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.
Data are the result of a regular survey on import prices (IMPR form), and are collected by direct access to a web application (electronic form). The data collection period in each month ranges from the 1st to the 20th day of the month for data from the previous reporting month. The survey is used to collect data on the turnover and prices of imported goods of a representative basket, that is, the products that were not produced in the Republic of Croatia, but were imported from any Member State of the European Union or from any other countries in the reporting month. The data on turnover are collected once a year, while the data on prices are collected in monthly dynamics. The purpose of calculating the import price index is to measure and monitor the monthly transaction price developments of imported goods. For the calculation of the import price index, it is very important to collect data on the prices of the same goods from the same partner country month by month.
All indices are presented in gross form. The presentation and interpretation of import price indices is in line with Eurostat’s requirements for the presentation of short-term business indicators and with 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 and 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.
The survey is conducted on the basis of the Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23) and the Annual Implementation Plan of Statistical Activities of the Republic of Croatia 2025 (NN, No. 29/25).
3.2. Classification system
Sections B, C and D are defined by the Statistical Classification of Products by Activity − CPA, version 2.1, as a binding classification in the European Union, which is related to the NACE, Rev. 2 classification (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community, revised 2008 version) and the Combined Nomenclature (CN).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Observation units are products from sections B, C and D of the National Classification of Activities, 2007 version (NKD 2007.), which are purchased by business entities on the EU market and on the markets of other countries. The survey does not include imported products classified into section B Mining and quarrying, class 07.21 and division 09, and section C Manufacturing, division 18, class 24.46, groups 25.4, 30.1, 30.3, 30.4 and division 33.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
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. All the related services are excluded from the scope. It is essential that all price-determining characteristics of the products are taken into account, including quantity of units sold, transport provided, rebates, service conditions, guarantee conditions origin and destination. The non-domestic market is defined as third parties, which are not resident in the same national territory as the observation unit. The indices of the import prices require a separate calculation according to the country of consignment of the product. The country of consignment is determined in a consistent way with customs procedures. Import prices are sub-divided into imports from euro-zone countries and imports from non-euro zone countries.
3.5. Statistical unit
The survey is carried out using the sampling method. The sample frame consists of business entities and parts thereof registered in the Statistical Business Register of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. The reporting unit and observation unit is enterprise.
3.6. Statistical population
Observation units are products from sections B, C and D of the National Classification of Activities, 2007 version (NKD 2007.), which are purchased by business entities on the EU market and on the markets of other countries. Sections B, C and D are defined by the Statistical Classification of Products by Activity − CPA, version 2.1, as a binding classification in the European Union, which is related to the NACE, Rev. 2 classification (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community, revised 2008 version) and the Combined Nomenclature (CN). The survey does not include imported products classified into section B Mining and quarrying, class 07.21 and division 09, and section C Manufacturing, division 18, class 24.46, groups 25.4, 30.1, 30.3, 30.4 and division 33.
The grouping of the NKD 2007. activities at the level of groups or divisions according to the MIGs 2009., using alphabetic marks of abbreviations, was done as follows:
All Intermediate goods: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups:
AE MIG_NRG Energy: the NKD 2007. divisions: 05, 06, 19 and 35 (excluding 35.3)
BB MIG_CAG Capital goods: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups: 25.1 – 25.4, 26.2, 26.3, 26.5, 26.6, 28, 29, 30.1 – 30.4, 32.5 and 33
CD MIG_DCOG Consumer durables: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups: 26.4, 26.7, 27.5, 30.9, 31, 32.1 and 32.2 CN MIG_NDCOG Consumer non-durables: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups: 10.1 – 10.5, 10.7, 10.8, 11, 12, 13.9, 14, 15, 18, 20.4, 21, 32.3, 32.4 and 32.9
3.7. Reference area
Whole teritory of the Republic of Croatia
3.8. Coverage - Time
Starting with the day of the entry of the Republic of Croatia into the eurozone (1 January 2023), the Croatian Bureau of Statistics is obligated to submit data on import price index to Eurostat on the monthly basis.
Time series cover the period from 2023.
3.9. Base period
The base period prescribed by Eurostat changes every five years. As of January 2024, the base period for the calculation of the import price index is 2021.
The new base year is defined by 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, which concerns short-term business statistics of all Member States.
As of January 2023, the base period for the calculation of the import price index is 2015.
The entry of the Republic of Croatia into the eurozone was 1 January 2023.
According to the EBS Regulation, HR was implemented 2021 as the base year from 1 January 2024. Time series of 2023 is recalculated accordingly.
Indices, percentage changes.
Month
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The methodology for the survey is based on 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 and 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.
