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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-13-1142
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 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 - MAY 2013


Prices for U.S. imports declined 0.6 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 
after a 0.7 percent drop the previous month. Falling fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the decreases in 
both months. U.S. export prices fell 0.5 percent in May following declines of 0.7 percent in April and 0.5 
percent in March.  


Imports

All Imports: U.S. import prices decreased for the third consecutive month in May, falling 0.6 percent, after 
declines of 0.7 percent in April and 0.1 percent in March. The 1.4 percent drop in import prices over the past 
three months followed a 1.4 percent increase for the first two months of 2013. Overall import prices fell 1.9 
percent for the year ended in May, and have not recorded a 12-month advance since the index rose 0.8 
percent between April 2011 and April 2012.

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices fell 1.9 percent in May; the decline was the largest contributor to the drop 
in import prices and followed a 2.5 percent decrease the previous month. For the year, the price index for 
import fuel decreased 4.4 percent. Both the May decline and the decrease over the past 12 months were led 
by falling petroleum prices, which more than offset rising natural gas prices. Prices for petroleum declined 
2.0 percent in May and 6.2 percent for the May 2012-13 period. In contrast, natural gas prices rose 1.2 
percent in May after advancing 7.9 percent in April. Prices for natural gas increased 97.0 percent over the 
past year, after decreasing 49.0 percent between May 2011 and May 2012.              

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports also fell in May, declining 0.3 percent 
following drops of 0.2 percent in April and 0.1 percent in March. The decline in nonfuel import prices was 
led by falling prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, although declining finished goods prices 
also contributed to the decrease. In contrast, foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose in May. Nonfuel import 
prices fell 1.1 percent over the past 12 months.     

Table A. Import and export price indexes, selected categories
Percent changes

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

2012

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

-0.6 -2.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

2013

January

0.5 1.9 0.2 0.4 -1.2 0.5

February

0.9 (r)3.6 0.1 0.7 2.0 0.6

March

(r)-0.1 (r)0.2 -0.1 -0.5 (r)-1.8 -0.3

April

(r)-0.7 (r)-2.5 -0.2 -0.7 (r)-2.3 -0.5

May

-0.6 -1.9 -0.3 -0.5 1.0 -0.7

May 2011 to 2012

-0.8 -5.5 0.9 -0.2 -1.6 0.0

May 2012 to 2013

-1.9 -4.4 -1.1 -0.9 4.7 -1.6

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports decreased 0.5 percent in May, driven by lower nonagricultural prices 
which more than offset higher agricultural prices. The May decrease in export prices marked the first time 
the index has declined for at least three consecutive months since the end of 2008. The price index for 
exports fell 0.9 percent over the past year, led by falling nonagricultural prices. In contrast, agricultural prices 
rose over the same period.   

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural exports advanced 1.0 percent in May, after falling 2.3 percent in April. 
The May increase was driven by rising prices for fruit, soybeans, wheat, and corn. Prices for agricultural 
exports rose 4.7 percent from May 2012 to May 2013, resulting from a 12.4 percent increase for the third 
quarter of 2012.                    

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports fell 0.7 percent in May, the largest 
monthly decline for the index since a 0.7 percent decrease in November 2012. The May decline was led by a 
drop in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, although finished goods prices 
also decreased for the month. Nonagricultural export prices fell over the past 12 months, declining 1.6 
percent. 



                                        SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS


Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from Japan continued a recent downward trend in May, 
falling 0.4 percent. The decline followed decreases of 0.6 percent in April, 0.2 percent in March, and 0.5 
percent in February. Overall, prices for imports from Japan fell 1.4 percent over the past year, the largest 12-
month drop for the index since a 1.5 percent decrease in November 2006. The price index for imports from 
China also declined in May, falling 0.2 percent. Import prices from China have not recorded a monthly 
increase since February 2012 and decreased 1.0 percent for the year ended in May. Prices for imports from 
Canada and the European Union also fell in May, declining 0.9 percent and 0.1 percent respectively, while 
import prices from Mexico ticked up 0.1 percent.        

