ABST_IMP.ASC
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                                CHAPTER 2
                                Abstract

                  U.S. Imports of Merchandise on CD-ROM
               [machine-readable data file] / prepared by the
               Bureau of the Census.  -Washington:  The Bureau
               [producer and distributor], 1995.


Type of File

  Summary statistics.
  
Universe Description

  The universe is reported U.S. import statistics, including both
government and nongovernment shipments of merchandise into the U.S.
Customs Territory (the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico),
U.S. Foreign Trade Zones, and the U.S. Virgin Islands from foreign
countries.
  
Subject-Matter Description

  The file provides net quantity, value data (all methods of
transportation combined), value and shipping weight data for vessel and
air shipments in terms of commodity by country of origin, by customs
district of entry, by customs district of unlading, and by rate
provision.
  Smaller files provide totals for each commodity, totals for each
country of origin, and totals for each customs district of entry and
customs district of unlading.
  These data are provided for current month and year-to-date.
  
Geographic Coverage

  Data are provided for countries of origin and customs districts of
import for current month and year-to-date.
  
Technical Description

  File Structure:  dBase III format.  There are 10 database files and 11
index files.  The database and index files provide information about
detailed imports as well as information about commodities, countries,
districts of entry, districts of unlading, and the Harmonized Commodity
Description and Coding System (HS).  Further details on these files are
provided in the Introduction and Files on CD-ROM sections of this
technical documentation.  There may be other text and errata files on the
disc to indicate changes and other notices.
  
Reference Materials

  U.S. Exports and Imports of Merchandise on CD-ROM Technical
Documentation.  One copy accompanies each order.  Additional copies are
available from Customer Services, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC
20233.  The cost may be obtained by calling Customer Services on 301-457-
1242.
  
Related Printed Reports

  U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services (FT 900 and Supplement).
This report presents U.S. export data on a free-alongside-ship (f.a.s.)
value basis and provides general import data both on a customs value and
cost, insurance, freight (c.i.f.) value basis.  Total exports, imports,
and merchandise trade balances are shown for each month of the current
and preceding calendar years.  This monthly report is available from the
Foreign Trade Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, DC  20233.  The
Foreign Trade Division may be reached on 301-457-3041 for costs and
ordering.  Portions of the report are available online through CENDATATM,
(301-457-1214) the Census Bureau's online information service and on
FastFAX, the Census Bureau's FAX service.  To access FastFAX call 1-900-
555-2FAX(2329).  For technical information on this service call 301-457-
1242.
  U.S. Merchandise Trade:  Exports, General Imports, and Imports for
Consumption/SITC Commodity by Country (FT 925).  This publication pre-
sents both customs and c.i.f. value information for general imports and
imports for consumption in terms of Standard International Trade
Classification (SITC) commodities.  The publication also shows f.a.s.
value for SITC commodity exports.  It includes both current month and
year-to-date information.  SITC commodity by country information is shown
for those countries where the average monthly value of each SITC
commodity for either exports or imports based on the year-to-date value
is $50,000 or more.  This report is available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC  20402.  The
Census Bureau's Customer Services on 301-457-4100 will provide stock
numbers and costs.


Basic Access Software

  The Census Bureau has provided basic access software on the CD-ROM
disc.  To use the software, get to the prompt for your CD-ROM drive and
type "GO".  Consult page iii of this documentation for a description on
how to use this software.
  Also, the CD-ROM contains EXTRACT software.  Extract selects, displays,
and extracts data from a dBase III+TM without using DBase III+TM.
Extract prompts the user through the selection of a file, the selection
of data items and records, the addition of text labels to displays and
printouts, and the extraction of data to a new file.  To access this
program, go to the EXTRACT directory and type in EXTRACT.  This directory
also contains a file called FTD-READ.ME which contains information on
using this software.
  
File Availability

  The CD-ROM may be ordered from Customer Services using the order form
in Appendix A.  There is a subscription rate for monthly and quarterly
releases.  In addition, individual CD-ROM's may be ordered.
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