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Economic News Release
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U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                  USDL-12-0265
8:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Technical information: (202) 691-7101 * MXPinfo@bls.gov * www.bls.gov/mxp
Media contact:	       (202) 691-5902 * PressOffice@bls.gov


                           U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES - JANUARY 2012

U.S. import prices rose 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 
ticking down 0.1 percent in December. Higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the 
January increase. Prices for U.S. exports also advanced in January, rising 0.2 percent following a 0.5 percent 
decline the previous month.


Imports
 	
All Imports: Overall import prices increased for the second time in three months in January, rising 0.3 
percent following a 0.1 percent downturn in December and a 0.7 percent advance in November. Prior to the 
past three months, import prices had trended mostly down between June and October. However, the price 
index for overall imports rose 7.1 percent over the past 12 months. In January, both a 1.0 percent increase in 
fuel prices and a 0.1 percent uptick in nonfuel prices contributed to the monthly rise.   

Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuels rose 1.0 percent in January after declining 0.6 percent the previous 
month and increasing 3.3 percent in November. The January advance was driven by a 1.2 percent rise in 
petroleum prices. In contrast, prices for natural gas decreased a further 5.8 percent in January following a 4.1 
percent drop in December. Fuel prices increased 20.8 percent for the year ended in January, led by a 23.7 
percent advance in petroleum prices, the largest component of import fuels, which more than offset a 22.5 
percent decline in the price index for natural gas.    

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices ticked up 0.1 percent in January after a 0.2 percent 
advance the previous month. In January, prices for the major nonfuel categories were mixed. The price 
indexes for foods, feeds, and beverages; capital goods; and automotive vehicles rose for the month, while 
prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and consumer goods declined. Prices for nonfuel imports 
increased 2.9 percent over the past year.          

Table A. Percent changes

Month IMPORTS EXPORTS
All
imports
Fuel
imports
Nonfuel
imports
All
exports
Agri-
cultural
exports
Non-
agricultural
exports

2011

January

1.5 4.1 0.7 1.3 3.1 1.0

February

1.7 5.6 0.5 1.3 4.6 1.0

March

3.0 9.7 0.8 1.5 2.2 1.4

April

2.6 7.6 0.8 0.8 -0.5 0.9

May

0.1 -0.6 0.3 0.4 -1.1 0.5

June

-0.6 -2.3 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.2

July

0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.4 -4.0 0.1

August

-0.4 -2.1 0.2 0.4 1.6 0.3

September

-0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.5 1.9 0.3

October

-0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -2.0 -6.5 -1.4

November

(r)0.7 (r)3.3 -0.2 0.1 1.7 (r)-0.1

December

-0.1 (r)-0.6 (r)0.2 -0.5 (r)-2.4 -0.2

2012

January

0.3 1.0 0.1 0.2 1.1 0.0

Jan. 2010 to 2011

5.6 13.9 3.4 7.0 22.7 5.4

Jan. 2011 to 2012

7.1 20.8 2.9 2.5 -1.0 3.0

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports 

All Exports: The price index for overall exports rose 0.2 percent in January, led by higher agricultural prices, 
after declining 0.5 percent in December. Export prices advanced 2.5 percent for the year ended in January, 
the smallest year-over-year increase since a 0.4 percent rise between November 2008 and November 2009.  

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose 1.1 percent in January after falling 7.3 percent in 
the final quarter of 2011. An upturn in soybean and corn prices, which increased 6.3 percent and 6.1 percent, 
respectively, drove the January advance. Agricultural prices fell 1.0 percent over the last 12 months as lower 
prices for soybeans, cotton, and wheat more than offset rising prices for meat, vegetable, and corn.       

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices were unchanged in January after decreasing in 
each of the previous three months. In January, the price indexes for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials and for consumer goods decreased, while prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles rose. 
The price index for nonagricultural exports increased 3.0 percent for the January 2011-12 period, as price 
increases for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, and each of the major finished goods 
categories all contributed to the advance.    
		
                                          SELECTED JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 0.8 
percent in January, led by a 1.9 percent drop in unfinished metals prices and a 0.7 percent decline in 
chemicals prices. Decreasing prices for nonmonetary gold and other precious metals were the main 
contributors to the lower metals prices, and a 5.4 percent fall in fertilizer prices drove the decline in the price 
index for import chemicals.           

