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U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Technical information:					      		  	  USDL-09-0033
     (202) 691-7101								  Transmission of this
Media contact:								          material is embargoed
     (202) 691-5902								  until 8:30 A.M. EST
Internet address:   http://www.bls.gov/mxp					  Wednesday, January 14, 2009


                                   U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                             - DECEMBER 2008 -

   The U.S. Import Price Index declined 4.2 percent in December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of 
the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, following decreases in each of the previous four months.  
Export prices also fell for the fifth consecutive month, declining 2.3 percent in December after a 3.4 
percent drop the previous month.

                             Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                                            by End Use category
                                        - not seasonally adjusted -


Month IMPORTS EXPORTS
All
imports
Petroleum
imports
Non-
petroleum
imports
All
exports
Agri-
cultural
exports
Non-
agricultural
exports

2007

December

-0.2 -1.8 0.4 0.5 2.6 0.3

2008

January

1.5 4.2 0.7 1.2 4.8 0.8

February

0.2 -1.3 0.6 0.9 4.6 0.6

March

3.1 10.1 1.1 1.6 4.7 1.3

April

2.8 8.1 1.3 0.5 -2.0 0.7

May

2.8 9.7 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.4

June

3.0 9.2 0.9 1.0 2.3 0.9

July

1.4 3.3 0.6 1.5 6.7 0.9

August

-3.1 -9.8 -0.4 -1.6 -9.6 -0.7

September

(r)-3.6 (r)-11.4 (r)-1.0 -0.8 0.1 -0.9

October

(r)-5.9 (r)-22.0 (r)-0.8 (r)-2.1 (r)-8.3 (r)-1.4

November

(r)-7.0 (r)-28.5 -1.8 (r)-3.4 (r)-7.3 -2.9

December

-4.2 -21.4 -1.1 -2.3 -6.5 -1.9

Dec. 2006 to 2007

10.6 48.1 3.0 6.0 23.3 4.5

Dec. 2007 to 2008

-9.3 -47.0 0.9 -3.2 -11.6 -2.3

Footnotes
(r) Revised

 

Import Goods
   
   
   Import prices fell 4.2 percent in December and have fallen 21.7 percent overall since July.  
Continued lower prices for both petroleum and nonpetroleum prices in December contributed to the 
decrease.  Overall, import prices fell 9.3 percent in 2008, the first year the index declined since a 9.1 
percent drop in 2001.  The 2008 decrease was also the largest calendar year decline since the index was 
first published in 1982.
   
   Petroleum prices fell sharply for the fifth consecutive month, decreasing 21.4 percent in 
December after falling 55.5 percent over the previous four months.  Despite increasing 51.6 percent over 
the first seven months of 2008, petroleum prices finished the year down 47.0 percent for the December 
2007-2008 period.  That decline was the largest calendar year decrease since the index was first 
published in 1982 and followed a 48.1 percent increase in 2007.     
   
   Nonpetroleum prices also decreased for the fifth consecutive month in December and the index 
declined 4.9 percent overall since July.  In December, the index fell 1.1 percent after a 1.8 percent 
decrease in November.
   
   The December decline in nonpetroleum prices was primarily led by a second consecutive 5.1 
percent decrease in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials.  Falling prices for 
unfinished metals and chemicals were the largest contributors to the declines in each of the past two 
months.  Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices fell 1.1 percent over the past year, led 
primarily by declining metals prices.    

   Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles also contributed to the December 
decrease in nonpetroleum prices, falling 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.  Despite the declines, 
both indexes rose over the past year.  Capital goods prices increased 0.3 percent in 2008, while prices for 
automotive vehicles advanced 0.7 percent.      
   
   In contrast, the price indexes for foods, feeds, and beverages and consumer goods prices both 
rose in December, increasing 2.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.  The December advance in foods, 
feeds, and beverages prices was driven by higher prices for vegetables and fruit, which more than offset 
lower meat prices.  Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 5.7 percent for the 2008 calendar year, while 
the price index of import consumer goods increased 2.2 percent.  


