UN Comtrade (free public preview and basic API)
⚠️ Internal use only: UNSD permission needed to re-disseminate
UNSD's policy on Comtrade data use says:
“UN Comtrade data are provided for internal use only and may not be re-disseminated in any form without UNSD’s permission.”
Source: UN Comtrade policy on data use (checked Nov 6, 2026). This isn't legal advice.
For other trade data already in the catalog, see:
Each source has its own terms; read its licence note before you use it.
UN Comtrade (free public preview and basic API)
The UN Statistics Division's UN Comtrade database of official merchandise trade by reporter, partner, HS commodity and period. Without registration the public preview API returns up to 500 records per call; a free basic individual account adds downloads of 100K records per call and data API access for up to 500 calls a day. Records carry a mode-of-transport field where reporters supply it.
Coverage
Global official trade statistics, monthly and yearly, by HS code, including China–Russia and China–Mongolia bilateral flows. In Signal Lab's 2026-11-06 preview check, China's reported 2024 imports from Russia came back only as an all-modes total (motCode 0), so expect no rail-only split from China's side.
Verdict
The standard free source for official partner-by-partner trade values. UNSD's data-use policy says "UN Comtrade data are provided for internal use only and may not be re-disseminated in any form without UNSD’s permission." Use it for internal analysis and ask UNSD before republishing data. Signal Lab links to UN Comtrade only.
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