This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating the business plan for an import/export company.
Average Transaction Value (ATV) in international trade means the average dollar value of a single import or export transaction over a chosen period.
You calculate it by dividing total trade value by the number of individual customs transactions recorded in that period; it is a practical KPI for an import/export company to size typical deal tickets and plan working capital.
If you want to dig deeper and learn more, you can download our business plan for an import/export company. Also, before launching, get all the profit, revenue, and cost breakdowns you need for complete clarity with our import/export company financial plan.
ATV is a simple ratio: total import/export value divided by the number of underlying transactions. Because countries and sectors differ widely, there is no single “official” global ATV; use regional and sector benchmarks and your own data to set targets.
In 2025, high-value technology and energy deals are lifting ATVs in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, while SMEs and emerging markets see lower ATVs due to smaller shipment sizes and tighter trade finance.
| Item | What it means for an import/export company | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Definition of ATV | Total trade value ÷ number of transactions (imports or exports) over a period | WCO/WTO Valuation Agreement; national customs guidance |
| Global “one number” | No single authoritative global ATV; build ranges by region/sector | UNCTAD Global Trade Update; WTO market notes |
| Regional pattern in 2025 | Higher in North America, Europe, advanced Asia; lower in emerging markets | WTO 2025 updates; UNCTAD trade notes |
| Sector drivers | Highest ATVs: energy, capital goods, tech; Lowest: apparel, basic agri-commodities | UNCTAD sector briefs; national statistics |
| Cost items included | Invoice price plus required customs additions (e.g., certain freight/insurance) | HMRC Method 1; WTO valuation overview |
| SMEs vs large MNCs | SMEs transact smaller, more frequent shipments; MNCs bundle into larger tickets | OECD SME trade papers; ADB trade finance gap |
| 2025–2028 outlook | Gradual nominal ATV increase led by AI/tech goods, energy transition and consolidation | WTO 2025 revisions; UNCTAD updates |
What exactly is “average transaction value” (ATV) in international trade, and how do you calculate it?
ATV is the average dollar value of a single import or export transaction in a defined period.
You compute it as total import (or export) value divided by the number of customs transactions recorded for that flow and period. National customs apply the WTO Customs Valuation rules, so the “value” is the price paid or payable with specific adjustments when required.
For an import/export company, use separate ATVs for imports and exports, and refresh monthly or quarterly to capture seasonality and currency effects. Align your invoice basis with customs valuation to keep the metric consistent.
When goods are related-party or include assists, royalties, or certain freight/insurance, your customs value may need additions—document these to keep ATV comparable across time.
It’s a key part of what we outline in the import/export company business plan.
Is there a current global ATV for imports and exports?
There is no single authoritative global ATV covering all goods and all countries.
UNCTAD and WTO publish global trade values and trends, but not a unified count of worldwide transactions; customs datasets are national and use different reporting granularities. Treat “global ATV” as a range that varies by region and product mix.
In practice, many advanced markets show higher ATVs due to concentration in capital goods, machinery, electronics, and energy contracts, whereas emerging markets and SME-heavy corridors show lower ATVs with smaller consignments.
Build your own benchmark by dividing partner-country trade values by your actual shipment counts, then compare against regional/sector peers in official statistics.
We cover this exact topic in the import/export company business plan.
How does ATV differ by region or economic bloc (North America, Europe, Asia)?
ATV patterns vary significantly by region due to product mix and shipment bundling.
In 2025, North America’s ATV is lifted by accelerated imports ahead of tariff changes and strong demand for AI-related equipment; Europe’s ATV remains high on machinery, pharma, and specialty chemicals; advanced Asia’s ATV is supported by semiconductors, servers, and telecom gear.
Meanwhile, emerging Asia and other developing regions tend to have lower ATVs due to smaller shipment sizes and more fragmented supply chains. Energy-exporting Middle East flows often show very high ATVs because commodity cargoes are large and valued at high unit prices.