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices declined 1.4 
percent in May, driven by a 3.9 percent drop in unfinished metals prices. A 1.1 percent decline in chemical 
prices and a 1.8 percent fall in the price index for selected building materials also contributed to the 
decrease. 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices declined 0.3 percent in May, offsetting a 0.3 percent advance the 
previous month. The May drop was the largest monthly decrease since the index fell 0.5 percent in October 
2010 and was led by lower prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products. Prices for automotive 
vehicles also fell in May, declining 0.2 percent after drops of 0.3 percent in April and 0.2 percent in March. 
The price index for capital goods recorded no change in May.

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages increased 0.4 percent in 
May, after a 0.5 percent decline in April. The May advance was led by a 4.1 percent rise in vegetable prices 
which had dropped 8.3 percent the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 2.0 percent in May, led by a 3.2 percent advance 
in Asian fares. The May increase in import air passenger fares followed a 0.3 percent rise in April. The index 
for import air passenger fares rose 2.6 percent over the past year, driven by a 12.4 percent advance in 
European fares. Import air freight prices fell 0.3 percent in May and 2.9 percent over the past 12 months. 


Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices declined 1.8 percent in May following a 1.0 percent drop the previous month. A 5.5 percent fall in 
nonferrous metals prices and a 2.3 percent decline in fuel prices drove the May decrease. 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles edged down 0.1 percent in May, 
while consumer goods prices were unchanged. The decrease in capital goods prices was led by a 0.5 percent 
drop in the price index for computers, peripherals, and semiconductors, while the decline in automotive 
vehicles prices was driven by a 0.3 percent decrease in passenger car prices. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 5.9 percent in May after declining 2.6 percent the 
previous month. The May increase was led by a 9.1 percent advance in Asian fares and a 4.5 percent rise in 
European fares. Despite the May advance, export air passenger fares fell 3.7 percent over the past 12 
months. Export air freight prices declined 1.1 percent in May and 2.0 percent over the past year.        

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, July 11, 
2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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

All commodities

  100.000 140.2 139.3 -1.9 0.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6

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

  73.781 103.2 102.8 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4

All imports excluding petroleum

  79.798 116.4 116.0 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  78.799 120.3 119.9 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.018 172.8 173.5 0.2 1.2 1.6 -0.5 0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.859 192.0 192.7 -1.3 1.1 1.4 -1.3 0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.159 129.1 130.1 5.8 1.5 2.7 2.1 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.645 253.3 249.0 -4.6 2.3 -0.1 -1.8 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.443 166.5 164.3 -1.7 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -1.3

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

  13.444 187.2 184.5 -4.8 0.1 -0.4 -0.7 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.990 176.2 172.4 -4.2 -0.1 -0.1 -1.0 -2.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.455 154.6 154.3 1.5 -0.1 -0.7 0.5 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants

10

21.201 338.3 332.0 -4.4 3.6 0.2 -2.5 -1.9

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

20.202 375.3 367.9 -6.2 3.9 0.2 -2.8 -2.0

Crude

10000

15.321 385.2 383.1 -5.8 4.2 -0.3 -3.1 -0.5

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

101

0.790 131.7 132.5 76.0 -2.1 0.2 6.3 0.6

Gas-natural

10110

0.662 118.2 119.6 97.0 -2.1 -0.2 7.9 1.2

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.557 112.7 113.5 -0.8 1.0 -0.3 0.0 0.7

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.976 174.3 173.5 -6.1 0.2 -1.0 -0.3 -0.5

Selected building materials

13

1.063 151.0 148.3 8.6 0.5 0.9 1.4 -1.8

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.733 258.1 248.0 -9.3 0.1 -0.4 -2.1 -3.9

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.585 159.5 158.9 -2.8 -0.8 -0.2 -0.6 -0.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.530 114.2 113.8 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Capital goods

2

23.939 92.8 92.8 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Electric generating equipment

20

2.986 119.4 119.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

19.098 85.5 85.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

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

22

1.855 135.8 135.8 1.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

12.165 114.4 114.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.233 108.0 107.7 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.828 116.6 116.1 1.0 0.3 -0.3 0.7 -0.4

Durables, manufactured

41

11.088 99.1 99.0 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.318 116.6 116.9 -2.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 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: May 2012 to May 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

All commodities

  100.000 133.5 132.8 -0.9 0.7 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5

