A Study on the Problems of Korea Merchandise Trade Statistics

무역통계 및 실적 차이에 관한 제(諸)문제

The accurate national trade statistics can show the real nation's trade situation, and contribute to setting up the national's trade plans and corporate's strategies. This study researches the differences between trade statistics and actual trade record among the national and international statistics and suggests improvement plans to solve the problems. There are 4 types' differences among the trade statistics as follows; First, a statistical differences between Korea Customs Service and Bank of Korea by yearly US$9.6billions because of standard and boundary of trade statistics. Second, a statistical differences between Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Customs Service because of the time and purpose of trade statistics release. Third, a statistical differences between Korea and counterpart countries because of standard of trade statistics, intermediate countries and rules of origin. Lastly, a statistical differences between nation's statistics and corporate record because of typing errors and indirect export record. The fundamental improvement plans are Korea statistics rules like Korea Foreign Trade Rules and Korea Custom Rules, need to coincide with the international rules like IMTS, MSITS, BPM6 etc. Especially the rules of statistics related to intermediary trade, processing trade and transit trade have to revise with new BPM6 rules. In addition, a reasonable care of trade statistics from accumulation to utilization of trade information is more important than statistical regulation or system, so all persons concerned including exporters, importers, government official pay attention the statistics and cooperate together.