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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-16-0945
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, May 12, 2016

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 - APRIL 2016

The price index for U.S. imports rose 0.3 percent in April following a 0.3-percent increase in March, the 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The increases in both April and March were led by higher 
fuel prices. U.S. export prices increased 0.5 percent in April, after recording no change the previous month. 
Both agricultural and nonagricultural export prices contributed to the April advance.  


Imports

All Imports: The consecutive 0.3-percent increases in April and March were the first monthly advances 
since the index ticked up 0.1 percent in June 2015 and the largest increases since a 1.1-percent rise in May 
2015. Higher fuel prices drove the April advance although nonfuel prices also contributed to the overall 
increase in import prices. Import prices declined 5.7 percent over the past year, the smallest over-the-year 
drop since the index fell 5.6 percent in December 2014.                 

Fuel Imports: Prices for fuel imports advanced 3.3 percent in April following a 7.6-percent rise in March. 
The increases were the first monthly advances since the index rose 1.5 percent in June 2015 and the largest 
1-month increases since a 10.8-percent advance in May 2015. The April rise was driven by a 4.1-percent 
advance in petroleum prices which more than offset a 10.5-percent drop in natural gas prices. Despite the 
recent increases, the price index for import fuel declined 36.4 percent over the past 12 months. A 37.4-
percent decrease in petroleum prices and a 38.9-percent drop in natural gas prices both contributed to the 
overall fall in import fuel prices for the year ended in April.            

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices rose 0.1 percent, the first monthly advance since the 
index ticked up 0.1 percent in July 2014. The last time nonfuel import prices advanced by more than 0.1 
percent was a 0.3-percent increase in March 2014. In April, higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and 
materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and automotive vehicles more than offset falling consumer goods 
and capital goods prices. Despite the April increase, nonfuel import prices fell 2.0 percent between April 
2015 and April 2016.           

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories

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

2015

April

-0.2 1.8 -0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.7

May

1.1 10.8 0.0 0.5 -1.3 0.6

June

0.1 1.5 -0.2 -0.3 -1.6 -0.1

July

-0.9 -6.1 -0.3 -0.4 1.0 -0.6

August

-1.8 -12.7 -0.3 -1.4 -2.5 -1.3

September

-1.1 -8.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.4 -0.5

October

-0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

November

-0.6 -4.0 -0.3 -0.7 -0.9 -0.7

December

-1.2 -10.0 -0.3 -1.1 -0.9 -1.1

2016

January

-1.3 (r)-15.6 -0.1 (r)-0.9 -1.3 -0.9

February

(r)-0.5 (r)-7.0 -0.1 (r)-0.4 0.6 (r)-0.6

March

(r)0.3 (r)7.6 -0.1 0.0 (r)-2.3 0.3

April

0.3 3.3 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.5

Apr. 2014 to 2015

-10.5 -45.3 -2.2 -6.3 -15.7 -5.3

Apr. 2015 to 2016

-5.7 -36.4 -2.0 -5.0 -9.7 -4.6

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports rose 0.5 percent in April, the first monthly advance for the index since 
a 0.5-percent increase in May 2015. Those advances are the largest 1-month rises since the index increased 
0.9 percent in March 2014. The price index for U.S. exports fell 5.0 percent for the year ended in April, the 
smallest 12-month decline since the index decreased 5.0 percent from January 2014 to January 2015. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices increased 0.5 percent in April, after decreasing 2.3 
percent the previous month. The April advance was led by a 4.4-percent rise in soybean prices which more 
than offset lower prices for fruit and meat. Despite the April upturn, agricultural prices decreased 9.7 
percent over the past 12 months.   

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural prices also advanced 0.5 percent 
in April following a 0.3-percent rise in March. Both monthly increases were driven by higher prices for 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and capital goods. Nonagricultural prices decreased 4.6 
percent for the year ended in April. Falling prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials as 
well as each of the major finished goods categories all contributed to the overall decline. 


