Technical Information: David Mead (202) 606-7154 USDL-99-86 Bill Alterman (202) 606-7108 Transmission of This Media contact Material is Embargoed Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902 Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T. Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Thursday, April 8, 1999 U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES -MARCH 1999- The U.S. Import Price Index edged up 0.1 percent in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. An increase in imported petroleum prices more than offset a decline in nonpetroleum import prices. In contrast, the price index for U.S. exports fell 0.3 percent in March after posting a 0.2 percent decline in February. Percent changes in import and export price indexes by End Use category - not seasonally adjusted - IMPORTS EXPORTS Month Non- Agri- Nonagri- All Petroleum petroleum All cultural cultural Imports Imports Imports Exports Exports Exports 1998 March -0.8 -9.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 April -0.3 0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -1.6 -0.2 May -0.1 0.5 -0.2 0.1 1.0 -0.1 June -0.6 -4.4 -0.4 -0.5 0.0 -0.5 July -0.9 -5.4 -0.4 -0.3 0.3 -0.4 August -0.4 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5 -4.1 -0.1 September 0.2 6.4 -0.2 -0.5 -2.9 -0.2 October 0.2 2.3 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 November -0.5 -9.7 0.1 0.2 1.7 0.0 December -1.0 r -13.3 r -0.2 -0.1 0.7 -0.2 r 1999 January 0.4 r 4.2 r 0.1 r 0.0 0.0 0.0 r February -0.1 0.8 r 0.0 r -0.2 r -2.4 0.1 March 0.1 7.7 -0.4 -0.3 -3.0 -0.1 March 1997-98 -5.8 -32.4 -3.3 -2.8 -10.8 -1.8 March 1998-99 -3.0 -12.5 -2.3 -2.7 -9.8 -1.9 r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents. Import Goods The March uptick in overall import prices, the second in three months, was led by a 7.7 percent rise in imported petroleum prices - the largest monthly rise in nearly three years. Despite the increase, the index was still down 3.0 percent over the past 12 months. Petroleum prices have advanced in each of the past three months, but were still down 12.5 percent for the year ended in March. In contrast, nonpetroleum import prices were down 0.4 percent in March, the largest monthly decline since August. This index had been largely unchanged for the past six months. For the 12 months ended in March, the index was down 2.3 percent. The decline in nonpetroleum import prices was led by a 0.8 percent drop in the price index for imported capital goods, as computer prices continued to move lower. The decrease in capital goods prices was the largest monthly downturn since February 1998 and followed a five-month period when this index was relatively stable. For the year ended in March, the index was down 3.6 percent. Other broad areas posted moderate decreases. The import price index for consumer goods fell 0.5 percent in March after increasing 0.3 and 0.2 percent in February and January, respectively. Over the past 12 months, consumer goods prices fell 0.7 percent. The price indexes for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials and for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased in March, falling 0.3 and 0.6 percent, respectively. Over the March 1998-99 period, nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices were down 4.5 percent and foods, feeds, and beverages prices were down 4.3 percent. The only major nonpetroleum category that did not have a price decline in March was automotive vehicles, which was unchanged. For the year ended in March, the index was up 0.1 percent. Export Goods The decline in export prices continued a trend of decreases in this index, which was down 2.7 percent over the past 12 months. A 3.0 percent decrease in the price index for agricultural exports led the decline in March. The agricultural exports index was down 9.8 percent for the year ended in March. The price index for nonagricultural exports declined 0.1 percent in March, following a 0.1 percent increase in February. Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural export prices were down 1.9 percent, on average. Prices in each of the other major categories for exports either declined or were unchanged in March. The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell 0.2 percent in March and 5.0 percent over the past 12 months. Prices for exported consumer goods also fell last month, declining 0.1 percent; for the March 1998-99 period, the index was down 0.7 percent. The price indexes for exported capital goods and for automotive vehicles both were unchanged in March. Over the past 12 months, prices for exported capital goods fell 1.4 percent, while the index of exported automotive vehicles rose 0.9 percent. Imports by Locality of Origin Prices of imports from Japan were down 0.6 percent in March, resuming a downward trend after rising 2.2 percent over the previous four months. For the year ended in March, import prices from Japan were down 1.7 percent. The import price index for the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries continued to decrease, falling 0.7 percent in March--the 19th consecutive month this index has declined; over the past 12 months, this index was down 7.2 percent. Prices of imports from the European Union were down 0.5 percent in March and were unchanged over the past 12 months. In contrast, the price indexes for imports from Canada and Latin America increased in March, rising 0.3 and 0.6 percent, respectively. Prices of imports from Canada had posted declines in each of the prior four months and were down 1.6 percent for the year ended in March. Import prices from Latin America also fell, on average, over the past 12 months, declining 3.7 percent. Import and Export Services The import air freight index rose 1.3 percent in the first quarter of 1999, after rising 8.0 percent in the September-to- December quarter last year. For the year ended in March, the index was up 9.1 percent. In contrast, the price index for export air freight