Export Goods 


   Export prices fell 2.3 percent as both agricultural and nonagricultural prices declined in 
December.  Prices for exports were down 7.5 percent in the last quarter of 2008, the largest three-month 
decrease since the index was first published in 1983.  Export prices declined 3.2 percent in 2008, the 
first calendar year drop since 2001 and the largest since 1998.
   
   Agricultural products fell for the third consecutive month, decreasing 6.5 percent in December 
after a 7.3 percent drop the previous month.  Falling prices for corn, soybeans, meat, and wheat were the 
largest factors leading the December decline.  The price index for agricultural exports fell 11.6 percent in 
2008, the largest calendar year decrease since the index was first published in 1985, following an 
increase of 23.3 percent in 2007 which was the largest calendar year increase since the index was first 
published.
   
   Nonagricultural prices declined 1.9 percent in December and 2.3 percent in 2008.  The annual 
decrease was the first calendar year drop for the index since 2001.  In December, the decrease was led by 
a 6.0 percent decline in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials.  Lower 
prices for fuels, metals, and chemicals all contributed to the decrease.  Nonagricultural industrial 
supplies and materials prices fell 9.6 percent for the December 2007-2008 period.   
   
    Prices for each of the major finished goods categories also decreased in December, although the 
indexes all rose overall in 2008.  Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles both declined 
0.2 percent in December, while the price index for consumer goods fell 0.3 percent.  In 2008, capital 
goods prices rose 0.7 percent, automotive vehicle prices 1.2 percent, and consumer goods prices 1.1 
percent.    


                           Summary of December-to-December Percent Changes


                               1999   2000    2001   2002   2003   2004   2005   2006    2007    2008
                               
All Commodity Imports           7.0    3.2    -9.1    4.2    2.4    6.7    8.0    2.5    10.6    -9.3

   Excluding Petroleum          0.0    1.3    -4.5    0.3    1.2    3.7    2.4    1.9     3.0     0.9
   
   Petroleum                  137.2   17.6   -39.5   56.9   12.8   30.3   42.4    5.3    48.1   -47.0
   
All Commodity Exports           0.5    1.1    -2.5    1.0    2.2    4.0    2.8    4.5     6.0    -3.2

   Excluding Agricultural       1.2    0.9    -2.5    0.4    1.3    5.0    2.6    3.7     4.5    -2.3
   
   Agricultural                -6.8    3.1    -1.8    8.0   13.4   -5.9    4.9   13.5    23.3   -11.6



Imports by Locality of Origin 

	
   Prices of imports from China fell 0.4 percent in December after a 0.5 percent decline in 
November.  Despite the recent decreases, import prices from China advanced 3.1 percent in 2008 after 
rising 2.4 percent in 2007, the first calendar year increase for the index which was first published in 
2003.
   
   Import prices from Canada fell for the fifth consecutive month, declining 3.2 percent in 
December following a 7.2 percent drop the previous month.  Falling fuel prices continued to lead the 
decrease.  The index fell 5.6 percent in 2008, the largest calendar year decline since an 11.7 percent drop 
in 2001.  The price index for imports from the European Union also decreased for the fifth consecutive 
month in December, falling 1.7 percent.  Despite the recent declines, the index ticked up 0.2 percent 
over the past year. 
   
   In contrast, prices of imports from Japan and from Mexico each rose in December, increasing 0.2 
percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.  The price index for imports from Japan increased 1.8 percent in 
2008, the largest calendar year advance since the index rose 2.8 percent in 1995.  Import prices from 
Mexico fell 5.0 percent in 2008, led by lower petroleum prices. 
   


Import and Export Services


   Import air passenger fares edged down 0.3 percent in December after a 5.0 percent decline in 
November.  The December decrease was driven by a 10.2 percent drop in European fares which more 
than offset rising prices for Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares.  The index of import air 
passenger fares increased 16.2 percent overall for the December 2007-2008 period.  In contrast, export 
air passenger fares advanced 0.8 percent in December as a 3.8 percent increase in Asian fares and a 3.0 
percent rise in Latin American/Caribbean fares more than offset a 2.5 percent fall in European fares.  
Export air passenger fares rose 2.7 percent over the past 12 months.   
	
