The World Bank, in close collaboration and consultation with the various International Organizations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Trade Center (ITC), United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), has developed the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). This software accesses and retrieves information on trade and tariffs which is compiled by the following international organizations:

• The United Nation Statistics Division (UNSD) Commodity Trade (UN COMTRADE) Data Base contains exports and imports by detailed commodity and partner country. Values are recorded in US dollars along with a variety of quantity measures. The Database includes information for over 170 countries, some of which have been reporting these types of statistics to the United Nations since 1962.The data are recorded according to various internationally recognized trade and tariff classifications.

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Trade Analysis Information System (TRAINS) contains information on Imports, Tariffs, Para-Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures for 119 countries. The data on tariffs, para-tariffs and non-tariff measures are available at the most detailed commodity level of the national tariffs (i.e., at the tariff line level). The data are recorded according to three internationally recognized trade and tariff classifications.

• The World Trade Organization's (WTO) Integrated Data Base (IDB) contains imports by commodity and partner country and MFN applied and where available preferencial tariffs, at the most detailed commodity level of the national tariffs. the Consolidated Tariff Schedule Data Base (CTS) contains WTO bound tariffs, Initial Negotiating Rights (INR) and other indicators. The CTS reflects the concessions made by countries during goods negotiations (e.g., the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations). The IDB and CTS are practical working tools and there are no implications as to the legal status of the information contained therein.

 

WITS software is free of charge.

However, databases may have different contractual arrangements, therefore access rights and fees may vary depending on the user status:

• Access to UN COMTRADE data is free for users with UN prescribed limits. Premium services can be purchased through UNSD;
• Access to UNCTAD TRAINS is free for all users;
• All users have free access to WTO IDB and CTS tariff data at tariff-line level. WTO 6 digit data are generally available. Access to tariffline imports data is restricted to certain users based on WTO guidelines.