                                       SELECTED APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent in April, after 
consecutive 0.2-percent decreases in March and February. Prices for imports from China have not recorded 
a monthly increase since the index ticked up 0.1 percent in December 2014. The index fell 1.9 percent over 
the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 2.4 percent for the year ended in November 
2009. In contrast, led by higher prices for fuel and metals, the price indexes for imports from Canada, the 
European Union, and Mexico all rose in April. Prices for imports from Canada increased 1.4 percent, from 
the European Union 0.3 percent, and from Mexico 0.2 percent. Prices for imports from Japan recorded no 
change for the second consecutive month in April.                       

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials rose 0.6 
percent in April, after a 0.6-percent increase in March. In April, higher prices for metals and building 
materials led the increase in overall nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices.        

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in April. Consumer goods prices fell 0.3 percent, 
driven by lower prices for household goods. Prices for automotive vehicles ticked up 0.1 percent, led by 
rising auto parts prices. In contrast, capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent in April. Falling prices for 
computers, peripherals, and semiconductors were the largest contributor.                     

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for import foods, feeds, and beverages increased 1.3 percent 
in April following a 0.4-percent decline in March. The April advance was led by a 3.4-percent rise in fish 
prices and a 4.4-percent increase in meat prices.              

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares advanced 3.5 percent in April following a 5.4-percent 
decrease the previous month. In April, the rise was led by a 5.1-percent increase in European fares and a 
3.8-percent advance in Asian fares. Despite the April rise, import air passenger fares declined 0.2 percent 
over the past 12 months. Import air freight prices rose 2.0 percent in April, the largest monthly advance 
since the index increased 5.0 percent in October 2015. The price index for import air freight fell 10.6 
percent for the year ended in April.      


Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials increased 1.4 percent in April following a 0.7-percent rise in March. Higher prices for fuel, metals, 
and chemicals all factored into the April advance.         

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in April. Capital goods prices advanced 0.4 percent, the 
largest monthly increase since the index rose 0.7 percent in January 2013. In contrast, consumer goods 
prices edged down 0.1 percent. The price index for automotive vehicles recorded no change in April. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares decreased 6.0 percent in April, after rising 7.7 percent 
in March. The April drop was driven by an 11.4-percent decline in European fares. The index for export air 
passenger fares fell 7.1 percent over the past year. Export air freight prices recorded no change in April and 
declined 3.1 percent over the past 12 months.            

Import and Export Price Index data for May 2016 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 
8:30 a.m. (EDT).    


Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2015 to April 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

All commodities

  100.000 117.6 118.0 -5.7 -1.3 -0.5 0.3 0.3

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

  87.435 98.1 98.1 -2.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum

  94.154 110.4 110.5 -2.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  93.600 114.6 114.7 -2.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.165 170.3 172.5 -2.2 0.8 -1.6 -0.4 1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.758 186.0 187.6 -3.5 0.7 -2.0 -0.8 0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.407 135.0 138.5 2.3 1.4 -0.3 1.0 2.6

Industrial supplies & materials

1

19.888 139.4 141.5 -19.8 -6.2 -2.4 2.7 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.042 136.8 137.3 -7.9 -0.9 -0.3 0.0 0.4

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

  13.488 156.4 157.3 -7.0 -1.0 -0.1 0.6 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.120 144.3 145.7 -7.0 -1.1 0.4 1.3 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.368 127.4 126.7 -9.1 -0.5 -1.1 -1.7 -0.5

Fuels & lubricants

10

6.400 114.6 118.4 -36.4 -15.6 -7.0 7.6 3.3

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

5.846 121.8 126.8 -37.4 -17.2 -7.3 9.6 4.1

Crude

10000

4.177 122.0 127.5 -37.1 -17.0 -7.3 13.4 4.5

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

101

0.364 70.5 65.0 -32.6 -2.3 -5.4 -14.6 -7.8

Gas-natural

10110

0.271 54.2 48.5 -38.9 0.0 -6.8 -18.7 -10.5

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.592 107.5 107.0 -3.7 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.844 148.5 148.5 -7.4 -0.7 -0.9 -0.6 0.0