   The price index of import air freight declined 1.8 percent in December, led by a 6.8 percent 
decrease in European air freight prices.  The drop followed decreases of 4.1 percent, 3.3 percent, and 3.2 
percent, respectively, over the previous three months.  Despite those declines, the index advanced 0.8 
percent in 2008.  Export air freight prices fell 2.7 percent in December, the fourth consecutive monthly 
decline for the index.  However, for the year ended in December, export air freight prices rose 6.8 
percent.  
   

CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for January 2009 are scheduled for release on February 18, 2009 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.).  

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to December 2008 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

All commodities

  100.000 120.6 115.5 -9.3 -3.6 -5.9 -7.0 -4.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  84.795 111.1 109.9 0.9 -1.0 -0.8 -1.8 -1.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  82.767 113.9 112.6 1.1 -0.5 -0.8 -1.7 -1.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

4.701 138.9 142.1 5.7 -1.7 -1.4 -4.7 2.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.625 153.6 159.0 7.2 -1.7 -1.6 -5.5 3.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.076 105.7 103.8 0.8 -1.6 -1.1 -2.0 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

33.772 176.9 154.8 -26.7 -8.1 -14.1 -17.3 -12.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  18.567 153.7 145.9 -1.1 -3.1 -3.3 -5.1 -5.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  16.539 164.1 154.7 -0.5 -1.5 -3.3 -5.4 -5.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.506 151.1 141.3 -5.2 -3.0 -4.4 -6.8 -6.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  6.033 156.4 151.3 4.7 -3.3 -1.9 -2.5 -3.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

17.233 202.8 164.4 -43.4 -11.7 -20.7 -26.2 -18.9

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

15.206 207.0 162.6 -47.0 -11.4 -22.0 -28.5 -21.4

Crude

10000

10.767 205.6 166.6 -47.0 -13.3 -23.8 -29.8 -19.0

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas

101

1.759 181.2 181.0 -1.3 -16.4 -3.1 -2.1 -0.1

Gas-natural

10110

1.557 172.3 172.2 -3.5 -18.6 -3.8 -2.4 -0.1

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.810 115.1 113.4 3.8 0.2 -2.9 -1.1 -1.5

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.300 155.7 148.2 9.5 1.8 -1.2 -2.9 -4.8

Selected building materials

13

1.938 119.0 118.2 1.9 0.5 -1.8 -1.2 -0.7

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

4.656 208.4 183.2 -15.7 -5.5 -7.3 -12.0 -12.1

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

2.080 147.9 141.3 4.7 -1.5 -2.6 -5.1 -4.5

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.755 110.5 109.5 5.5 -0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -0.9

Capital goods

2

22.787 92.8 92.5 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 -0.3

Electric generating equipment

20

2.946 111.4 111.0 2.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

18.043 87.6 87.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)

22

1.798 120.2 120.2 4.8 0.1 1.4 0.3 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

14.176 107.7 107.5 0.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.5 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.564 104.8 104.9 2.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.359 108.1 108.2 2.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

12.025 101.6 101.6 2.3 0.1 0.2 -0.4 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.180 103.2 103.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.7 -2.5 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to December 2008 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

All commodities

  100.000 118.2 115.5 -3.2 -0.8 -2.1 -3.4 -2.3

Agricultural commodities

  8.833 160.0 149.6 -11.6 0.1 -8.3 -7.3 -6.5

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.167 115.2 113.0 -2.3 -0.9 -1.4 -2.9 -1.9

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.186 164.7 154.7 -9.6 0.4 -8.1 -5.9 -6.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.456 166.8 156.1 -10.9 0.5 -8.8 -6.4 -6.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.730 148.5 144.2 6.0 -0.1 1.6 0.4 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials

1

28.753 147.7 138.9 -9.9 -2.6 -4.5 -8.7 -6.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.872 149.6 140.8 -11.6 -4.7 -4.2 -6.5 -5.9

