Explanatory Notes — Total Imports

Total imports include all goods which have entered the country (Canada or the United States) by crossing territorial (customs) boundaries, whether for immediate domestic consumption or for storage in "Customs bonded warehouses".

In the case of Canada, re-imports are included. These are goods re-entering (returned to) Canada after having been exported abroad without having been materially altered or substantially enhanced in value while abroad.

In the case of the United States, "General Imports" are employed and goods entering "U.S. Foreign Trade Zones" are included as well as those destined for bonded warehouses. The term "General Imports" is used to distinguish them from "Imports for Consumption" which only reflect goods entering into the U.S. consumption channels.

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Imports Into Canada

Source of Data

Statistics Canada

Valuation

Canadian imports are valued "F.O.B. (free on board), place of direct shipment to Canada". Thus, the freight and insurance costs incurred in bringing the goods to Canada from the point of direct shipment are excluded.

Values are determined using GATT valuation principles, which, in general, reflect the transaction value or price paid between unrelated buyers and sellers. Import data from all countries are collected in Canadian dollars.

Country Attribution

Import statistics are attributed to their country of origin; that is, the country in which the goods were grown, extracted or manufactured.

In instances where the country of origin cannot be determined, transactions are credited to the country of shipment.

Province Attribution

Canadian import statistics are collected by the province of clearance; that is, the province (or territory) in which goods were cleared by Customs either for immediate consumption in Canada or for entry into a bonded Customs warehouse. This may not always coincide with the province in which they are consumed.

State Attribution

Canadian imports from the United States are attributed to the state of origin (based on the Origin of Movement methodology used by the U.S. Census Bureau.)

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Imports Into The United States

Source of Data

U.S. Census Bureau

Valuation

U.S. imports reflect the value of imports as appraised by the U.S. Customs Service (in accordance with the legal requirements of the Tariff Act of 1930 as currently amended).

This value is generally defined as the price actually paid (or payable) for merchandise when sold for exportation to the United States, excluding U.S. import duties, freight, insurance and other charges incurred in bringing the goods to the U.S.

Country Attribution

Import statistics are attributed to their country of origin; that is, the country in which the goods were grown, extracted or manufactured.

Province Attribution

Not available

State Attribution

No breakdown by state is offered on this site.