was down 6.4 percent over the past three months after increasing 1.2 percent in the last quarter of 1998. The index declined 4.6 percent for the 12 months ended in March. The import air passenger index declined 1.2 percent from December to March. Over the past 12 months, however, the index was still up 0.5 percent because of a 9.0 percent increase posted in the second quarter of 1998. The price index for export air passenger fares posted a second consecutive quarterly increase of 2.7 percent and was up 6.7 percent for the March 1998-99 period. The import ocean liner freight index was unchanged from December to March and up 7.7 percent for the year ended in March. CONTENTS OF RELEASE This news release includes the following tables: Table 1 Import Price Indexes, by End Use Table 2 Export Price Indexes, by End Use Table 3 Import Price Indexes, by SITC Table 4 Export Price Indexes, by SITC Table 5 Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System Table 6 Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System Table 7 Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin Table 8 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services Table 9 U.S. International Price Indexes for Services Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for release on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. END Description 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 USE February February March to to to to to 1999 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 ALL COMMODITIES....................................100.000 90.7 90.8 -3.0 -1.0 0.4 -0.1 0.1 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................... 94.621 92.8 92.4 -2.3 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES......................... 4.802 93.0 92.4 -4.3 0.0 0.8 -3.0 -0.6 00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages................ 3.344 88.9 87.9 -5.9 0.5 1.1 -4.7 -1.1 01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)................................... 1.458 103.8 104.2 -0.7 -1.6 0.5 1.2 0.4 1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS................... 23.915 82.7 83.9 -6.7 -3.7 1.0 0.1 1.5 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM....................... 18.537 90.6 90.3 -4.5 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, DURABLE................................... 9.840 92.0 92.1 -3.9 -0.2 0.3 0.7 0.1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM............ 8.698 89.0 88.4 -5.3 -1.1 -0.1 -0.9 -0.7 10 Fuels & lubricants............................... 6.563 67.9 71.5 -11.7 -10.9 4.0 -0.3 5.3 100 Petroleum & petroleum products.................. 5.378 62.5 67.3 -12.5 -13.3 4.2 0.8 7.7 1000 Crude......................................... 4.135 60.5 66.7 -9.9 -15.1 7.0 1.3 10.2 11 Paper & paper base stocks........................ 1.839 78.5 77.9 -4.5 -1.5 -0.6 0.3 -0.8 12 Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials......................... 5.891 87.2 87.4 -4.8 -1.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 13 Selected building materials...................... 2.267 107.8 107.9 3.2 1.2 1.4 3.5 0.1 14 Unfinished metals associated with durable goods................................ 4.387 86.7 86.9 -7.6 -0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.2 15 Finished metals associated with durable goods........................................ 1.487 92.2 91.7 -2.9 -0.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 16 Nonmetals associated with durable goods.......... 1.481 88.6 88.1 -4.6 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 -0.6 2 CAPITAL GOODS..................................... 28.566 84.6 83.9 -3.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.8 20 Electric & electrical generating equipment.................................... 3.477 93.6 93.0 -2.6 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.6 21 Nonelectrical machinery.......................... 23.252 81.6 80.9 -3.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.9 3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES.............. 19.206 101.5 101.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES.................................. 23.510 98.4 97.9 -0.7 -0.4 0.2 0.3 -0.5 40 Nondurables, manufactured........................ 11.745 101.2 100.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.2 0.2 -0.4 41 Durables, manufactured........................... 10.584 95.2 94.8 -1.6 -0.3 0.2 0.0 -0.4 42 Nonmanufactured consumer goods................... 1.181 100.9 99.6 1.5 0.4 0.6 3.3 -1.3 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. END Description 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 USE February February March to to to to to 1999 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 ALL COMMODITIES....................................100.000 94.6 94.3 -2.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES........................... 9.573 87.1 84.5 -9.8 0.7 0.0 -2.4 -3.0 NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES........................ 90.428 95.5 95.4 -1.9 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES......................... 8.746 89.3 87.0 -7.8 0.7 0.2 -2.3 -2.6 00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages................ 7.935 88.6 85.9 -9.9 0.8 0.1 -2.7 -3.0 01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)................................... 0.811 98.2 100.0 16.0 -0.9 1.1 2.4 1.8 1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS................... 24.202 86.8 86.4 -5.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.5 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, DURABLE................................... 9.471 88.1 87.7 -4.8 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, NONDURABLE................................ 14.732 86.0 85.7 -5.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 10 Agricultural industrial supplies & materials.................................... 1.638 81.9 79.9 -9.