Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 8

Written Answers. - Trade Statistics.

Ivan Yates

Question:

85 Mr. Yates asked the Taoiseach if he will change the new collection system of trade statistics INTRASTAT from 1 January 1993, in view of the bureaucratic burden it will place on small business trying to comply with these requirements; if he will give exemptions for certain small businesses or retailers who are selling a wide variety of products, who will have to make detailed returns on the country of origin of each product; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

At present trade statistics are compiled by reference to the Single Administrative Document (SAD) which must be completed for every consignment imported into or exported from the State. With the abolition of frontiers for tax purposes this document will no longer be required for trade between the member states of the European Community after 1 January 1993.

Since the SAD is the major source of EC trade statistic which are vital in terms of economic and business planning, it was recognised that an alternative method of collecting this information was essential. This alternative method (referred to as INSTRASTAT) was provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3330/91 which was adopted on 7 November 1991.

The INTRASTAT system will have significant advantages for traders compared to the existing SAD system. The vast majority of traders will only have to complete two additional boxes on their VAT returns to meet their responsibilities while only the largest 6,000 or so traders will be expected to make a more detailed INTRASTAT return. While a SAD has to be completed for every import or export consignment the INTRASTAT return need only be produced at the end of each month and the information given in monthly totals. A typical SAD would require between 25 and 32 boxes to be filled in for each consignment as compared to between 11 and 13 boxes for a typical INTRASTAT return. Moreover the SAD must be completed before goods can move while under the INTRASTAT regime the return can be completed anything up to one month later with goods moving without delays at frontiers.

In summary, the new procedures will be less onerous, particularly in the case of small traders.