The Foreign Trade Division references several different commodity classifications throughout its products and services. While most exporters are familiar with the Schedule B statistical classification (also commonly referred to as the Harmonized System), many of the other classifications are not as widely known.
The March Trade Term of the Month is End-Use. End-use is a commodity classification system that identifies merchandise based on principal use rather than the physical characteristics of the merchandise. There are six principal categories:
- Foods, Feeds & Beverages
- Industrial Supplies
- Capital Goods
- Automotive Vehicles, etc.
- Consumer Goods
- Other Goods
A passenger car, for example, would be classified under the Automotive Vehicles category.
End-use codes are assigned by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and used in developing seasonally adjusted and constant dollar totals. Exhibit Six of the U.S. International Trade in Goods & Services Report (FT900) reports the Exports and Imports of Goods by Principal End-Use Category published on a monthly and year-to-date basis. At the Foreign Trade Division, we produce a graph of U.S. Trade by End-Use each month: Click here
For more information about End-Use or other commodity classifications, please visit the Guide to Foreign Trade Statistics. You can also find End-use and other trade terms in our Definitions page.
Not to be confused with the End Use export controls of the Bureau of Industry and Securty, 15 CFR 744.
Jim Dickeson
Import Export Geeks