Agricultural commodities

  10.349 219.7 222.0 4.7 2.0 -1.8 -2.3 1.0

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

  81.129 102.9 102.4 -0.9 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.651 127.2 126.3 -1.6 0.6 -0.3 -0.5 -0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.613 219.9 221.7 4.5 1.8 -1.9 -2.5 0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.924 223.3 226.1 5.1 1.9 -2.1 -2.7 1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.689 190.4 182.1 -3.3 -0.1 0.6 -0.4 -4.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.276 181.2 178.1 -4.1 1.4 -0.7 -1.0 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.190 182.0 177.4 -5.8 0.4 -1.5 -0.4 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.088 181.6 179.3 -3.1 2.0 -0.2 -1.3 -1.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.425 204.8 204.4 3.1 2.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.851 180.5 177.3 -4.4 1.4 -0.7 -1.0 -1.8

Fuels & lubricants

11

9.258 256.9 250.9 -7.7 3.7 -0.5 -2.8 -2.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.570 171.7 168.8 -3.5 0.5 -0.9 -0.4 -1.7

Selected building materials

13

1.023 122.1 122.9 4.8 0.6 1.0 1.2 0.7

Capital goods

2

35.287 106.5 106.4 0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.485 114.9 115.1 0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.644 95.4 95.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

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

22

6.159 151.6 151.6 1.7 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.919 113.5 113.4 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

11.905 115.4 115.4 -1.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.419 114.3 114.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.6 0.4

Durables, manufactured

41

5.091 112.3 111.8 -2.9 -0.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.4

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: May 2012 to May 2013
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

Nonmanufactured articles

  18.445 166.8 166.2 -2.7 3.8 0.3 -2.6 -0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.819 172.8 175.0 -0.1 3.4 4.2 -2.3 1.3

Crop production

111

1.265 176.3 180.6 -1.1 4.4 5.0 -3.5 2.4

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.200 103.3 105.4 - 0.6 -1.3 -1.7 2.0

Mining

21

16.626 165.8 164.9 -3.0 3.9 -0.2 -2.6 -0.5

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

212

0.321 133.5 134.0 -7.8 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4 0.4

Manufactured articles

  81.088 117.3 116.5 -1.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.463 123.6 123.8 -1.7 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Food manufacturing

311

2.846 154.2 155.5 -5.1 -0.3 -0.8 0.3 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.870 113.3 113.4 1.3 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.389 101.9 101.8 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.784 115.4 115.5 -0.5 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.920 110.5 110.4 -1.4 0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.653 121.6 121.5 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.103 139.6 136.5 -2.4 1.0 0.1 -0.2 -2.2

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.652 133.1 129.3 12.8 0.9 1.2 2.3 -2.9

Paper manufacturing

322

1.026 110.1 110.6 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.324 167.2 156.1 -8.7 2.7 1.4 -2.1 -6.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.253 136.9 135.5 -0.8 0.6 -0.3 0.4 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.935 126.3 126.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.830 129.0 129.0 -0.7 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

52.521 109.2 108.8 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.349 168.9 163.0 -9.4 -0.2 -0.5 -2.2 -3.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.667 129.2 128.2 -1.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.8

Machinery manufacturing

333

6.575 121.3 121.8 0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.4

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.953 81.1 81.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.997 119.4 119.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.913 112.3 112.1 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.249 114.4 114.4 1.0 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.817 120.8 120.6 -1.4 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2

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: May 2012 to May 2013
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

Nonmanufactured articles

  7.756 168.8 171.2 2.1 2.6 -1.6 -3.0 1.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

5.643 206.7 210.3 4.1 3.2 -2.0 -4.0 1.7

Crop production

111

5.172 213.3 218.8 4.0 3.0 -2.1 -4.8 2.6

Mining

21

2.113 93.4 93.8 -5.0 0.8 -0.4 0.0 0.4

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.425 106.2 105.4 -13.6 0.7 -1.1 -0.7 -0.8

Manufactured articles

  89.764 121.1 120.3 -1.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.5 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.010 151.5 150.8 2.4 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.5

Food manufacturing

311

4.929 173.8 172.5 2.3 0.2 -0.5 -0.5 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.570 127.3 126.6 5.9 0.7 -0.3 -0.7 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.443 133.6 132.4 -2.5 1.5 -0.2 -1.1 -0.9

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.418 117.2 118.3 3.3 0.6 1.5 1.0 0.9

Paper manufacturing

322

1.807 121.1 121.8 3.0 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.6

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.936 164.0 158.7 -8.8 4.6 -0.3 -4.0 -3.2

