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 imported goods are classified according to CPA 2008, linked to the CN. The CPA is related to NACE Rev. 2.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The import prices indicator covers products listed in Sections B, C and D of the CPA. Sections B-D of the EMTAK 2008 (related to NACE Rev. 2 and CPA).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The definition reflects the terminology used in the Comission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The objective of the import price indices is to measure the monthly transaction price development of imported goods purchased from non-domestic areas by domestic residents.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting unit is enterprise. Observation unit is transaction.
3.6. Statistical population
The population covers products imported to Estonia by enterprises within sectors described in 3.3. Coverage - sector.
A sample is drawn from a list of active importers from business register for statistical purposes.
3.7. Reference area
The whole country is covered.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The import price index is calculated since 1998. Data were recalculated according to NACE Rev. 2 back to 2007.
3.9. Base period
Index reference period is 2021=100.
Index base period is the year of which weights are based on t-2.
Index
Month
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Pursuant to the Official Statistics Act, at the request of Statistics Estonia conducting official statistical surveys, respondents are required to submit, by specified due dates, to the extent established by a list of official statistical surveys approved by the Government of the Republic, and the official statistical questionnaires approved by the Minister of Finance and the President of the Bank of Estonia. For the purposes of the Act respondents are legal persons registered in Estonia, branches of foreign commercial undertakings, state and local government agencies, sole proprietors and natural persons who own immovable property, building or parts thereof. In the case of failure to submit the data collected by official statistical surveys, a fine is imposed.
Regulation (EC) No 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and the Commission implementing Regulation 2020/1197 of the Council of 27 November 2019 on European business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics (Text with EEA relevance).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are transmitted to Eurostat.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 34 and § 35 of the Official Statistics Act.
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website. On 1 October each year, the release times of the Statistical Database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications are announced in the release calendar (in case of publications – the release month).
8.2. Release calendar access
The publication calendar of news releases and the statistical publications are available on the web site of Statistics Estonia.
8.3. Release policy - user access
All users have been granted an equal access to official statistics: this means that the dissemination dates of official statistics have to be announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) can have access to the official statistics (results of official statistical surveys) before other users. Statistical information is first published in the Statistical Database. In case a news release is published based on the same data, the information provided in the relevant news release is simultaneously published in the Statistical Database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8.00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calender.
Month
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The news release „Producer price index of industrial output, export and import price index” once a month (2025). The news release can be viewed on the website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Data are published on the Statistics Estonia website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Data are published under the heading „Economy/Prices” in the Statistical Database in andmed.stat.ee/en/stat.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 34, § 35, § 36, § 37, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to micro-data and anonymisation of micro-data are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s Procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat both to be used in European aggregates as well as to be released as national data.
The reports "PEEI in focus" provide, for each Member State detailed information on definitions, coverage and sampling issues, response rates, index compilation, error identification, seasonal adjustment and other quality aspects of these indicators.
11.1. Quality assurance
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, EU Statistics Code of Practice and the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements provided for in § 7. „Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality assessment is based on quality requirements of the ESS (relevance, accuracy, timelines and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, coherence and comparability). The inspection of statistical survey, updating survey methodology and statistical questionnaire, self-assessment of survey manager are carried out.
Data are only published when they have a high degree of consistency.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Bank of Estonia
Eurostat
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 1996 Statistics Estonia conducts reputation surveys and user surveys. Users‘ suggestions and information about taking them into account are available on the website.
12.3. Completeness
In compliance with the rules (regulations).
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.
Purposive sampling is used; i.e. enterprises are chosen with a record of stable imports and sales activity. Sample size is 500 units.
The weight system t-2 (weighting patterns, sample of respondents and basket of goods) and base prices Dec t-1 for calculations are updated every year. The representativeness is ensured.
Data for the last three months may be adjusted. The data are considered final after three months following the reference month.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling error is not calculated for non-random sample.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Prices are mainly collected by web based questionnaire with having automatic controls and checks in place.