Selected building materials

13

1.306 134.3 136.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.6 0.7 1.3

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.262 180.1 183.9 -12.8 -1.9 0.5 3.2 2.1

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.726 145.0 144.7 -5.9 -0.6 0.0 0.3 -0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.758 108.4 108.1 -1.5 -0.7 0.9 -0.2 -0.3

Capital goods

2

29.345 89.4 89.3 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

3.566 116.6 116.1 -1.9 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

22.991 81.8 81.8 -2.3 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0

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

22

2.788 137.4 137.5 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

16.479 110.2 110.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

28.123 107.3 107.0 -0.4 0.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

13.419 120.0 119.9 0.7 0.3 0.8 -0.4 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

13.175 94.7 94.3 -1.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.529 118.8 118.5 0.4 -0.4 0.3 -1.1 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2015 to April 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

All commodities

  100.000 118.2 118.8 -5.0 -0.9 -0.4 0.0 0.5

Agricultural commodities

  8.966 170.5 171.3 -9.7 -1.3 0.6 -2.3 0.5

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

  85.973 98.0 98.3 -2.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.034 114.2 114.8 -4.6 -0.9 -0.6 0.3 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.398 172.2 173.5 -9.4 -1.4 0.9 -2.3 0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.716 172.0 173.2 -9.2 -1.5 0.7 -2.4 0.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.682 182.9 184.3 -10.4 -1.2 2.2 -0.7 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

27.706 132.5 134.1 -12.5 -2.2 -2.0 0.6 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.632 150.2 151.1 -5.6 -0.3 0.1 2.0 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  17.074 124.0 125.9 -16.4 -3.2 -3.3 -0.2 1.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.250 167.1 164.6 -12.4 -0.2 -0.1 -1.4 -1.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  26.456 131.3 133.1 -12.5 -2.3 -2.1 0.7 1.4

Fuels & lubricants

11

5.629 117.4 121.7 -29.7 -7.7 -7.3 0.3 3.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

19.790 146.4 147.4 -6.6 -0.7 -0.5 0.9 0.7

Selected building materials

13

1.037 113.3 114.7 -3.3 0.2 -0.9 -0.4 1.2

Capital goods

2

39.790 107.1 107.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4

Electrical generating equipment

20

4.070 113.0 113.9 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.9 0.8

Nonelectrical machinery

21

26.865 94.3 94.6 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3

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

22

8.855 163.6 163.9 1.9 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.929 113.1 113.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.177 110.6 110.5 -1.8 -0.8 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.931 105.5 105.6 -2.6 -1.4 -0.4 0.2 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.575 109.3 108.9 -1.4 -0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2015 to April 2016 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.725 67.8 69.6 -29.5 -10.6 -6.3 6.4 2.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.978 167.0 167.5 -4.3 1.5 -5.1 -2.0 0.3

Crop production

111

1.581 177.2 176.6 -3.9 1.5 -6.3 -2.8 -0.3

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.227 85.1 86.5 -7.9 5.4 1.6 3.0 1.6

Mining

21

4.747 55.4 57.4 -35.9 -15.3 -6.9 10.4 3.6

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

212

0.240 93.1 98.7 -3.3 -4.4 0.1 -0.1 6.0

Manufactured articles

  92.978 108.1 108.3 -3.1 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

12.399 122.8 123.4 -1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5

Food manufacturing

311

3.468 148.0 150.7 -2.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 1.8

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.124 118.7 118.7 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.416 98.7 98.6 -2.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.924 109.5 109.4 -2.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.488 111.5 111.5 -0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.978 123.7 123.8 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

