UNCTAD-TRAINS (Trade Analysis and Information System) is a trade and market access information system combining the database containing data drawn from UN TARMAC, a joint primary data collection with the International Trade Centre, UNCTAD/WTO (ITC), and the WITS software. TRAINS is both a data depository and an analytical tool designed for policy-makers and economic operators engaged in international merchandise trade. It is also a powerful tool for multilateral or bilateral trade negotiations as well as for general research on international merchandise trade.
TRAINS contains HS-based data for over 1,000 country/years, covering tariff and non-tariff measures as well as imports flows by origin for more than 160 countries and the years since 1988. For tariffs, TRAINS contains not only general applied tariff data but also information on applied preferential tariff including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and many regional and bilateral preferences.
TRAINS gives users the possibility of converting the HS data into other internationally recognized nomenclatures such as the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) or the Broad Economic Categories (BEC) etc... It also provides a single market, partial equilibrium trade simulation model (SMART model) with which users may simulate trade, revenue and welfare effects of tariff changes by a single market country.
The TRAINS database is physically located at the World Bank server where WITS application is running, but is directly maintained by UNCTAD. Neither UNCTAD, nor the World Bank, accepts the responsibility for the accuracy or suitability of the information provided by in TRAINS database. The user assumes, therefore, all risk associated with the use of the data in TRAINS. The designation employed and the presentation of the material in this database do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, group of countries, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Access to TRAINS database is free of charge and unlimited. Users need simply to register with WITS and the access is provided automatically.