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.258 131.4 131.1 -1.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.233 120.7 121.3 3.0 0.1 -0.2 0.9 0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.791 112.4 112.0 0.4 0.1 1.2 0.5 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

56.311 113.3 112.7 -0.8 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.093 165.7 158.9 -8.7 -0.4 -1.4 -1.0 -4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.764 132.2 131.4 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.6

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.598 122.0 122.0 1.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.160 88.8 88.6 -1.8 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.305 114.0 114.3 1.4 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

14.122 117.9 117.9 0.9 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

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

337

0.315 105.8 105.4 2.7 0.3 0.1 0.3 -0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.955 122.3 121.8 -0.7 0.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.4

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: May 2012 to May 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

Live animals; animal products

I

1.124 175.4 176.1 6.9 1.6 2.9 1.7 0.4

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.251 219.1 219.9 3.5 0.4 -2.0 1.0 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.619 128.9 130.5 9.5 3.0 5.7 2.8 1.2

Vegetable products

II

1.619 208.7 212.3 -5.9 3.0 2.5 -2.7 1.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.339 330.7 353.3 10.7 6.3 13.4 -12.5 6.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.452 122.4 121.0 -1.1 4.2 2.2 3.3 -1.1

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.369 240.1 240.2 -11.6 3.6 1.1 -4.2 0.0

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

III

0.252 117.9 116.5 -15.0 1.4 -1.6 -1.2 -1.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.382 156.8 157.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.4 0.5

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.207 98.2 96.9 - -0.3 0.5 -2.9 -1.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.192 85.6 87.4 2.1 -4.7 -1.3 -0.8 2.1

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

19

0.240 132.1 132.1 4.5 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0

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

20

0.306 160.5 163.5 -5.3 -0.6 -0.5 -0.3 1.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.859 124.1 124.5 1.7 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.3

Mineral products

V

21.115 340.3 334.4 -4.3 3.7 0.1 -2.5 -1.7

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

27

20.833 337.1 331.0 -4.2 3.7 0.1 -2.5 -1.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.675 151.9 150.6 -0.4 0.2 -0.5 0.3 -0.9

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.801 356.8 350.2 -5.4 -1.1 -2.8 -2.2 -1.8

Organic chemicals

29

2.627 136.8 135.8 -2.9 0.1 -1.8 -1.0 -0.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.424 126.4 125.3 6.6 0.7 0.7 2.4 -0.9

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.404 128.1 123.6 -22.8 -0.8 1.6 -1.3 -3.5

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

32

0.163 93.8 93.9 -11.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.482 102.1 102.4 -1.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.7 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.209 152.9 151.8 -1.1 0.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.966 148.7 147.0 1.8 0.7 -0.5 0.4 -1.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.243 161.6 161.6 -5.5 -0.2 -0.4 -1.2 0.0

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

VIII

0.597 126.3 125.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.5

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

42

0.551 127.3 127.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

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

IX

0.695 162.7 158.4 14.2 1.2 1.2 2.8 -2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.124 113.3 113.6 -0.4 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.3

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

47

0.177 102.3 104.7 1.1 2.7 0.5 0.7 2.3

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

48

0.748 107.1 106.9 -1.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

4.941 114.1 114.0 -1.3 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.944 104.0 103.5 -2.5 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.5

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.814 117.1 117.4 -0.6 0.4 0.3 -0.1 0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.547 108.2 108.3 -0.5 0.0 -0.5 0.4 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.359 121.2 121.2 2.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.165 120.5 120.4 2.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1

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

XIII

0.763 131.9 131.9 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.0

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

68

0.246 125.3 125.5 0.6 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.2

Ceramic products

69

0.239 140.5 140.2 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Glass and glassware

70

0.278 128.0 127.9 0.5 -0.6 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

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

XIV

3.266 198.6 190.8 -6.7 -0.6 -0.8 -1.3 -3.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.003 183.4 181.6 -5.3 0.2 0.2 -1.3 -1.0

Iron and steel

72

1.148 219.0 216.7 -12.5 0.8 0.5 -0.6 -1.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.493 156.5 156.4 -3.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.470 342.0 332.0 -8.8 -0.9 -1.4 -4.0 -2.9

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.147 100.1 95.7 -8.2 0.2 1.9 -4.2 -4.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.676 138.4 136.5 -2.9 0.1 0.4 -1.8 -1.4

