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.
The data source for index compilation is the database of the Foreign Trade Statistics Unit (FTU) in Cystat. The first source of data is data received from the Customs Authority for third countries. The FTU receives, on a monthly basis (four to eight days after the reference month), a data file from the Customs Authority containing all imports at a detailed transaction level. The Customs Authority data file is extracted from the “Theseas” system. “Theseas” is the Customs Computerised System, to which the custom declarations are submitted, via its Web online interface. The custom declarations are the declarations made by traders or their representatives to Customs Authorities for clearance of goods imported from other countries to the local market.
The second source of data is data received from the VAT Authority for Intra – EU trade, recorded via the Intrastat system (intrastat form). The first data file is received (on a monthly basis) 30-35 days after the reference period.
The information recorded on a custom declaration (third countries), relevant to the compilation of an Import price index, is:
Importer code (V.A.T. number);
Statistical value (import value in EUR – CIF terms);
Quantity in Net Mass and other units of quantity (according to the CN classification of goods);
Country of origin;
Country of consignment;
Date (Actual Arrival Date, Approved Date, Acceptance Date, Release Date);
Product code (according to the CN classification of goods).
The information recorded on the Intrastat form, relevant to the compilation of an Import price index, is:
Importer code (V.A.T. number);
Statistical value (import value in EUR – CIF terms);
Quantity in Net Mass and other units of quantity (according to the CN classification of goods);
Country of origin;
Country of consignment;
Date;
Product code (according to the CN classification of goods).
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2.
3.3. Coverage - sector
NACE Rev. 2 Group 19.2, Manufacture of refined petroleum products.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Imports of a list of petroleum products coming from non-euro area countries.
3.5. Statistical unit
The reporting and the observation unit is the enterprise/importer of refined petroleum products.
3.6. Statistical population
As the index is product based, all importers of refined petroleum products are covered regardless of their activity.
3.7. Reference area
Republic of Cyprus
3.8. Coverage - Time
Monthly.
3.9. Base period
From March 2024 onwards, Eurostat publishes indices with base year 2021=100. Cyprus continues sending data for the Import Prices in Industry Index with base year 2015 and the time series are rescaled accordingly by Eurostat. Efforts are being made to achieve the switching by the end of 2024.
Index (2021=100).
Month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Article 3 of the national Official Statistics Law, No. 25(I) of 2021 Official Statistics Law of 2021 (cystat.gov.cy) defines the functions of the Statistical Service of Cyprus regarding the production and dissemination of official statistics. Moreover, Article 13, explicitly stipulates the mandate for data collection and introduces a mandatory response to statistical enquiries by stipulating the obligation of respondents to reply to surveys and provide the data required. This relates not only to national but also to European statistics which, by virtue of Article 8 of the said Law, are incorporated in the annual and multiannual programmes of work without any further procedure.
Official statistics are released in accordance to all confidentiality provisions of the following:
The Official Statistics Law of 2021 (Law No. 25(I)/2021) (especially Article 16 on statistical confidentiality).
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics and its later amendments (especially Chapter 5 on statistical confidentiality).
CYSTAT's Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
No data is considered confidential at the level published.The treatment of confidential data is regulated by CYSTAT's Code of Practice for the Collection, Publication and Storage of Statistical Data.
CYSTAT is designated by law as the competent authority for the development, production and dissemination of official statistics in Cyprus. This gives CYSTAT the right to access data. For all statistical units for which CYSTAT stores data, including personal data, statistical confidentiality, which is a fundamental, irrevocable principle for CYSTAT, is strictly applied. The internal procedures implemented in the framework of statistical confidentiality, fully cover the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), ensuring the protection of data at every stage, from collection to publication.
In compliance with the provisions of the GDPR, CYSTAT has appointed a Data Protection Officer, whom citizens can contact regarding any issue concerning their personal data processed by CYSTAT as a "controller".
