Overseas trade information

New Zealand's economy relies heavily on overseas trade. Provisional exports for the year ended December 2002 were valued at $31,026 million. The value of merchandise imports for the year ended December 2002 was $32,355 million.

New Zealand's main export commodities are milk powder, butter and cheese, and meat and edible offal. The top three countries we export to are Australia, the United States of America and Japan.

Trade statistics which measure the value and quantity of merchandise exported and imported are compiled by Statistics New Zealand from data entries lodged with the New Zealand Customs Service by exporters, importers and their agents.

Source: Overseas Merchandise Trade (Imports)

Exports are all material goods which leave New Zealand for other countries and are valued 'fob' (free on board). The fob value is the current market value of goods in the country of origin, including all costs necessary to get them on board the ship or aircraft. It excludes freight, insurance and other costs involved in transporting goods between countries.

Imports are all material goods which enter New Zealand from abroad and are valued 'cif' (cost, insurance and freight) and 'vfd' (value for duty). The cif value is most commonly used. The cif (cost, insurance and freight) value is the cost to the importer of buying the goods and bringing them to the wharfside in New Zealand.

Tables

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Related links

Imports and exports over time activity
Statistics and information about overseas trade
External Trade Statistics

Exports and Imports tables in Table Builder