Use the table below to frame your regional benchmarking.
| Region / Bloc | Typical drivers that raise or lower ATV | 2025 context you can cite |
|---|---|---|
| North America | AI/tech equipment, capital goods bundling, pre-tariff stockpiling increase invoice sizes | WTO notes a 13%+ surge in North American imports tied to AI goods and tariff timing; U.S. June 2025 imports at $337.5B. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} |
| Europe | High share of machinery, pharma, and intra-EU B2B trade yields larger tickets | UNCTAD reports EU exports leading H1-2025 gains, supporting higher-value transactions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} |
| Advanced Asia | Semiconductors, servers, telecom equipment; strong contract values | WTO attributes 42% of global goods trade growth to AI-related products in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Middle East | Energy cargoes (crude, LNG, petrochemicals) create very high single-shipment values | Commodity-heavy portfolios translate into fewer but higher-value transactions. (Inference from UNCTAD commodity structure.) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Latin America | Mix of commodities and manufactured goods; ATVs moderate to low | Lower bundling and smaller lots keep average tickets smaller (UNCTAD trend briefs). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Africa | Smaller shipment sizes, SME prevalence; specific corridors see higher ATVs for minerals | Variability by commodity exposure; services growth outpacing goods in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| Emerging Asia (ex-advanced hubs) | Higher frequency of small consignments and tighter trade finance | SME finance constraints weigh on deal sizes; $2.5T global trade finance gap. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
What are the most recent trends in ATVs over the past five years?
ATVs have drifted upward in nominal terms since 2020, with spikes during logistics disruptions and energy price swings.
UNCTAD’s 2025 updates show global trade values rebounding, helped by price increases and services strength; in goods, AI-related products have concentrated value into fewer, larger tickets in key corridors. In North America, tariff expectations front-loaded some large shipments in 2025.
Consolidation of suppliers, “nearshoring” in certain sectors, and greater use of framework contracts have shifted some flows from many small deals to fewer larger ones. At the same time, e-commerce cross-border parcels keep the small-ticket segment active but less dominant in value terms.
Expect continued divergence: capital-intensive tech and energy push ATVs higher, while apparel and basic agri keep ATVs low.
Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our import/export company business plan.
Which industry sectors show the highest and lowest ATVs in global trade?
Sectors with high unit values and bundled contracts show the highest ATVs; low-priced, high-frequency goods show the lowest.
Highest: energy (crude, LNG, refined products), heavy machinery, semiconductors and advanced electronics, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals; Lowest: apparel, basic agricultural products, raw commodities with low per-unit prices, and small consumer goods.
Use the table to align pricing, credit terms, and shipment frequency to your sector mix.
| Sector | Why ATV tends to be high/low | 2025 angle / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (Oil, LNG, Petrochem) | Bulk vessel cargoes; high invoice values per shipment | Large contracts keep ATVs very high across exporting regions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Machinery & Capital Goods | Project-based orders; bundling of equipment and services | Common in Europe and North America; long payment terms. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Semiconductors & Servers | High unit values; concentrated supplier base | Major contributor to 2025 goods trade growth and higher ATVs. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Pharma & Specialty Chemicals | Regulated, high-value items; often shipped in larger contract lots | Supported U.S./EU import spikes in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Apparel & Footwear | Low unit price; fragmented orders; frequent small consignments | Keeps ATVs low despite large volumes. (Trade structure inference.) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Basic Agri-Commodities | Lower per-unit values; often smaller containerized lots | Price volatility affects value but ATV remains comparatively low. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Consumer Electronics Accessories | Low-to-mid unit values; frequent replenishment cycles | High shipment counts compress ATV vs. core electronics. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
How do product categories (raw materials vs. manufactured goods vs. technology) affect ATV?
ATV rises with value density and contract bundling.
Raw materials and basic commodities often ship in bulk but at modest per-unit prices, while manufactured goods and advanced technology have higher invoice values per transaction due to IP and capital intensity. Technology categories (chips, servers, network gear) especially lift ATVs because unit values are high and buyers place consolidated orders.
Match your Incoterms and shipment frequency to category economics: bulk commodities may benefit from FOB/CFR with vessel charters, while high-value tech often uses CPT/CIP with insured air or priority ocean to protect value in transit.
