Determination of the Threshold in Cutoff Sampling Using Response Burden with an Application to Intrastat

Abstract Statistical offices frequently use cutoff sampling to determine which businesses in a population should be surveyed. Examples include business surveys about international trade, production, innovation, ICT usage and so on. Cutoff thresholds are typically set terms of key variables interest aim satisfy minimum coverage ratio–the share aggregate values reporting units. In this article we propose simple cost-benefit approach determination the by taking into account response burden. line with existing practice, ratio as our measure accuracy provide either analytical or numerical solutions determination. Using survey on burden trade flows within EU (Intrastat), present an application that illustrates An important practical implication is possibility industry-contingent cutoffs.