key, based on the banks’ CRT (Comptes Rendus de Transactions – Banque de France - DBDP) reporting of the 16 most important resident banks is calculated and applied to the total turnover to estimate local activity.
Outward Mode 3: Local Service Turnover from French Affiliates Abroad
Outward Mode 3 flows are derived from the OFATS dataset (INSEE), which tracks the activity of French-controlled affiliates operating abroad. The only usable variable in OFATS is turnover (total, no explicit service turnover).
A proxy ratio, calculated by sector and country, is used on turnover. It is based on inward flows data and applied on OFATS total turnover to estimate the average proportion of service turnover to total turnover.
Sector breakdown of OFATS are used to determine EBOPS and NACE codes, consistent with inward definitions to ensure comparability.
18.4. Data validation
Each department of the Balance of Payments Directorate submits its granular MOS data to the department in charge of compiling MOS dataset. Data is checked both ex ante and ex post to be consistent with balance of payments service flows provided a specific process.
MOS statistics for mode 3 are produced and validated by the Balance of Payments Directorate (DBDP) of Banque de France.
18.5. Data compilation
Granular MOS data are agregated to build the MOS datasets.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
No adjustments.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
Statistics on international supply of services (ISS) by modes of supply (MoS) show how and where services are supplied internationally, namely by answering the question of 'how' services are exchanged across countries and 'where' services are supplied to foreign customers. Detailed information on international supply of services statistics by services category, mode of supply and partner country help policymakers carry out the ongoing and future trade negotiating agenda with facts and strong, evidence-based arguments and they allow to monitor the impact of services trade agreements.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the first multilateral agreement to cover trade in services, defines trade in services as the supply of a service through any of four modes of supply, outlined in the bullet points below.
Mode 1 - cross-border supply: from the territory of one country into the territory of another country;
Mode 2 - consumption abroad: in the territory of one country to the service consumer of another country;
Mode 3 - commercial presence: by a service supplier of one country, through a commercial presence in the territory of another country. The FATS framework is designed to provide information on the activities of enterprises located in foreign markets;
Mode 4 - presence of natural persons: by a service supplier of one country, through the presence of natural persons of that country in the territory of any other country.
Table 1. Product breakdown by EBOPS 2010 main and detailed components, and complementary groupings
EBOPS 2010 Main Components
EBOPS 2010 Detailed components
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
Optional: 2.a Of which: goods
3. Transport
Optional: Valuation of freight transport services on a transaction-basis
3.1. Sea transport
3.2. Air transport
3.3. Other modes of transport
3.4. Postal and courier services
4. Travel
4.a. Of which: goods
5. Construction
5.a. Of which: goods
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
9.1. Telecommunications services
9.2. Computer services
9.3. Information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
Optional items:
10.2.1. Legal, accounting, management consulting, and public relations services;
10.2.2. Advertising, market research, and public opinion polling services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
Optional items:
10.3.1. Architectural, engineering, scientific, and other technical services;
10.3.2. Waste treatment and de-pollution, agricultural and mining services;
10.3.3. Operating leasing services;
10.3.4. Trade-related services;
10.3.5. Other business services n.i.e.
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
11.1. Audiovisual and related services
11.2. Other personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e
12.a Of which goods
EBOPS 2010 complementary grouping C. Total trade-related transactions (optional item) C.a Trade-related services (item 10.3.4 – optional item) C.b Distribution services
Product breakdown according to CPA classification is voluntary.
Mode of supply breakdown is defined in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, Annex VI, Section 2: — Total international supply of services (total of modes 1, 2, 3 and 4) — Mode 1 (‘cross border transactions’), — Mode 2 (‘consumption abroad’), — Mode 3 (‘commercial presence’), and — Mode 4 (‘presence of natural persons’).
Not applicable.
Total international supply of services by all four modes of supply.
France
Calendar year.
Balance of Payments data:
Data on services come from a variety of surveys where the data can be reported either by the banks or directly by the enterprises.
Reported data are checked for their consistency and plausibility.
If any problems are detected (such as cross-domain inconsistency, outliers or atypical variations), Banque de France contacts the bank/enterprise to check the figures and/or correct their reporting.
Mode of supply distribution:
Mix of Eurostat WTO model and ad hoc survey.
Distribution services:
Distribution services are estimated by using SBS and TEC datasets
Goods included in balance of payments services flows:
Goods included in travel services, maintenance and repair services and government goods and services n.i.e. are currently not excluded from total international supply of services.
Data are reported in national currency (thousands).
Eurostat disseminates data in million euro.
Granular MOS data are agregated to build the MOS datasets.
Balance of Payments statistics
Eurostat TEC and SBS statistics
Eurostat-WTO model recommended default allocations
Ad hoc surveys for allocations and share of goods included in services
MOS3:
INSEE: OFATS, SIRUS, CONTOUR, FARE and ESANE
Banque de France: FIBEN and CRT
Annual.
Mos statistics for mode 1, 2 and 4 are sent 10 month after the end of the reference period. They are revised 22 month after the end of the reference period and sent with the first and only version of Mode 3 and total statistics.
No problems of comparibility between regions of France.
MOS statistics of France are comparable over time. MOS 1, 2 and 4 data are revised at T+22 month after the end of the year of reference to be coherent with revised BoP statistics.