Document valuation adjustments (assists, royalties) for manufactured/tech goods so your ATV remains consistent with customs value.
This is one of the strategies explained in our import/export company business plan.
What roles do shipping costs, tariffs, and trade agreements play in shaping ATV?
Shipping, tariffs, and agreements change the invoice value used to compute ATV.
Under the WTO Customs Valuation rules applied nationally, certain costs (e.g., transportation, insurance, assists) may be added to the price paid or payable to determine the customs value; higher tariffs and surcharges increase landed costs and often encourage shipment consolidation, raising ATV. Preferential agreements reduce duties and can encourage smaller, more frequent shipments, lowering ATV.
Tariff uncertainty (e.g., announced increases) often triggers pre-buying and bigger lots, temporarily elevating ATVs in affected corridors. Shipping market tightness can have a similar effect when shippers consolidate to secure space.
Coordinate your HS classification, origin documentation, and FTA usage to keep ATVs predictable and margin-accretive.
We cover this exact topic in the import/export company business plan.
How do ATVs differ between SMEs and large multinationals?
SMEs typically post lower ATVs than large multinationals.
SMEs face tighter trade-finance access and higher per-shipment fixed costs, so they ship smaller, more frequent lots; MNCs bundle orders, negotiate better rates, and execute framework contracts that push ATVs higher. Definitions of “SME” vary by country, but the pattern is consistent across economies.
Expect ATV gaps to widen in periods of tight credit: ADB estimates a $2.5T trade-finance gap that falls disproportionately on SMEs in developing regions. Digital documentation and platform finance can partially close this gap and lift SMEs’ average ticket size.
For your import/export company, design product-market fits and Incoterms by customer size and credit availability.
You’ll find detailed market insights in our import/export company business plan, updated every quarter.
How do developed markets compare with emerging markets on ATV?
Developed markets generally exhibit higher ATVs than emerging markets.
Reasons include product mix (more capital goods and high-tech), deeper trade finance, and larger corporate buyers; emerging markets feature more SMEs, thinner finance, and smaller consignments, which keep ATVs lower overall. Energy- or mineral-rich exporters are an exception when single cargoes dominate.
Use the table to benchmark expectations by market type.
| Market Type | ATV Characteristics | 2025 Evidence / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Developed (e.g., U.S., EU, Japan) | Higher ATVs; bundled capital/tech orders; stronger trade-finance access | WTO/UNCTAD show AI/tech-led growth and EU export strength in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| Emerging (general) | Lower ATVs; smaller lots; higher finance frictions | $2.5T global trade-finance gap constrains deal sizes. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
| Commodity-rich Emerging | ATVs can be high on bulk shipments despite limited diversification | Large cargoes (energy/metals) push up single-transaction values. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} |
| South-South trade | Growing volumes; mixed ATVs by corridor and product specialization | WTO highlights robust South-South trade growth in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} |
| e-Commerce corridors | Low ATV due to parcelization; high transaction counts | Value growth concentrated elsewhere (AI/tech goods). :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18} |
| Nearshoring corridors | ATVs vary; consolidation into regional hubs can increase ticket size | Procurement shifts yield fewer, larger shipments in some sectors. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19} |
| Tariff-affected lanes | Temporary ATV spikes from pre-buying and order bundling | U.S. 2025 tariff environment triggered front-loaded imports. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20} |
How do exchange rates and currency risk affect ATV calculation?
Currency movements change ATVs expressed in a reporting currency (often USD).
When invoices are in USD, EUR, or CNY, ATV in local currency can swing with FX; when invoices are in local currency, converting to USD for benchmarking introduces volatility. Multi-month payment terms amplify the effect if exchange rates shift between shipment and settlement.
Mitigate with hedging (forwards/options), currency-matched pricing, and shorter settlement cycles; always track ATV in both invoice and reporting currencies to separate price effects from FX effects.
Record the exchange rate used for customs and finance reporting so your ATV trend analysis remains consistent.
This is one of the many elements we break down in the import/export company business plan.
Which data sources and methods are used by trade bodies and governments to track ATV or the inputs to compute it?
Agencies track the inputs (values and counts) that let you compute ATV.
