The UK's deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.9 billion in September, compared with the revised deficit of £4.4 billion in August (originally published as a deficit of £4.7 billion).
The surplus on trade in services was £3.6 billion, the same as in August.
The deficit on trade in goods was £7.5 billion, compared with the revised deficit of £8.0 billion in August (which was originally published as a deficit of £8.2 billion). Exports rose by £0.6 billion and imports rose by £0.1 billion.
The deficit with the EU was £3.0 billion in September, compared with a deficit of £2.8 billion in August. Exports rose by £0.3 billion but imports rose by £0.5 billion. There was a rise in exports of oil. There were increases in imports of intermediate goods, cars, and chemicals.
The deficit with non-EU countries narrowed to £4.5 billion compared with the deficit of £5.2 billion in August. Exports rose by £0.3 billion and imports fell by £0.4 billion. There were rises in exports of silver and oil. There was a fall in exports of consumer goods other than cars. There was a substantial fall in imports of fuels other than oil from a relatively high level in August (as a result of essential maintenance work at facilities feeding three gas import pipelines) and a smaller fall in imports of precious stones.
Excluding oil and erratic items, the volume of exports was one per cent higher in September than in August and the volume of imports was one and a half per cent lower.
Export prices were a half per cent lower and import prices were a half per cent higher than in August.
Notes: 'Originally published' figures relate to routine revisions which are part of the normal compilation process for trade data.
Missing Trader Intra-community (MTIC) VAT fraud, also known as 'carousel fraud', involves the repeated import and export of small, high value goods such as computer chips and mobile phones. Companies obtain VAT registration to acquire goods from other Member States without paying VAT. They then sell on the goods at VAT inclusive prices. But the VAT that their customers have already paid is not handed over to the tax authorities.
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UK Trade Press Release