Aim of this survey
The Quarterly Survey of International Trade in Services (QITIS) collects information on the imports and exports of 52 different types of services (products) by country of origin and destination.
The results of the QITIS provide Trade in Services data, which contribute to the main components of the measurement of the UK’s balance of payments and of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Department for International Trade (DIT) make significant use of the results. The data collected by this survey are standard components of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) balance of payments manual and it is a condition of membership that these items are collected.
What you need to know
To complete the survey, you will need the following information:
- details about your business' international trade in services
All information you provide is strictly confidential.
Survey information
Selection criteria: UK trading businesses registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
Population: approximately 100,000
Sample: approximately 2,200
Frequency: quarterly
Dispatch dates
Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar): between 10 and 12 March
Quarter 2 (Apr to June): between 26 June and 1 July
Quarter 3 (July to Sept): between 10 and 12 September
Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec): between 10 and 12 December
Return-by dates
Quarter 1: 8 April
Quarter 2: 13 July
Quarter 3: 7 October
Quarter 4: 6 January
Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change due to national holidays and weekends.
Why you were selected
Your business has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK that are registered for VAT and/or PAYE or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.
The QITIS is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Once selected, your business is legally obliged to comply. You cannot appeal your selection.
Why you have received this survey
We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy. We select large businesses (those with 100 plus employees) for any relevant ONS business surveys because their information is so significant.
We select some small- and medium-sized businesses, usually for a set period of time then replace them with other businesses from their industry. They are very important to us as their trading patterns are often very different to large businesses.
How to complete this survey
The QITIS is conducted through a Secure Electronic File Transfer (SEFT) spreadsheet. An example of the template is available in the “Related download” section on the right-hand side of this page. There are guidelines explaining how to complete your return. Once complete, please upload the spreadsheet to the ONS Survey Data Collection system.
If you return the data in a different format, it will be returned to you to amend and re-submit.
Reminders are issued automatically, so you may receive one if you submit data just before or after the return date.
If you need help
If your question is not answered on this page, you may be able to find the answer in the About ONS business surveys section.
You can call us on 0300 1234 931. Please enter the three-digit survey ID code 057.
From outside the UK, please call +441633 810495.
Er mwyn gwneud cais am ffurflen Gymraeg (to speak to someone in Welsh): 0300 1234 921.
Related downloads
- Example SEFT spreadsheet template (347.7 kB xlsx)