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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-13-0423
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, March 13, 2013
 
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 - FEBRUARY 2013

The price index for U.S. imports rose 1.1 percent in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 
today, after increasing 0.6 percent the previous month. The February and January rises were both driven by 
higher fuel prices. U.S. export prices advanced 0.8 percent in February following a 0.3 percent increase in 
January. 

Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices increased 1.1 percent in February, the largest monthly advance since a 1.2 
percent rise in August 2012. The advance followed a 0.6 percent increase in January, after import prices fell 
the final quarter of 2012. Despite the February advance, import prices fell 0.3 percent over the past year, and 
have not recorded a year-over-year increase since April 2012.         

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel rose 4.9 percent in February after advancing 2.6 percent in 
January. The February increase was the largest 1-month advance since a 6.1 percent rise in August 2012, and 
was driven by a 5.2 percent increase in petroleum prices. The increase in petroleum prices followed a 3.0 
percent advance the previous month. In contrast, natural gas prices fell for the second consecutive month, 
declining 2.3 percent in February after a 6.0 percent drop the previous month. Despite the February increase, 
import fuel prices fell 0.6 percent over the past year, as a 1.4 percent decrease in petroleum prices more than 
offset a 29.7 percent advance in natural gas prices.              

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices were unchanged in February following a 0.2 percent 
increase the previous month. In February, higher prices for foods, feeds, and beverages; consumer goods; 
and nonfuel industrial supplies and materials offset lower prices for import capital goods. The price index for 
nonfuel imports was also unchanged over the past 12 months, the third consecutive month the index has 
recorded no change on a 12-month basis.     

Table A. Percent changes

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

2012

February

0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.4 0.6

March

1.4 4.4 0.4 0.8 2.4 0.5

April

-0.1 -0.9 0.2 0.4 2.0 0.2

May

-1.5 -5.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.5 -0.6

June

-2.3 -8.5 -0.3 -1.7 -3.5 -1.5

July

-0.7 -2.0 -0.4 0.4 6.0 -0.2

August

1.2 6.1 -0.2 0.9 4.8 0.4

September

1.0 3.9 0.2 0.8 1.3 0.7

October

0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 -1.7 0.3

November

-0.7 -2.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.5 -0.7

December

(r)-0.6 (r)-2.2 -0.1 -0.1 (r)0.1 -0.2

2013

January

0.6 (r)2.6 0.2 0.3 (r)-1.2 0.5

February

1.1 4.9 0.0 0.8 2.0 0.6

Feb. 2011 to 2012

5.1 13.4 2.4 1.8 -5.7 2.8

Feb. 2012 to 2013

-0.3 -0.6 0.0 1.5 13.4 0.0

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Export prices rose 0.8 percent in February, the largest monthly gain since a similar 0.8 percent 
advance in September 2012. Higher agricultural and nonagricultural prices each contributed to the February 
increase. The price index for overall exports rose 1.5 percent for the year ended in February, the largest 12-
month increase since the index advanced a similar 1.5 percent between October 2011 and October 2012.         

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports increased 2.0 percent in February after a 1.2 percent 
decline the previous month. The February rise was led by a 3.8 percent advance in soybean prices and a 4.9 
percent increase in corn prices. Higher soybean and corn prices, along with rising wheat prices, also 
contributed to a 13.4 percent increase in agricultural prices over the past 12 months. Soybean prices rose 23.5 
percent for the year ended in February, while corn and wheat prices increased 15.1 percent and 16.6 percent, 
respectively.                 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.6 percent in February following a 
0.5 percent increase in January. The February rise was the largest advance since a 0.7 percent increase in 
September 2012. Rising nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices drove the increase in overall 
nonagricultural prices, although higher prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles also contributed to 
the increase. Prices for nonagricultural exports were unchanged over the past year.       

					 SELECTED FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China ticked up 0.1 percent in February, following a 0.2 
percent decline the previous month. The upturn in February was the first increase since a 0.1 percent advance 
in February 2012, and was led by a 0.1 percent rise in computer and electronic equipment manufacturing 
prices. The price indexes for imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union rose in February, 
advancing 1.5 percent, 1.3 percent, and 0.7 percent, respectively. Higher fuel prices contributed to the 
increases. In contrast, prices for imports from Japan fell 0.4 percent in February, the largest monthly decline 
since the index fell 0.6 percent in September 2008.       

