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

 
Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                   USDL-12-2031
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, October 11, 2012

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


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

U.S. import prices advanced 1.1 percent for the second consecutive month in September, the U.S. Bureau of 
Labor Statistics reported today, after falling the previous four months. The increase in each of the past two 
months was led by rising fuel prices. The price index for U.S. exports rose 0.8 percent in September 
following a 1.0 percent advance in August. 


Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices rose 1.1 percent in September following a 1.1 percent advance the previous 
month. Those were the first monthly increases for the index since a 1.4 percent rise in March. Higher fuel 
prices were the largest contributor to the September advance in overall import prices, although nonfuel prices 
increased as well. Despite the recent advances, import prices declined 0.6 percent over the past 12 months, 
the fifth consecutive month of declining year-over-year changes.   

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuels increased 4.4 percent after rising 5.7 percent in August. The 
September rise in fuel prices was led by a 4.6 percent increase in petroleum prices. In contrast, natural gas 
prices fell 0.3 percent. For the year ended in September, import fuel prices decreased 1.3 percent as 
declining prices prior to the past two months more than offset the increases in August and September. The 
decrease in fuel prices for the September 2011-12 period was driven by a 32.0 percent drop in natural gas 
prices, although petroleum prices also fell, edging down 0.1 percent.         

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices rose 0.2 percent in September, the first monthly 
advance for the index since a 0.2 percent rise in April, as higher food and finished goods prices more than 
offset declining prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. The price index for nonfuel imports 
declined 0.5 percent for the year ended in September.  

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

September

-0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.5 1.9 0.3

October

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

November

0.7 3.4 -0.2 0.1 1.7 -0.2

December

0.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.5 -2.3 -0.2

2012

January

0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.3 1.1 0.2

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 (r)-8.5 -0.3 -1.7 -3.5 -1.5

July

-0.7 (r)-2.0 -0.4 0.4 (r)6.0 (r)-0.2

August

(r)1.1 (r)5.7 -0.2 (r)1.0 (r)5.2 0.4

September

1.1 4.4 0.2 0.8 1.1 0.7

Sept. 2010 to 2011

12.7 40.9 5.4 9.4 22.7 7.9

Sept. 2011 to 2012

-0.6 -1.3 -0.5 -0.5 6.7 -1.5

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports 

All Exports: Prices for overall exports increased for the third consecutive month in September, rising 0.8 
percent following advances of 1.0 percent in August and 0.4 percent in July. Rising prices for both 
agricultural and nonagricultural prices contributed to the September advance. Despite rising 2.2 percent over 
the past three months, export prices fell 0.5 percent between September 2011 and September 2012.    

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports increased 1.1 percent in September after 
rising 5.2 percent and 6.0 percent the previous two months. The 12.7 percent increase for the third quarter of 
2012 was the largest quarterly advance since agricultural prices rose 12.7 percent during the fourth quarter of 
2010. The September advance was led by a 4.6 percent increase in soybean prices. Prices for export 
agriculture rose 6.7 percent over the past year, driven by a 24.0 percent jump in prices for soybeans.           

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.7 percent in September after a 0.4 
percent increase the previous month. Higher prices for both nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
and most of the major finished goods categories contributed to the overall increase in nonagricultural export 
prices in September. Prices for nonagricultural exports, however, fell 1.5 percent for the September 2011-12 
period.   
		

                                       SELECTED SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent in September, led by a 
0.4 percent drop in the price index for computer and electronics manufacturing. Despite not recording a 
monthly advance since ticking up 0.1 percent in February, import prices from China rose 0.4 percent over the 
past year. The price indexes for imports from Canada and Mexico were each driven upward in September by 
higher fuel prices, rising 1.5 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. Prices for imports from Japan also rose 
in September, advancing 0.2 percent. In contrast, import prices from the European Union edged down 0.1 
percent.  

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices declined 0.2 
percent in September following a 0.3 percent decrease the previous month. The September decline was led 
by lower prices for industrial agricultural products which more than offset rising prices for gold and other 
precious metals.  

