Definition: Imports (Code B_100300)

Category: Energy

Imports represent all entries into the national territory excluding transit quantities (notably via gas and oil pipelines). However, if electricity is transited through a country, the amount should be reported as both an import and an export. In annual data collections, imports refer to the country of ultimate origin, whereas in monthly data collections imports refer to the neighbouring country or country of last consignment.
Data reflect amounts having crossed the national territorial boundaries, whether customs clearance has taken place or not. Quantities of crude oil and products imported or exported under processing agreements (i.e. refining on account) should be included. Crude oil and Natural Gas Liquids should be reported as coming from the country of ultimate origin; Refinery feedstocks and finished products should be reported as coming from the country of last consignment. Any gas liquids (e.g. Liquefied petroleum gas) extracted during the regasification process of imported  Liquefied natural gas should be reported under inputs “Receipts from other sources” of Other hydrocarbons in the annual oil questionnaire. Petroleum products imported or exported directly by the petrochemical industry should be included.
Note: Data on imports are generally taken from importers' declarations; accordingly, they may differ from the data collected by the customs authorities and included in the foreign-trade statistics. Imports or exports of ethanol (reported in the Additives/oxygenates column) should relate to the quantities destined for fuel use. Re–exports of oil imported for processing within bonded areas should be included as an export of product from the processing country to the final destination.
In the case of crude oil and petroleum products, imports represent the quantities delivered to the national territory and, in particular, those quantities:
(i)	destined for treatment on behalf of foreign countries;
(ii)	only imported on a temporary basis;
(iii)	imported and deposited in uncleared bonded warehouses;
(iv)	imported and placed in special warehouses on behalf of foreign countries;
(v)	imported from regions and/or territories overseas under national sovereignty. MetaLink 1ManualLink 1LegalActLink 1