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories were mixed in January. Prices for 
capital goods and automotive vehicles rose for the month, increasing 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent, 
respectively. In contrast, consumer goods prices fell for the first time in ten months, decreasing 0.4 percent 
in January.         
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 2.3 percent in January following a 
0.4 percent decline in December. The January increase was led by 14.6 percent advance in the price index 
for import vegetables.   

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China advanced 0.3 percent in January and 3.5 
percent over the past year. The price index for imports from China has not recorded a monthly decrease 
since a 0.2 percent drop in June 2010. Import prices from Mexico and Japan also rose in January increasing 
1.2 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union fell 1.1 
percent in January and import prices from Canada declined 0.5 percent.     

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 0.2 percent in January following a 1.6 
percent advance the previous month. The January rise was led by a 4.8 percent increase in European fares, 
which more than offset declining Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. The price index for import air 
freight decreased 3.3 percent in January.    


Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials fell 0.4 percent in January after a 0.7 percent decrease in December. The January drop in 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices was led by a 6.3 percent decrease in nonferrous 
metals prices, unlike December when the decline was driven by lower fuel prices. Export fuel prices rose 1.3 
percent in January.       
  
Finished Goods: Both capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles advanced in January, rising 
0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, consumer goods prices fell 0.4 percent in January 
following a 0.5 percent drop over the fourth quarter of 2011. The January decline was driven by lower prices 
for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical preparatory materials.                

Transportation Services: The index for export air passenger fares increased 3.2 percent after a 3.8 percent 
rise in December. Higher Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares contributed to the advances in each 
month. Export air freight prices rose 1.6 percent after ticking up 0.1 percent the previous month.
		
Import and Export Price Index data for February 2012 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 
March 14, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to January 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

All commodities

  100.000 142.1 142.5 7.1 -0.4 0.7 -0.1 0.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec. 2010=100)

  70.585 103.4 103.3 2.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum

  76.805 116.4 116.4 2.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  75.660 120.5 120.6 2.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.075 172.5 176.5 5.9 -0.6 -0.2 -0.4 2.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.930 194.0 199.0 6.1 -0.9 0.1 -0.5 2.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.145 123.7 125.5 4.8 0.2 -1.2 -0.3 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

37.494 263.1 264.0 14.7 -0.9 1.7 -0.5 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.299 167.8 165.9 1.2 -2.1 -1.3 -0.5 -1.1

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

  13.154 190.0 188.5 3.7 -1.5 -1.7 -0.2 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.833 179.9 178.5 2.1 -2.5 -2.5 0.0 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.320 153.4 151.2 0.1 -1.5 0.1 -1.2 -1.4

Fuels & lubricants

10

24.341 355.4 358.8 20.8 -0.6 3.3 -0.6 1.0

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

23.196 396.7 401.6 23.7 -0.3 3.4 -0.5 1.2

Crude

10000

17.547 408.3 411.9 23.4 0.0 4.4 0.2 0.9

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

101

0.839 115.0 109.3 -20.7 -8.4 2.5 -4.2 -5.0

Gas-natural

10110

0.739 101.4 95.5 -22.5 -9.6 3.6 -4.1 -5.8

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.592 114.8 112.7 -4.2 0.2 -0.9 -1.2 -1.8

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.815 175.0 174.7 8.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2

Selected building materials

13

0.966 130.8 131.4 1.5 -0.7 -0.1 0.5 0.5

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.767 277.8 272.4 -0.7 -4.2 -5.1 0.2 -1.9

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.526 162.2 161.1 5.0 -2.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.488 115.2 114.6 3.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.5

Capital goods

2

22.053 93.1 93.5 1.6 -0.2 0.1 0.3 0.4

Electric generating equipment

20

2.843 118.3 118.5 3.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.616 86.4 86.7 0.6 -0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3

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

22

1.593 130.0 131.7 8.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.389 113.3 113.9 3.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.5

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

23.989 107.6 107.2 2.6 0.6 0.1 0.3 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.476 114.3 114.1 3.3 1.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Durables, manufactured

41

11.218 100.2 99.7 1.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.5

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.295 119.3 118.7 12.0 0.2 -0.5 4.2 -0.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

All commodities

  100.000 132.1 132.3 2.5 -2.0 0.1 -0.5 0.2

Agricultural commodities

  10.629 200.3 202.6 -1.0 -6.5 1.7 -2.4 1.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec. 2010=100)