Finished Goods: Prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles rose in September, advancing 0.2 percent 
and 0.3 percent, respectively. The increase in capital goods prices followed a 0.1 percent decline in August, 
and was driven by a 1.0 percent rise in computer prices. The advance in the prices for automotive vehicles 
was led by a 1.2 percent rise in parts prices. Consumer goods prices remained unchanged in September. 
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 1.7 percent in September after 
falling 0.8 percent in August. An 18.9 percent advance in import vegetable prices was the largest contributor 
to the overall increase in prices.   

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 1.6 percent in September following declines 
of 5.5 percent in August and 3.2 percent in July. A 5.4 percent decrease in Asian fares and a 9.1 percent 
drop in Latin American/Caribbean fares drove the September decline. Lower European fares had been the 
primary factor for decreasing import air passenger fares in August and July. Import air freight prices 
increased 0.3 percent in September. 

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural supplies and materials 
increased 1.8 percent in September after rising 1.3 percent in August. Both advances were driven by higher 
fuel prices, although nonferrous metal prices and prices for chemicals each rose in September as well. 
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices increased overall in September. Prices for consumer goods advanced 
0.2 percent, led by rising prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. Higher parts prices drove 
the price index for automotive vehicles up 0.3 percent. However, capital goods prices were unchanged in 
September.    

Transportation Services: Export air passenger prices fell 11.0 percent in September. A 25.9 percent drop in 
Asian fares and a 10.0 percent decline in European fares each contributed to the decline. In contrast, the 
price index for export air freight increased 2.7 percent in September.  
		
Import and Export Price Index data for October 2012 are scheduled for release on Friday, November 
9, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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

All commodities

  100.000 139.2 140.8 -0.6 -2.3 -0.7 1.1 1.1

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

  71.914 103.1 103.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

All imports excluding petroleum

  77.951 115.7 115.9 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  76.976 120.1 120.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.062 168.5 171.3 -1.9 -0.8 -1.2 -0.8 1.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.924 189.7 194.0 -1.3 -0.9 -1.1 -0.8 2.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.138 120.5 120.1 -4.2 -0.1 -1.3 -0.7 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials

1

36.252 249.1 255.9 -2.5 -6.0 -1.9 3.4 2.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.204 163.1 162.8 -6.7 -1.1 -1.3 0.0 -0.2

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

  13.229 187.1 186.8 -5.0 -1.4 -1.8 -0.3 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.740 174.1 174.8 -7.7 -1.8 -1.0 -0.5 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.489 149.9 148.7 -5.5 -0.2 -1.6 0.5 -0.8

Fuels & lubricants

10

23.023 329.1 343.6 -1.3 -8.5 -2.0 5.7 4.4

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

22.048 369.2 386.1 -0.1 -8.9 -2.3 5.8 4.6

Crude

10000

16.577 377.7 393.4 0.8 -9.0 -3.6 5.8 4.2

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

101

0.678 90.9 91.3 -28.7 5.6 10.2 3.8 0.4

Gas-natural

10110

0.573 76.9 76.7 -32.0 7.9 12.4 4.5 -0.3

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.597 113.4 112.8 -3.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.982 177.3 175.5 -0.2 -0.8 -3.4 0.2 -1.0

Selected building materials

13

1.054 139.8 141.3 7.7 1.2 0.5 0.7 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.540 255.6 256.9 -15.7 -3.6 -2.0 -1.0 0.5

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.549 161.2 161.6 -2.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.5 0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.507 114.2 114.0 -2.0 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Capital goods

2

22.520 93.1 93.3 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.925 119.1 119.2 0.7 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.917 86.1 86.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

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

22

1.678 134.0 133.8 5.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.772 114.7 115.0 1.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.393 107.2 107.2 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.749 114.6 114.5 1.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

11.364 99.4 99.6 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.279 115.4 115.5 0.5 -0.3 -0.8 -2.5 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to September 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

All commodities

  100.000 133.5 134.6 -0.5 -1.7 0.4 1.0 0.8

Agricultural commodities

  11.968 228.0 230.4 6.7 -3.5 6.0 5.2 1.1

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

  80.498 102.2 102.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.4

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.032 126.7 127.6 -1.5 -1.5 -0.2 0.4 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

11.087 230.1 232.2 8.6 -3.0 6.5 5.0 0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