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -2.4 NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.................................. 22.564 87.2 87.0 -5.0 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 11 Fuels & lubricants............................... 2.135 92.6 92.5 -10.5 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 12 Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials......... 18.927 85.7 85.4 -4.8 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 13 Selected building materials...................... 1.502 86.8 87.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.2 0.6 0.6 2 CAPITAL GOODS..................................... 44.625 97.1 97.1 -1.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 20 Electric & electrical generating Equipment.................................... 4.488 99.2 99.2 -2.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.0 21 Nonelectrical machinery.......................... 34.387 93.6 93.7 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES.............. 10.162 103.1 103.1 0.9 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES.................................. 12.266 101.9 101.8 -0.7 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 40 Nondurables, manufactured........................ 6.506 102.3 102.2 -0.1 -0.4 0.2 0.3 -0.1 41 Durables, manufactured........................... 5.173 100.3 100.1 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. SITC Description 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 Rev. 3 February February March to to to to to 1999 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 ALL COMMODITIES.............................. 100.000 90.7 90.8 -3.0 -1.0 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0 FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS....................... 4.054 92.9 92.6 -5.4 -0.6 1.2 -3.5 -0.3 01 Meat and meat preparations................. 0.341 92.2 95.8 -5.3 -3.2 0.1 0.3 3.9 03 Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof................ 1.087 102.7 103.1 -3.7 -2.2 0.8 1.8 0.4 05 Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried.......................... 1.141 101.0 98.7 3.1 0.9 2.0 -10.5 -2.3 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof.................... 0.543 72.3 71.0 -24.5 0.5 1.6 -5.1 -1.8 3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)....... 0.942 93.2 93.7 -3.0 -0.9 0.5 -0.6 0.5 1 BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO....................... 0.926 110.1 110.5 1.2 0.2 0.5 -0.3 0.4 11 Beverages.................................. 0.780 106.7 106.9 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 2 CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS..... 2.902 87.4 86.7 -4.8 1.2 0.2 3.7 -0.8 24 Cork and wood.............................. 1.114 113.7 113.2 2.4 4.0 1.6 4.7 -0.4 25 Pulp and waste paper....................... 0.345 57.9 57.6 -10.3 -0.3 -1.0 1.2 -0.5 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap......... 0.595 90.5 90.1 -10.3 0.0 -1.9 -0.5 -0.4 29 Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s. (9612=100)....................... 0.335 120.7 112.8 2.5 2.6 4.0 16.7 -6.5 3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels (9612=100).......................... 0.326 84.6 87.1 -7.7 -0.5 -1.1 0.5 3.0 3 MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS................................ 6.286 67.2 70.8 -11.8 -11.1 4.5 -0.4 5.4 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials....................... 5.091 62.2 67.1 -11.8 -13.8 4.9 1.0 7.9 34 Gas, natural and manufactured.............. 1.063 107.1 99.8 -13.0 0.6 2.5 -5.6 -6.8 5 CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S....... 5.672 91.1 90.7 -3.0 -1.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.4 51 Organic chemicals.......................... 1.613 90.7 90.2 -2.1 -2.1 1.1 0.0 -0.6 52 Inorganic chemicals........................ 0.649 88.5 88.3 -6.9 -4.2 -0.9 -1.8 -0.2 53 Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials..... 0.300 94.0 94.2 -0.7 -0.8 -1.9 -0.7 0.2 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products...... 0.987 97.4 96.7 0.9 -0.2 1.4 0.4 -0.7 55 Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps................................... 0.334 94.3 93.4 -1.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.3 -1.0 57 Plastics in primary forms.................. 0.394 92.2 92.1 -2.4 -0.2 0.5 0.4 -0.1 58 Plastics in nonprimary forms............... 0.497 73.0 73.2 -10.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.7 0.3 59 Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..... 0.669 98.1 97.7 -3.9 0.2 -0.6 -0.7 -0.4 6 MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL.............................. 12.838 91.8 91.8 -3.1 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 0.0 62 Rubber manufactures, n.e.s................. 0.765 94.7 94.4 -0.3 -0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.3 63 Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture............................... 0.598 98.9 100.5 8.2 -2.1 1.6 2.3 1.6 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper or paper board........ 1.668 85.5 85.0 -3.3 -1.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.6 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s., and related prod...... 1.447 95.2 95.5 -2.5 -0.3 -0.2 -1.0 0.3 66 Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s................................... 2.265 101.0 101.4 0.8 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.4 67 Iron and steel............................. 1.963 86.2 85.0 -10.4 -1.6 -0.6 -0.6 -1.4 68 Nonferrous metals.......................... 1.875 84.4 85.9 -5.8 -1.0 -0.1 1.8 1.8 69 Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.............. 2.083 96.8 96.0 -1.3 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 -0.8 7 MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT........... 48.416 91.4 91.1 -1.9 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.3 71 Power generating machinery and equipment (9612=100).................... 