My company subscribes to your comtrade database and I have a  question about it: I have noticed that for the Philippines, a large
 proportion of 2007 trade is lumped into category 99 ("Commodities  not elsewhere specified") - that is, a third of exports and a
 quarter of imports; will you be fixing this at some point? I can   find no reference to this in your country-specific documentation.
 Thanks a lot,
 Toby

Data Reference: Philippines 2007 was received on 3 September 2008; published on 25 September 2008

Yes, we are aware of this specific problem. In fact, during data processing, we had contacted Philippines NSO for clarification.

Here was the reply:

>For the 2007 data, the Philippine adopted a new coding system which is the
>2004 PSCC. This coding system is aligned with the 2004 AHTN issued by the
>Phil Tariff Commission. The chapters 98 and 99 in the tariff code is
>reserved for special uses by contracting parties. This are special
>transaction commodities not elsewhere classified. Thus in the new coding
>system we have used the code 98 for this type of commodities. In previous
>year this commodities were redistributed to various HS codes.

In other words, starting 2007 data, Philippines allocates all goods on consignment to chapter 98. Furthermore, UNSD has requested NSO, at least, to identify the goods on consignment on 2 digit level. However, due to technical difficulties, it is not yet possible.

Here was another reply to UNSD request:

>Thank you for the info.  Our staff tried to reallocate Chapter 98 but they find it difficult to do so.  We will bring up this concern when >the Technical Working Group meets to discuss the adoption of the 2007 AHTN.  Best regards.

Please let me know, if we can provide you further assistance.