I
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
SCOPE OF RETURNS.
These returns contain the abstract and detailed tables of the imports into and exports from the Colony of Hong Kong for the month of February, 1931, showing the quantities and values, and countries of origin and destination respectively.
METHOD OF COMPILING.
The statements of quantities and values in these returns are based on post-event declarations by importers and exporters, the declarations subsequently being checked against ships' manifests to ascertain their correctness and completeness.
The returns do not represent the actual volume of trade during any given month, as a period of seven days is allowed importers and exporters in which to declare their goods; therefore, goods imported and exported during the last week of a month may not be declared until the following month.
QUANTITIES AND VALUES.
Quantities are mainly shown in piculs, but in certain cases other denominations are used, e.g. Animals (head), Bricks and Tiles (pieces), Timber (cubic feet), Coal (tons), Mineral Oils (Imperial gallons), Piece Goods and Textiles (yards, pieces, dozen, lbs., grosses of 50 yards), etc.
Values may be read as c.i.f. for imports and f.o.b. for exports, the notation in all cases being given in Hong Kong currency.
The average exchange value of the II.K. $ for the month of February was 117d. Daily rates will be found on page VT.
SUMMARY TABLES,
The summary tables show :-
1. Total monthly values of Imports and Exports by countries. 2. Total monthly values of Imports and Exports grouped
under main classification headings
3. Summary of total value of Imports (excluding treasure) for the completed months of the current year, by countries. 4. Summary of total value of Exports (excluding treasure) for the completed months of the current year, by countries. 5. Summary of total value of Imports for the completed months of the current year, by main groups of articles.
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