Quality improvement of intra-EU trade data in the context of the micro-data exchange

ended

Statistics Estonia (SE) is currently preparing its international trade in goods statistics (ITGS) data compilation process and technical infrastructure for the implementation of micro-data exchange (MDE). Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics makes it mandatory to start exchanging micro-data for Intra-EU exports of goods with other EU Member States since January 2022. MDE represents important change and modernisation of existing Intrastat system. Export data of partner countries obtained via MDE can be used to compile national imports instead of data collected directly from data providers. This will make it possible to relieve importers from their Intrastat reporting obligation and reduce the administrative burden caused by Intrastat reporting. Reduction of administrative burden of data providers is very important objective because Intrastat burden amounts to the large share of total administrative burden caused by statistical reporting. Statistics Estonia has set itself ambitious goal to exempt all importers from Intrastat reporting after the end of transition period in 2025. Intrastat modernisation and burden reduction affect the quality of statistics. Therefore it is necessary to implement additional measures to maintain the quality of ITGS. One of the data quality issues are existing trade asymmetries between Member States. Trade asymmetries in intra-EU trade are caused by methodological reasons, reporting errors and different national practices (statistical thresholds, implemented simplifications) of Member States. Reduction of asymmetries is important objective and precondition for the full implementation of modernised Intrastat system. Current project is contributing to this objective by initiating reconciliation exercises and implementing measures for automatic detection of asymmetries.