3.181 98.4 98.6 -1.3 0.2 -0.1 0.6 0.2 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries.............................. 2.879 98.8 98.4 0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.3 -0.4 73 Metalworking machinery..................... 0.877 97.3 96.1 -1.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -1.2 74 General industrial machinery, equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s....... 3.727 99.1 98.6 2.1 -0.3 0.2 0.5 -0.5 75 Computer equipment and office machines..... 6.380 65.9 64.3 -11.9 0.2 -0.1 -1.1 -2.4 76 Telecommunications & sound recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment..... 4.672 88.5 88.4 -2.6 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1 77 Electrical machinery and equipment......... 9.747 84.3 84.4 -1.3 0.1 -0.2 0.5 0.1 78 Road vehicles.............................. 15.830 102.0 102.0 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 8 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 18.456 98.4 98.2 -1.0 -0.3 0.2 0.0 -0.2 81 Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.............. 0.400 93.1 93.3 -3.5 -0.8 0.4 -1.7 0.2 82 Furniture and parts thereof................ 1.320 100.1 100.2 -2.6 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers.............................. 0.542 101.2 100.7 1.2 0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.5 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories............................. 6.243 102.4 102.1 -0.6 -0.7 0.0 0.3 -0.3 85 Footwear................................... 1.908 101.4 100.7 0.0 -0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.7 87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........ 1.676 95.0 94.6 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 88 Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;..... 1.413 92.1 91.8 0.0 -0.2 0.9 0.2 -0.3 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s................................... 4.955 95.7 95.4 -2.2 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available. 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. SITC Description 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 Rev. 3 February February March to to to to to 1999 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 ALL COMMODITIES.............................. 100.000 94.6 94.3 -2.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0 FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS....................... 7.199 89.1 87.5 -5.4 0.4 0.9 -1.3 -1.8 01 Meat and meat preparations................. 1.158 93.3 90.0 -2.3 -0.9 0.3 3.4 -3.5 03 Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof................ 0.623 98.6 101.0 21.8 -0.8 0.4 2.6 2.4 04 Cereals and cereal preparations............ 2.394 77.8 75.9 -16.0 0.9 0.5 -1.9 -2.4 05 Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried.......................... 1.446 97.9 95.0 3.6 0.4 3.5 -5.1 -3.0 08 Feeding stuff for animals (not including unmilled cereals)............. 0.656 90.1 90.5 -10.5 3.1 -1.1 -1.2 0.4 09 Miscellaneous edible products and preparations............................ 0.413 106.8 106.8 1.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)....... 0.510 92.3 91.4 -4.5 -1.3 0.4 -3.6 -1.0 1 BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO....................... 1.570 101.4 101.2 1.0 0.2 0.6 0.1 -0.2 12 Tobacco and tobacco manufactures........... 1.296 101.5 101.2 1.0 0.0 0.9 0.2 -0.3 2 CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS..... 5.047 75.0 74.0 -12.1 0.8 -0.9 -0.8 -1.3 21 Hides, skins and furskins, raw............. 0.276 81.4 81.5 -9.5 7.0 -3.5 -1.6 0.1 22 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............ 0.960 84.9 78.3 -27.8 2.5 -4.4 -7.1 -7.8 24 Cork and wood.............................. 0.881 81.5 81.6 -2.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.1 25 Pulp and waste paper....................... 0.735 61.3 62.0 -4.6 0.2 3.5 2.7 1.1 26 Textile fibers and their waste............. 0.730 70.8 69.7 -10.5 -1.1 -0.3 0.6 -1.6 27 Crude fertilizers and crude minerals....... 0.332 93.4 93.6 -3.6 0.0 -1.8 0.0 0.2 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap......... 0.738 68.8 69.8 -12.4 0.1 -0.3 1.6 1.5 3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels (9612=100).......................... 0.395 90.2 89.9 -11.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 3 MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS................................ 1.873 93.4 93.0 -12.4 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 -0.4 32 Coal, coke and briquettes.................. 0.701 99.3 99.3 -1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials....................... 1.035 91.3 90.7 -17.9 -1.8 -0.9 -0.1 -0.7 4 ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND WAXES.................................... 0.442 90.6 82.6 -18.1 -3.1 -1.7 -7.6 -8.8 5 CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S....... 10.630 90.5 90.5 -3.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 51 Organic chemicals.......................... 2.314 73.7 73.5 -7.3 0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3 52 Inorganic chemicals........................ 0.899 103.2 103.1 1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 53 Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials..... 0.508 101.2 101.2 -0.9 -0.1 0.7 0.4 0.0 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products...... 1.255 100.1 100.3 -2.0 -0.4 -0.6 0.1 0.2 55 Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps................................... 0.772 101.4 101.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.1 56 Fertilizers (9612=100)..................... 0.580 95.2 93.7 1.8 -1.1 -0.2 -0.5 -1.6 57 Plastics in primary forms.................. 1.707 84.4 84.6 -7.7 -0.3 -1.2 -0.2 0.2 58 Plastics in nonprimary forms............... 0.825 95.4 96.4 -3.3 -0.5 0.5 -0.5 1.0 59 Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..... 