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.
Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales (Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Unit of Foreign Trade Statistics.
1.3. Contact name
Contact 1: Rafael Roig Rambla
Contact 2: José Luis Rodríguez Quirós
1.4. Contact person function
Contact 1: Head of Unit
1.5. Contact mail address
Avda del Llano Castellano 17, 28071 Madrid
1.6. Contact email address
Contact 1: rafael.roig@correo.aeat.es
Contact 2: joseluis.rodriguezq@correo.aeat.es
Contact 3: est.adu@correo.aeat.es
1.7. Contact phone number
+34 917289703
1.8. Contact fax number
2.1. Metadata last certified
30 April 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
30 April 2025
3.1. Data description
International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation.
Trade by invoicing currency (TIC) data are part of the information available for extra-EU trade. The invoicing currency is the currency in which the commercial invoice is drawn up. Data by invoicing currency can be used for instance to explore the use of the euro in the EU’s international trade, to compare it with the role of the United States dollar (USD) or to analyse the role of the euro in the euro area and in the EU. These statistics are very useful to central banks, including the European Central Bank, for comparing the euro with other major international currencies. These data are also used by financial market segments or foreign investors.
Statistical dimensions available for TIC data:
reporting country;
partner country;
reference period;
trade flows;
product; and
currency.
3.2. Classification system
Product classification
The Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) is managed by the United Nations and correlated with the subheadings of the Harmonised System. SITC Rev. 4 comprises 2 970 basing headings which are aggregated into 262 groups, 67 divisions and 10 sections. TIC data are based on the section level complemented by the division 33 ‘oil”.
Country classification
The ‘Nomenclature of countries and territories for the external trade statistics of the Union and statistics of trade between Member States’, known as the ‘Geonomenclature’, is used to collect detailed statistics on exchanges of goods. TIC data are only disseminated at an aggregated partner level: partner ‘extra-EU’ for TIC data reported by the EU Member States and partner ‘world’ for the TIC data reported by the EFTA and enlargement countries. See the publication Geonomenclature applicable to European statistics on international trade in goods for more information (Eurostat - publications).
3.3. Coverage - sector
The scope of TIC data is the same as for monthly detailed data on extra-EU trade in goods. They cover all goods entering (imports) or leaving (exports) the national statistical territory and for which the trading partner is a non-EU country. Note that the statistical territory of Spain corresponds to its customs territory.
As ITGS in general, TIC data cover all sectors of the economy.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Reporting country – Except for some specific goods like vessels and aircraft, ITGS follow the physical movements of the goods. A country should record an import when goods enter its statistical territory and an export when goods leave that territory except if those goods are in simple transit.
Partner country – At detailed level, this is the last known country of destination for exports and the country of origin for imports. However individual partner countries are not kept in the dissemination of data by invoicing currency. They are replaced by the partner area ‘extra-EU’.
Product – Goods are primarily classified by commodity code as set out in the EU Combined Nomenclature. TIC data are compiled on the basis of a correspondence table enabling the transposition of detailed data collected according to the Combined Nomenclature into the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC). TIC data are available by three product groups: Raw materials without oil (SITC sections 0-4, excluding division 33), Oil (SITC division 33) and Manufactured products (SITC sections 5-8). Additionally, since 2022 reference period, TIC data are available also by 10 individual SITC sections.
Currency – The invoicing currency is the currency in which the commercial invoice is drawn up. Its definition is provided by the customs legislation. The following invoicing currencies or groups of currencies are considered for data transmission to Eurostat:
Common currencies to be reported whatever the data source used:
Euro (‘EUR’)
UK pound sterling (‘GBP’)
US dollar (‘USD’)
National currencies of non-euro area Member States (‘XU3’)
Other not specified currencies (‘_X’)
Unknown currency (‘_U’)
Total ‘_T’
Additional invoicing currency breakdown since the data source is the customs declaration:
Brazilian real (‘BRL’)
Canadian dollar (‘CAD’)
Swiss franc (‘CHF’)
Chinese yuan renminbi (‘CNY’)
Indian rupee (‘INR’)
Japanese yen (‘JPY’)
South Korean won (‘KRW’)
Mexican peso (‘MXN’)
Norwegian krone (‘NOK’)
Russian rouble (‘RUB’)
Singapore dollar (‘SGD’)
Turkish lira (‘TRY’)
In this regard, it should be noted that Spain uses customs declarations as the sole source of information for compiling TIC statistics. Threrefore, information on the additional currencies are provided.
