Uktradeinfo Web Survey 2013-14 Results

uktradeinfo Web Survey Results 2013-14 Further Information

This paper provides a brief summary of explanatory information provided to customers in response to specific queries raised in the 2013-14 uktradeinfo Web Survey. It complements the survey results published at: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/AboutUs/Documents/HMRC_uktradeinfo_survey_results_2013- 14.ppt

Build Your Own Tables (interactive data tables)

Why are the tables slow and complex? Why can’t they be menu driven?

The interactive data cubes contain and provide access to a large amount of data (monthly from 1996) for a variety of fields/dimensions (e.g. commodity, country, value, net mass, supplementary unit, port etc.). The tables are set to provide a default view of UK total trade by region for the last 3 months of published data. The default view was driven by user design when the site was re-launched in 2012.

Running specific data queries can be slow if fields are not cleared first (e.g. specifying a commodity before selecting a country will mean the database has to search all country and default year data before providing a return). Clearing default selections (e.g. clicking the ‘tick’ in ‘Show All ‘) for the HS2/4/6/CN8 dimension, EU Indicator/Continent/Country, Year/Month, and Flow Type will enable selection searches to be returned quicker.

Click the  next to ‘Show All ’to remove selections

the process is slow and cumbersome Make it easier to select large datasets - possibly via a menu system rather than have to click on all the boxes and drag o The speed/complexity issue is due the sheer amount of data that is stored on the data cubes (which goes back to 1996) and the way the system retrieves the data to build the required dataset. To help guide customers through the process, we have some printable guides to help explain how to build tables, and these will soon be followed up some short videos which will be posted on YouTube. To help guide customers through the process, we have some printable guides to explain how to build tables. We are also developing some short help videos which will be posted on YouTube.

Database speed will not dramatically change unless the volume of data included within it is reduced e.g. by dropping some of the earlier years or detail (we currently include monthly data from 1996). We would only consider this if our users agreed. You can contribute your views by emailing [email protected].

Make searching and extracting bulk commodity data easier

The interactive data tables are not designed for search and download of bulk datasets. If you are interested in a large number of commodities (e.g. for input into your own database), it is recommended that you download the complete monthly dataset from the Data Downloads pages.

Why do the Interactive tables list the months from December to January rather than January to December?

The database is built up on a monthly basis by adding data as it is published. As the interactive tables are set to provide a default view of the latest 3 months, they will always display the months in reverse. We intend providing a function to allow this to be reversed, but it will not work properly until the software is upgraded after IE6 browser support is withdrawn (without it the reversal function defaults to presenting months alphabetically!).

The drop-down box is not large enough to read descriptions

Any drop down box can be enlarged by clicking on the dotted arrow at the bottom right of the box and dragging to the required size (see diagram below).

Click and pull the corner to enlarge the drop down box

Why is trade data split into EU and Non EU?

This was part of the original user design, reflecting the difference in the collection methodologies and publication dates of the Non-EU and EU Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS). As the collection and publication timetables have been drawn closer together in the last few years, we are examining the possibilities of simultaneously publishing the Non-EU and EU OTS releases, which may allow for a simpler presentation in the interactive tables (although this is only at a concept stage at the moment). Improve the charts

We are currently working with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Office for National Statistics looking at options to produce better charts and maps, hopefully with interactive elements.

Available data

Publish more detailed regional data

Confidentiality restrictions limit further breakdown of the Regional Trade Statistics.

Publish more Customs or trade data fields

The full monthly Data Downloads files provide access to the maximum Customs/trade data fields that we are currently allowed to publish.

Intrastat Classification Nomenclature (ICN) Online

Reduce the number of ICN codes and don’t change them

Unfortunately, the number of codes listed within the ICN Online is something HMRC has no direct control over. The codes are revised annually and published as a Commission Regulation in the EU Official Journal (in October of the preceding year).

However, if you want to suggest amending or removing commodity codes, read the document Proposing a Change to the Combined Nomenclature (CN) on the CN Documents page of the website.

Publish a spreadsheet that lists the current commodity codes and their supplementary units

The 2014 version is available for download and is already published in the Info and Help tab of the ICN Online (select ICN Online from the Trade Tools menu, scroll down and click on the ICN Commodity Codes and Descriptions (.xls) link).

Public Notices and Official Information

Publish regular updates of Public Notices and make VAT training materials available

HMRC’s Trade Statistics unit is only responsible for publishing Public Notice 60: The Intrastat General Guide. Additionally, uktradeinfo is only designed to deliver trade statistics related data and content. However, the uktradeinfo email Alert Service includes a Public Notices sector (amongst many others), which provides subscribers with updates on a wider range of HMRC and Government information.

Publish briefs and Summary of EU meetings on food, and trade

We cannot publish specific non-trade statistics related content on uktradeinfo, but we have email Alert Service sectors for: the Food Standards Agency (FSA); Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) through which we publish regular updates and briefings.

If you have any queries or comments regarding this information or the uktradeinfo website, please email us at [email protected]

HMRC Trade Statistics

April 2014