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

82

0.384 129.3 129.3 0.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.432 136.6 136.5 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

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

XVI

26.358 85.2 85.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.634 89.8 90.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

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

85

12.724 80.8 80.5 -1.8 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.678 116.4 116.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.745 115.2 115.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

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

88

0.865 119.9 119.8 1.5 0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.1

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

XVIII

3.330 103.9 103.9 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.020 100.8 100.7 -1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.252 141.2 141.5 9.3 0.1 0.0 -0.7 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.451 113.1 113.1 0.7 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

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

94

1.930 117.1 117.2 1.0 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.328 105.1 105.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.193 138.4 138.3 3.9 -0.6 0.4 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 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2012 to May 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

Live animals; animal products

I

2.077 219.6 214.8 5.9 1.9 -1.8 0.7 -2.2

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

02

1.186 168.9 167.0 -0.5 1.1 0.1 -0.2 -1.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.403 202.7 188.9 -8.5 -0.7 0.6 -0.3 -6.8

Vegetable products

II

5.173 260.6 267.4 5.0 1.4 -1.8 -4.7 2.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.944 147.9 155.1 13.3 1.7 -4.8 -4.9 4.9

Cereals

10

2.020 297.4 305.5 8.9 4.1 -2.8 -5.1 2.7

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

12

1.643 280.2 287.0 -1.1 3.1 -0.1 -5.4 2.4

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

III

0.311 136.4 135.9 -13.4 2.6 -0.8 1.0 -0.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.995 166.8 165.6 5.5 0.8 -0.7 -0.1 -0.7

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

20

0.346 113.0 113.4 2.2 0.1 0.3 0.6 0.4

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

22

0.633 113.3 113.3 3.1 1.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.775 267.3 256.3 10.5 0.3 -2.2 0.4 -4.1

Mineral products

V

9.149 299.1 292.0 -9.0 3.5 -0.3 -3.2 -2.4

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

26

0.464 95.4 91.7 - 1.9 -2.2 -2.4 -3.9

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

27

8.504 296.0 289.0 -8.9 3.7 -0.1 -3.3 -2.4

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.470 154.2 154.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.030 186.5 189.5 3.0 -0.2 0.2 0.9 1.6

Organic chemicals

29

3.259 166.7 164.7 -1.8 0.8 -0.4 -0.8 -1.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.663 122.4 122.8 -1.4 -0.9 -0.8 -1.0 0.3

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)

31

0.387 98.2 96.3 - -2.5 1.7 1.1 -1.9

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.722 138.6 138.5 2.3 0.0 1.2 -0.1 -0.1

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

34

0.447 119.7 119.4 -3.1 0.0 -1.6 0.3 -0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.733 152.3 155.6 1.6 0.8 -1.5 -0.1 2.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.294 150.4 149.7 -2.1 0.9 0.1 0.1 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.262 143.2 142.3 -0.4 1.4 0.4 0.2 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.032 183.4 183.3 -8.8 -1.2 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1

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

VIII

0.403 146.0 146.4 9.4 1.3 1.0 1.1 0.3

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

IX

0.583 113.6 114.2 4.5 0.5 1.4 1.2 0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.233 120.4 120.3 2.0 0.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.604 125.6 124.4 -1.3 -2.4 2.2 -0.5 -1.0

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

48

1.188 118.6 119.0 2.1 0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.3

Printed material

49

0.441 128.9 128.9 7.1 1.7 0.5 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.819 130.2 131.0 1.6 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.538 144.6 144.4 -2.8 7.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1

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

XIII

0.758 118.2 118.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.388 97.5 97.5 -1.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

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

XIV

5.153 273.7 261.4 -7.2 -0.1 -1.9 -1.2 -4.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.361 168.5 165.5 -7.6 1.1 -1.8 -0.6 -1.8

Iron and steel

72

1.510 192.4 186.5 -17.0 2.2 -3.9 -1.3 -3.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.329 170.5 169.5 -2.2 0.5 0.1 0.5 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.620 245.4 231.6 -11.4 2.1 -3.6 -2.2 -5.6

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.847 124.0 123.0 -3.7 0.0 -1.5 -0.7 -0.8

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

82

0.403 132.4 132.4 2.5 0.0 -0.1 0.5 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.323 146.3 147.1 0.9 0.8 -0.3 0.0 0.5

