International Merchandise Trade Price Index (IMTPI)

Summary of changes

Activity on this program started: January 1971

Reference period of change - October 2023

This month's release is the first Canadian international merchandise trade data release based on the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) 2022 version 1.0, which replaces the NAPCS 2017 version 1.0 previously used. As of October 2023 reference month, Canadian international merchandise trade data releases will be based on the NAPCS 2022, version 1.0.

Revised data based on NAPCS 2022 for the reference period of January 2017 to September 2023 are now available. The price indexes are now based on 2017 as the base year, with updates introduced to the price basket, data sources for elementary prices, and weighting.

Reference period of change - December 2018

This month's release for the Canadian international merchandise trade data was delayed. Statistics Canada sources its data on Canada's exports to the United States from the US Census Bureau (USCB), and the shutdown of the US government from December 22nd 2018 to January 25th 2019 resulted in a delay in the transmission of the data files from the USCB to Statistics Canada. As a result, Statistics Canada had to postpone the release of data for the December 2018 reference month. The January, February and March 2019 reference month releases were also delayed.

Reference period of change - September 2018

This month's release is the last Canadian international merchandise trade data release based on the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) 2007. As of the October 2018 reference month, Canadian international merchandise trade data releases will be based on the new NAPCS 2017, version 1.0.

Revised data based on NAPCS 2017 for the reference period of January 1988 to December 2014 will be disseminated on November 21, 2018. On December 6, 2018 revised data for the reference period of January 2015 to October 2018 will be available.

As of November 21, 2018, the published historical data is now based on the NAPCS 2017. The price indexes are now based on 2012 as the base year and the weighting methods for price measures have been revised.

Reference period of change - September 2012

Changes were applied to the international merchandise trade data series. The published data are now based on the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) 2007. The price indexes are now based on 2007 as the base year and the weighting methods for price measures have been revised. In addition, a new version of the software, X-12-ARIMA, is being used for seasonal adjustment.

The old CANSIM tables 228-0047 to 228-0055 were replaced by tables 228-0063 to 228-0068.

Reference period of change - August 2012

This month's release is the last Canadian international merchandise trade data release based on summary import groups (SIG) and the summary export groups (SEG) classification structure. As of the September 2012 reference month, Canadian international merchandise trade data releases will be based on the North American Product Classification System (NAPCS).

Revised data based on NAPCS for the reference period of January 1988 to August 2012 were disseminated on October 18, 2012.

Reference period of change - January 2012

Statistics Canada has reduced the number of 10-digit Harmonized Commodity Coding and Description System (HS) classification codes that are used to report the commodity detail in Canada's merchandise import trade data.

Changes take effect in January 2012 to coincide with the World Customs Organization 2012 amendments to the 6-digit HS classification codes as well as with Finance Canada's changes to the 2012 Customs Tariff at the 8-digit HS codes.

Reference period of change - January 2009

Chain Fisher constant dollar values (base year 2002) for Canadian international merchandise exports and imports are now available in CANSIM.

Reference period of change - January 2008

Revisions and seasonal adjustment - Beginning with the January 2008 reference month, the previous year's customs and balance of payments data (i.e., 2007) will now be revised with the release of the January, February and March data months. Revisions to customs-based data for the previous year will continue to be released on a quarterly basis. Revisions to customs-based data for the three previous years will be available when the December reference month is released.

Reference period of change - May 2007

The base year for the Chain Fisher dollar export and import values became 2002.

Reference period of change - April 2007

The base year for the export and import price indexes became 2002.

Reference period of change - January 2006

Estimation - Chain Fisher constant dollar values (base year 2002) for Canadian international merchandise exports and imports are now produced. These chain Fisher volume series are not available in CANSIM. To order the series, contact the Marketing and Client Services Section (1-800-294-5583), International Trade Division.

Reference period of change - April 2001

The April 2001 release marked the implementation of three major changes to the International Merchandise Trade Price Index (IMTPI):

- The base year became 1997,
- An up-to-date price structure was introduced
- Conceptual and procedural improvements were made.

These changes have resulted in a more accurate representation of trade data.