edb

Exporter Database

Description

The data, provided in A Profile of U.S. Exporting Companies (Exporter 
Profile), are compiled by the Foreign Trade Division of the U. S. Census 
Bureau, using the Exporter Database. The Exporter Profiles are developed to 
provide both government and private sector users with information about the 
exporting community including employment size, type of company, and major
foreign markets.   

Observations

Coverage

Every year from 1996 through 2004
1987  1992  

Additional Documentation →

exp

Foreign Trade Data - Export

Description

Information on U.S. exports of merchandise from the U.S. to all countries, 
except Canada, is compiled from copies of Shipper's Export Declarations (SEDs) 
and SED data from qualified exporters, forwarders, or carriers. Copies of SED's 
are required to be filed with Customs officials at the port of export. The SED 
is unique among Census Bureau forms since it is not sent to respondents 
soliciting responses as in the case of surveys. The U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection initially collects the SED at the port of export and subsequently 
transmits it to the Census Bureau. Each SED represents a shipment of one or 
more kinds of merchandise from one exporter to one foreign importer on a single 
carrier. Filing the SED is mandatory under Chapter 9, Title 13, United States 
Code. Qualified exporters, forwarders, or carriers submit SED data by automated 
means directly to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Observations

Approximately 24 million depending on year.

Coverage

Every year from 1992 through 2005

Additional Documentation →

imp

Foreign Trade Data - Import

Description

Published information on U.S. imports of merchandise is compiled primarily from 
automated data submitted through the U.S. Customs' Automated Commercial System. 
Data are compiled also from import entry summary forms, warehouse withdrawal 
forms and Foreign Trade Zone documents as required by law to be filed with the 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Data on imports of electricity and natural 
gas from Canada are obtained from Canadian sources.

Observations

Approximately 47 million depending on year.

Coverage

Every year from 1992 through 2005

Additional Documentation →

GAL

Geocoded Address List

Description

The Geocoded Address List (GAL) is a dataset containing unique commercial and residential addresses in a state geocoded to the Census Block and to latitude/longitude coordinates. It consists of the address list (GAL) and a crosswalk for each processed file-year. The GAL contains each unique address, identified by a GAL identifier called "galid," its geocodes, a flag for each file-year in which it appears, data quality indicators, and data processing information, including the release date of the Geographic Reference File (GAF). The GAL Crosswalk contains the ID of each input entity and the ID of its address (galid).

Observations

Varies by state

Coverage

2004  

Additional Documentation →

icf

Individual Characteristics File

Description

The Individual Characteristics File (ICF) for each state contains one record for every person who is ever employed in that state over the time period spanned by the state’s unemployment insurance records.

Observations

Varies by state

Coverage

Every year from 1985 through 2004

Additional Documentation →