10.359 234.3 236.7 8.9 -3.3 7.0 5.3 1.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.728 192.7 192.3 4.2 1.0 -0.2 1.5 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials

1

33.579 180.2 183.5 -4.8 -3.9 -0.4 1.4 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  11.904 181.4 183.3 -6.8 -2.5 -0.7 -0.5 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  21.676 180.4 184.4 -3.8 -4.8 -0.2 2.6 2.2

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.609 197.9 200.7 -5.6 -4.6 -0.2 4.8 1.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  31.970 179.8 183.1 -4.8 -3.9 -0.4 1.3 1.8

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.415 261.6 273.0 -4.1 -8.7 0.6 4.7 4.4

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.607 169.8 171.5 -5.4 -2.3 -0.8 0.1 1.0

Selected building materials

13

0.948 118.7 118.9 2.7 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.2

Capital goods

2

34.424 105.6 105.6 1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.533 113.6 113.9 -0.2 0.2 -0.7 0.1 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.923 94.8 94.8 0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

22

5.968 149.2 149.2 3.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.209 112.9 113.2 1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.701 116.4 116.6 -0.7 0.1 -0.5 0.0 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.910 114.9 115.3 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Durables, manufactured

41

5.367 114.6 114.6 0.9 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to September 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  19.633 160.1 166.8 -1.7 -7.8 -3.0 4.8 4.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.804 166.8 172.7 -3.6 -1.9 -1.5 -1.4 3.5

Crop production

111

1.289 174.3 182.1 -1.8 -2.4 -1.5 -0.7 4.5

Mining

21

17.829 159.1 165.8 -1.5 -8.5 -3.1 5.6 4.2

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

212

0.331 143.5 145.0 -7.1 -1.0 -0.3 0.0 1.0

Manufactured articles

  79.910 117.4 117.9 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2 0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.934 124.2 123.6 0.2 -0.2 -0.9 -0.2 -0.5

Food manufacturing

311

3.028 157.3 155.4 -0.9 -0.5 -2.9 -0.6 -1.2

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.850 111.3 111.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.4

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.408 101.9 102.5 - -0.3 0.2 0.2 0.6

Textile product mills

314

0.879 115.8 115.7 -2.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.118 111.5 111.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.649 119.5 119.5 4.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.140 138.8 140.7 0.4 -2.4 0.0 1.7 1.4

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.643 118.7 120.1 9.9 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.2

Paper manufacturing

322

1.100 110.8 110.6 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.724 171.5 180.1 -0.8 -8.0 2.7 6.1 5.0

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.822 134.2 134.2 0.4 -0.8 -1.3 0.4 0.0

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.914 127.3 127.5 1.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.846 130.1 130.3 1.8 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

50.835 109.4 109.6 -0.9 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.124 168.8 169.5 -13.7 -3.3 -1.8 -1.1 0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.579 129.6 130.0 0.6 -0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.684 120.8 121.1 1.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.615 82.2 82.3 -1.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.888 118.5 118.5 1.8 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.449 111.9 112.1 2.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.323 113.3 113.5 1.1 0.7 -0.4 -0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.174 121.1 121.1 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 -1.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to September 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.989 179.6 180.3 -1.1 -5.6 8.0 5.0 0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

7.088 222.3 224.7 7.8 -5.8 10.1 6.0 1.1

Crop production

111

6.606 230.6 234.2 8.3 -6.3 11.0 5.5 1.6

Mining

21

1.901 96.3 94.3 -24.8 -4.8 1.0 1.5 -2.1

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.346 118.9 117.2 -20.6 -2.0 -0.3 -0.2 -1.4

Manufactured articles

  88.151 120.4 121.4 0.1 -1.2 -0.2 0.5 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.283 149.8 150.9 3.3 -0.3 -0.1 2.1 0.7

Food manufacturing

311

5.091 171.8 173.1 4.6 -0.4 -0.1 2.4 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.598 126.2 129.2 11.7 0.3 1.0 4.1 2.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.424 121.7 121.7 6.5 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.213 133.0 135.5 -0.4 -3.2 -0.6 1.8 1.9