Note on ‘unknown’ currency: Trade for which the currency is unknown should be distributed over the individual currencies or groups of currencies proportionally to their relative share except if it is known that such a distribution would skew the data in a too significant extent. In such a case, the code UNK ‘Unknown’ could exceptionally be used.
The set of collected currencies has been evolving over time. Initially, only 5 currencies were collected (EUR, USD, _X, XU3 and _T). Since 2020 reference year, _U currency was added. The full set mentioned above has been collected only since 2022 reference year.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is any natural or legal person lodging a customs declaration in Spain on the condition that the customs procedure is of statistical relevance.
3.6. Statistical population
The statistical population comprises all the legal or natural persons who have lodged a customs declaration with the Customs Authority of Spain within the year.
3.7. Reference area
Spain
3.8. Coverage - Time
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
2010 to 2018, 2020 to 2022 and 2024
TIC data disseminated at national level
Monthly data are available since 2002
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
For data transmission to Eurostat – Trade values in € by invoicing currency. The value of traded goods is calculated at the national frontier, on a FOB (free on board) basis for exports and a CIF (cost, insurance, freight) basis for imports. Hence, only incidental expenses (freight, insurance) are included and they are incurred for:
exports in the part of the journey located on the territory of the country where the goods are exported from;
imports in the part of the journey located outside the territory of the country where the goods are imported to.
For data dissemination on Eurostat website – Share of each invoicing currency in extra-EU imports and exports.
For national dissemination - Trade values in € by invoicing currency. The value of traded goods is calculated at the national frontier, on a FOB (free on board) basis for exports and a CIF (cost, insurance, freight) basis for imports.
The reference period is generally the calendar month during which the customs declaration is accepted by the Customs Authority of Spain.
The reference years for which TIC data are disseminated result from the aggregation of ITGS monthly figures from January to December.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
General statistical legislation
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics
Specific legislation on businesses
REGULATION (EU) 2019/2152 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 November 2019 on European business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics
REGULATIONS COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
TIC data disseminated at national level
As TIC data are published at national level with ITGS, the confidentiality rules of ITGS are applyed implicitly to TIC data.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
TIC data are the results of the aggregation of real trade data as collected in SADs. Data by invoicing currency are however not detailed enough to make it possible to identify a specific trader. Therefore no specific data treatment applies.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
TIC data disseminated at national level
Data treatment for national TIC is that of ITGS.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
TIC data are the results of the aggregation of real trade data as collected in SADs. Data by invoicing currency are however not detailed enough to make it possible to identify a specific trader. Therefore no specific data treatment applies.
8.1. Release calendar
TIC data disseminated at national level
At national level, TIC is not published as a separate product of ITGS. The most detailed ITGS dataset published in our website includes the variable 'invoice currency'. Therefore, the release calendar is the same than for ITGS:
See item 8.2 ‘Release calendar access’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
See item 8.2 ‘Release calendar access’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
8.3. Release policy - user access
TIC data disseminated at national level
Data are published in AEAT's website. There is not any restriction and all users and general public have access to the data.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 8.3 ‘Release policy - user access’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
TIC data disseminated at national level
Monthly
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 9 ‘Frequency of dissemination’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
TIC data disseminated at national level
Data are published on a monthly basis with regular ITGS data and there is no press release specifically dedicated to TIC.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 10.1 ‘Dissemination format - News release’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
See item 10.2 ‘Dissemination format - Publications’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
TIC data disseminated at national level
TIC is not published as a separate product of ITGS. Our most detailed ITGS dataset published in our website includes the variable 'invoice currency'.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 10.3 ‘Dissemination format - online database’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
See item 10.6 ‘Documentation on methodology' of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
100%
10.7. Quality management - documentation
TIC data disseminated at national level
Not available.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 10.7 ‘Quality management - documentation’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality reporting and assessment
The Extrastat regulation includes standardised quality articles. These articles are in line with the ESS Quality definition, European Statistics Code of Practice and the Regulation of European Statistics. In particular, they require the reporting countries to provide Eurostat with annual quality reports within a fixed deadline. Those reports are used for quality and compliance assessments. The following indicators are compiled for each reference year:
Statistical information required by the legislation but not or partially provided
Timeliness and punctuality of TIC data
Data quality checks prior to any dissemination
Quality assurance is that of ITGS.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
TIC data are derived from monthly detailed trade in goods data, the SAD being the primary source of information. therefore, the quality of TIC depends on the quality of ITGS.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
TIC data disseminated at national level
TIC table is not published separately. Invoice data are published jointly with ITGS. Therefore, users have data on invoice currency breakdown by the different variables of ITGS.