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  17.881 147.4 138.5 -8.8 -1.4 -4.7 -9.8 -6.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.377 131.6 122.4 -15.4 -2.2 -5.7 -11.4 -7.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  27.376 148.9 140.0 -9.6 -2.7 -4.5 -8.4 -6.0

Fuels & lubricants

11

4.114 196.3 171.7 -22.9 -3.1 -10.6 -17.9 -12.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.194 144.8 137.6 -7.3 -2.7 -3.4 -6.8 -5.0

Selected building materials

13

1.068 115.4 114.5 0.7 0.2 1.0 -1.0 -0.8

Capital goods

2

40.537 101.5 101.3 0.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.863 109.1 108.8 1.2 0.3 0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

28.500 93.4 93.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)

22

8.174 131.0 131.3 5.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.076 108.2 108.0 1.2 0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.448 108.8 108.5 1.1 0.3 0.5 -0.9 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.654 106.7 106.1 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 -1.9 -0.6

Durables, manufactured

41

5.750 109.9 109.9 4.5 1.4 1.1 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to December 2008 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

Nonmanufactured articles

  14.952 101.6 87.7 -37.9 -12.4 -20.4 -24.7 -13.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.687 124.9 139.6 17.2 -2.4 -4.0 -7.0 11.8

Crop production

111

1.209 128.8 155.4 27.1 -1.8 -5.4 -5.1 20.7

Mining

21

13.265 99.2 82.4 -42.5 -13.1 -21.7 -26.5 -16.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec. 2006=100)

212

0.440 127.9 127.7 19.5 2.0 0.8 -1.5 -0.2

Manufactured articles

  84.488 109.0 106.4 -1.8 -0.7 -1.8 -2.8 -2.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.455 107.6 107.2 1.0 -0.6 -0.3 -1.5 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

2.551 120.5 117.8 0.6 -1.8 -1.3 -5.6 -2.2

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.873 105.7 106.1 1.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.4

Textile mills

313

0.473 111.8 110.4 1.2 -0.6 -0.5 -1.1 -1.3

Textile product mills

314

0.800 102.3 102.3 1.7 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.215 102.1 102.8 0.6 -0.5 0.2 0.1 0.7

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.543 106.0 105.8 2.4 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.472 116.7 108.9 -6.7 -0.8 -5.1 -6.8 -6.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

1.182 93.7 92.8 -0.5 0.7 -4.3 -1.9 -1.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.378 111.4 110.2 6.6 0.1 -1.6 -0.9 -1.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

3.579 103.1 75.5 -45.2 -4.9 -17.0 -25.0 -26.8

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.141 127.7 124.3 7.7 1.2 -0.4 -1.3 -2.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.844 113.4 113.3 7.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.244 118.1 117.8 7.6 -0.2 2.4 -0.1 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

55.561 106.7 105.3 -0.7 -0.7 -0.8 -1.7 -1.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.532 145.6 129.3 -13.6 -4.8 -6.7 -11.0 -11.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.865 120.7 119.5 7.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.9 -1.0

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.127 110.4 110.3 3.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.479 91.4 91.0 -3.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.038 114.1 113.9 4.9 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

14.996 104.8 104.6 1.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.605 110.5 110.2 7.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.920 110.4 110.7 2.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.5 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to December 2008 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.053 123.5 114.9 -18.0 -0.8 -11.0 -5.8 -7.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.828 138.8 128.7 -18.1 0.2 -12.3 -6.0 -7.3

Crop production

111

4.479 142.7 131.8 -19.2 0.3 -13.0 -6.4 -7.6

Mining

21

1.225 89.7 84.4 -17.7 -5.0 -5.3 -4.7 -5.9

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

0.844 92.6 91.9 -7.6 -2.6 -3.0 -3.5 -0.8

Manufactured articles

  91.950 109.0 107.2 -0.6 -0.6 -1.1 -2.6 -1.7

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.994 120.5 117.0 2.0 -0.6 -1.3 -3.3 -2.9

Food manufacturing

311

4.578 134.0 128.7 3.0 -0.8 -1.7 -4.8 -4.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.502 104.0 105.5 1.6 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 1.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.486 101.5 101.6 1.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