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.402 114.2 114.2 -0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.5 0.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.840 119.7 119.8 -3.9 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.218 167.8 177.7 1.8 -9.1 0.4 5.5 5.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.824 130.0 131.0 -1.5 -1.7 -1.1 0.7 0.8

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.177 117.3 119.1 3.4 0.0 -0.4 0.0 1.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.751 111.5 111.3 0.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.655 112.8 113.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.614 165.5 168.6 -10.2 -3.0 -0.6 -1.4 1.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.667 132.0 132.0 3.4 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.088 120.6 120.7 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.282 89.3 89.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.201 112.2 112.6 -0.6 0.1 -0.6 0.1 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.387 116.8 117.0 2.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.2

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

337

0.298 102.9 103.1 - 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.119 121.7 122.0 -2.1 0.2 -0.9 -0.1 0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to September 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.134 160.1 161.4 -3.1 0.0 -1.2 -1.7 0.8

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.277 218.5 220.3 5.3 0.8 1.2 0.9 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.583 114.0 113.0 -9.7 -0.5 -2.4 -1.6 -0.9

Vegetable products

II

1.684 211.4 214.7 0.7 -2.0 -3.4 -0.9 1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.301 296.8 373.5 19.0 0.9 -6.1 -1.9 25.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.458 114.2 113.4 -8.2 -3.8 -0.8 -2.2 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.419 270.3 260.0 -11.7 -1.8 2.2 -1.0 -3.8

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

III

0.247 124.8 127.2 -8.7 -4.7 -2.6 -2.0 1.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.398 156.8 157.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.2 0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.182 83.6 84.5 -14.4 -1.2 -4.8 3.9 1.1

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

19

0.232 127.9 128.5 1.3 -0.2 1.2 0.2 0.5

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

20

0.348 170.1 171.0 7.1 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.802 121.5 121.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Mineral products

V

22.729 331.3 345.8 -1.1 -8.3 -2.0 5.6 4.4

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

27

22.419 327.6 342.1 -1.0 -8.4 -2.0 5.6 4.4

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.392 150.2 150.3 1.7 -0.3 -0.7 0.3 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.995 395.1 397.7 5.4 3.6 1.8 1.2 0.7

Organic chemicals

29

2.476 139.0 138.4 0.1 -1.4 0.1 0.7 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.055 116.9 117.0 4.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.438 136.4 136.4 -9.5 -2.6 -12.6 0.1 0.0

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

32

0.182 103.3 103.2 - -0.8 -1.8 -0.2 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.418 124.5 123.5 -2.4 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.475 101.9 102.1 -4.4 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.112 151.2 151.0 -1.4 -0.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.888 142.5 142.8 0.4 -0.3 -1.1 0.1 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.224 167.9 166.9 -4.0 -0.8 -0.8 -0.2 -0.6

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

VIII

0.594 126.3 126.3 3.4 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

42

0.546 127.1 127.1 3.8 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

IX

0.677 143.8 145.8 10.5 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.205 113.7 113.5 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

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

47

0.184 101.9 99.8 - 0.4 -0.1 -1.9 -2.1

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

48

0.803 108.2 108.3 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.259 114.9 114.6 -0.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.036 105.7 104.9 -1.7 -0.2 0.3 -0.6 -0.8

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.935 117.4 117.3 0.9 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.636 108.4 108.8 -3.8 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.353 119.0 119.1 4.6 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.150 118.0 118.0 4.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

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

XIII

0.766 132.1 132.5 2.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.3

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

68

0.247 125.7 126.6 3.7 0.6 0.3 -0.1 0.7

Ceramic products

69

0.230 142.1 142.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.290 126.8 127.1 1.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.2

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

XIV

3.217 195.5 199.4 -7.2 -2.6 -0.2 -1.6 2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.820 185.1 183.9 -7.4 -1.6 -1.4 -0.5 -0.6

Iron and steel

72

1.087 231.8 227.2 -13.1 -2.4 -2.5 -1.7 -2.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.428 160.6 159.8 -0.7 -0.6 0.2 -0.3 -0.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.440 339.6 342.9 -13.3 -4.0 -4.2 1.5 1.0

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.128 97.4 95.0 -24.9 -3.3 -2.3 -1.2 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.684 133.4 132.6 -12.0 -2.1 -2.0 -1.1 -0.6