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 12.1 ‘Relevance - User Needs’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
TIC data disseminated at national level
Not available
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 12.2 ‘Relevance - User Satisfaction’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
12.3. Completeness
In Spain, invoice currency is a obligatory SAD element. If this field is not filled in or an invalid code has been declared, the SAD is automatically rejected.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%
13.1. Accuracy - overall
See item 13.1 ‘Accuracy - overall' of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
13.2. Sampling error
See item 13.2 ‘Sampling error' of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See item 13.3 ‘Non-sampling error' of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
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
See concepts 14.1.1 and 14.1.2.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
The average time lag ion the recent years between end of reference period and date of transmission of first results to Eurostat is about 88 days.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
TIC published at national level on a monthly basis at T+50 days.
From a methodological point of view, the comparability across countries is ensured by the implementation of the concepts and definitions set up by the EU legislation and by the application of the complementary guidelines.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Breaks in the series are due to the changes in the composition of the EU area. In 2013 because of the Croatia's adhesion to the EU and in 2020 because of United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Since 2010 to 2019.
Due to Brexit, in 2020 there is a break in the series that affect to UK, Intra-UE and Extra-UE data.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
As TIC information is a product of TGS, the coherence between ITGS and TIC is assured.
See also item 15.3 ‘Coherence - cross domain' of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The internal coherence of the TIC dataset is ensured by the intra-dataset checks carried out at national and European levels before any data dissemination. See item 18.4 ‘Data validation’ for more details.
TIC data are derived from information collected via customs declarations. No specific data collection is then necessary, which means that the burden is null for the respondents, i.e. for the traders and businesses. The cost of TIC data only relates to the compilation step carried out by the National Statistical Authorities, which is considered as minor given the small number of records.
17.1. Data revision - policy
At national level the revision policy is that of ITGS
17.2. Data revision - practice
Statistics by invoicing currency are only exceptionally revised.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not available.
18.1. Source data
TIC data are directly collected from customs declarations.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Collection of trade in goods data: continuously via SAD
Collection of the invoicing currency: continuously via SAD
18.3. Data collection
Collection of trade in goods data
The standard source of information on trade transactions is the Single Administrative Document (SAD) submitted by businesses and, in some cases, by private individuals involved in an international transaction of goods with a non-EU country. The SAD is sent in electronic format.
Collection of the invoicing currency
Invoice currency is an obligatory SAD element.
18.4. Data validation
As TIC information is a product of ITGS, the coherence between ITGS and TIC is assured. The validation of the codes are carried out at the time of submitting the SAD declaration. If the invoicing currency filed is not filled in or an invalid code has been declared, the SAD is automatically rejected. Intra data checks are carried out.
Spanish TIC data disseminated by Eurostat have passed the following quality checks:
Intra-dataset checks: completeness of the dataset and uniqueness of the records, validity of the codes, validity of code combinations across the different dimensions, inter-record consistency checks;
Intra-domain check: check of the coherence between trade values published in the TIC dataset and trade values coming from aggregated and detailed trade in goods data.
18.5. Data compilation
At national level:
Invoice currency is always provided in SAD as it is a compulsory variable. Invoice currency is one of the variables of our most detailed files that are disseminated in our website.
At European level:
The share of each invoicing currency in the imports and exports of Spain is calculated on the basis of the transmitted trade values.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
At national level:
No imputation. TIC data comes directly from SAD
At European level:
No imputation is made by Eurostat.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No further comments.
International trade in goods statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat measure the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘Goods’ means all movable property including electricity. ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation.
Trade by invoicing currency (TIC) data are part of the information available for extra-EU trade. The invoicing currency is the currency in which the commercial invoice is drawn up. Data by invoicing currency can be used for instance to explore the use of the euro in the EU’s international trade, to compare it with the role of the United States dollar (USD) or to analyse the role of the euro in the euro area and in the EU. These statistics are very useful to central banks, including the European Central Bank, for comparing the euro with other major international currencies. These data are also used by financial market segments or foreign investors.
Statistical dimensions available for TIC data:
reporting country;
partner country;
reference period;
trade flows;
product; and
currency.
30 April 2025
Reporting country – Except for some specific goods like vessels and aircraft, ITGS follow the physical movements of the goods. A country should record an import when goods enter its statistical territory and an export when goods leave that territory except if those goods are in simple transit.
