Australia posted a merchandise trade deficit of A$284 million in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday.
The headline figure beat forecasts for a shortfall of A$500 million following the revised 693 million deficit in August (originally A$815 million).
Exports were roughly flat on month at A$27.309 billion, up marginally from A$27.185 billion in the previous month.
Non-rural goods added A$206 million or 1 percent. Rural goods fell A$88 million (3 percent), while net exports of goods under merchanting dropped A$1 million (3 percent) and non-monetary gold lost A$1 million.
Services credits gained A$8 million.
Imports dipped 1.0 percent to A$27.593 billion, down from A$27.878 billion a month earlier.
Consumption goods fell A$213 million (3 percent), while capital goods shed A$160 million (3 percent) and non-monetary gold lost A$148 million (29 percent).
Intermediate and other merchandise goods gained A$215 million (2 percent). Services debits added A$21 million.
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