The survey is conducted on the basis of the Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23) and the Annual Implementation Plan of Statistical Activities of the Republic of Croatia 2025 (NN, No. 29/25).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Import price indices are submitted to Eurostat on a regular monthly basis and are available on Eurostat’s website Statistics | Eurostat, with indicators of all EU Member States with which they are comparable.
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164) and Regulation (EU) 2024/3018 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (OJ L 2024/3018) 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 as well as the Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
No specific data treatment applies.
Confidentiality principles applied for all official statistical data provided by Croatian Bureau of Statistics as well as Eurostat recommendations regarding confidentiality policy.
8.1. Release calendar
Import price indices disseminated at national level on monthly basis
Import price indices disseminated by Eurostat on monthly basis
Import price indices are submitted to Eurostat on a regular monthly basis and are available on Eurostat’s website Statistics | Eurostat, with indicators of all EU Member States with which they are comparable.
Import price indices disseminated at national level on monthly basis
This kind of information is available at the CBS' official website Home, by Calendar of Statistical Data Issues and by Publishing Programme.
Import price disseminated by Eurostat
Import price indices are submitted to Eurostat on a regular monthly basis and are available on Eurostat’s website Statistics | Eurostat, with indicators of all EU Member States with which they are comparable.
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website.
National levels: Monthly
European levels: Monthly
Import price indices are disseminated monthly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
No news release
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Import price indices disseminated at national level on monthly basis
STS databases, available at the CBS' official website Home, comprises time series from 2023 afterwards.
Import price indices disseminated by Eurostat
Import price indices are submitted to Eurostat on a regular monthly basis and are available on Eurostat’s website Statistics | Eurostat, with indicators of all EU Member States with which they are comparable.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Import price indices disseminated at national level on monthly basis
STS databases, available at the CBS' official website Home, comprises time series from 2023 afterwards.
Import price indices disseminated by Eurostat
Import price indices are submitted to Eurostat on a regular monthly basis and are available on Eurostat’s website Statistics | Eurostat, with indicators of all EU Member States with which they are comparable.
The conditions according to which certain users can have access to microdata are prescribed by the Ordinance on conditions and terms of access and use of confidential statistical data of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics for scientific purposes (Official Gazette, No. 5/23).
The data that are sent to Eurostat are to be used in European aggregates and released also as national data.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The European business statistics manual, 2021 provides a detailed description of European business statistics, including how they are compiled and the methodologies behind them.
Import price indices disseminated at national level
Important methodological papers, summary documents and other important handbooks are considered to be internal documents of the CBS – used only internal, and the shorter version of methodology applied in production of Import price indices is published along with the data set in question.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality documentation can be reached on CBS' website:
In order to establish a comprehensive system of quality, the Croatian Bureau of Statistics applies the model of Total Quality Management, which also contains the Code of Practice of European Statistics. This model offers a possibility of continuous improvement for each business process. It focuses not only on products and services, but also on users and their satisfaction, the active participation of employees, long-term business success and social benefit. The communication is recognised as a key element of all statistical processes that affect the business success. Državni zavod za statistiku - Quality.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Import price indices are produced in compliance with EU methodological requirements and standards. In order to assure an appropriate quality of Import price indices, quality checks and validations are made throughout data collection as well as data processing process.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Data are used by different users: Eurostat, UN, national bank, government departments, trade unions, researchers, students, internal users (national accounts), enterprises/businesses.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The first user satisfaction survey of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics was conducted in 2013, the second one in 2015, and the last one at the end of 2022.
Time series of import price indices in accordance with the regulation are available since January 2023 (date of entry of the Republic of Croatia into euro area).
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The accuracy of Import price indices is considered to be good. An appropriate actions are taken to identify and eliminate potential sources of errors.
13.2. Sampling error
The survey is carried out using the sampling method. The sample frame consists of business entities and parts thereof registered in the Statistical Business Register of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. For the selection of business entities and products for the calculation of the import price index, the technique of stratified non-probability sampling was used, with a pre-defined threshold level, in two phases:
1) In the first phase, business entities are selected according to the principle of representativeness.
2) In the second phase, imported goods are selected according to the principle of comparability.
Sampling error for 2024 are not yet calculated for Import price indices.
Sampling errors are not calculated for Import price indices because the sample is not based on random selection. In order to ensure good representativeness, the sample includes enerprises that have constant imports of representative products.
13.3. Non-sampling error
The Croatian Bureau of Statistics developed an electronic data collection system for the IMPR survey that can be accessed directly through the web application which has automatic controls and checks in place.
Data processing errors - web application contains a validation and automatic controls that helps to avoid processing errors.
CBS reminds the reporting units of their obligation via e-mail. After having received the second reminder, the units that have not yet completed the questionnaire are called by telephone.