16.704 112.3 112.5 -8.2 -2.4 -0.3 -0.5 0.2

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.782 111.6 113.8 -1.0 0.1 -0.4 1.0 2.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.106 105.7 105.3 -3.4 -0.5 0.0 0.3 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

1.548 56.7 58.7 -39.1 -18.6 -7.3 1.1 3.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.680 130.6 130.4 -2.8 -0.1 0.7 -1.0 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.320 116.6 116.0 -3.2 -0.9 0.1 -0.6 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.063 130.0 129.6 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

63.875 103.3 103.3 -2.2 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.032 121.4 123.3 -12.7 -2.2 0.2 2.8 1.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.195 122.6 122.5 -2.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.910 116.6 116.7 -1.8 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

18.602 76.9 76.8 -2.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

5.013 115.9 114.9 -2.4 0.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.9

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.730 109.5 109.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.707 115.1 115.1 -0.8 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.685 120.0 119.8 -0.2 0.2 0.5 0.3 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2015 to April 2016 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.491 112.2 115.3 -14.6 0.7 -1.7 -5.5 2.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.529 147.3 149.1 -11.6 -1.2 1.4 -4.6 1.2

Crop production

111

4.244 152.9 154.8 -11.0 -1.3 1.2 -4.2 1.2

Mining

21

1.962 54.8 58.2 -20.8 4.9 -7.8 -7.6 6.2

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.121 75.6 75.9 -15.0 -2.1 -2.2 2.3 0.4

Manufactured articles

  92.256 109.6 110.0 -4.1 -0.8 -0.4 0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.762 132.2 131.8 -7.6 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Food manufacturing

311

4.504 147.3 147.5 -8.4 -1.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.619 105.8 102.5 -13.3 -2.1 0.8 0.0 -3.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

22.416 100.1 101.0 -11.3 -2.8 -1.8 0.2 0.9

Paper manufacturing

322

1.781 121.9 121.7 -1.6 -0.4 0.1 0.1 -0.2

Printing and related support activities (Dec. 2015=100)

323

0.274 100.0 100.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

3.543 66.2 68.5 -33.0 -10.3 -7.1 2.5 3.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

12.981 112.0 112.6 -6.9 -1.4 -0.9 -0.3 0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.433 115.2 114.8 -3.3 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.878 111.9 112.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

63.078 111.2 111.4 -0.9 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.263 131.8 131.7 -6.7 -0.5 -0.3 4.4 -0.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.354 129.9 129.8 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.830 125.8 126.7 1.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.7

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.800 83.9 83.8 -2.7 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.933 112.9 113.8 -1.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.9 0.8

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.664 121.8 122.0 0.6 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.2

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

337

0.409 113.0 113.3 4.3 0.4 2.3 -0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.826 122.2 121.9 -1.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2015 to April 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

Live animals; animal products

I

1.464 182.9 189.4 -0.4 1.8 1.2 0.2 3.6

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.365 218.7 228.7 -4.7 -1.3 4.5 -3.1 4.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.764 134.6 140.9 5.5 2.8 -0.5 2.0 4.7

Vegetable products

II

1.988 192.3 192.5 -2.1 1.5 -6.2 -3.4 0.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.480 424.6 429.0 5.1 13.3 -24.0 -5.2 1.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.587 94.1 92.3 -7.2 -4.5 3.9 -2.8 -1.9

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.365 224.8 226.5 -7.3 -2.6 0.3 -0.5 0.8

Oilseeds & misc grains, seeds, plants, straw & fodder (Dec. 2015=100)

12

0.169 101.5 103.4 - 3.0 -0.8 -0.7 1.9

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

III

0.276 102.6 106.7 2.9 0.7 1.9 2.9 4.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.826 159.1 159.6 -1.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.7 0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.196 86.1 86.2 -5.4 -0.1 0.2 1.3 0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.244 110.7 111.6 3.1 -5.5 -2.7 4.2 0.8