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials rose 0.1 
percent in February after a 0.4 percent increase in January. The February increase was led by higher prices 
for chemicals, selected building materials, unfinished metals, and paper, which more than offset a 0.9 
percent decrease in finished metal prices.     

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly flat in February. Prices for capital goods edged down 
0.1 percent, and have not recorded a monthly increase since a 0.2 percent advance in September 2012. In 
contrast, consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month. The price index for 
automotive vehicles was unchanged in February.      
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices increased 0.6 percent in February after 
declining 0.1 percent in January. The advance was the first 1-month rise since a 1.4 percent increase in 
September 2012, and was led by a 2.6 percent rise in the import price index for fish and shellfish.      

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 1.2 percent in February following a 3.7 
percent decline in January. The February drop was driven by a 6.4 percent decrease in Asian fares. Despite 
the recent declines, import air passenger fares advanced 2.3 percent for the year ended in February. The 
price index for import air freight fell 0.4 percent in February but rose 3.7 percent over the past 12 months.  

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices increased 1.4 percent in February, the largest monthly rise since a 1.8 percent advance in September 
2012. The February rise followed a 0.6 percent advance the previous month, and was driven by a 4.1 percent 
increase in fuel prices.   
 
Finished Goods: Capital goods prices rose 0.4 percent in February after a 0.7 percent increase the previous 
month. A 1.4 percent advance in semiconductor prices was the largest contributor to the February rise, and 
marked the largest 1-month increase since a similar 1.4 percent advance in December 2010. Prices for 
automotive vehicles also increased in February, advancing 0.2 percent. In contrast, consumer goods prices, 
down 0.2 percent, fell for the fourth consecutive month.        

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 8.5 percent in February after rising 7.5 percent in 
January. A turnaround in Asian fares, down 18.0 percent, was the largest contributor to the February 
decline. Export air passenger fares decreased 1.7 percent over the past year. Export air freight prices fell 0.3 
percent in February. Despite the February decline, the index increased 1.5 percent over the past 12 months.     
		
Import and Export Price Index data for March 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, April 11, 
2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2012 to February 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

All commodities

  100.000 140.3 141.8 -0.3 -0.7 -0.6 0.6 1.1

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

  74.008 103.6 103.6 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum

  79.883 116.6 116.6 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  78.914 120.6 120.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

4.906 169.0 170.0 -0.8 -1.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.818 190.1 190.6 -0.8 -1.7 -0.2 -0.3 0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.088 121.2 123.4 -0.7 0.7 -0.8 0.7 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.673 253.6 261.2 -0.7 -1.6 -1.3 1.7 3.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.556 167.8 167.7 1.0 0.6 1.1 -0.1 -0.1

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

  13.587 189.3 189.4 -0.3 -0.5 0.2 0.4 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.081 178.3 178.4 -1.0 -0.5 -0.3 0.5 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.506 155.2 154.8 3.3 1.9 3.0 -0.8 -0.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

21.086 336.7 353.2 -0.6 -2.2 -2.2 2.6 4.9

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

20.117 373.9 393.5 -1.4 -2.9 -2.9 3.0 5.2

Crude

10000

15.360 386.4 409.2 -1.7 -2.7 -2.5 3.3 5.9

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

101

0.757 126.4 123.6 26.5 19.5 14.7 -5.2 -2.2

Gas-natural

10110

0.627 112.2 109.6 29.7 23.4 16.6 -6.0 -2.3

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.553 111.9 113.1 0.6 -0.1 -0.6 0.4 1.1

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.032 176.4 176.3 0.3 -0.6 1.2 0.2 -0.1

Selected building materials

13

1.039 147.6 148.9 12.8 -0.1 1.5 2.8 0.9

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.819 264.2 264.8 -3.9 -0.9 -0.7 0.1 0.2

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.611 162.1 160.7 -2.1 -0.5 -0.8 0.2 -0.9

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.533 114.5 114.4 -0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Capital goods

2

24.039 93.2 93.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

2.992 119.7 119.8 0.9 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

19.202 86.0 85.9 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

22

1.845 135.1 135.0 2.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

12.222 115.0 115.0 1.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.160 107.7 107.8 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.711 115.5 115.9 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3

Durables, manufactured

41

11.146 99.7 99.5 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.303 115.3 115.7 -3.4 0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

All commodities

  100.000 134.0 135.1 1.5 -0.6 -0.1 0.3 0.8

Agricultural commodities

  10.534 224.6 229.0 13.4 0.5 0.1 -1.2 2.0

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

  80.967 103.1 103.4 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.467 127.5 128.3 0.0 -0.7 -0.2 0.5 0.6