E-mail remainders and telephone calls are used to maintain response rate.
Change of products - if some products are not representative any more, or if there are changes in their determining characteristics, they are replaced by new products similar CN codes.
In case of error detected reporting unit is contacted again and incorrect values are manually edited.
Unit non-response rate is 18.93%.
14.1. Timeliness
Data are published not later than 1 month and 15 calendar days after the end of the reference period.
14.2. Punctuality
STS databases, available at the CBS' official website Home are published punctuality according to the announced release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The EBS Regulation and the EBS methodological guidelines are applied by the countries transmitting STS data.
15.2. Comparability - over time
As of January 2023, the base period for the calculation of the import price index is 2015.
The entry of the Republic of Croatia into the eurozone was 1 January 2023.
According to the EBS Regulation, HR was implemented 2021 as the base year from 1 January 2024. Time series of 2023 is recalculated accordingly.
Comparable time series are available from the January of 2023 on.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The IMPR survey is not comparable with any statistical survey in Croatia.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The EBS Regulation and the related implementing act have introduced a set of common definitions for short-term statistics applied by all Member States. Eurostat and the national statistical offices work together in order to ensure the coherence of the short-term statistics indicators.
Data are internally coherent.
CBS doesn't have a summary of cost regarding production of Import price indices.
17.1. Data revision - policy
CBS doesn't have revision policy regarding Import price indices. Revisions occur only on an ad hoc base, i.e. if requested by Eurostat.
If errors are detected in either national data or in European aggregates, they are corrected immediately and an error report is released.
The same revision policy is applied to STS data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
CBS doesn't have revision policy regarding Import price indices. Revisions occur only on an ad hoc base, i.e. if requested by Eurostat.
If errors are detected in either national data or in European aggregates, they are corrected immediately and an error report is released.
MAR=0
MR=0
18.1. Source data
Data are the result of a regular survey on import prices (IMPR form), and are collected by direct access to a web application (electronic form). The data collection period in each month ranges from the 1st to the 20th day of the month for data from the previous reporting month.
Observation units are products from sections B, C and D of the National Classification of Activities, 2007 version (NKD 2007.), which are purchased by business entities on the EU market and on the markets of other countries.
The survey is carried out using the sampling method. The sample frame consists of business entities and parts thereof registered in the Statistical Business Register of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. For the selection of business entities and products for the calculation of the import price index, the technique of stratified non-probability sampling was used, with a pre-defined threshold level, in two phases:
In the first phase, business entities are selected according to the principle of representativeness.
In the second phase, imported goods are selected according to the principle of comparability.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected monthly.
18.3. Data collection
The Croatian Bureau of Statistics developed an electronic data collection system for the IMPR survey that can be accessed directly through the web application.
Reporting units receive exact dates and deadlines for online submitting the e-form by e-mail every reporting month as a notice on the beginning of filling in e-forms.
The data collection period in each month ranges from the 1st to the 20th day of the month for data from the previous reporting month.
Each questionnaire is prepared for the enterprise individually. The questionnaires include only the representative products selected by enterprises.
Each representative product has an eight-digit code from the Combined Nomenclature, a short product description and a unit of measurement in which the product is imported.
The obligation to submit the report is based on Article 45 of the Official Statistics Act (OG, Nos 25/20 and 155/23).
In case of the refusal to provide data, the provision of incomplete or incorrect data or the provision of data out of the time schedule, penalty provisions defined in Article 76 of the Act shall apply.
Reporting units are accountable for timely submission of accurate and complete data, irrespective of whether they submit the data themselves or through agents.
18.4. Data validation
The data are compared with the data of previous month. If there are doubts about the reliability of the data, these data are checked once again by contacting the certain reporting unit.
Checks and data control are performed directly in contact with business entities.
18.5. Data compilation
In order to achieve the comparability of import price indices in consecutive periods, the representative basket includes fixed products with fixed weights. For the calculation of import price indices in the months of the current year, fixed weights determined in December of the previous year are used. The weights are revised once a year, according to the value of import from December of the previous year for the following year. December of the previous year is the reference period for the calculation of the Laspeyres aggregate price index of the representative basket of imported products. In case of non-response or product temporarily not imported - the imputation methods have been applied.
18.6. Adjustment
Data are not calendar adjusted nor seasonally adjusted.
Not applicable.
Data are the result of a regular survey on import prices (IMPR form), and are collected by direct access to a web application (electronic form). The data collection period in each month ranges from the 1st to the 20th day of the month for data from the previous reporting month. The survey is used to collect data on the turnover and prices of imported goods of a representative basket, that is, the products that were not produced in the Republic of Croatia, but were imported from any Member State of the European Union or from any other countries in the reporting month. The data on turnover are collected once a year, while the data on prices are collected in monthly dynamics. The purpose of calculating the import price index is to measure and monitor the monthly transaction price developments of imported goods. For the calculation of the import price index, it is very important to collect data on the prices of the same goods from the same partner country month by month.