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

19

0.292 132.4 133.1 0.7 0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.5

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

20

0.332 155.3 155.8 -3.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.9 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.059 128.5 128.6 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1

Mineral products

V

6.454 114.7 118.4 -36.7 -15.9 -6.8 7.6 3.2

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

27

6.193 111.6 115.2 -37.4 -16.4 -7.0 8.0 3.2

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

9.097 146.9 146.9 -1.1 0.6 0.8 -1.0 0.0

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.585 265.6 263.6 -13.3 -2.2 -1.2 -1.0 -0.8

Organic chemicals

29

2.429 119.9 120.2 -2.9 1.2 -0.6 -2.2 0.3

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.961 142.4 142.4 4.2 -0.1 2.5 0.2 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.291 77.0 76.6 -31.4 -10.1 0.2 -7.7 -0.5

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

32

0.192 97.2 97.3 -1.0 -2.2 0.6 1.0 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.692 102.6 101.3 11.9 14.7 0.2 0.0 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.554 135.3 135.6 -4.8 -1.0 -0.2 -0.5 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.290 139.4 139.4 -5.0 -1.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.0

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.264 129.6 130.4 -4.2 -0.9 0.3 -1.1 0.6

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

VIII

0.731 124.8 125.1 -2.4 -0.5 -0.8 -0.4 0.2

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

42

0.696 129.4 129.8 -0.7 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.3

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

IX

0.819 136.0 138.6 -0.8 0.1 -0.4 0.9 1.9

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (Dec. 2014=100)

44

0.793 93.3 95.2 -0.7 0.1 -0.5 1.0 2.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.186 110.2 109.7 -2.1 -0.5 -0.1 0.4 -0.5

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

48

0.802 104.5 104.4 -1.7 -0.9 0.2 0.4 -0.1

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)

49

0.216 100.4 100.4 - 0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.635 113.4 113.4 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.333 103.7 103.7 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.954 119.9 119.9 -0.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.652 103.2 103.1 -3.4 -0.7 -0.4 -0.5 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.575 123.1 123.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.368 122.2 122.2 0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XIII

0.987 131.6 131.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.342 99.4 99.8 - -0.6 -0.4 0.4 0.4

Ceramic products

69

0.290 137.5 137.5 -0.8 0.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.355 129.4 129.7 0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.3 0.2

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

XIV

3.109 168.0 167.7 -2.4 0.6 1.4 3.3 -0.2

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.446 151.6 153.4 -9.7 -1.8 -0.5 0.3 1.2

Iron and steel

72

1.208 149.9 156.6 -16.1 -4.4 -0.7 0.1 4.5

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.772 138.9 139.1 -7.0 -1.2 -0.7 -0.3 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.380 248.8 254.2 -12.5 -2.6 -2.1 2.9 2.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.741 120.6 120.7 -11.3 -0.7 -0.4 0.4 0.1

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

82

0.468 125.5 125.6 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.541 136.7 136.8 -1.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

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

XVI

31.564 81.2 81.0 -2.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.029 86.2 86.0 -2.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

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

85

15.535 76.4 76.2 -2.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.749 114.0 114.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

13.203 112.5 112.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.2

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

88

1.473 120.3 120.3 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

4.138 103.6 103.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.9 -0.1 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.799 100.4 100.3 -0.2 -0.2 1.0 -0.2 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.274 141.5 141.8 -0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.312 112.1 112.2 -0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

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

94

2.637 116.6 116.7 -0.9 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.388 103.6 103.6 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.288 135.4 135.4 0.7 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2015 to April 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

Live animals; animal products

I

1.727 182.3 182.4 -10.8 -1.5 1.4 0.2 0.1

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

02

1.029 145.0 144.1 -8.3 -2.4 4.5 2.3 -0.6

Vegetable products

II

4.264 188.3 189.8 -10.7 -1.0 1.4 -4.6 0.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.953 157.2 150.5 -12.9 1.4 -0.1 -8.7 -4.3