  81.539 102.4 102.3 1.7 -0.9 -0.5 0.0 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.371 127.3 127.3 3.0 -1.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.676 198.6 201.5 2.0 -6.9 2.1 -2.2 1.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.975 200.8 203.5 1.2 -7.5 2.3 -2.4 1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.701 183.8 188.2 12.8 0.1 -1.2 0.7 2.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.729 184.4 183.8 3.7 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.480 188.1 184.2 2.8 -3.4 -1.5 0.5 -2.1

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.248 183.2 184.4 4.2 -3.5 0.5 -1.5 0.7

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.654 201.3 201.3 -11.7 -1.3 -1.4 -2.7 0.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  33.075 184.0 183.3 4.7 -3.5 -0.1 -0.7 -0.4

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.785 270.2 273.6 11.7 -5.5 3.5 -2.9 1.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.357 173.6 171.9 2.4 -2.9 -1.5 0.2 -1.0

Selected building materials

13

0.933 115.6 115.2 -0.9 0.3 0.1 -0.6 -0.3

Capital goods

2

34.483 104.6 105.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.553 113.0 113.3 2.7 -0.4 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.044 94.2 94.5 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.3

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

22

5.886 145.6 146.5 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.6

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.226 111.9 112.1 2.7 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.886 116.8 116.3 3.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.918 113.9 112.6 -0.3 -0.8 -0.2 0.3 -1.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.360 113.3 113.5 2.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  20.938 174.3 175.3 17.7 -0.5 3.4 -0.2 0.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.854 175.0 176.1 1.9 -0.3 -1.7 -0.3 0.6

Crop production

111

1.316 181.7 186.6 5.5 -0.9 -1.4 0.2 2.7

Mining

21

19.084 173.9 174.8 19.5 -0.5 4.1 -0.2 0.5

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

212

0.331 146.6 147.3 1.4 -0.8 -2.7 -2.7 0.5

Manufactured articles

  78.600 117.9 118.1 4.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.689 123.9 124.9 7.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.8

Food manufacturing

311

2.968 157.4 159.9 9.4 -0.7 0.6 0.5 1.6

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.838 111.9 111.9 1.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.882 118.6 117.8 9.4 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.7

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.028 111.3 111.8 7.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.580 116.8 118.4 8.4 0.8 0.9 0.3 1.4

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.855 139.5 140.2 8.6 0.5 0.1 -1.0 0.5

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.570 107.4 108.0 -0.4 -1.5 -0.6 0.3 0.6

Paper manufacturing

322

1.086 111.7 110.5 -0.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.6 -1.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.789 177.4 182.5 27.7 -0.8 1.1 -2.6 2.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.649 134.3 133.2 2.0 1.4 -0.4 -0.5 -0.8

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.853 125.8 128.1 7.7 0.6 0.1 -0.2 1.8

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.820 128.6 129.3 3.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

50.056 110.0 109.9 1.9 -0.5 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.351 181.8 178.0 -0.1 -3.8 -4.2 0.3 -2.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.520 129.2 129.5 6.1 -0.8 0.5 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.507 119.5 120.3 3.9 -0.2 0.2 0.1 0.7

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.426 82.9 83.1 -1.7 -0.6 0.0 0.4 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.771 117.3 117.4 3.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.029 110.4 110.7 4.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.291 112.8 112.8 4.9 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.160 123.2 121.9 4.0 -0.2 0.4 0.4 -1.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.369 165.5 165.9 -5.2 -8.9 2.3 -2.6 0.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.015 186.7 190.6 -4.6 -10.6 3.4 -3.1 2.1

Crop production

111

5.594 193.2 197.8 -5.4 -11.4 4.3 -3.3 2.4

Mining

21

2.354 117.9 112.7 -6.6 -4.1 -0.2 -1.7 -4.4

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.616 141.3 138.0 4.2 -2.4 -0.9 -1.1 -2.3

Manufactured articles

  88.634 119.9 120.1 3.6 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.026 143.0 142.3 3.9 -0.8 -0.3 -1.0 -0.5

Food manufacturing

311

4.857 162.2 162.6 6.1 -0.2 -0.4 -1.3 0.2

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.552 115.2 114.0 -0.2 -1.4 1.8 -0.9 -1.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.417 118.6 119.8 11.5 1.1 1.1 1.5 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.403 132.6 133.3 5.9 -2.4 0.5 -0.7 0.5