8.1. Release calendar
In the framework of its mission, CYSTAT provides high-quality statistical information, through the web portal and social media, with the use of statistical products such as announcements, interactive tables, predefined tables, metadata, infographics and publications. The principles and the legal framework governing the dissemination of official statistical data are defined and explained in the document “Dissemination Policy”. The means of dissemination, the main statistical products and the services provided to the users, are also presented. Additionally, the document describes the procedures for data revision and error treatment. The link is as follows: Dissemination Policy of the Statistical Service of Cyprus (cystat.gov.cy)
An annual release calendar is prepared and forwarded to Eurostat. At national level, a release calendar with preliminary dates for the next four months is published at the new web portal of the Statistical Service of Cyprus. Announcements are confirmed on the Friday preceding their release. Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the new web portal. The annual release calendar, announced during the 4th quarter of the year, includes provisional dates of publication for the following year, which are finalised the week before publication.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Cyprus participates in the European Sample Scheme for import prices. The index is transmitted to Eurostat according to the deadlines provided by the Regulation.
Monthly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not applicable.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not applicable.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not applicable.The data are sent only to Eurostat.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Not available.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality of statistics in CYSTAT is managed in the framework of the European Statistics Code of Practice which sets the standards for developing, producing and disseminating European Statistics as well as the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). CYSTAT endorses the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System. In addition, CYSTAT is guided by the requirements provided for in Article 11 of the Statistics Law No. 25(I) of 2021 as well as Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, which sets out the quality criteria to be applied in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.
CYSTAT has set its strategic goal to provide high-quality statistical information in an objective, transparent, reliable and timely manner. We consider quality to be our main advantage in a world experiencing a growing trend of instant information which often lacks the necessary proof of quality. In order to realise strategic goals it is imperative to establish policies which ensure that an organisation is moving towards the right direction. For this reason, CYSTAT establishes the "Quality Policy" which forms the basis of all statistical activities and leads towards continuous improvement of its statistical output.
The FTU performs validation and credibility checks to the Customs and Intrastat data files received. Validations are performed for possible coding errors, value and volume errors (outliers). Credibility checks involve “strange” entries like, for example, an import of diesel from an unlikely country. The file for Extra – EU trade is cleared for further processing after 30 to 35 calendar days. The first version of Intra – EU file is cleared for further processing at 38-40 days.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Data providers are contacted in order to verify data quality.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The index is compiled only for Eurostat purposes.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable.
12.3. Completeness
Cyprus participates in the European Sample Scheme for import prices. The requirements provided by the relevant Regulation are fulfilled.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Cyprus is participating in the European sample schemes for the import prices in industry. The accuracy of the index is considered to be very high. As the index is product based, all importers of refined petroleum products are covered regardless of their activity. The data is sent to Eurostat at around t+40 and usually do not need to be changed after the first release (even if the indication in the data file is P). If any changes might occur, these will be after further qualitative assesment.
13.2. Sampling error
The industrial import price index is not subject to sampling errors because it is based on census.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling errors are not quantified. Cystat tries to reduce non-sampling errors through validation and credibility controls and continuous process improvement which can help avoiding errors and outliers.
The personnel working at the collection stage of the Intrastat declarations is very well experienced and properly guided in order to be able to deal with difficult cases. Intrastat declarations are submitted via web interface. The Intrastat declarations are designed to be clear and simple.
The customs declarations are submitted to Customs via its Web online interface where automated checks are carried out at the time of the submission regarding the contents of the documents received. The documents have to be fully completed.
The personnel working at the processing stage performs validation, credibility and exhaustiveness checks to the Customs and Intrastat data files received. They are very well experienced and properly guided. Validations are performed for possible coding errors, value and volume errors (outliers).
Different processes are directed to eliminate or reduce as far as possible such errors. Other data sources are utilized for ensuring credibility and exhaustiveness of data.
