Trade Watch: A new U.S. report on international trade in goods and services (March 2026) lays out how import and export figures are built, using U.S. Customs and Border Protection data to track merchandise moving between foreign countries and U.S. states and territories. How it’s counted: Imports are reported on a Census basis using the CBP-appraised value (generally the price paid for goods for export to the U.S.), with duties, freight, and insurance excluded in most measures. What’s left out: The figures exclude shipments between the U.S. and its territories, certain military/diplomatic transactions abroad, and traveler personal effects. Exports: Exports are valued on an f.a.s. basis. Healthcare angle: While this week’s coverage is mostly methodological, trade flows can still matter for healthcare supply chains—especially for imported medical inputs and equipment.