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.407 114.5 114.6 1.1 -0.4 -0.2 0.4 0.1

Paper manufacturing

322

1.857 119.6 118.8 -4.4 -0.8 -1.7 -1.6 -0.7

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.131 163.8 167.7 16.0 -6.6 4.3 -3.6 2.4

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.078 130.9 130.8 3.7 -1.4 -0.5 0.3 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.175 116.0 117.1 8.5 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.9

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.754 110.7 111.1 0.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

55.205 112.7 112.9 2.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.063 179.7 172.4 4.4 -2.9 -2.7 1.2 -4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.631 128.9 129.3 4.4 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

10.941 117.8 120.6 4.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 2.4

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.462 89.5 89.3 -2.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.208 111.3 112.2 2.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.8

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.326 115.1 115.5 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.282 124.3 123.7 9.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.155 166.4 169.8 5.6 0.7 -0.6 -0.2 2.0

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.267 215.0 220.7 10.6 0.2 3.0 -0.5 2.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.609 121.5 124.2 1.6 0.3 -2.4 -0.8 2.2

Vegetable products

II

1.652 211.6 218.0 11.6 -1.5 -1.1 1.8 3.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.305 306.4 365.9 10.6 1.3 0.5 -4.1 19.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.447 113.5 116.9 -2.1 -7.3 -0.6 -0.3 3.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.451 295.8 298.8 32.2 -1.4 -1.0 2.9 1.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec. 2009=100)

III

0.260 134.1 135.9 -9.6 -7.2 2.1 1.6 1.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.358 157.3 158.2 5.4 0.1 0.3 -0.6 0.6

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.181 84.9 85.6 -13.3 -4.4 2.2 -12.0 0.8

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

19

0.223 125.3 124.8 -4.3 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

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

20

0.349 174.2 178.0 17.8 2.2 4.2 2.4 2.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.793 122.5 122.6 2.2 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Mineral products

V

24.012 357.1 360.5 21.1 -0.6 3.3 -0.6 1.0

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

27

23.693 353.2 356.6 21.3 -0.5 3.4 -0.6 1.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.200 149.7 148.2 2.1 1.4 0.2 -0.3 -1.0

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.965 390.8 371.3 8.8 1.3 2.7 -0.5 -5.0

Organic chemicals

29

2.396 137.1 138.2 1.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 0.8

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.983 116.4 114.0 -1.7 3.9 0.0 0.1 -2.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.456 144.6 137.5 14.1 -0.3 0.5 -4.2 -4.9

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish, paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)

32

0.172 100.0 110.2 - - - - 10.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.410 124.5 124.6 1.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.7 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.479 104.7 103.4 -1.7 -0.7 -1.6 0.3 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.058 151.6 151.9 5.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.7 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.849 142.4 143.0 6.0 0.1 -0.4 0.3 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.209 169.2 168.9 3.9 0.3 -0.7 -2.3 -0.2

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

VIII

0.568 123.2 125.7 8.1 0.4 0.5 0.0 2.0

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

42

0.521 123.7 126.5 8.7 0.5 0.5 0.1 2.3

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

IX

0.599 129.9 130.5 0.2 -1.3 -0.5 0.3 0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.186 114.2 113.2 -1.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.6 -0.9

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard (Dec. 2011=100)

47

0.177 100.0 95.6 - - - - -4.4

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

48

0.799 109.7 109.4 2.0 0.6 0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.180 115.5 115.7 7.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.006 106.2 106.6 4.7 0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.889 116.9 117.5 11.4 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.649 112.8 112.0 10.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.7

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.304 117.0 117.6 7.4 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.5

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.108 116.0 116.7 7.7 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.6

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

XIII

0.745 131.0 131.3 3.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2

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

68

0.239 124.2 124.1 3.7 1.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.224 141.2 141.2 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.282 126.1 126.8 4.4 -0.2 0.6 0.6 0.6

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

XIV

3.340 207.0 203.1 12.1 -4.1 -2.1 2.6 -1.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.829 189.2 190.1 -0.5 -2.3 -2.2 -0.4 0.5

Iron and steel

72

1.131 246.0 250.1 4.9 -2.5 -2.9 -0.6 1.7

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.409 161.7 161.3 5.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.432 339.9 344.2 -14.3 -9.5 -5.5 0.4 1.3

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.137 106.5 104.9 -19.7 -6.7 -7.5 -2.5 -1.5