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.838 225.9 229.7 14.6 0.7 -0.2 -1.5 1.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.146 229.8 234.1 15.5 0.8 -0.1 -1.7 1.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.692 191.9 190.2 1.8 -1.9 -1.6 2.0 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.239 181.8 184.4 -0.9 -1.9 -0.3 0.7 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.334 184.9 185.6 -1.8 -0.8 0.3 -0.6 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  21.905 180.8 184.6 -0.4 -2.5 -0.7 1.4 2.1

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.388 200.3 205.9 1.9 -1.8 1.3 2.1 2.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.851 181.3 183.8 -1.0 -1.9 -0.3 0.6 1.4

Fuels & lubricants

11

9.196 256.2 266.8 -2.5 -5.5 -1.2 1.0 4.1

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.664 173.1 173.6 -0.8 -0.6 -0.1 0.4 0.3

Selected building materials

13

0.991 118.8 120.5 2.9 0.0 0.0 0.8 1.4

Capital goods

2

35.118 106.4 106.8 1.0 0.2 -0.1 0.7 0.4

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.472 114.9 115.4 2.4 0.0 -0.1 0.5 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.574 95.5 95.8 0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.6 0.3

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

22

6.072 150.1 151.3 2.1 -0.1 0.0 0.7 0.8

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.864 113.2 113.4 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

11.942 116.2 116.0 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.465 115.7 115.6 0.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.111 113.2 112.6 -1.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5 -0.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

Nonmanufactured articles

  18.323 165.8 174.3 -0.6 -1.8 -1.8 2.3 5.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.727 164.1 167.6 -0.1 -4.9 -0.4 -0.8 2.1

Crop production

111

1.197 166.7 170.7 -0.8 -6.5 -0.2 -2.4 2.4

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.205 105.9 106.9 - - - 5.9 0.9

Mining

21

16.596 165.6 174.7 -0.6 -1.5 -1.9 2.7 5.5

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

212

0.324 134.8 134.7 -6.7 -0.9 0.3 -3.2 -0.1

Manufactured articles

  81.222 117.5 117.7 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.462 123.6 123.5 -1.3 0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Food manufacturing

311

2.860 155.0 153.6 -3.8 0.0 0.8 0.1 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.871 113.4 113.5 1.4 0.4 -0.3 1.3 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.389 102.0 102.1 0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.785 115.6 116.1 -1.4 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.910 110.3 110.5 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.647 121.2 121.2 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.916 138.2 139.6 1.5 -1.3 -0.9 0.8 1.0

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.629 128.5 129.8 19.2 0.4 2.5 4.1 1.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.016 109.1 110.3 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.9 1.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.240 164.0 168.5 -0.7 -4.9 -3.9 2.1 2.7

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.171 135.8 136.4 2.2 -0.1 0.1 0.6 0.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.944 126.9 126.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.833 129.5 129.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

52.844 109.9 109.8 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.468 173.6 173.2 -4.3 -1.1 -1.0 0.3 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.679 129.9 129.9 0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing

333

6.625 122.3 122.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.063 81.7 81.5 -1.8 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.008 119.8 120.0 1.8 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.950 112.6 112.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.244 114.0 113.7 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.806 120.6 120.5 -1.5 0.0 -0.5 0.0 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

Nonmanufactured articles

  7.897 172.5 176.3 7.7 0.1 -0.2 -1.7 2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

5.789 212.8 218.4 15.1 -0.1 -0.2 -2.0 2.6

Crop production

111

5.554 222.0 227.5 15.7 0.2 -0.1 -2.0 2.5

Mining

21

2.108 93.5 94.6 -12.8 1.2 0.2 -1.2 1.2

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.442 107.9 109.4 -20.1 -3.6 1.4 -1.1 1.4

Manufactured articles

  89.538 121.2 122.0 0.9 -0.7 -0.2 0.4 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.030 152.6 152.7 6.3 0.5 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Food manufacturing

311

4.950 175.3 175.5 7.3 0.6 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.568 127.6 129.7 12.0 -1.4 0.2 1.1 1.6

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.307 133.4 135.6 0.6 -2.1 -0.6 1.0 1.6

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.403 113.6 116.1 1.2 0.4 -0.4 0.3 2.2

