> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/un-comtrade-database.md). # UN Comtrade Database Tool Description : United Nations' database of detailed international trade statistics providing official trade data reported by countries and areas. | **UN Comtrade Database** | **Quick Overview** | | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | URL | | | What it does | Provides detailed international trade statistics, including imports, exports, commodities, trading partners, trade values, quantities and related classifications. | | How to use it | Select the commodity/product, reporting country, trading partner, trade flow and time period, then run the query and review or download the results. | | Cost | Partially Free (basic access). | | Account required | No for basic access. Yes for full functionality. | | Cookies | Google Analytics cookies associated with the UN website. | | Ownership | United Nations, maintained by the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), Trade Statistics Branch. | | Use in Reporting | Useful for investigating international trade flows, supply chains, imports/exports, commodities, trading relationships and changes in trade over time. | ### What does UN Comtrade Database do? UN Comtrade Database contains trade information reported by countries and areas, including merchandise trade by commodity and trading partners, as reported by countries and areas. You can query data using classifications such as Harmonized System (HS), Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) and Broad Economic Categories (BEC). Searches can be conducted using annual or monthly data, countries, trading partners, commodities and import/export flows. **The lowdown:** It’s particularly useful for examining what countries trade, who they trade with, what products are involved and how trade patterns change over time. **Note:** An important limitation is the data is reported by national statistical authorities, and UN Comtrade notes that data is regularly updated as official information becomes available. There’s also no fixed timetable for when individual countries' data will be posted. ### How to Use: **1. Select the type of product or service and choose the relevant classification, such as HS, SITC or BEC. Enter the appropriate commodity code or search for the product. Then select the reporter country, partner country, trade flow and time period.** Depending on the investigation, you can examine imports, exports or both and use annual or monthly data. **2. Run the search and examine the resulting trade values, quantities, commodity codes and trading relationships. Results can be reviewed, downloaded and used for further analysis. Registered users can access larger downloads and API functionality.** ### Cost * [ ] Free * [x] Partially Free * [ ] Paid Basic access is free. Registered users receive additional free query/download/API allowances, with premium services also available. ## Data Processing ### Account Required: * [x] Yes * [x] No No for basic searches. A free account/API key provides additional features, including larger downloads and API access. ### Cookies: The site uses Google Analytics cookies, including \_ga and several \_ga\_\* cookies, for website analytics and measuring user interactions and sessions. These are analytics/measurement cookies rather than cookies used to provide the underlying UN Comtrade trade data. ### Use in Reporting UN Comtrade Database can be used to: * Identify imports and exports between countries. * Examine trade relationships between specific countries and territories. * Investigate the movement of particular commodities or products. * Establish the value and quantity of reported international trade. * Analyse changes in trade over time. * Investigate potential supply-chain relationships. * Identify unusual increases or decreases in reported trade. * Compare a country's trade with different international partners. * Examine trade involving specific commodity codes. * Corroborate claims about international trade using an official UN statistical source. * Generate investigative leads concerning companies, industries, commodities or trading relationships. UN Comtrade data is also used by the UN and other organisations for economic and policy analysis. UN documentation notes that the database is used by member states, UN organisations and other international agencies. | **Capabilities** | **Limitations** | | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Detailed international trade statistics. | Data depends on information reported by national authorities. | | Covers numerous countries and territories. | Availability and completeness vary between reporters and periods. | | Commodity-level information. | Commodity classification can be technically complex. | | Allows comparison of trading partners. | Differences in national reporting practices can affect comparability. | | Annual and monthly data are available for many datasets. | Larger downloads/API usage may require registration or be subject to limits. | | Download and API capabilities. | Trade statistics do not necessarily identify individual companies or individual shipments. | ### Summary The UN Comtrade Database is particularly useful during the analysis and verification stages of an investigation, where trade claims or suspected commercial relationships need to be quantified and compared. However, because the data is reported by national authorities and can be revised, important findings should be cross-checked against relevant national customs, statistical or company records where possible. ### Ownership United Nations, maintained by the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), Trade Statistics Branch. ### Ethical Considerations * Treat trade statistics as statistical evidence rather than proof of individual wrongdoing. * Be careful when interpreting commodity codes, quantities and trade values. * Consider differences in national reporting practices when comparing countries. * Check the relevant reporting period because historical data can be revised. * Do not infer that a country-to-country trade relationship establishes a relationship between particular companies without additional evidence. * Avoid presenting statistical anomalies as evidence of illegal activity without corroboration. * Clearly distinguish between reported trade and independently verified physical movements of goods. ### Related Tools: * [World Bank Open Data](/osint-tools/the-world-bank-open-data-catalog.md) * IMF Data * [OpenCorporates](/osint-tools/opencorporates.md) * [CITES Trade Database](/osint-tools/cites-trade-database.md) #### Sources