UN Comtrade aggregates national customs declarations under IMTS 2010; customs authorities value imports using the WTO Transaction Value method (Method 1), with published guidance on inclusions/exclusions. National statistics offices and BEA/Census (U.S.) publish monthly trade values you can pair with shipment counts where available.
Methodologically, ATV is your own ratio built from official value data and your shipment counts; where public transaction counts are missing, use proxy counts (e.g., entry lines, declarations) or rely on your internal system’s transaction totals.
Always align your ATV definition with customs valuation to avoid mixing ex-works prices with customs values.
It’s a key part of what we outline in the import/export company business plan.
What is the influence of shipping terms and valuation rules on the “value” in ATV?
Incoterms and customs valuation rules determine what costs sit inside the value you divide by transactions.
Under Method 1 (Transaction Value), you start from the price paid or payable and add specific items (e.g., assists, certain transport/insurance to the place of introduction) when required; you exclude items that should be left out under national guidance. Your Incoterm (e.g., FOB, CIF, CIP) influences whether freight/insurance are in the invoice price and therefore in the customs value.
For consistency, set a policy: compute ATV using customs value for imports, and an agreed invoice basis for exports, documenting additions/exclusions to keep the ratio meaningful over time.
When in doubt, follow your customs authority’s valuation manual and keep supporting documents ready.
What differences should I expect between bulk, containerized, and parcel shipments?
Shipment mode changes ATV through lot size and value density.
Bulk (vessel) shipments are few but very large in value; containerized shipments spread value across many B/Ls; parcels drive very low ATVs with high transaction counts. Insurance, inspection, and documentation unit costs also scale differently by mode, affecting your decision to consolidate or split shipments.
Review demand variability and carrying costs: if forecast accuracy is high, consolidating into fewer, larger lots can lift ATV and cut per-unit logistics costs; if demand is volatile, smaller, frequent shipments may protect cash flow despite lower ATVs.
Align mode and lot size to your working-capital strategy and customer SLAs.
What projections exist for ATVs over the next 3–5 years, and what will drive changes?
Nominal ATVs are likely to trend higher through 2028, with corridor and sector divergence.
WTO upgraded its 2025 goods trade outlook on AI-related demand, while UNCTAD reported a 2025 H1 value rebound; continued investment in semiconductor supply chains, renewable energy equipment, and capital projects will keep average tickets elevated. Tariff and geopolitics remain downside risks that could reshape lanes and temporarily spike ATVs via pre-buying.
SME access to trade finance is a key swing factor: closing portions of the $2.5T gap would allow larger order sizes and smoother cash cycles in emerging markets. Digitization (eDocs, structured data) will also reduce friction and make shipment consolidation decisions more data-driven.
Build scenarios by lane and product: tech/energy bullish, apparel/basic agri neutral, and tariff-sensitive goods volatile.
You’ll find detailed market insights in our import/export company business plan, updated every quarter.
Quick reference: where can I check the latest values and context that affect ATV?
Use this checklist to monitor ATV drivers each month.
- National trade releases (e.g., U.S. BEA/Census monthly): confirm total values and direction of imports/exports. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
- UNCTAD Global Trade Update: track global value/price dynamics and regional momentum. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
- WTO market updates/news: watch sector surges (e.g., AI-related goods) and policy shifts. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
- Customs valuation manuals: ensure your “value” numerator is defined consistently. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
- Trade finance conditions (ADB/OECD): anticipate SME order-size constraints in key corridors. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
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Sources
- World Customs Organization — WTO Valuation Agreement (overview)
- HMRC — Valuing imported goods using Method 1 (Transaction Value)
- UN Comtrade — Methodology and Manuals (IMTS 2010)
- U.S. BEA — International Trade in Goods and Services, June 2025
- U.S. BEA — Trade Release PDF, June 2025
- UNCTAD (via World Ports) — Global Trade Grew $300bn in H1 2025
- AP News — WTO: AI-related goods spurred 2025 trade growth
- Asian Development Bank — Trade Finance Gaps, Growth, and Jobs Survey (2023)
- U.S. International Trade Administration — Trade Guide: Customs Valuation