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

XVI

27.873 97.2 97.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.679 111.4 111.2 0.6 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.194 81.9 81.8 -1.6 0.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

11.972 128.0 128.0 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.118 113.9 113.8 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.2 -0.1

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

XVIII

5.884 107.2 107.0 0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.340 110.9 110.7 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.722 121.3 121.1 1.1 -0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.511 90.9 90.6 -0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -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 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: May 2012 to May 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 132.5 131.9 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.0 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

11.872 234.2 233.5 10.1 2.5 1.5 5.3 -0.3

Manufactured articles

87.527 124.4 123.8 -1.0 0.3 0.0 -0.6 -0.5

Other Countries(3)

100.000 139.1 138.6 -2.7 1.2 -0.1 -1.3 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

22.422 347.1 346.2 -6.0 4.3 -0.4 -4.7 -0.3

Manufactured articles

77.228 110.6 110.2 -1.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Canada

100.000 153.5 152.1 1.2 0.8 0.7 1.1 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles

29.663 224.6 223.3 12.2 2.7 1.7 5.7 -0.6

Manufactured articles

69.279 138.8 137.4 -2.6 0.0 0.4 -0.7 -1.0

European Union(4)

100.000 135.7 135.6 -0.3 0.7 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

1.050 364.8 364.0 -4.5 0.0 -2.0 -3.3 -0.2

Manufactured articles

98.440 132.0 131.9 -0.2 0.6 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 121.7 121.9 0.5 0.0 0.9 -0.3 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 115.8 115.8 0.9 0.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 128.1 128.2 -5.0 0.1 -3.3 -0.7 0.1

Latin America(5)

100.000 175.3 174.7 -3.5 2.4 -0.8 -1.9 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

32.254 376.0 375.5 -4.4 6.6 -1.7 -3.5 -0.1

Manufactured articles

67.331 131.9 131.4 -2.7 0.5 -0.3 -1.1 -0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 144.4 144.5 -1.8 1.8 -0.2 -1.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

19.201 203.7 204.5 -2.9 8.4 -0.6 -4.3 0.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

80.471 94.1 94.1 -1.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

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

100.000 103.8 103.7 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.1 103.9 -1.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Japan

100.000 101.5 101.1 -1.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.6 -0.4

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 90.9 91.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 1.0 0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 104.7 104.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.4 0.8 0.2

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

100.000 269.3 267.0 -9.0 1.8 0.7 -3.3 -0.9

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: May 2012 to May 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2013
May
2013
Annual Monthly
May
2012
to
May
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013
Apr.
2013
to
May
2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 173.0 172.4 -2.9 -0.4 -0.6 -0.8 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

21.915 164.7 165.1 -0.2 1.4 0.3 -2.0 0.2

Asia

73.727 152.6 151.8 -3.8 -1.0 -1.0 -0.5 -0.5

Export Air Freight

100.000 149.4 147.7 -2.0 -0.3 0.1 0.3 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

35.833 134.1 132.8 -2.4 0.0 0.3 0.5 -1.0

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 163.1 162.1 0.3 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

21.985 149.5 149.2 -0.7 0.5 -0.5 -1.3 -0.2

Asia

67.423 148.1 146.8 1.1 -1.2 -0.6 -0.1 -0.9

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 148.7 147.4 -1.9 0.1 0.4 0.1 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

27.615 161.3 161.0 -3.5 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.2

Asia

52.733 143.0 141.0 -1.7 0.1 1.1 0.1 -1.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 182.2 185.8 2.6 -1.2 -1.6 0.3 2.0

Europe

44.121 209.2 208.3 12.4 2.4 -4.4 1.4 -0.4

Asia

25.781 150.4 155.2 -1.6 -6.4 -0.3 1.9 3.2

Latin America/Caribbean

9.543 167.9 165.0 -3.5 0.1 2.6 0.0 -1.7

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 180.7 191.3 -3.7 -8.2 0.9 -2.6 5.9

Europe

28.019 212.8 222.4 -0.4 0.8 1.5 -4.1 4.5

Asia

27.667 151.2 165.0 -8.0 -18.0 -1.4 -5.7 9.1

Latin America/Caribbean

22.485 193.3 191.2 -16.8 -8.6 2.8 -3.2 -1.1

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


                                          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: June 13, 2013