1.769 100.7 100.6 0.1 0.1 -0.9 0.4 -0.1 6 MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL.............................. 9.907 96.8 96.1 -2.2 -0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.7 62 Rubber manufactures, n.e.s................. 0.727 107.6 106.7 4.5 -0.1 0.5 1.0 -0.8 63 Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture............................... 0.311 94.3 95.0 3.0 -1.0 -0.3 2.1 0.7 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard......... 1.511 80.9 80.9 -4.5 -0.7 -1.1 0.6 0.0 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles, n.e.s................. 1.410 99.6 99.6 -3.9 0.4 -0.1 -1.3 0.0 66 Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s................................... 1.375 106.9 106.6 -0.4 0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 67 Iron and steel............................. 1.077 96.9 95.6 -5.1 -0.6 0.8 -0.9 -1.3 68 Nonferrous metals.......................... 1.231 85.4 82.9 -9.1 -1.8 0.8 0.9 -2.9 69 Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.............. 2.117 108.1 107.6 2.5 -0.1 1.6 0.0 -0.5 7 MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT........... 51.087 98.1 98.1 -1.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 71 Power generating machinery and equipment............................... 4.533 109.3 109.5 2.5 0.5 0.6 0.2 0.2 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries.............................. 4.880 105.6 105.8 0.8 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.2 73 Metalworking machinery..................... 1.031 109.2 109.0 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.2 74 General industrial machinery, equipment, & parts, n.e.s............... 5.280 107.4 107.1 1.2 0.0 0.5 0.4 -0.3 75 Computer equipment and office machines..... 5.967 73.3 73.0 -8.5 -0.1 -1.1 -0.4 -0.4 76 Telecommunications & sound recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment..... 3.844 97.4 97.6 -1.0 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.2 77 Electrical machinery and equipment......... 11.449 89.9 90.1 -3.2 -0.2 -0.8 0.0 0.2 78 Road vehicles.............................. 9.410 102.3 102.3 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 8 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 11.517 101.0 101.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 82 Furniture and parts thereof................ 0.656 103.9 104.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.3 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories............................. 1.290 101.2 101.1 -2.6 -1.6 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........ 3.872 104.8 105.5 1.8 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.7 88 Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies and optical goods, n.e.s....... 0.944 95.4 95.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.5 0.5 -0.3 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s................................... 4.278 98.2 98.0 -1.4 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2 3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured articles (9612=100)....................... 0.477 102.2 102.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available. 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly Harmo- ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. nized Description 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 System February February March to to to to to 1999 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS............... 1.632 98.9 100.8 -2.7 -1.8 0.8 0.6 1.9 02 Meat and edible meat offal................... 0.278 92.7 97.8 0.2 -2.8 0.0 0.1 5.5 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and........... other aquatic invertebrates............... 0.967 104.5 105.5 -2.0 -1.4 1.3 1.3 1.0 3/ Other live animals and animal................ products (9612=100)....................... 0.387 93.3 94.7 -6.4 -2.3 0.4 -0.4 1.5 II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS.......................... 1.589 86.2 84.5 -4.4 1.0 1.7 -6.2 -2.0 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and...... tubers.................................... 0.294 101.6 92.9 -5.5 10.2 -1.8 -29.3 -8.6 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........ fruit or melons........................... 0.490 101.6 102.1 6.1 -5.3 3.8 0.5 0.5 09 Coffee, tea, mate and spices................. 0.369 70.9 70.1 -20.0 -0.8 2.8 -4.6 -1.1 3/ Other vegetable products..................... 0.436 94.0 93.4 1.6 1.7 1.8 7.9 -0.6 IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND......... TOBACCO................................... 2.197 100.6 100.4 -0.3 0.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.2 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit,........... nuts, or other parts of plants............ 0.301 93.6 94.3 8.0 3.0 2.9 -1.3 0.7 22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.............. 0.807 105.0 104.9 0.8 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)......... 1.089 97.0 96.6 -3.2 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 V MINERAL PRODUCTS............................ 6.940 69.4 72.8 -11.1 -10.1 3.6 -0.1 4.9 26 Ores, slag and ash........................... 0.313 101.5 101.5 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,........... bituminous substances and mineral wax..... 6.390 67.5 71.1 -11.9 -10.9 4.0 -0.3 5.3 VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED.......... INDUSTRIES................................ 5.329 93.9 93.4 -3.1 -1.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5 28 Inorganic chemicals.......................... 0.814 91.7 91.4 -7.7 -2.7 -1.3 -2.0 -0.3 29 Organic chemicals............................ 2.025 90.3 89.7 -3.8 -1.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.7 30 Pharmaceutical products...................... 0.612 105.1 104.5 3.1 -0.4 1.2 0.3 -0.6 32 Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &............. pigments; varnish & paints; putty......... 