Exhaustive checks according to a predefined set of rules are applied at record level in SAS for quality purposes. Most of the measurement errors are detected and corrected.
Appropriate validation and credibility procedures are applied at micro level and the following actions are performed: 1) consulting with the reporting units to confirm data of the reference month and 2) controling, analyzing as well as explaining errors and data outliers.
14.1. Timeliness
Around t+40 days after the end of the reference month.
14.2. Punctuality
Eurostat deadlines are respected.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
It is possible to compare the national index with that of other European countries.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Data are comparable over time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Figures are compared with CPI indices of the same products.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The data are internally consistent.
No cost and burden exercise has been recently performed.
17.1. Data revision - policy
There is a formal revision policy at Cystat. Cystat publishes its Revision Policy on its web portal Revision Policy (cystat.gov.cy) describing the general rules and principles governing the procedure of revising data published by Cystat. The policy is based on the guidelines of the European Statistical System (ESS) regarding revision policies for Principal European Economic Indicators, also taking into account the Quality Assurance Framework of the ESS and the European Statistics Code of Practice.
CYSTAT's "Revision Policy" describes the general rules and principles governing the procedure of revising data published by CYSTAT. As part of this policy, CYSTAT publishes a list of scheduled revisions on an annual basis, which can be found on the Release Calendar page.
The index is compiled only for Eurostat purposes and is not released nationally. But the same practice is applied to data transmitted to Eurostat; when revised data are transmitted to Eurostat, these are flagged accordingly and accompanied by the necessary explanations.
Furthermore, CYSTAT has set its strategic goal to provide high-quality statistical information in an objective, transparent, reliable and timely manner. CYSTAT consider quality to be its main advantage in a world experiencing a growing trend of instant information which often lacks the necessary proof of quality. In order to realise strategic goals it is imperative to establish policies which ensure that an organisation is moving towards the right direction. For this reason, CYSTAT establishes the "Quality Policy" which forms the basis of all statistical activities and leads towards continuous improvement of its statistical output.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Routine revisions are carried out in order to improve disseminated provisional figures in a way that important information is published as promptly as possible. Major revisions also take place every five years as a result of the procedure of changing the base year of the index and the weights used in its compilation.
When statistical data are provisional, this is indicated both in the text and the relevant tables. When revised data are transmitted to Eurostat, they are appropriately flagged both in the text and the relevant tables and are accompanied by explanatory notes, if needed. Data are usually revised on a monthly basis, whenever new data/information are incorporated.
Cyprus participates in the European Sample Scheme for import prices; therefore the Mean Revision (MR) and Mean Average Revision (MAR) cannot be provided.
18.1. Source data
All importers of refined petroleum products are covered.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly.
18.3. Data collection
Administrative declaration.
18.4. Data validation
The Foreign Trade Statistics Unit receives, on a monthly basis (one to four days after the reference month), a data file from the Customs Authority containing all imports at a detailed transaction level.
The Customs Authority data file is extracted from “Theseas” system. “Theseas” is the Customs Computerised System, to which the custom declarations are submitted, via its Web online interface. The customs declarations are the declarations made by traders or their representatives to Customs Authorities for clearance of goods imported from other countries to the local market.
The data are validated by the Foreign Trade Unit before the compilation of the index with the use of SAS software. Validations are preformed for possible coding errors, value and volume errors (outliers). Credibility checks involve “strange” entries i.e. an import of diesel from an unlikely country. Also, manual checks mainly for outlier observations are made by the FTU and where necessary, contacts with enterprises are performed for verification of data.
The file is cleared for further processing after 30 to 35 calendar days. Each monthly data file received from the Customs Authority contains also any necessary corrections to the previous month’s file.