Cereals

10

1.252 176.6 177.7 -16.1 -3.5 3.2 -4.3 0.6

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

12

1.477 181.4 187.4 -11.8 -1.7 1.2 -3.5 3.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.937 144.6 145.1 -7.6 -1.1 -1.0 -0.5 0.3

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

20

0.386 118.9 119.0 0.7 0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.1

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

22

0.531 105.5 108.0 -2.3 -1.5 -0.2 1.2 2.4

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.636 188.9 183.6 -21.2 -2.0 -1.0 -2.2 -2.8

Mineral products

V

5.651 136.3 141.5 -28.6 -5.6 -6.2 -0.4 3.8

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

26

0.465 71.9 74.1 -14.5 -2.3 1.0 3.6 3.1

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

27

4.986 127.7 132.7 -30.3 -6.0 -7.0 -0.8 3.9

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.819 134.3 134.7 -6.4 -1.4 -1.5 -0.1 0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.922 172.4 171.8 -7.1 0.2 -6.2 -0.3 -0.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.448 129.6 132.1 -9.6 -2.5 -0.9 -0.4 1.9

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.945 106.0 106.0 -4.3 -2.3 -0.9 0.3 0.0

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100)

32

0.557 98.9 99.2 - -0.4 -0.7 0.0 0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.848 134.4 134.6 -1.7 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 0.1

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

34

0.526 116.2 116.2 1.6 3.3 0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.845 143.5 142.8 -7.3 -0.7 -2.3 -0.5 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.168 135.7 136.4 -5.1 -0.7 0.2 -0.1 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.168 131.0 132.0 -5.2 -1.1 0.5 -0.2 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.000 155.8 155.1 -4.5 0.3 -0.3 0.5 -0.4

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

VIII

0.330 117.7 118.5 -17.9 -0.5 0.8 -2.6 0.7

Raw hides and skins other than furskins and leather (Dec.2014=100)

41

0.182 68.3 69.2 -25.0 -1.3 -0.1 0.6 1.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)

IX

0.652 93.7 96.1 -1.7 -0.2 -1.4 -1.2 2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.158 121.0 121.3 -1.3 -1.0 -0.4 0.7 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.608 120.2 122.6 0.5 -1.5 -1.4 2.0 2.0

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

48

1.162 120.4 119.8 -3.1 -1.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.5

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.388 100.4 100.4 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.732 118.8 119.6 -2.5 -0.3 -0.4 -0.8 0.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.376 109.9 112.6 -6.0 -1.6 -1.1 -3.1 2.5

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

XIII

0.887 122.9 122.8 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.299 100.5 100.5 - 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.447 99.4 99.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XIV

4.474 231.1 231.0 -2.2 0.7 1.7 3.4 0.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.991 141.1 142.0 -6.6 -0.4 -0.9 0.8 0.6

Iron and steel

72

0.970 134.5 139.6 -12.1 -1.0 -1.1 -0.2 3.8

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.432 152.3 152.1 -19.3 -4.4 0.0 5.4 -0.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.775 102.5 102.8 -12.9 0.6 -4.4 2.9 0.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100)

82

0.399 99.8 99.7 - 0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.363 148.2 148.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

30.469 96.1 96.2 -1.1 -0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

18.213 113.0 113.1 -0.6 -0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

12.256 77.8 77.9 -1.9 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

15.415 131.0 131.5 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.391 114.6 115.1 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.4

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

XVIII

6.398 107.4 107.6 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.578 111.5 111.5 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.933 125.0 125.2 1.1 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.484 89.8 89.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: April 2015 to April 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 114.3 114.6 -5.1 -1.5 -0.3 0.7 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

6.339 100.3 102.8 -26.2 -11.1 -5.9 12.1 2.5

Manufactured articles

93.270 115.0 115.1 -3.1 -0.8 0.1 0.0 0.1

Other Countries(3)

