Aircraft Industry Trade Data Changes

The U.S. Census Bureau will revise goods export data from January 2004 through December 2008 as a result of analysis of the aircraft industry. In addition, the Census Bureau will begin suppressing export data for certain 10-digit Schedule B commodity classifications related to the aircraft industry with the release of the January 2009 merchandise trade report on March 13, 2009. To account for the suppression of commodity detail, the Census Bureau will begin publishing a new commodity classification series titled "Civilian Aircraft, Engines, and Parts" under Schedule B code 8800.00.0000.

The 2004 – 2008 historical revisions will be reflected in the FT-900 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services annual revision report to be released in June 2009, and in all standard revised FTD data products. Please note, however, not all publications or data products will be updated with these revisions. Information on revised data products is available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/notices/aircraft/products.html.

The suppression of commodity detail will impact all classification systems, including End-use, Standard International Trade Classification System (SITC), North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and Advanced Technology Product (ATP). Several exhibits in the FT-900 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Service and the FT-900 Supplement will be affected. The affected exhibits are:

• FT-900
  • Exhibit 15 – Exports and Imports of Goods by Principal SITC Commodities
  • Exhibit 16a – Exports, Imports, and Balance of Advanced Technology Products by Technology Group and Selected Countries and Areas
• FT-900 Supplement
  • Exhibit 1 – Exports, Imports, and Balance of Goods by Selected NAICS-Based Product Code
  • Exhibit 4 – Exports and Imports of Goods by SITC Commodity Sections

All exhibits will show the new classification codes. Visit our website for the complete list of classification systems and codes affected at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/notices/aircraft/codes.html.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Data Dissemination Branch office on (301) 763-2311 or e-mail at ftd.data.dissemination@census.gov.