IMTS 2010 recommendations regarding units of quantity. IMTS 2010 (para. 5.5) recommends that countries collect or estimate, validate and report quantity information in the WCO standard units of quantity and in net weight[1] on all trade transactions.[2]
In addition to net weight (kg), all detailed UN Comtrade data also have supplementary quantity units. These units of measurement are based on the standards of quantity recommended by the World Customs Organization (WCO):
| UN Comtrade Code | WCO Abbreviation | Description |
| 1 | – | No quantity |
| 2 | m2 | Area in square meters |
| 3 | 1000 kWh | Electrical energy in thousands of kilowatt-hours |
| 4 | m | Length in meters |
| 5 | u | Number of items |
| 6 | 2u | Number of pairs |
| 7 | l | Volume in liters |
| 8 | kg | Weight in kilograms |
| 9 | 1000u | Thousand of items |
| 10 | U (jeu/pack) | Number of packages |
| 11 | 12u | Dozen of items |
| 12 | m3 | Volume in cubic meters |
| 13 | carat | Weight in carats |
[1] Information on net weight is useful for economic analysis, such as the calculation of unit values. To the extent that gross weights (including packaging) are also desired by a country, they should be collected directly. However, given that collection of gross weight data presents difficulties in many countries, countries may wish to obtain gross weights from net weights through sampling and estimation.
[2] A few exceptions may be noted: e.g., net weight does not apply to HS subheading 271600 “Electrical energy”.
Please see: A. An overview of the World Customs Organization standard units of quantity