100.000 114.9 115.3 -6.4 -1.4 -0.8 0.0 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

6.849 133.3 137.1 -32.7 -9.7 -7.4 1.9 2.9

Manufactured articles

92.915 102.2 102.3 -3.3 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Canada

100.000 110.7 112.3 -10.8 -3.7 -1.4 1.9 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles

18.828 94.6 97.2 -27.2 -11.7 -6.3 12.6 2.7

Manufactured articles

80.471 119.1 120.4 -6.0 -1.7 -0.3 -0.3 1.1

European Union(4)

100.000 131.0 131.4 -1.6 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.3

Manufactured articles

99.540 127.7 128.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 122.5 122.6 0.5 0.9 0.1 0.2 0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 113.4 113.4 -2.7 -2.7 0.3 -0.1 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 118.3 118.4 -2.5 1.9 -0.3 -2.6 0.1

Latin America(5)

100.000 134.2 135.0 -9.2 -1.9 -1.4 0.7 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

13.818 158.1 161.3 -29.4 -7.7 -6.4 4.5 2.0

Manufactured articles

85.724 118.7 119.1 -4.6 -0.8 -0.5 0.0 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 123.9 124.1 -5.4 -0.6 -1.0 0.1 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

6.878 85.5 87.1 -31.0 -2.9 -11.0 2.3 1.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

92.690 88.8 88.7 -2.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

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

100.000 98.7 98.6 -2.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 101.4 101.3 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Japan

100.000 95.2 95.2 -1.3 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 84.6 84.5 -2.5 -0.6 0.6 -0.6 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 96.3 96.8 -2.2 -0.7 -0.7 0.0 0.5

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

100.000 115.7 120.0 -28.3 -9.1 -5.2 -1.5 3.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 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 3 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: April 2015 to April 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2016
Apr.
2016
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2015
to
Apr.
2016
Dec.
2015
to
Jan.
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 151.1 154.1 -10.6 -4.6 -2.1 -0.1 2.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.384 140.5 141.9 -1.5 0.4 -1.5 1.2 1.0

Asia

61.525 132.2 136.6 -14.5 -7.4 -3.3 -0.5 3.3

Export Air Freight

100.000 153.2 153.2 -3.1 1.4 -0.1 -3.4 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

38.106 146.3 144.1 -4.7 1.3 0.1 -3.6 -1.5

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 144.4 148.1 -7.1 -2.5 -1.3 -1.6 2.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

28.535 134.6 140.1 2.0 0.3 -1.3 0.7 4.1

Asia

56.739 126.6 130.3 -12.4 -4.3 -2.0 -2.7 2.9

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 140.3 139.7 -4.1 0.1 1.0 -3.9 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

34.252 151.6 149.4 -5.6 0.1 0.2 -4.2 -1.5

Asia

42.514 130.2 130.2 -7.7 0.0 2.5 -5.3 0.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 179.2 185.5 -0.2 -1.0 -1.5 -5.4 3.5

Europe

44.806 209.9 220.5 0.3 11.0 3.6 -11.3 5.1

Asia

22.966 130.5 135.4 -1.2 -10.1 -6.7 -2.8 3.8

Latin America/Caribbean

9.203 148.3 145.1 -12.4 -16.4 2.9 1.2 -2.2

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 156.9 147.5 -7.1 4.7 -13.5 7.7 -6.0

Europe

33.285 223.3 197.8 -1.7 -0.7 -1.7 14.7 -11.4

Asia

26.616 128.5 123.8 -4.8 9.0 -16.4 1.2 -3.7

Latin America/Caribbean

22.282 156.4 149.8 -12.2 8.3 -15.1 4.3 -4.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 
the export air passenger fares 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 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 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 
revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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.

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 
email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 
 
Additional Information - More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 
page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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: May 12, 2016