Market Analysis Tools and Services - UNCTAD Virtual Institute

Methodologies for Calculating AVEs
• There are many methodologies for calculating AVEs. The most important
difference is the way the Unit value is calculated.
• The unit value of a product is based on total value of imports of the product
divided by the quantity. One can use the value / quantity of bilateral trade
flows, world imports or a country‟s imports of the product from a reference
group of products
Unit Value =
value of imports
quantity of imports
Methodologies for Calculating AVEs
• Unit values in MAcMap are calculated on a bilateral basis and at the most
detailed product level - the national tariff line (where possible). The Specific
tariff per unit is then divided by the bilateral unit value.
• This is important because the value of a product can vary widely depending
on the supplying country. For specific tariffs, the lower the unit value, the
higher the effect in ad valorem terms of a specific tariff.