22.682 114.7 109.7 -4.4 -0.9 -2.9 -7.1 -4.4

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.537 111.2 111.2 1.3 0.3 0.1 -1.2 0.0

Paper manufacturing

322

2.010 115.3 113.6 1.0 0.2 0.0 -1.0 -1.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.637 119.6 98.2 -30.6 -3.4 -13.1 -23.4 -17.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.338 115.2 111.4 -1.5 -0.8 -1.5 -5.9 -3.3

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.291 111.7 110.7 4.3 0.8 0.4 -0.5 -0.9

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.869 112.2 112.2 4.6 0.8 1.2 0.7 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

62.274 105.7 105.1 0.4 -0.5 -0.3 -0.8 -0.6

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.294 126.0 118.2 -9.2 -6.4 -5.2 -8.4 -6.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.858 119.0 118.6 4.8 -0.2 0.6 -0.3 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

12.542 111.4 111.3 4.4 0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.659 92.9 92.5 -4.0 -0.3 -1.1 -0.4 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.726 107.0 106.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.6

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.129 107.8 108.0 2.7 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.716 111.9 111.8 5.5 1.3 1.4 -0.2 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to December 2008 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

Live animals; animal products

I

1.152 130.1 125.8 -0.2 -3.5 -2.9 -6.2 -3.3

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.272 157.3 149.9 1.8 -1.8 -2.1 -7.3 -4.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.580 102.2 99.5 0.4 -2.3 -1.5 -2.8 -2.6

Vegetable products

II

1.404 150.2 176.6 24.8 -1.1 -3.1 -4.6 17.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.406 237.5 354.5 73.7 -1.4 10.8 -1.1 49.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.415 102.8 116.8 24.4 1.5 -6.6 -5.7 13.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.245 147.3 144.8 -5.0 -1.0 -9.9 -4.2 -1.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.298 133.7 134.0 4.3 -1.5 -2.4 -2.3 0.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; bakers' wares (Dec. 2007=100)

19

0.187 104.4 102.5 2.5 -1.0 -3.0 -4.9 -1.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants

20

0.243 133.7 132.1 -1.8 0.1 -0.9 -3.9 -1.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.839 114.7 114.6 1.8 -2.2 -1.9 -0.3 -0.1

Mineral products

V

17.336 204.6 167.9 -41.3 -11.6 -20.2 -25.2 -17.9

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster materials, lime & cement (Dec.2007=100)

25

0.225 102.4 102.3 2.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral waxes

27

16.665 201.9 164.3 -42.7 -11.8 -20.7 -26.0 -18.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.213 140.6 135.1 5.2 1.8 -0.2 -2.9 -3.9

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.204 291.0 252.3 19.0 7.2 -0.5 -0.7 -13.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.510 125.2 119.3 -6.0 0.1 -0.3 -6.6 -4.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.428 113.1 112.9 2.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments; varnish & paints; putty

32

0.174 105.1 104.8 2.1 2.2 -3.6 -0.5 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.429 122.3 120.9 5.8 -1.5 0.7 -2.2 -1.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.433 98.4 97.5 -1.1 -1.9 -0.8 -1.3 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.097 133.3 130.9 4.3 0.1 -1.2 -2.1 -1.8

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.046 130.8 130.0 5.8 0.1 -2.4 -0.8 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.051 138.2 132.6 1.5 0.1 0.8 -4.6 -4.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel goods, etc

VIII

0.620 112.8 112.2 1.5 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 -0.5

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc. of various materials

42

0.569 113.2 112.8 1.6 -0.8 0.6 -0.4 -0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, basketware and wickerwork

IX

1.220 114.5 113.4 -0.8 0.7 -4.5 -1.9 -1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.534 114.9 113.8 5.6 0.0 -1.5 -0.8 -1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard

48

1.089 114.0 113.7 12.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.5 -0.3

Printed matter

49

0.271 119.3 119.3 1.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.318 103.7 103.8 0.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.919 100.6 99.4 -1.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -1.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

2.102 102.7 104.6 1.9 -0.5 0.5 0.0 1.9

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.541 95.7 95.7 3.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.287 106.8 106.8 2.8 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.080 105.9 105.9 3.3 -0.1 0.2 0.4 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics, glass etc.