Paper manufacturing

322

1.788 120.2 120.3 1.3 -0.5 -0.1 1.1 0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.904 163.8 172.1 0.6 -7.7 -1.4 1.4 5.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.227 131.6 132.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.5 0.8 0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.212 120.0 120.7 3.3 0.1 0.4 0.6 0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.773 110.2 110.3 -0.8 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

56.201 113.5 113.7 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.215 170.3 169.6 -3.3 -1.1 -0.5 -1.3 -0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.747 131.9 132.2 3.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.542 121.9 122.1 1.8 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.166 89.2 89.4 -1.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.284 113.7 114.0 2.2 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.979 117.2 117.8 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.5

Furniture and related product manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100)

337

0.311 105.1 105.4 3.8 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.956 122.8 122.8 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.9 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

Live animals; animal products

I

1.056 165.0 168.2 0.0 1.5 -0.7 1.2 1.9

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.252 220.2 222.3 2.0 0.4 -0.6 1.4 1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.553 115.2 119.1 -2.6 1.6 -1.3 1.9 3.4

Vegetable products

II

1.576 203.3 207.1 0.7 -4.3 1.9 -1.3 1.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.321 313.9 337.2 35.5 -2.6 -0.2 -10.3 7.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.410 111.2 116.4 -2.3 -3.0 -0.6 2.2 4.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.368 239.2 233.6 -19.9 -11.4 -0.3 3.0 -2.3

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

III

0.254 119.3 121.2 -8.1 -2.0 -2.5 0.8 1.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.392 157.6 155.8 -1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -1.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.212 100.9 100.7 - - - 0.9 -0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.203 90.8 80.8 -7.0 1.6 3.9 -1.0 -11.0

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

19

0.235 129.6 130.2 3.5 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.5

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

20

0.309 162.1 159.2 -9.7 0.2 -1.4 -2.5 -1.8

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.860 124.4 124.4 1.5 0.3 -0.2 1.6 0.0

Mineral products

V

21.007 338.9 355.5 -0.4 -2.4 -2.1 2.6 4.9

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

27

20.722 335.6 352.3 -0.3 -2.5 -2.1 2.7 5.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.661 151.8 152.0 2.9 0.3 -0.3 0.4 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.853 380.6 376.9 5.9 -0.1 -1.5 -1.5 -1.0

Organic chemicals

29

2.707 141.2 141.2 2.5 1.0 -0.2 1.0 0.0

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.272 120.9 121.6 5.6 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.6

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.405 128.7 127.6 -8.9 -2.0 -0.5 -1.5 -0.9

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

32

0.163 93.8 94.0 -8.4 0.0 -0.1 0.8 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.484 102.6 102.6 -0.8 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.215 153.3 153.4 0.7 -0.5 0.8 0.5 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.951 147.7 148.0 3.4 -0.3 1.6 1.0 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.264 164.4 164.3 -3.4 -1.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1

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

VIII

0.597 126.4 126.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

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

42

0.551 127.2 127.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1

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

IX

0.665 155.9 158.1 20.0 0.1 2.3 4.3 1.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.112 112.2 113.4 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.8 1.1

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

47

0.170 98.4 101.1 5.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.9 2.7

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

48

0.743 106.6 107.6 -1.3 0.2 -0.5 -1.4 0.9

Textile and textile articles

XI

4.924 113.8 114.2 -1.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.6 0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.942 104.0 104.0 -2.6 0.2 0.0 -0.8 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.799 116.3 116.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.3 -0.7 0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.546 108.1 108.8 -2.9 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 0.6

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.353 120.8 120.9 2.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.139 120.0 120.1 2.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1

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

XIII

0.764 132.3 131.9 0.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.7 -0.3

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

68

0.245 124.8 124.9 0.4 0.3 -0.6 0.2 0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.239 140.6 140.6 -0.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.280 129.3 128.2 1.6 0.1 -0.2 1.8 -0.9

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

XIV

3.356 204.2 203.0 -1.5 -0.7 -0.6 -0.8 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.038 184.9 185.1 -3.4 -0.5 -0.5 0.8 0.1

Iron and steel

72

1.127 216.8 217.9 -11.2 0.2 -1.1 -0.8 0.5

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.486 157.1 156.1 -3.2 -0.4 -0.6 0.0 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.497 364.6 367.8 -0.7 -3.2 0.3 2.7 0.9

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.149 102.4 102.6 -7.7 2.5 -6.5 5.2 0.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.679 140.2 140.3 -0.5 -1.0 0.5 2.0 0.1

