Asymmetries in international trade in goods statistics: UK measured against trade partners 2020 to 2022
Updated 30 May 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/asymmetries-in-international-trade-in-goods-statistics-uk-measured-against-eu-and-non-eu-partner-countries-2020-to-2022/asymmetries-in-international-trade-in-goods-statistics-uk-measured-against-trade-partners-2020-to-2022
Main Findings
Imports
Here are the main findings for UK imports asymmetry:
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported imports and partner reported exports for each other country of the world increased from $66.2 billion in 2020 to $164.7 billion in 2022
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported imports and partner reported exports for each non-EU country increased from $36.2 billion in 2020 to $120.5 billion in 2022
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported imports and partner reported exports for each EU country increased from $30.0 billion in 2020 to $44.2 billion in 2022
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported imports and partner reported exports for Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and France increased from $20.4 billion in 2020 to $27.6 billion in 2022
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the absolute asymmetry between UK reported imports and USA reported exports increased from $0.8 billion in 2020 to $20.6 billion in 2022
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the absolute asymmetry between UK reported imports and China increased from $2.9 billion in 2020 to $28.8 billion in 2022
Exports
Here are the main findings for UK exports asymmetry:
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported exports and partner reported imports for each other country of the world increased from $45.0 billion in 2020 to $89.1 billion in 2022
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported exports and partner reported imports for each EU country increased from $20.1 billion in 2020 to $20.6 billion in 2022
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported exports and partner reported imports for each non-EU country, increased from $24.9 billion in 2020 to $68.4 billion in 2022
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the sum of the absolute asymmetry between UK reported exports and partner reported imports for Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and France increased from $9.3 billion in 2020 to $11.3 billion in 2022
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the absolute asymmetry between UK reported exports and USA reported imports decreased from $4.8 billion in 2020 to $0.1 billion in 2022
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the absolute asymmetry between UK reported exports and China reported imports increased from $1.4 billion in 2020 to $13.7 billion in 2022
This publication outlines asymmetry between UK trade in goods data and that reported by its partner countries. The data spans the calendar years 2020, 2021, and 2022. Additional tables are available in the accompanying data set.
The ‘Background’ section below and the methodology notes provide further detail on the contents of this report.
Asymmetry increases for UK imports in 2022
There are many potential causes of asymmetry. These include differences in methods, valuation, and partner country assignment. UK trade in goods statistics: Reasons for trade in goods asymmetries discusses these in detail.
This report uses published UN Comtrade data. For some countries and commodity groups there was a large increase in the asymmetry for UK imports in 2022. There was a change in the trade data collection for GB imports from 1 January 2022. The data source for GB imports from the EU switched from the Intrastat Survey to customs declarations. This meant the country of origin of goods being imported from the EU to GB was provided to UN Comtrade for the first time. Prior to this, the country of dispatch was provided as a second choice of partner country. This is in line with UN Comtrade’s recommended approach.
Further information on the additional country of origin information for UK imports is available in the publication Asymmetry analysis for trade in goods statistics between the UK and the USA, 2017 to 2022. This report discusses potential reasons for asymmetries between the UK and the USA, with a focus on trade in vehicles. The new country of origin data could also have affected trade asymmetries with other countries and commodities, both EU and non-EU.
Background
Trade asymmetries and why they matter
Trade asymmetries are the differences between the published trade data of a given country and that of its partner countries. Each country collects their own data on international trade in goods. In theory, each country’s exports to a partner country should match the partner country’s imports from them, and vice versa. For instance, UK-reported imports from France should match France-reported exports to the UK. Also, UK-reported exports to France should match France-reported imports from the UK. In reality, it is often the case that figures do not match exactly. We refer to these differences as trade asymmetries.
Trade asymmetries are important because they provide an external means of quality assurance. This can identify errors in reporting and improve international data quality and comparability. This includes a greater understanding of known differences.
Data source for this report
The data in this report was downloaded from the United Nations International Trade Statistics Database on 6 March 2024. This database is also known as UN Comtrade.
All countries must collect their own trade data and submit data to UN Comtrade each month. UN Comtrade applies an annual average exchange rate to convert all data into USD ($).
For imports, UN Comtrade report the ‘country of origin’. For exports they report the ‘country of last known destination’ or ‘country of dispatch’.
The Trade Statistics Branch of the UN Statistics Division publish methodological guidance for producing International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS). Individual countries are responsible for following this as far as possible.
In the UK, customs declarations made by businesses are the data source for non-EU trade in goods data.