XIII

1.074 122.7 122.3 7.6 -0.3 3.6 -0.3 -0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)

68

0.400 119.5 119.6 13.0 0.2 3.3 -0.1 0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.346 132.0 131.9 8.9 -0.5 7.7 -0.2 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.328 115.1 113.9 0.4 -0.7 0.0 -0.6 -1.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation jewelry, and coins

XIV

2.569 130.6 128.5 -9.8 -7.6 -2.1 -6.3 -1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

7.165 178.3 164.8 -3.7 -2.3 -4.8 -8.1 -7.6

Iron and steel

72

2.324 257.9 221.3 5.4 -1.7 -8.6 -7.8 -14.2

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.986 162.8 158.9 18.7 -0.1 -0.7 -1.5 -2.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.641 215.4 187.8 -36.4 -6.2 -8.0 -23.2 -12.8

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.916 126.4 118.4 -16.0 -4.1 -5.4 -12.0 -6.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof

82

0.392 116.4 115.7 4.1 0.2 0.4 -0.5 -0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.492 132.2 132.0 4.0 0.2 1.0 0.0 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image and sound recorders, parts, etc.

XVI

25.388 88.1 87.9 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.004 88.0 87.6 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.8 -0.5

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV recorders & reproducers, parts

85

12.384 88.2 88.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.047 109.2 108.9 0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.063 108.0 107.8 0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.7 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec. 2002=100)

88

0.887 115.6 115.5 4.6 0.1 2.8 0.2 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical instruments; & timepieces

XVIII

3.042 101.3 101.0 1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.723 99.2 99.0 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.239 121.6 120.4 2.3 -0.2 0.9 -1.1 -1.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.011 107.4 107.2 5.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps & lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs

94

2.333 112.8 112.5 6.7 0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.465 99.8 99.8 3.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.213 112.4 112.3 4.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to December 2008 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

Live animals; animal products

I

1.596 160.3 155.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.9 -10.4 -2.9

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)

02

0.807 124.0 119.7 -4.2 -1.6 -2.6 -16.0 -3.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.462 153.9 151.4 11.0 0.5 3.1 -0.6 -1.6

Vegetable products

II

4.642 187.6 171.5 -15.2 1.1 -11.5 -5.4 -8.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.643 109.8 107.0 -11.8 -3.9 -6.1 -1.9 -2.6

Cereals

10

1.883 203.9 177.7 -25.8 8.6 -15.0 -10.4 -12.8

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits, plants, straw and fodder

12

1.382 194.8 178.4 -14.5 -4.4 -15.7 -4.0 -8.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.426 132.9 131.1 1.9 0.4 -2.1 -0.7 -1.4

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.463 121.4 121.6 3.8 0.2 1.0 -0.6 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.550 176.8 164.4 -6.6 1.9 -10.4 -2.6 -7.0

Mineral products

V

4.148 236.5 207.4 -23.2 -3.5 -11.2 -17.7 -12.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral waxes

27

3.614 229.2 196.8 -24.9 -3.6 -12.3 -18.9 -14.1

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.780 136.9 133.7 -0.3 -0.9 -1.3 -5.2 -2.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.327 206.4 203.8 18.7 2.0 0.2 -1.9 -1.3

Organic chemicals

29

3.305 138.6 131.8 -11.5 -2.0 -3.3 -13.6 -4.9

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.540 113.9 112.9 -3.3 -0.7 -0.5 -2.6 -0.9

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints, varnish, putty, & inks

32

0.553 113.9 114.1 -2.5 -0.3 -0.3 -1.0 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.679 119.6 118.7 0.3 -0.8 -0.6 -2.1 -0.8

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring products; candles, pastes

34

0.432 121.9 121.8 7.8 1.3 -0.2 -0.7 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.758 130.9 127.0 4.7 0.2 0.5 0.3 -3.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.565 141.9 136.7 0.9 0.3 -1.0 -4.2 -3.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.430 135.0 129.9 -1.4 0.1 -1.7 -4.2 -3.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.135 173.3 167.2 10.3 1.3 1.6 -4.0 -3.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel goods, etc.