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

82

0.382 129.7 129.7 2.0 0.2 -0.1 1.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.428 136.4 136.5 2.7 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

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

XVI

26.508 85.8 85.6 -0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.674 90.1 90.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

85

12.834 81.6 81.5 -1.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.701 116.7 116.7 1.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.773 115.6 115.6 1.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.0

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

88

0.860 119.4 119.4 2.8 0.3 0.7 0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

3.313 103.5 103.4 -0.7 -0.1 -0.9 -0.3 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.001 100.2 100.2 -1.5 -0.1 -1.0 -0.4 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.253 142.1 142.2 11.1 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.449 113.2 113.1 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 -0.1

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

94

1.925 117.0 116.9 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.329 105.3 105.3 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.196 140.1 139.2 4.5 -0.1 -0.2 3.4 -0.6

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

Live animals; animal products

I

2.061 218.8 222.0 8.3 1.9 1.8 -2.4 1.5

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

02

1.170 167.4 167.6 -1.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.7 0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.408 206.0 205.5 1.2 -2.3 -2.4 1.3 -0.2

Vegetable products

II

5.424 274.4 278.2 18.9 0.6 -0.1 -1.4 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

1.014 159.5 162.2 25.8 4.0 3.9 2.5 1.7

Cereals

10

2.095 309.8 322.6 15.5 0.6 0.5 -7.9 4.1

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

12

1.679 287.6 296.3 21.1 -0.5 -2.4 -2.7 3.0

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

III

0.299 132.0 136.6 -6.1 -6.7 -1.6 0.2 3.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.981 166.8 168.4 12.0 0.4 -1.2 0.4 1.0

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

20

0.342 112.0 112.0 1.8 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.0

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

22

0.627 112.8 113.8 6.8 -0.1 -0.4 2.4 0.9

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.783 271.2 274.2 32.2 1.0 -3.3 -2.6 1.1

Mineral products

V

9.127 299.7 311.5 -3.4 -5.8 -1.1 0.9 3.9

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)

26

0.475 98.2 100.5 - - - -1.8 2.3

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

27

8.470 296.0 308.3 -3.1 -6.0 -1.4 1.1 4.2

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.488 155.1 155.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0.5 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.015 184.4 183.4 -1.2 0.7 -0.6 0.1 -0.5

Organic chemicals

29

3.261 167.5 168.6 -0.5 -0.4 0.1 0.8 0.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.718 125.5 125.2 0.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.7 -0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)

31

0.384 97.8 94.4 - - - -2.2 -3.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.711 137.2 137.1 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.1

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

34

0.451 121.3 121.3 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -1.2 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.739 153.5 153.8 0.9 -1.1 -0.4 1.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.215 148.8 151.2 1.0 -0.4 -0.5 0.9 1.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.163 140.5 143.0 1.6 -0.4 -0.5 1.2 1.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.052 187.9 189.1 -1.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.6

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

VIII

0.388 141.3 143.1 13.6 1.5 1.2 3.4 1.3

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

IX

0.563 110.1 111.6 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.224 120.4 119.9 1.9 0.9 0.1 2.6 -0.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.615 128.5 123.4 -1.5 2.9 1.0 8.0 -4.0

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

48

1.179 118.2 118.8 1.5 0.0 -0.3 1.0 0.5

Printed material

49

0.430 126.2 128.8 7.8 0.1 0.2 0.3 2.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.776 127.7 129.8 -2.5 -0.1 0.6 1.4 1.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.506 135.9 145.4 -12.9 -0.5 1.9 2.9 7.0

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

XIII

0.752 117.8 117.9 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.4 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.385 97.2 97.2 -1.4 0.0 -0.1 -1.5 0.0

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

XIV

5.299 282.6 282.3 -1.7 -1.5 -0.1 -1.2 -0.1

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.408 170.7 171.6 -4.1 -0.2 0.5 -0.8 0.5

Iron and steel

72

1.549 198.7 199.3 -12.4 2.1 1.1 -1.5 0.3

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.305 168.5 169.1 -1.3 -0.6 -0.6 -1.5 0.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.639 254.8 260.2 -0.5 -4.3 2.6 0.4 2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.861 126.8 126.8 -1.4 -1.0 0.2 0.6 0.0

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

82

0.398 131.7 131.7 1.9 0.0 0.0 -1.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.320 145.6 146.7 7.3 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.8