All indices are presented in gross form. The presentation and interpretation of import price indices is in line with Eurostat’s requirements for the presentation of short-term business indicators and with 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 and 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.
The survey is conducted on the basis of the Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23) and the Annual Implementation Plan of Statistical Activities of the Republic of Croatia 2025 (NN, No. 29/25).
19 May 2025
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. All the related services are excluded from the scope. It is essential that all price-determining characteristics of the products are taken into account, including quantity of units sold, transport provided, rebates, service conditions, guarantee conditions origin and destination. The non-domestic market is defined as third parties, which are not resident in the same national territory as the observation unit. The indices of the import prices require a separate calculation according to the country of consignment of the product. The country of consignment is determined in a consistent way with customs procedures. Import prices are sub-divided into imports from euro-zone countries and imports from non-euro zone countries.
The survey is carried out using the sampling method. The sample frame consists of business entities and parts thereof registered in the Statistical Business Register of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. The reporting unit and observation unit is enterprise.
Observation units are products from sections B, C and D of the National Classification of Activities, 2007 version (NKD 2007.), which are purchased by business entities on the EU market and on the markets of other countries. Sections B, C and D are defined by the Statistical Classification of Products by Activity − CPA, version 2.1, as a binding classification in the European Union, which is related to the NACE, Rev. 2 classification (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community, revised 2008 version) and the Combined Nomenclature (CN). The survey does not include imported products classified into section B Mining and quarrying, class 07.21 and division 09, and section C Manufacturing, division 18, class 24.46, groups 25.4, 30.1, 30.3, 30.4 and division 33.
The grouping of the NKD 2007. activities at the level of groups or divisions according to the MIGs 2009., using alphabetic marks of abbreviations, was done as follows:
All Intermediate goods: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups:
AE MIG_NRG Energy: the NKD 2007. divisions: 05, 06, 19 and 35 (excluding 35.3)
BB MIG_CAG Capital goods: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups: 25.1 – 25.4, 26.2, 26.3, 26.5, 26.6, 28, 29, 30.1 – 30.4, 32.5 and 33
CD MIG_DCOG Consumer durables: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups: 26.4, 26.7, 27.5, 30.9, 31, 32.1 and 32.2 CN MIG_NDCOG Consumer non-durables: the NKD 2007. divisions and groups: 10.1 – 10.5, 10.7, 10.8, 11, 12, 13.9, 14, 15, 18, 20.4, 21, 32.3, 32.4 and 32.9
Whole teritory of the Republic of Croatia
Month
The accuracy of Import price indices is considered to be good. An appropriate actions are taken to identify and eliminate potential sources of errors.
Indices, percentage changes.
In order to achieve the comparability of import price indices in consecutive periods, the representative basket includes fixed products with fixed weights. For the calculation of import price indices in the months of the current year, fixed weights determined in December of the previous year are used. The weights are revised once a year, according to the value of import from December of the previous year for the following year. December of the previous year is the reference period for the calculation of the Laspeyres aggregate price index of the representative basket of imported products. In case of non-response or product temporarily not imported - the imputation methods have been applied.
Data are the result of a regular survey on import prices (IMPR form), and are collected by direct access to a web application (electronic form). The data collection period in each month ranges from the 1st to the 20th day of the month for data from the previous reporting month.
Observation units are products from sections B, C and D of the National Classification of Activities, 2007 version (NKD 2007.), which are purchased by business entities on the EU market and on the markets of other countries.
The survey is carried out using the sampling method. The sample frame consists of business entities and parts thereof registered in the Statistical Business Register of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. For the selection of business entities and products for the calculation of the import price index, the technique of stratified non-probability sampling was used, with a pre-defined threshold level, in two phases:
In the first phase, business entities are selected according to the principle of representativeness.
In the second phase, imported goods are selected according to the principle of comparability.
National levels: Monthly
European levels: Monthly
Import price indices are disseminated monthly.
Data are published not later than 1 month and 15 calendar days after the end of the reference period.
The EBS Regulation and the EBS methodological guidelines are applied by the countries transmitting STS data.
As of January 2023, the base period for the calculation of the import price index is 2015.
The entry of the Republic of Croatia into the eurozone was 1 January 2023.
According to the EBS Regulation, HR was implemented 2021 as the base year from 1 January 2024. Time series of 2023 is recalculated accordingly.
Comparable time series are available from the January of 2023 on.