The response rate is about 97%. E-mail remainders and telephone calls are used to maintain response rate.
Models are not used.
Imputation methods have been used for prices that are not available. Based on available information, prices are carried forward or imputed by observing the movement in the index for similar products or product groups.
14.1. Timeliness
The import price index is published monthly on the 20th day of the month following the end of the reference month or on the next business day.
Data for the last three months may be adjusted. The data are considered final after three months following the reference month.
14.2. Punctuality
The data have been published at the time announced in the release calender.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The data are comparable from country to another. However, the countries may apply different collection and calculation methods for the data. No geographical regions, Estonia as a whole.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data are comparable across time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Indices are coherent cross domain.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The aggregates are coherent with the total.
The assessment of cost and burden covers the statistics for NSI as well as STS needs.
Cost (NSI) hours per year: not available.
Burden (respondents) hours per year: 3867
17.1. Data revision - policy
The same revision policy is applied to data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
The data revision policy and notification of corrections are described in the dissemination policy of Statistics Estonia.
Data for the last three months may be adjusted. The data are considered final after three months following the reference month.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Methodological changes and revisions are announced at the same time as the changes.
Mean absolute revision (MAR) = 0
Mean revision (MR) = 0
18.1. Source data
The weights are derived from the survey "Foreign Trade" conducted by Statistics Estonia. Purposive sampling; i.e. enterprises are chosen with a record of stable import activity. Prices are mainly collected by web based questionnaire. Over 1800 price quotations are collected per month.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly
18.3. Data collection
Data are collected through eSTAT (the web channel for electronic data submission). eSTAT is also used to monitor the completion of questionnaires. The questionnaires have been designed for completion in eSTAT by the respondents themselves and they include instructions and controls. The questionnaires and information about data submission are available on Statistics Estonia’s website. Data are collected with the monthly statistical questionnaire „Impordihind”.
18.4. Data validation
Prices data are reviewed by the price statistics staff. In case of problems or doubtful cases the respondents are contacted by telephone for clarification. The price statistics staff verifies the computation of the index at various stages of its compilation.
18.5. Data compilation
The (chain) Laspeyres formula is used. Based on available information, the last observed price is carried forward or this is imputed by observing the movement in the index for similar products or product groups.
18.6. Adjustment
The import price index is not seasonally adjusted.
No further comments.
Import Price Index
11 June 2026
The definition reflects the terminology used in the Comission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The objective of the import price indices is to measure the monthly transaction price development of imported goods purchased from non-domestic areas by domestic residents.
Reporting unit is enterprise. Observation unit is transaction.
The population covers products imported to Estonia by enterprises within sectors described in 3.3. Coverage - sector.
A sample is drawn from a list of active importers from business register for statistical purposes.
The whole country is covered.
Month
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.
Purposive sampling is used; i.e. enterprises are chosen with a record of stable imports and sales activity. Sample size is 500 units.
The weight system t-2 (weighting patterns, sample of respondents and basket of goods) and base prices Dec t-1 for calculations are updated every year. The representativeness is ensured.
Data for the last three months may be adjusted. The data are considered final after three months following the reference month.
Index
The (chain) Laspeyres formula is used. Based on available information, the last observed price is carried forward or this is imputed by observing the movement in the index for similar products or product groups.
The weights are derived from the survey "Foreign Trade" conducted by Statistics Estonia. Purposive sampling; i.e. enterprises are chosen with a record of stable import activity. Prices are mainly collected by web based questionnaire. Over 1800 price quotations are collected per month.
Month
The import price index is published monthly on the 20th day of the month following the end of the reference month or on the next business day.
Data for the last three months may be adjusted. The data are considered final after three months following the reference month.
The data are comparable from country to another. However, the countries may apply different collection and calculation methods for the data. No geographical regions, Estonia as a whole.