VIII

0.392 111.0 94.2 -19.8 -0.9 -1.6 -2.0 -15.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, basketware and wickerwork

IX

0.648 109.5 108.6 -1.8 -0.4 -0.2 -2.2 -0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.413 107.6 105.5 -8.3 -0.3 -1.4 -7.4 -2.0

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.524 91.9 86.5 -29.7 -0.6 -6.6 -24.4 -5.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard

48

1.378 114.4 113.5 2.9 0.3 0.9 -0.3 -0.8

Printed material

49

0.511 113.1 112.1 -7.9 -1.3 -0.1 -3.6 -0.9

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.237 104.4 103.9 -1.3 -0.4 -2.0 -2.6 -0.5

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.630 95.0 92.3 -10.7 -2.0 -7.1 -7.5 -2.8

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics, glass etc.

XIII

0.840 113.5 113.5 2.1 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.446 99.5 99.5 0.2 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation jewelry, and coins

XIV

3.758 165.7 161.1 -6.2 -6.2 -1.7 -5.3 -2.8

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.377 154.0 144.1 -11.2 -3.5 -6.0 -7.1 -6.4

Iron and steel

72

1.295 184.3 169.2 -13.5 -6.9 -11.3 -10.3 -8.2

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.524 159.4 158.7 7.7 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.505 180.1 117.5 -49.7 -3.6 -9.3 -20.4 -34.8

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.763 108.8 101.8 -27.9 -7.0 -9.0 -13.7 -6.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof

82

0.408 121.8 121.9 5.5 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.379 129.1 128.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -1.1 -0.8

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image and sound recorders, parts, etc.

XVI

31.430 94.7 94.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.676 104.4 104.2 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

13.754 84.1 83.8 -2.2 -0.1 -1.1 -0.2 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.636 117.8 118.0 2.6 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.615 107.7 107.6 1.4 0.1 0.5 0.1 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical instruments; & timepieces

XVIII

6.236 106.0 105.8 0.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.8 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.483 108.3 108.1 1.3 0.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.794 117.4 117.4 2.4 0.5 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.540 95.1 95.1 2.4 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: December 2007 to December 2008 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

Industrialized Countries(2)

42.888 123.4 120.5 -3.0 -3.2 -3.8 -5.0 -2.4

Nonmanufactured articles

4.201 188.2 168.4 -26.2 -13.9 -18.9 -16.8 -10.5

Manufactured articles

38.251 118.2 116.3 0.0 -1.1 -1.4 -3.4 -1.6

Other Countries(3)

57.112 118.4 112.7 -11.6 -3.9 -7.7 -7.7 -4.8

Nonmanufactured articles

12.058 198.0 171.4 -38.6 -11.5 -21.3 -25.1 -13.4

Manufactured articles

44.837 106.6 103.6 -2.3 -0.5 -2.2 -2.0 -2.8

Canada

16.032 138.9 134.4 -5.6 -5.1 -6.6 -7.2 -3.2

Nonmanufactured articles

3.711 185.0 165.7 -25.5 -14.5 -17.7 -17.7 -10.4

Manufactured articles

12.028 131.3 129.5 1.5 -0.6 -1.9 -3.5 -1.4

European Union(4)

17.355 126.4 124.3 0.2 -1.4 -1.4 -2.5 -1.7

Nonmanufactured articles

0.249 249.0 221.4 -27.4 -14.5 -24.4 -0.9 -11.1

Manufactured articles

16.987 123.8 121.8 0.6 -1.2 -0.9 -2.5 -1.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.844 118.8 118.0 6.2 -0.6 0.4 -1.8 -0.7

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.732 109.1 108.0 -1.2 -1.1 -0.9 -1.6 -1.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.684 122.8 117.7 -7.0 -4.2 -3.9 -4.6 -4.2

Latin America(5)