Partner country – At detailed level, this is the last known country of destination for exports and the country of origin for imports. However individual partner countries are not kept in the dissemination of data by invoicing currency. They are replaced by the partner area ‘extra-EU’.
Product – Goods are primarily classified by commodity code as set out in the EU Combined Nomenclature. TIC data are compiled on the basis of a correspondence table enabling the transposition of detailed data collected according to the Combined Nomenclature into the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC). TIC data are available by three product groups: Raw materials without oil (SITC sections 0-4, excluding division 33), Oil (SITC division 33) and Manufactured products (SITC sections 5-8). Additionally, since 2022 reference period, TIC data are available also by 10 individual SITC sections.
Currency – The invoicing currency is the currency in which the commercial invoice is drawn up. Its definition is provided by the customs legislation. The following invoicing currencies or groups of currencies are considered for data transmission to Eurostat:
Common currencies to be reported whatever the data source used:
Euro (‘EUR’)
UK pound sterling (‘GBP’)
US dollar (‘USD’)
National currencies of non-euro area Member States (‘XU3’)
Other not specified currencies (‘_X’)
Unknown currency (‘_U’)
Total ‘_T’
Additional invoicing currency breakdown since the data source is the customs declaration:
Brazilian real (‘BRL’)
Canadian dollar (‘CAD’)
Swiss franc (‘CHF’)
Chinese yuan renminbi (‘CNY’)
Indian rupee (‘INR’)
Japanese yen (‘JPY’)
South Korean won (‘KRW’)
Mexican peso (‘MXN’)
Norwegian krone (‘NOK’)
Russian rouble (‘RUB’)
Singapore dollar (‘SGD’)
Turkish lira (‘TRY’)
In this regard, it should be noted that Spain uses customs declarations as the sole source of information for compiling TIC statistics. Threrefore, information on the additional currencies are provided.
Note on ‘unknown’ currency: Trade for which the currency is unknown should be distributed over the individual currencies or groups of currencies proportionally to their relative share except if it is known that such a distribution would skew the data in a too significant extent. In such a case, the code UNK ‘Unknown’ could exceptionally be used.
The set of collected currencies has been evolving over time. Initially, only 5 currencies were collected (EUR, USD, _X, XU3 and _T). Since 2020 reference year, _U currency was added. The full set mentioned above has been collected only since 2022 reference year.
The statistical unit is any natural or legal person lodging a customs declaration in Spain on the condition that the customs procedure is of statistical relevance.
The statistical population comprises all the legal or natural persons who have lodged a customs declaration with the Customs Authority of Spain within the year.
Spain
The reference period is generally the calendar month during which the customs declaration is accepted by the Customs Authority of Spain.
The reference years for which TIC data are disseminated result from the aggregation of ITGS monthly figures from January to December.
See item 13.1 ‘Accuracy - overall' of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
For data transmission to Eurostat – Trade values in € by invoicing currency. The value of traded goods is calculated at the national frontier, on a FOB (free on board) basis for exports and a CIF (cost, insurance, freight) basis for imports. Hence, only incidental expenses (freight, insurance) are included and they are incurred for:
exports in the part of the journey located on the territory of the country where the goods are exported from;
imports in the part of the journey located outside the territory of the country where the goods are imported to.
For data dissemination on Eurostat website – Share of each invoicing currency in extra-EU imports and exports.
For national dissemination - Trade values in € by invoicing currency. The value of traded goods is calculated at the national frontier, on a FOB (free on board) basis for exports and a CIF (cost, insurance, freight) basis for imports.
At national level:
Invoice currency is always provided in SAD as it is a compulsory variable. Invoice currency is one of the variables of our most detailed files that are disseminated in our website.
At European level:
The share of each invoicing currency in the imports and exports of Spain is calculated on the basis of the transmitted trade values.
TIC data are directly collected from customs declarations.
TIC data disseminated at national level
Monthly
TIC data disseminated by Eurostat
See item 9 ‘Frequency of dissemination’ of the related metadata ‘ext_tic - International trade in goods – trade by invoicing currency’ for more details.
See concepts 14.1.1 and 14.1.2.
From a methodological point of view, the comparability across countries is ensured by the implementation of the concepts and definitions set up by the EU legislation and by the application of the complementary guidelines.
Breaks in the series are due to the changes in the composition of the EU area. In 2013 because of the Croatia's adhesion to the EU and in 2020 because of United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU.