Intrastat declarations are validated automatically at the time of their submission via web interface by the traders.Moreover, validation is carried out by TAX Authority personnel responsible for Intrastat collection system. Finally, validation, credibility and exhaustiveness checks are carried out by Statistical Service personnel. Validations are performed for possible coding errors, value and volume errors (outliers). Different processes are directed to eliminate or reduce as far as possible such errors. Other data sources are utilized for ensuring credibility and exhaustiveness of data. Exhaustive checks according to a predefined set of rules are applied at record level in SAS for quality purposes. The validation and credibility procedures are applied at micro data level.
18.5. Data compilation
Data extraction and calculations are done in SAS software.
The first step in the calculation is to get the base year average unit values. This is done at the level of each product for each importer. It has to be noted that for every product the importing enterprises monitored are exactly the same for all months. Price relatives are then compiled at this level (each product for each importer). These price relatives are then combined across importers for each product. Weight for this step: the importer’s monthly percentage over the product total import value (total import value corresponding to the sample importers). The final step is to aggregate the product indices calculated in the previous step to a total monthly index for CPA Group 19.2. The weights used here are the monthly percentages of each product over the rest sample products. The resulting index is rescaled to average 100 in the base year.
18.6. Adjustment
No adjustments are made.
No additional comments.
The data source for index compilation is the database of the Foreign Trade Statistics Unit (FTU) in Cystat. The first source of data is data received from the Customs Authority for third countries. The FTU receives, on a monthly basis (four to eight days after the reference month), a data file from the Customs Authority containing all imports at a detailed transaction level. The Customs Authority data file is extracted from the “Theseas” system. “Theseas” is the Customs Computerised System, to which the custom declarations are submitted, via its Web online interface. The custom declarations are the declarations made by traders or their representatives to Customs Authorities for clearance of goods imported from other countries to the local market.
The second source of data is data received from the VAT Authority for Intra – EU trade, recorded via the Intrastat system (intrastat form). The first data file is received (on a monthly basis) 30-35 days after the reference period.
The information recorded on a custom declaration (third countries), relevant to the compilation of an Import price index, is:
Importer code (V.A.T. number);
Statistical value (import value in EUR – CIF terms);
Quantity in Net Mass and other units of quantity (according to the CN classification of goods);
Country of origin;
Country of consignment;
Date (Actual Arrival Date, Approved Date, Acceptance Date, Release Date);
Product code (according to the CN classification of goods).
The information recorded on the Intrastat form, relevant to the compilation of an Import price index, is:
Importer code (V.A.T. number);
Statistical value (import value in EUR – CIF terms);
Quantity in Net Mass and other units of quantity (according to the CN classification of goods);
Country of origin;
Country of consignment;
Date;
Product code (according to the CN classification of goods).
11 June 2025
Imports of a list of petroleum products coming from non-euro area countries.
The reporting and the observation unit is the enterprise/importer of refined petroleum products.
As the index is product based, all importers of refined petroleum products are covered regardless of their activity.
Republic of Cyprus
Month.
Cyprus is participating in the European sample schemes for the import prices in industry. The accuracy of the index is considered to be very high. As the index is product based, all importers of refined petroleum products are covered regardless of their activity. The data is sent to Eurostat at around t+40 and usually do not need to be changed after the first release (even if the indication in the data file is P). If any changes might occur, these will be after further qualitative assesment.
Index (2021=100).
Data extraction and calculations are done in SAS software.
The first step in the calculation is to get the base year average unit values. This is done at the level of each product for each importer. It has to be noted that for every product the importing enterprises monitored are exactly the same for all months. Price relatives are then compiled at this level (each product for each importer). These price relatives are then combined across importers for each product. Weight for this step: the importer’s monthly percentage over the product total import value (total import value corresponding to the sample importers). The final step is to aggregate the product indices calculated in the previous step to a total monthly index for CPA Group 19.2. The weights used here are the monthly percentages of each product over the rest sample products. The resulting index is rescaled to average 100 in the base year.
All importers of refined petroleum products are covered.
Monthly.
Around t+40 days after the end of the reference month.
It is possible to compare the national index with that of other European countries.