18.032 145.9 137.1 -15.1 -4.9 -10.7 -10.1 -6.0

Nonmanufactured articles

5.151 200.4 190.3 -34.3 -10.4 -22.0 -26.2 -5.0

Manufactured articles

12.786 136.5 127.7 -4.9 -1.3 -4.0 -2.2 -6.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

10.710 129.9 130.6 -5.0 -2.7 -7.1 -6.8 0.5

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)(6)

33.822 101.7 101.2 1.3 -1.1 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5

China (Dec. 2003=100)

15.926 103.1 102.7 3.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4

Japan

8.032 95.7 95.9 1.8 -0.6 0.5 0.3 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

5.887 92.0 91.1 2.5 -0.7 -0.8 -0.5 -1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

6.041 98.7 97.6 -1.1 -1.2 -1.2 -1.6 -1.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)(9)

3.928 173.9 150.7 -34.0 -10.2 -16.9 -20.2 -13.3

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2006 trade values.
(2) Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) Includes European Union countries.
(5) Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) Includes China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Regions are not mutually exclusive.
Dash = Not available


Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: December 2007 to December 2008 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2008
Dec.
2008
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2007
to
Dec.
2008
Aug.
2008
to
Sept.
2008
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 145.6 143.0 0.8 -3.2 -3.3 -4.1 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

26.640 141.4 131.8 -11.1 -7.7 -6.4 -10.4 -6.8

Asia

61.936 125.8 126.3 4.4 -0.6 -1.4 -0.9 0.4

Export Air Freight

100.000 139.5 135.7 6.8 -1.4 -1.9 -1.5 -2.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

42.188 130.2 125.0 9.8 -1.6 -3.9 -3.1 -4.0

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 142.8 139.3 0.9 -2.5 -2.6 -3.3 -2.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

29.194 141.2 131.8 -8.4 -6.0 -4.8 -8.4 -6.7

Asia

58.228 122.0 121.6 4.8 -0.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 138.7 133.9 7.7 -1.7 -3.3 -2.5 -3.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

41.611 157.8 151.4 7.1 -2.3 -4.3 -2.0 -4.1

Asia

40.735 123.9 121.5 9.6 -1.1 -3.0 -3.0 -1.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 157.6 157.2 16.2 -6.9 2.9 -5.0 -0.3

Europe

45.226 163.7 147.0 18.5 -10.1 4.1 -7.0 -10.2

Asia

25.280 138.3 152.3 14.1 -7.8 0.9 1.5 10.1

Latin America/Caribbean

11.256 129.4 157.6 22.8 -13.0 -3.3 -0.2 21.8

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 158.6 159.9 2.7 -11.0 -5.6 -2.2 0.8

Europe

29.947 190.1 185.3 1.5 -10.9 -3.3 -7.2 -2.5

Asia

35.648 136.3 141.5 11.9 -14.9 -10.3 4.0 3.8

Latin America/Caribbean

20.582 163.2 168.1 -1.1 -8.3 -1.2 -2.2 3.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2006 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight Indexes are based on 2005 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


                                        TECHNICAL NOTE


Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres 
formula and are not seasonally adjusted.  Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, 
with a two-year lag in the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More 
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by 
calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using 
three classification systems.  Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 
Analysis Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS).  While 
classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for 
classifying items by industry.  In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output 
industry, not input industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products 
manufacturing) include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  The 
NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price 
Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  
The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 
(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for 
crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 
system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 
(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 
industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

Services Price Indexes -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 
calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service.  These data include tickets sold by 
travel agencies and travel websites.  Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 
flyer tickets generally.  Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 
sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. 
The scope of the service being priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does 
not include any ground transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 
International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets 
specifying detailed information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under 
"Publications and Other Documentation."

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 
for the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 
using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  
Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 
NAICS 31-33. 
 
Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further data 
revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision in 
the releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  
Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, 
Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 
International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also 
can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 
indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis.

E-Mail Subscription -- The IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp).  Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access to 
either a large volume of time series data or other IPP-related documentation. The FTP site can be 
accessed at ftp://ftp.bls.gov.   For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 
(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For IPP data requests, send e-mail to (mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.  
Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.

Last Modified Date: January 14, 2009