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.704 140.1 138.3 -4.7 -2.2 -2.6 -2.4 -1.3

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

82

0.349 124.3 128.6 5.2 -0.4 0.1 0.4 3.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.396 131.7 132.3 3.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.5

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

XVI

24.581 85.9 86.2 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.276 89.1 89.8 1.7 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.8

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

85

12.305 82.8 82.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.050 114.7 115.0 3.8 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.278 114.0 114.2 4.0 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

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

88

0.685 115.8 116.1 1.8 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3

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

XVIII

3.235 106.0 103.8 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.6 -2.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.985 103.6 101.3 -0.5 0.0 0.1 0.5 -2.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.190 127.7 127.6 2.2 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.632 111.5 111.3 3.4 0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

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

94

1.933 115.1 114.4 3.6 0.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.502 104.6 104.8 3.3 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.197 132.9 132.8 4.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.961 207.9 206.4 14.4 1.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.7

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

02

1.130 170.2 168.5 15.6 1.7 0.4 -0.6 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.403 200.8 205.8 11.7 -0.1 -1.0 2.0 2.5

Vegetable products

II

5.509 232.1 235.5 -1.6 -11.5 4.8 -2.4 1.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.872 138.7 130.9 -2.4 1.2 4.8 6.7 -5.6

Cereals

10

2.105 271.0 279.8 1.0 -15.7 6.3 -7.1 3.2

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

12

1.882 231.3 243.3 -7.7 -15.6 4.1 -3.3 5.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec. 2009=100)

III

0.469 145.7 147.3 -2.4 -6.5 -1.8 -1.7 1.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.576 147.7 148.9 1.6 -0.1 -1.3 -1.9 0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100)

20

0.322 109.7 110.1 5.6 0.7 0.3 -0.5 0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec. 2008=100)

22

0.388 105.0 105.8 1.8 -0.3 -0.5 0.1 0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.700 199.6 200.6 -7.6 -2.1 -4.7 -5.4 0.5

Mineral products

V

8.746 318.1 320.7 10.2 -5.7 2.9 -2.8 0.8

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

27

8.122 314.3 317.7 11.7 -6.0 3.2 -3.0 1.1

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.345 154.9 153.2 3.2 -0.8 0.3 0.2 -1.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.092 199.7 180.8 -8.1 0.2 0.6 1.7 -9.5

Organic chemicals

29

3.450 166.3 169.5 8.5 -2.4 0.4 0.6 1.9

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.162 123.6 120.8 -2.7 -1.2 -0.2 -0.4 -2.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.753 133.4 134.8 6.6 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 1.0

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

34

0.477 124.7 124.1 2.6 0.2 1.3 -0.1 -0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.746 150.1 149.2 3.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.455 147.3 147.8 4.2 -1.6 -2.4 0.0 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.372 138.1 139.0 2.7 -2.0 -2.1 0.3 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.083 191.2 189.1 11.0 -0.1 -3.8 -1.0 -1.1

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

VIII

0.345 120.7 123.2 -2.1 -2.3 -4.9 -2.6 2.1

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

IX

0.536 107.7 105.5 -3.1 -0.1 0.2 -1.6 -2.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.314 116.7 117.1 -6.7 -1.8 -3.8 -2.7 0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.622 121.1 122.9 -17.8 -4.2 -10.2 -7.3 1.5

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

48

1.240 117.3 117.2 -1.4 -0.7 -0.8 -0.7 -0.1

Printed material

49

0.452 119.3 119.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.024 132.6 132.6 -9.4 -1.3 -0.7 -1.7 0.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.717 170.0 167.5 -27.2 -3.8 -2.5 -4.9 -1.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics, glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)

XIII

0.741 116.4 116.7 1.0 0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Glass and glassware

70

0.405 98.8 98.7 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

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

XIV

5.614 295.9 284.3 17.7 -2.9 -1.5 1.5 -3.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.561 173.9 176.5 0.6 -4.0 -1.1 -0.2 1.5

Iron and steel

72

1.691 212.5 221.5 3.2 -3.9 -5.1 -0.1 4.2

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.369 172.7 174.3 6.9 0.4 0.9 0.0 0.9

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.654 249.1 248.0 -10.8 -17.1 6.0 0.6 -0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.830 125.9 126.6 -4.4 -4.4 -0.9 -2.0 0.6

