The survey on International Trade in Goods

The Netherlands is a country with an open economy, so trade relations with other countries are intensive. International trade is crucial for the Dutch economy. It determines about 30 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
The statistics on the international trade in goods aim to map the trade flows between the Netherlands and other countries. The statistics on the international trade in goods are extensively used by policymakers at the national and international level. Businesses use the international trade statistics for market research and to determine their business strategy. So it is important to have insight in international trade in order to determine the economic situation of the Netherlands and map how intertwined it is with other countries.

In order to meet the need for information, Statistics Netherlands gathers data from Dutch entrepreneurs engaged in international trade.
Eurostat, the statistical bureau of the European Union, has made it obligatory for the member states to supply import and export statistics, which is what Statistics Netherlands supplies for the Netherlands. Eurostat uses the data to assess the economic situation in Europe.

You can find the results of the research on the theme page on International trade and in the dossier on globalisation.

Data supply with CBS-software CBS IRIS

You can install CBS-IRIS on your own computer system. The software enables you to fill out your data simply and fast, and email or upload it safely to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). You can use the program to extract data from your other administration programs. You can save time by filling out certain fields with ‘standard values' automatically, or do so manually.

Have you installed CBS-IRIS 2012 yet? No problem. You can simply install CBS-IRIS 2013 over the 2012-version. The 2012 data remains accessible. Also, you can still add data from 2012 with CBS-IRIS 2013.

Download here:

• CBS-IRIS 2013 (EXE - 9,0 Mb)
• Installation manual IRIS (PDF - 277 kB)
• Manual IRIS (PDF - 2,4 MB)

Data supply with your own software

This way of supplying is mostly interesting for major companies with substantial trade. If you want to supply data with your own  administration's software, please look at the Manual Record lay-out for electronic reporting 2013 (PDF - 0,5 MB).

This manual has the specifications on how to construct a software program for your statistical reporting on International Trade in Goods. You can upload your records securely to Statistics Netherlands.

In making the program you will make use of code lists.

NB: If you have supplied your data in this way in 2012 and you would like to do so again in 2013, then you need to update the commoditiy codes with the list of commodity codes for 2013. You can do so with the table changes commodity codes for 2013 (XLS - 27 kB).

Frequently asked questions on this survey

• What has changed in 2013 and 2012?

  2013

  If you have used our record lay-out in 2012 you have to update your commodity codes for 2013. You can do so with Chances commodity codes for 2013 (XLS - 27 kB)..
  
  

  2012

  If you have used our record lay-out in 2011 you have to update your commodity codes for 2012. You can do so with Changes commodity codes for 2012 (XLS - 138 kB)..
  
  

• I received a reminder that I did not send the Intrastat report for a certain period. But I did.

  When you send your report on a given period you receive a confirmation of receipt by email. Please send us the conformation and the reminder plus a brief note at ihinfo@cbs.nl so Statistics Netherlands can trace the report on the basis of the reference number on the conformation. Please send us your name and telephone number as well. Statistics Netherlands will contact you about the follow up.

• I received a letter from Statistics Netherlands stating that my company has to report for Intrastat, but my EU trade mainly involves services. Do I have to report anyway?

  If your EU trade consists mainly of services then you should fill out the form Declaration of services. Click in the chapter FAQs about International Trade on the Question “how do I report changes that may pertain to my obligation to report for Intrastat”. Fill out the form Declaration of services and send it to us. You will receive the result in writing.

• How do I report changes that may pertain to my obligation to provide an Intrastat declaration?

  You can use the forms below to report changes that may pertain to your obligation to send an Intrastat declaration. Statistics Netherlands aims to process your changes within five working days. You will receive the results in writing.
  
  - Declaration ABC trade in goods
  - Declaration termination of business
  - Declaration of services
  - Declaration of fiscal unit
  - Declaration no more intratrade
  - Declaration of name change
  - Declaration of takeover/merger
  - Change in VAT value

• I am in CBS-IRIS and lost my Read template, how can I get it back?

  Unfortunately this is not possible. You will have to make the Read template again in the application CBS-IRIS based on the file you have to read. You can use the ‘Manual CBS-IRIS (PDF - 2,4 MB)’ for support. There is a detailed description on Page 60 of how to do this, under the Read menu. We advise you to print your Read template and save it.

Contact information

You can contact the CBS Contact Center via http://www.cbsvooruwbedrijf.nl/contactcenter, or by phoning during office hours:
+3145  570 6400 (from 9 to 5) for questions about content;
+3145 570 6627 (from 10-12 and 2-4) for technical questions.