Before the UK left the EU, the Intrastat survey was the UK’s data source for EU trade in goods data. In 1993, the Intrastat survey replaced customs declarations for trade within the EU. The Intrastat survey follows EU statistics legislation to ensure harmonised methodology.
But, from January 2021, customs declarations became the data source for GB exports to the EU. From January 2022, GB imports from the EU also switched to customs declarations. The Intrastat survey remains the data source for Northern Ireland (NI) trade with the EU.
Countries included in this report
If a country has not submitted imports data for each of the three years covered in this report, their imports data is excluded. The same applies for exports. This is so that asymmetry comparisons can be made between years. It also ensures that we are not including asymmetries calculated using incomplete data in our totals.
However, this does not apply at a chapter level. So, as long as a country has submitted imports data for some chapters each year, all their imports data is included. The same applies for exports. This allows the capture of misclassification of goods between countries. This is an important component of asymmetry.
Calculating trade asymmetries
There are many measurements of asymmetries. In this report we have chosen absolute asymmetry to be our leading asymmetry measure. Absolute asymmetry indicates the magnitude but not the direction of the asymmetry.
In the accompanying detailed data set, we also provide the following for our expert users:
- non-absolute asymmetry figures
- relative asymmetry
- percentage share of total UK absolute asymmetry with the rest of the world
For non-absolute asymmetry, positive numbers indicate that UK figures are higher. Negative numbers indicate the opposite.
The methodology notes for this report explain in detail how these measurements are defined and calculated.
Imports
Countries
Absolute asymmetry with China was the largest in 2022 totalling $28.8 billion. This is up from $5.8 billion in 2021 and $2.9 billion in 2020.
In 2022, the USA ($20.6 billion) showed the second largest absolute asymmetry followed by the Netherlands ($16.7 billion) and Norway ($8.0 billion).
Figure 1: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK imports for the top 7 partner countries in 2022
| Country | 2022 |
|---|---|
| China | 28.8 |
| USA | 20.6 |
| Netherlands | 16.7 |
| Norway | 8.0 |
| Germany | 7.4 |
| Kazakhstan | 6.3 |
| Ireland | 4.5 |
Download Figure 1: UK imports for the top 7 partner countries in 2022 (ODS, 10.5 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Figure 1 shows the absolute asymmetry for UK imports for the top 7 partner countries in 2022.
China shows the largest absolute asymmetry in 2022 at $28.8 billion. This was followed by:
- USA at $20.6 billion
- Netherlands at $16.7 billion
- Norway at $8.0 billion
- Germany at $7.4 billion
- Kazakhstan at $6.3 billion
- Ireland at $4.5 billion
Table 1: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK imports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 partner countries in 2022
| Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 2.9 | 5.8 | 28.8 |
| USA | 0.8 | 1.7 | 20.6 |
| Netherlands | 6.3 | 3.5 | 16.7 |
| Norway | 0.8 | 1.2 | 8.0 |
| Germany | 2.1 | 1.9 | 7.4 |
| Kazakhstan | 0.1 | 3.2 | 6.3 |
| Ireland | 0.6 | 2.1 | 4.5 |
Download UK imports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 partner countries
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Detailed asymmetries data for UK imports by partner country for 2020 to 2022 are available in tables 1a to 1c in the accompanying data set. These include other measures of asymmetry.
Commodities
Figure 2: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK imports for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022
| Chapter | 2022 |
|---|---|
| 84 | 19.0 |
| 27 | 12.6 |
| 71 | 11.5 |
| 85 | 8.5 |
| 88 | 7.7 |
| 87 | 6.7 |
| 30 | 3.1 |
Download Figure 2: UK imports for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022 (ODS, 10.2 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Figure 2 shows the absolute asymmetry for UK imports for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022. It shows that Chapter 84: Mechanical appliances, had the largest absolute asymmetry in 2022 at $19.0 billion. This was followed by:
- Chapter 27: Mineral fuels at $12.6 billion
- Chapter 71: Precious metals at $11.5 billion
- Chapter 85: Electronic equipment, also at $8.5 billion
- Chapter 88: Aircraft at $7.7 billion
- Chapter 87: Motor vehicles at $6.7 billion
- Chapter 30: Pharmaceutical products at $3.1 billion
Table 2: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK imports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022
| Chapter | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | 7.8 | 6.5 | 19.0 |
| 27 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 12.6 |
| 71 | 9.2 | 7.6 | 11.5 |
| 85 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 8.5 |
| 88 | 5.8 | 7.0 | 7.7 |
| 87 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 6.7 |
| 30 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 3.1 |
Download Table 2: UK imports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 HS2 chapters (ODS, 10.5 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Detailed asymmetries data for UK imports by HS2 chapter for 2020 to 2022 are available in tables 3a to 3c in the accompanying data set. These include other measures of asymmetry.
