Guides for Government Compact Discs (CD's)
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U.S. Imports of Merchandise
1. What is it?
- A statistical CD about materials imported into the United States. It reports import quantity, value, shipping weight, country of origin, port of entry, and the method of transportation. (A disc with monthly export statistics is available also) Discs with historical import data from 1989 to 2006 are under call number C 3. 278/2:
2. Who produces it?
- U.S. Commerce Department, Census Bureau.
3. Are there guides to using it?
- A technical documentation manual is available: C 3. 278/3: EX 7/IM 7/2/doc/(year). See also: Harmonized Tariff Schedules (ITC 1. 10: [year])
4. Is it updated?
- It is still being published but appears to be behind in publishing; the latest received by the Library is for 2006.
5. Can the CD-ROM's be checked out?
- Yes.
6. Sudoc number (discs' call number in Calvin T. Ryan Library):
- C 3. 278/2: (year/month)
7. Is there a paper equivalent in Calvin T. Ryan Library?
- Some import data is available on microfiche: C 3. 164: 900/(nos.) and C 3. 164: 925/(nos.) (microfiche cabinets, Government Documents area)
8. Tricks:
USING IT:
- The initial screen shows a list of merchandise, arranged by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule number. Use the Page Down button to scroll through the list.
- Move the cursor to the item you want and press Enter. The categories will become more detailed, moving from 2-digit on through 10-digit tariff schedule number. Press enter to select what you want. The data will then appear. Press Page Down to see data for the year-to-date; use Page Up to return to the monthly data display.
- Press Enter for "Detail", a list of countries from which the product was imported. Use the cursor and the Enter key to see import statistics for each country as a whole or broken down by U.S. ports of entry.
- See the December disc for statistics on all of last year.
HELP:
- None available on screen. See manual in 3., above.
PRINTING:
- Press P.
- Move cursor to "Printer".
- Press Enter.
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- The Report function:
- Pressing R for Report prints off (or creates to your floppy disc) a lengthy document that covers each country for the product you have called up. You can call up General Imports (IM145) or Imports for Domestic Consumption (IM146). It is not recommended because of its length, but is available.
COPYING (DOWNLOADING):
- Place a portable storage device in drive.
- Press C (Copy) and Enter. Select the format you wish.
- When File Name: C:\ appears, erase C:\ and type in (drive letter): and the name you give your file.
GETTING OUT:
- Press End. Type Y.
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Format, courtesy of Robert Lopresti, Wilson Library, Western Wash. University., Bellingham, WA
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Diana J. Keith
Associate Professor
Head, Government Documents Department
Calvin T. Ryan Library
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, NE 68849-2240
Revised July, 2009
E-mail: keithdi@unk.edu
Phone: 308-865-8542