0.298 92.3 92.3 -0.9 -0.8 -1.7 -0.8 0.0 37 Photographic or cinematographic goods........ 0.369 95.4 95.6 -0.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 38 Miscellaneous chemical products.............. (9612=100)................................ 0.413 91.0 90.4 -5.7 0.8 -0.5 -1.3 -0.7 3/ Other products of the chemical or............ allied industries (9612=100).............. 0.798 95.1 94.4 -1.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.5 -0.7 VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER....... AND ARTICLES THEREOF...................... 2.791 85.6 85.5 -4.3 -0.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 39 Plastics and articles thereof................ 1.751 89.0 89.0 -4.1 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.0 40 Rubber and articles thereof.................. 1.040 80.6 80.2 -4.6 -1.4 0.0 0.4 -0.5 VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........ TRAVEL GOODS, ETC......................... 1.071 102.6 102.1 0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 42 Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,..... etc. of various materials................. 0.901 100.8 100.4 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.4 IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET.... AND WICKER................................ 1.756 106.2 106.1 3.1 1.9 1.6 3.8 -0.1 X WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER..... AND ARTICLES THEREOF...................... 2.412 81.1 80.7 -4.0 -1.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.5 47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........ material; waste paper/paperboard.......... 0.344 58.2 57.9 -10.6 -0.2 -1.0 1.2 -0.5 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper...... pulp, paper or paperboard................. 1.692 86.6 86.1 -2.9 -1.5 -0.5 0.0 -0.6 49 Printed matter............................... 0.376 99.2 99.0 -2.4 -0.4 0.4 -0.2 -0.2 XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................ 7.290 100.0 99.8 -1.4 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 61 Articles of apparel and clothing............. accessories, knitted or crocheted......... 2.150 99.8 99.3 -2.6 -1.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.5 62 Articles of apparel and clothing............. accessories, not knitted or crocheted..... 3.584 104.2 104.1 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1 63 Made-up or worn textile articles and......... clothing; needlecraft sets; rags.......... 0.353 93.6 93.4 -0.5 -1.2 0.6 0.1 -0.2 3/ Other textile & textile...................... articles (9612=100)....................... 1.203 93.5 93.8 -5.0 -0.4 -0.4 -1.5 0.3 XII FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,....... ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC................... 2.234 101.6 101.0 0.1 -0.3 0.4 0.1 -0.6 64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........ of such articles.......................... 1.919 101.0 100.4 0.0 -0.4 0.4 0.1 -0.6 3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,......... whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)...... 0.315 103.2 103.0 1.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC.... GLASS ETC................................. 1.218 101.5 101.9 0.8 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 69 Ceramic products............................. 0.462 98.7 98.6 0.6 -0.4 0.4 0.8 -0.1 70 Glass and glassware.......................... 0.466 100.3 101.7 0.9 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 1.4 XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............ IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............. 2.400 100.3 101.5 2.5 -0.1 0.8 1.1 1.2 XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL...... 5.606 84.4 83.9 -8.3 -1.2 -0.8 0.0 -0.6 72 Iron and steel............................... 1.680 85.0 84.0 -10.7 -0.9 -0.5 -0.8 -1.2 73 Articles of iron or steel.................... 1.322 92.9 92.6 -2.8 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 74 Copper and articles thereof.................. 0.391 67.4 66.6 -7.6 -0.9 -2.4 -1.2 -1.2 76 Aluminum and articles thereof................ 0.897 79.9 79.3 -11.3 -1.2 -0.9 -0.6 -0.8 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal......... 0.436 100.0 100.0 -2.0 -0.7 -0.7 0.3 0.0 3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and.......... articles, including scrap (9612=100)...... 0.403 74.9 76.4 -21.1 -6.0 -4.3 7.8 2.0 XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV......... IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC....... 30.469 84.1 83.6 -3.7 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.6 84 Specialized machinery & computer............. equipment................................. 15.754 83.8 82.9 -5.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -1.1 85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound........ and TV recorders & reproducers, parts..... 14.715 84.4 84.4 -2.1 0.1 -0.1 0.5 0.0 XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND............. ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............ 17.155 102.1 102.1 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 87 Motor vehicles and their parts............... 16.204 101.8 101.8 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........ MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES......... 3.730 92.1 91.9 -0.6 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.2 90 Optical, photographic, measuring and......... medical instruments....................... 3.176 91.7 91.5 -0.9 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.2 91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof......... 0.405 94.7 95.0 1.8 -0.7 0.8 -0.3 0.3 XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 3.907 97.8 97.6 -1.8 -0.1 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........ and lighting fittings nes;................ 