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

XVI

27.770 97.3 97.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.5 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.565 111.1 111.5 1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.5 0.4

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.205 82.3 82.7 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.4 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

11.868 127.5 127.8 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.052 113.4 113.6 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.2

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

XVIII

5.870 107.4 107.4 2.0 0.3 -0.1 0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.335 111.0 110.8 1.7 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.719 121.4 121.0 1.3 0.3 0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.509 90.9 90.9 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 132.2 133.4 0.9 0.1 -0.7 0.8 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles

11.271 221.7 233.0 -2.3 0.3 -6.4 3.0 5.1

Manufactured articles

88.140 124.9 125.4 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.4

Other Countries(3)

100.000 139.3 141.3 -0.9 -0.9 -0.2 0.4 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles

22.612 350.6 368.6 -0.4 -2.9 -0.3 2.2 5.1

Manufactured articles

77.043 110.4 110.9 -0.8 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.5

Canada

100.000 151.5 153.7 -0.6 0.3 -1.8 1.3 1.5

Nonmanufactured articles

28.281 211.2 222.4 -1.9 0.7 -6.4 3.3 5.3

Manufactured articles

70.659 139.6 139.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.5 -0.1

European Union(4)

100.000 136.0 137.0 1.5 0.0 -1.0 1.6 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles

1.105 384.8 397.7 1.4 -2.9 -0.1 4.0 3.4

Manufactured articles

98.417 132.2 133.1 1.4 0.0 -1.1 1.6 0.7

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 121.1 121.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.6 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 115.3 116.2 1.8 0.2 -0.3 0.7 0.8

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 133.2 133.8 -0.7 -0.6 -1.3 0.5 0.5

Latin America(5)

100.000 175.4 179.1 -1.8 -2.4 0.3 0.8 2.1

Nonmanufactured articles

31.687 369.7 388.4 -3.2 -4.9 0.3 2.6 5.1

Manufactured articles

67.888 133.1 134.1 -0.5 -0.9 0.3 0.0 0.8

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 143.4 145.3 -1.7 -1.7 -0.1 0.6 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

18.633 195.7 207.0 -3.4 -5.8 -0.7 2.8 5.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

81.367 94.2 94.5 -1.0 -0.6 0.0 0.1 0.3

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

100.000 104.1 104.1 -0.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.3 104.4 -1.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Japan

100.000 102.8 102.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 89.9 89.8 -0.9 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 104.3 104.4 -1.2 -0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1

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

100.000 272.2 283.6 1.6 -0.9 -0.5 0.6 4.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative figures are based on 2011 trade values.
(2) Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) European Union countries.
(5) Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries - Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) 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: February 2012 to February 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2013
Feb.
2013
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2012
to
Feb.
2013
Oct.
2012
to
Nov.
2012
Nov.
2012
to
Dec.
2012
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 176.2 175.5 3.7 0.6 -0.7 0.2 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

21.602 165.3 167.6 3.6 1.8 -2.7 1.9 1.4

Asia

74.112 156.3 154.8 4.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -1.0

Export Air Freight

100.000 149.3 148.9 1.5 -0.3 -0.7 1.6 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

35.551 133.0 133.0 0.6 -0.4 -0.3 2.6 0.0

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 165.7 164.5 5.8 1.8 -0.6 -1.1 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

21.923 151.4 152.1 4.5 1.3 -1.7 1.5 0.5

Asia

67.663 151.0 149.2 7.6 2.3 -0.1 -2.1 -1.2

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 147.7 147.8 2.2 1.3 -0.8 -0.2 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

27.844 161.6 161.6 -1.1 0.3 -0.6 -0.1 0.0

Asia

52.396 141.1 141.3 4.4 2.3 -1.0 -0.4 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 187.0 184.7 2.3 -0.9 6.8 -3.7 -1.2

Europe

43.326 210.8 215.9 16.6 2.4 2.1 1.7 2.4

Asia

26.415 158.1 148.0 -6.3 -3.0 16.1 -7.7 -6.4

Latin America/Caribbean

9.059 163.5 163.7 -7.8 6.3 9.4 -11.7 0.1

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 200.4 183.4 -1.7 -2.2 1.9 7.5 -8.5

Europe

25.743 216.8 218.5 -0.3 0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.8

Asia

32.698 198.2 162.6 0.4 -4.1 8.7 10.0 -18.0

Latin America/Caribbean

22.280 212.4 191.6 -19.7 0.4 -7.5 6.6 -9.8

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: March 13, 2013