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

82

0.368 128.5 129.0 3.9 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.417 136.0 136.1 3.4 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.1

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

XVI

24.999 85.6 85.8 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.613 89.7 90.1 1.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.4

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

85

12.386 81.7 81.8 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.386 116.2 116.3 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.575 115.3 115.4 1.2 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

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

88

0.716 118.7 118.2 2.0 0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.4

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

XVIII

3.237 103.9 104.0 -1.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.6 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.979 101.4 101.4 -1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.6 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.197 129.9 129.8 0.2 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.736 112.5 112.5 1.4 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

94

1.991 116.2 116.4 1.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.539 105.0 104.8 1.3 0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.206 136.6 136.7 2.5 2.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to September 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.974 211.4 206.8 0.6 0.0 -0.9 5.2 -2.2

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

02

1.125 165.2 165.8 -1.1 -1.4 -1.3 1.1 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.435 211.5 210.2 5.6 0.7 -0.1 1.9 -0.6

Vegetable products

II

6.637 282.4 287.5 12.0 -5.3 11.1 5.3 1.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.828 132.9 136.7 11.6 1.8 -2.4 -2.4 2.9

Cereals

10

2.610 339.4 335.8 3.2 -5.8 17.4 9.4 -1.1

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

12

2.590 321.4 335.4 23.4 -7.8 14.0 5.4 4.4

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

III

0.468 146.7 151.8 -5.9 -5.5 -0.9 -0.1 3.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.885 167.1 169.1 10.7 0.5 1.0 4.9 1.2

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

20

0.326 112.3 112.5 3.0 -0.1 0.5 0.7 0.2

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

22

0.401 109.7 109.7 3.8 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.976 281.3 289.2 28.0 3.0 3.6 13.6 2.8

Mineral products

V

8.380 307.8 319.8 -5.1 -8.0 -0.1 4.4 3.9

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

27

7.792 304.6 317.3 -5.0 -8.4 -0.1 4.9 4.2

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.157 154.0 154.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6 0.5 0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.005 185.7 186.0 -4.6 -0.4 1.3 0.1 0.2

Organic chemicals

29

3.380 164.6 166.0 -1.5 -1.7 -2.1 1.9 0.9

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.135 123.9 124.4 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.760 136.0 136.1 1.3 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.1

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

34

0.466 123.0 123.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.755 152.4 153.0 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.380 146.7 149.0 -2.9 -3.1 -1.7 0.8 1.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.315 137.6 140.3 -2.2 -3.0 -1.7 1.0 2.0

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.065 190.0 189.6 -5.7 -3.6 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2

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

VIII

0.374 132.1 131.8 -1.1 -2.8 -0.1 1.6 -0.2

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

IX

0.543 110.0 110.9 1.4 0.9 -0.3 0.0 0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.273 115.8 114.7 -9.6 -0.1 -0.2 -1.5 -0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.592 116.5 111.5 -26.6 0.0 -1.3 -6.4 -4.3

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

48

1.226 117.1 117.5 -1.9 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3

Printed material

49

0.455 121.2 121.3 1.8 -0.1 0.7 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.896 125.5 125.6 -8.8 -3.1 -0.3 0.8 0.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.569 133.0 132.5 -30.4 -11.1 -2.0 2.8 -0.4

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

XIII

0.742 117.8 117.8 1.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.400 98.5 98.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

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

XIV

5.106 271.8 287.5 -5.6 -1.5 -0.9 -1.2 5.8

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.433 171.6 170.6 -7.1 -3.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.6

Iron and steel

72

1.606 203.3 197.7 -15.2 -6.9 -3.5 0.6 -2.8

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.363 173.1 173.0 1.5 -0.5 0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.632 242.3 247.2 -12.3 -7.3 1.5 -1.5 2.0

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.806 123.2 124.0 -8.6 -2.2 -1.0 -0.4 0.6

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

82

0.392 134.4 134.5 5.7 0.0 3.9 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.339 146.0 146.0 7.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

XVI

27.521 96.9 97.0 0.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.016 110.4 110.5 1.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.505 82.3 82.4 -1.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.954 126.8 126.9 2.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.238 113.0 113.1 2.3 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.1

