FX.co ★ Traders economic calendar. International economic events

Exports of goods and services consist of transactions in goods and services (sales, barter, gifts or grants) from residents to non-residents. A function of international trade whereby goods produced in one country are shipped to another country for future sale or trade. The sale of such goods addsto the producing nation's gross output. If used for trade, exports are exchangedfor other products or services. Exports are one of the oldest forms of economic transfer, and occur on a large scale between nations that have fewer restrictions on trade, such as tariffs or subsidies.

Imports of goods and services consist of transactions in goods and services (purchases, barter, gifts or grants) from non-residents to residents. A good or service brought into one country from another. Along with exports, imports form the backbone of international trade. The higher the value of imports entering a country, compared to the value of exports, the more negative that country's balance of trade becomes.

Trade balance is the net difference between exports and imports collected from the import/export entry forms of the Customs Department, which reveal both volume and value of imports and exports. In order for the trade balance to be consistent with the definition of balance of payments, statistical modifications have been made to exclude some customs items for the transactions carried out among the residents. Such items include: goods granted embassy privilege; goods with no change of ownership, e.g., goods sent for repair, temporary imported goods, sample goods, leased goods. Adjustments are as well made to include goods actually imported and exported but did not undergo customs declaration such as military goods, electrical appliances and commercial aircrafts.