1.686 98.5 98.5 -1.8 -0.1 0.3 -0.3 0.0 95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts...... and accessories thereof................... 1.913 97.8 97.4 -2.3 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.4 96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... 0.308 94.4 94.0 0.9 -0.6 0.6 -1.3 -0.4 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly Harmo- ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. nized Description 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 System February February March to to to to to 1999 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS............... 1.940 93.2 91.6 2.0 -1.4 0.3 2.3 -1.7 02 Meat & edible meat offal..................... 1.048 88.6 85.1 -4.9 -1.3 -0.6 3.4 -4.0 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and........... other aquatic invertebrates............... 0.551 95.7 98.0 22.0 -1.2 2.1 3.8 2.4 3/ Other live animals and animal................ products (9612=100)....................... 0.341 89.9 88.3 -3.4 -1.9 0.4 -2.8 -1.8 II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS.......................... 4.654 83.5 80.9 -14.8 1.2 0.1 -3.6 -3.1 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and...... tubers.................................... 0.305 92.7 92.6 -3.2 3.8 7.8 -15.8 -0.1 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........ fruit or melons........................... 0.771 101.0 99.1 9.0 -0.9 1.9 0.1 -1.9 10 Cereals...................................... 2.176 76.0 73.8 -17.3 1.2 0.8 -1.8 -2.9 12 Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............ fruits, plants, straw and fodder.......... 1.166 89.5 83.8 -24.6 2.4 -3.4 -5.7 -6.4 III ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS........... 0.481 91.6 83.0 -18.9 -3.0 -2.2 -7.2 -9.4 IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND......... TOBACCO................................... 3.493 98.0 97.5 -1.6 1.4 -0.3 -0.6 -0.5 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit,........... nuts, or other parts of plants............ 0.361 97.2 93.0 -2.0 5.8 -2.6 -2.1 -4.3 21 Miscellaneous edible preparations............ 0.382 107.0 107.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.............. 0.341 98.9 99.1 1.1 1.4 -1.1 -0.3 0.2 23 Residues and waste from the food............. industries; prepared animal feed.......... 0.585 86.7 86.8 -9.4 4.5 -1.4 -2.3 0.1 24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco............. substitutes............................... 1.306 101.4 101.2 1.0 0.0 0.7 0.2 -0.2 3/ Other prepared foods......................... 0.517 100.0 99.9 -1.9 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 V MINERAL PRODUCTS............................ 2.432 91.9 91.9 -10.7 -0.6 -0.8 0.8 0.0 26 Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)................ 0.254 105.4 107.5 n.a. n.a. -2.4 8.0 2.0 27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,........... bituminous substances and mineral wax..... 1.918 93.9 93.5 -12.5 -0.8 -0.5 0.0 -0.4 VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED.......... INDUSTRIES................................ 8.738 92.1 91.9 -2.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 28 Inorganic chemicals.......................... 0.964 101.7 101.6 1.9 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.1 29 Organic chemicals............................ 2.603 76.7 76.5 -7.3 0.3 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3 30 Pharmaceutical products...................... 0.939 103.0 103.4 -1.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.4 31 Fertilizers (9612=100)....................... 0.647 95.2 93.7 1.8 -1.1 -0.2 -0.5 -1.6 32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and......... pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink..... 0.521 101.4 101.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.6 0.3 0.0 33 Essential oils and resinoids;................ perfumery, cosmetic or toilet............. 0.552 103.3 103.6 0.4 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.3 34 Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........ scouring products; candles, pastes........ 0.330 104.3 104.1 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.5 -0.2 37 Photographic or cinematographic goods........ 0.417 89.1 87.6 0.7 -0.1 1.3 1.2 -1.7 38 Miscellaneous chemical products.............. 1.534 99.4 99.5 -0.1 0.0 -1.1 0.2 0.1 VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER....... AND ARTICLES THEREOF...................... 4.203 90.4 90.5 -5.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.1 39 Plastics and articles thereof................ 3.252 87.7 88.0 -7.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.3 40 Rubber and articles thereof.................. 0.951 100.9 100.2 2.0 -0.3 0.3 0.8 -0.7 VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........ TRAVEL GOODS, ETC......................... 0.504 83.2 83.2 -6.6 4.1 -2.0 -1.4 0.0 41 Raw hides and skins (other than.............. furskins) and leather..................... 0.348 77.1 77.2 -11.1 5.7 -2.7 -2.2 0.1 IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,........... BASKET AND WICKER......................... 1.218 85.0 85.2 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 0.7 0.2 X WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER..... AND ARTICLES THEREOF...................... 3.002 76.1 76.0 -3.2 -0.4 0.1 0.8 -0.1 47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........ material; waste paper/paperboard.......... 0.676 58.5 58.7 -5.3 0.0 2.7 2.5 0.3 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper...... pulp, paper or paperboard................. 1.479 81.2 81.0 -5.2 -1.0 -1.2 0.5 -0.2 49 Printed material............................. 0.847 109.7 109.5 2.3 -0.1 0.7 0.0 -0.2 XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................ 3.174 88.1 87.7 -5.3 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 52 Cotton, including yarns and woven............ fabrics thereof........................... 