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

XVIII

5.789 106.0 106.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.344 110.2 110.3 1.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.694 119.8 120.0 -0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.518 90.9 90.9 1.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: September 2011 to September 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 130.0 131.1 -1.4 -1.1 -0.6 0.5 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles

11.920 212.7 220.7 -5.3 -4.4 -2.2 7.3 3.8

Manufactured articles

87.429 123.1 123.7 -1.0 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.5

Other Countries(3)

100.000 139.1 140.7 -0.3 -2.7 -0.7 1.0 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

24.399 337.7 351.9 -1.2 -8.5 -3.3 3.6 4.2

Manufactured articles

75.263 111.6 111.7 -0.1 -0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1

Canada

100.000 148.2 150.4 -3.0 -1.9 -1.7 2.3 1.5

Nonmanufactured articles

27.988 200.9 208.8 -6.4 -3.6 -2.6 7.4 3.9

Manufactured articles

70.931 138.0 138.8 -1.6 -1.2 -1.4 0.4 0.6

European Union(4)

100.000 134.2 134.0 -1.8 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

2.123 338.9 350.4 0.0 -10.7 -0.4 -0.1 3.4

Manufactured articles

97.664 130.8 130.5 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 119.8 119.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5 -0.3 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 114.0 114.2 -1.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.4 0.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 131.4 132.5 -0.8 -2.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.8

Latin America(5)

100.000 175.5 178.5 -0.7 -4.3 -0.3 1.6 1.7

Nonmanufactured articles

34.694 368.8 383.7 1.3 -9.9 -0.3 4.4 4.0

Manufactured articles

64.879 133.3 133.8 -2.2 -1.0 -0.4 0.2 0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 144.0 145.9 -1.2 -2.7 -0.1 0.6 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

20.824 195.9 206.9 2.1 -10.5 -0.5 4.4 5.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

79.176 94.6 94.8 -2.3 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 0.2

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

100.000 104.4 104.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.9 104.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Japan

100.000 102.7 102.9 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 90.9 91.1 -0.8 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 104.4 104.5 -1.1 -0.8 -0.2 -0.4 0.1

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

100.000 251.8 257.7 -7.1 -7.9 -5.1 -1.8 2.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative figures are based on 2010 trade values.
(2) Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) Includes European Union countries.
(5) Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) Includes China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

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


Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: September 2011 to September 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Aug.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Aug.
2012
Sept.
2012
Annual Monthly
Sept.
2011
to
Sept.
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 173.3 173.9 -6.3 0.6 -1.4 -1.6 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.407 156.2 157.7 -12.3 -2.1 -2.7 -0.9 1.0

Asia

72.043 155.5 155.7 -4.4 1.6 -1.1 -2.0 0.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 143.2 147.0 0.4 -1.8 -2.2 -1.0 2.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.367 130.0 132.2 0.0 -1.8 -1.6 -1.0 1.7

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 161.0 163.2 -0.6 1.0 -1.0 -0.3 1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.940 143.2 145.2 -7.9 -2.5 -1.4 -1.0 1.4

Asia

64.839 147.6 149.7 2.3 2.8 -0.9 -0.1 1.4

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 144.8 147.0 2.2 -0.9 -2.8 0.0 1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.973 163.2 164.3 2.4 -1.1 -1.2 0.1 0.7

Asia

49.198 136.3 138.9 1.2 -0.7 -4.2 -0.1 1.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 182.7 179.8 3.0 10.3 -3.2 -5.5 -1.6

Europe

39.143 190.1 191.2 4.5 20.0 -7.1 -8.0 0.6

Asia

27.728 161.3 152.6 0.5 7.3 -1.2 -3.5 -5.4

Latin America/Caribbean

11.791 172.5 156.8 -6.4 1.7 1.3 -2.0 -9.1

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 218.5 194.4 0.9 2.1 4.8 2.8 -11.0

Europe

26.047 243.5 219.2 -5.1 13.7 1.1 -5.2 -10.0

Asia

33.348 233.3 172.8 -4.5 -0.2 3.2 26.4 -25.9

Latin America/Caribbean

21.540 228.0 225.4 17.6 -2.5 6.0 -4.0 -1.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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


                                          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: October 11, 2012