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

82

0.377 128.4 128.8 2.7 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.319 136.3 136.2 7.3 0.0 0.0 0.4 -0.1

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

XVI

27.630 96.3 96.7 0.8 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.913 108.6 109.2 1.8 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.6

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.717 82.9 83.0 -0.6 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.869 124.6 125.6 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.8

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.191 111.2 112.5 3.3 0.5 0.1 0.0 1.2

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

XVIII

5.825 105.6 104.6 -1.4 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.9

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.334 108.4 108.1 0.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.697 119.1 118.6 0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.516 89.8 89.8 -1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

38.296 133.1 132.4 3.5 -0.3 0.4 0.0 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

4.447 246.6 245.3 9.2 0.4 5.2 0.2 -0.5

Manufactured articles

33.487 123.8 123.2 2.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5

Other Countries(3)

61.704 142.1 142.8 8.8 -0.3 1.0 0.0 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

12.907 364.8 368.4 21.5 -0.8 3.1 0.2 1.0

Manufactured articles

48.593 111.8 112.2 4.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.4

Canada

14.414 155.0 154.2 2.9 -1.0 1.0 0.0 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

4.027 235.9 234.8 7.7 -0.3 5.9 0.1 -0.5

Manufactured articles

10.122 137.3 136.5 0.6 -1.3 -1.3 -0.1 -0.6

European Union(4)

15.813 136.9 135.4 3.8 0.4 0.1 -0.2 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles

0.262 371.5 371.3 32.7 5.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured articles

15.467 133.2 131.8 3.3 0.4 0.1 -0.3 -1.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.736 121.2 121.0 -0.7 0.2 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.265 115.4 114.4 1.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.9

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.397 132.7 133.1 2.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.3

Latin America(5)

19.049 181.4 183.1 9.4 -1.1 2.0 0.0 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles

5.633 399.3 404.7 23.9 -0.8 5.8 0.4 1.4

Manufactured articles

13.328 134.2 135.1 1.3 -1.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

12.091 147.8 149.5 5.4 -0.7 1.0 -0.1 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

2.017 211.1 218.1 24.0 -0.6 5.6 -0.7 3.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

10.028 95.9 96.3 0.1 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.4

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

34.659 104.7 104.8 2.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.583 105.1 105.4 3.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.3

Japan

6.349 102.1 102.3 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

5.471 90.7 90.4 1.5 -1.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.652 104.9 104.9 2.4 -0.9 0.4 -0.2 0.0

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

3.948 272.0 273.5 17.6 -0.3 -0.3 -1.4 0.6

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 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: January 2011 to January 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2011
Jan.
2012
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 176.9 171.1 2.3 -2.4 -1.8 -0.6 -3.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.676 168.2 164.0 15.7 -2.9 -3.3 -0.4 -2.5

Asia

70.887 156.2 150.3 -1.9 -2.3 -1.3 -0.6 -3.8

Export Air Freight

100.000 144.2 146.5 10.5 -0.8 -0.9 0.1 1.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.005 129.6 131.5 8.9 -0.3 -1.1 -0.6 1.5

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 160.5 157.1 2.9 -0.5 -0.9 -0.9 -2.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.054 149.4 146.9 10.8 -2.9 -2.4 0.0 -1.7

Asia

63.621 144.4 140.6 0.5 0.4 -0.3 -1.5 -2.6

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 144.6 144.1 11.0 0.4 -0.6 0.7 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.980 163.0 162.3 9.0 2.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4

Asia

48.863 135.2 135.0 13.2 -1.6 -1.0 1.1 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 179.5 179.9 8.8 1.9 -0.7 1.6 0.2

Europe

36.969 176.4 184.8 4.5 2.0 -3.5 -2.0 4.8

Asia

28.459 162.6 155.9 9.7 -0.3 2.5 4.8 -4.1

Latin America/Caribbean

13.004 186.9 178.6 13.3 2.0 1.2 8.0 -4.4

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 191.1 197.3 10.5 -2.2 -2.3 3.8 3.2

Europe

25.295 206.9 206.8 11.8 -0.6 -7.3 -2.7 0.0

Asia

29.227 178.9 191.7 8.9 -5.2 1.6 2.7 7.2

Latin America/Caribbean

22.119 204.8 215.7 9.0 -2.1 1.7 7.3 5.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 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 included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 
from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. 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 "MXP 
Publications."

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 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 
e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes 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 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 Import/Export Price Index 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: February 14, 2012