Commodities by countries
Detailed asymmetries data for UK imports by partner country and HS2 chapter for 2020 to 2022 are available in tables 5a to 5c in the accompanying data set. These include many measures of asymmetry.
Table 7 in the associated data set includes all data used in this publication by flow, partner country, HS2 chapter and year for 2020 to 2022. It includes many measures of asymmetry.
Exports
Countries
Absolute asymmetry with Switzerland was the largest in 2022 totalling $26.9 billion. This is up from $3.3 billion in 2021 and $1.7 billion in 2020.
In 2022, China ($13.7 billion) showed the second largest absolute asymmetry followed by Belgium ($7.8 billion).
Figure 3: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK exports for the top 7 partner countries in 2022
| Country | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | 26.9 |
| China | 13.7 |
| Belgium | 7.8 |
| China, Hong Kong SAR | 6.7 |
| United Arab Emirates | 4.6 |
| Qatar | 2.8 |
| Italy | 2.7 |
Download Figure 3: UK exports for the top 7 partner countries in 2022 (ODS, 10.2 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Figure 3 shows the absolute asymmetry for UK exports for the top 7 partner countries in 2022. It shows that Switzerland had the largest absolute asymmetry in 2022 at $26.9 billion. This was followed by:
- China at $13.7 billion
- Belgium at $7.8 billion
- China, Hong Kong SAR at $6.7 billion
- United Arab Emirates at $4.6 billion
- Qatar at $2.8 billion
- Italy at $2.7 billion
Table 3: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK exports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 partner countries in 2022
| Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 1.7 | 3.3 | 26.9 |
| China | 1.4 | 4.8 | 13.7 |
| Belgium | 2.7 | 8.7 | 7.8 |
| China, Hong Kong SAR | 0.9 | 1.2 | 6.7 |
| United Arab Emirates | 0.2 | 2.5 | 4.6 |
| Qatar | 1.4 | 0.7 | 2.8 |
| Italy | 0.9 | 2.6 | 2.7 |
Download Table 3: UK exports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 partner countries (ODS, 10.4 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Detailed asymmetries data for UK exports by partner country for 2020 to 2022 are available in tables 2a to 2c in the accompanying data set. These include other measures of asymmetry.
Commodities
Figure 4: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK exports for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022
| Chapter | 2022 |
|---|---|
| 71 | 65.1 |
| 27 | 26.7 |
| 84 | 10.3 |
| 85 | 4.5 |
| 29 | 2.6 |
| 88 | 2.5 |
| 90 | 1.9 |
Download Figure 4: UK exports for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022 (ODS, 10.1 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Figure 4 shows the absolute asymmetry for UK exports for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022. It shows that Chapter 71: Precious metals had the largest absolute asymmetry in 2022 at $65.1 billion. This was followed by:
- Chapter 27: Mineral fuels at $26.7 billion
- Chapter 84: Mechanical appliances at $10.3 billion
- Chapter 85: Electronic equipment at $4.5 billion
- Chapter 29: Organic chemicals at $2.6 billion
- Chapter 88: Aircraft at $2.5 billion and
- Chapter 90: Measuring devices and gauges at $1.9 billion
Table 4: Absolute asymmetry ($ billions) for UK exports from 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 HS2 chapters in 2022
| Chapter | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 13.2 | 12.7 | 65.1 |
| 27 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 26.7 |
| 84 | 4.6 | 10.2 | 10.3 |
| 85 | 0.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| 29 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 2.6 |
| 88 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
| 90 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 1.9 |
Download Table 4: UK exports 2020 to 2022 for the top 7 HS2 chapters (ODS, 10.3 KB)
Source: Trade Statistics & Customs Analysis from HM Revenue & Customs
Detailed asymmetries data for UK exports by HS2 chapter for 2020 to 2022 are available in tables 4a to 4c in the accompanying data sets. These include other measures of asymmetry.
Commodities by countries
Detailed asymmetries data for UK exports by partner country and HS2 chapter for 2020 to 2022 are available in tables 6a to 6c in the accompanying data set. These include many measures of asymmetry.
Table 7 in the associated data set includes all data used in this publication by flow, partner country, HS2 chapter and year for 2020 to 2022. It includes many measures of asymmetry.