0.650 72.8 71.5 -8.1 -1.0 0.0 0.7 -1.8 55 Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns......... and woven fabrics (9812=100).............. 0.268 98.4 98.4 n.a. n.a. -0.1 -1.5 0.0 61 Apparel and clothing access.,................ knitted or crocheted (9812=100)........... 0.485 101.1 100.9 n.a. n.a. 0.1 1.0 -0.2 62 Apparel and clothing access.,................ not knitted or crocheted (9812=100)....... 0.666 98.9 98.9 n.a. n.a. -1.1 0.0 0.0 XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,........... CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................ 0.883 103.4 103.4 -0.6 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 70 Glass and glassware.......................... 0.512 102.5 102.1 0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............ IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............. 1.917 95.2 96.1 -0.7 -0.1 0.9 1.4 0.9 XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS..... 4.469 89.6 88.6 -5.4 -0.7 0.3 -0.2 -1.1 72 Iron and steel............................... 0.836 77.5 77.3 -12.9 -0.9 0.1 -1.5 -0.3 73 Articles of iron or steel.................... 1.325 109.6 109.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 74 Copper and articles thereof.................. 0.336 62.0 61.8 -10.4 -2.0 -4.5 -0.3 -0.3 76 Aluminum and articles thereof................ 0.823 79.9 77.0 -12.2 -0.9 -0.4 0.3 -3.6 82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and....... forks, of base metal; parts thereof....... 0.443 107.1 107.0 2.8 0.4 4.4 -0.1 -0.1 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal......... 0.394 102.1 103.2 2.9 0.0 0.8 0.5 1.1 XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV......... IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC..... 36.877 93.1 93.1 -2.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0 84 Specialized machinery & computer............. equipment................................. 20.674 94.7 94.6 -1.8 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound........ & tv recorders & reproducers, parts....... 16.203 91.1 91.3 -2.9 -0.1 -0.7 0.1 0.2 XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND............. ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............ 14.337 105.8 105.8 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 87 Motor vehicles and their parts............... 9.879 102.4 102.4 0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........ MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES......... 5.609 102.7 103.1 0.6 0.1 0.6 -0.2 0.4 XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 1.839 102.2 102.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings;.............. lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........ 0.905 104.0 104.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.2 95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts...... and accessories thereof................... 0.757 100.7 100.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin, March 1998-March 1999 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Percentage of Annual Monthly US Imports March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Description 1/ 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1995 Feb. March to to to to to 1999 1999 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 2/ 1999 1998 1999 1999 1999 3/ Developed Countries.......................... 55.6 95.1 94.9 -0.6 -0.4 0.4 0.0 -0.2 Manufactured Goods......................... 52.2 96.0 95.7 -0.3 -0.3 0.4 0.1 -0.3 Nonmanufactured Goods...................... 3.1 84.3 86.0 -4.7 -3.4 0.9 -1.5 2.0 3/ Developing Countries......................... 42.7 89.2 89.6 -5.4 -1.7 0.2 0.0 0.4 Manufactured Goods......................... 35.4 91.6 91.2 -4.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 Nonmanufactured Goods...................... 7.1 72.8 76.9 -8.7 -9.3 4.5 1.0 5.6 Canada....................................... 18.9 94.6 94.9 -1.6 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 Manufactured Goods......................... 16.5 96.1 96.4 -1.0 -0.9 -0.2 0.1 0.3 Nonmanufactured Goods...................... 2.2 87.3 87.9 -5.2 -1.8 0.6 -2.8 0.7 4/ European Union............................... 17.0 100.5 100.0 0.0 -0.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 Manufactured Goods......................... 16.4 101.4 100.8 0.4 -0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.6 Nonmanufactured Goods...................... 0.5 74.2 78.5 -13.6 -8.6 -1.5 1.8 5.8 5/ Latin America (9712=100).................... 14.1 90.7 91.2 -3.7 -2.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 Manufactured Goods (9712=100)............. 10.4 95.1 94.6 -3.1 -0.5 -1.1 0.0 -0.5 Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)........... 3.5 77.9 81.3 -5.4 -7.2 5.7 0.5 4.4 Japan........................................ 16.6 88.9 88.4 -1.7 0.2 0.2 0.5 -0.6 6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries......... 10.9 83.9 83.3 -7.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.7 1 Regions are not mutually exclusive. 2 Data for December 1998, January and February 1999 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. 3 Defined according to the Standard Census Definition. 4 Includes EU 15 countries. 5 Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. 6 Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Table 8 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services, March 1998-March 1999 1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Annual Quarterly Trade March March June Sept. Dec. Description (Mil. 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 of Dec. March to to to to to Dollars) 1998 1999 March June Sept. Dec. March 1999 1998 1998 1998 1999 IMPORT Air Freight 3188 86.7 87.8 9.1 1.2 -1.5 8.0 1.3 Atlantic 1278 91.7 89.1 3.8 2.3 -0.5 4.9 -2.8 Pacific 1674 83.8 87.9 15.2 0.5 -2.3 11.9 4.9 Air Passenger Fares 11127 105.1 103.8 0.5 9.0 0.2 -6.8 -1.2 1/ Atlantic 4922 98.1 97.1 -1.8 18.6 1.6 -17.7 -1.0 1/ Pacific 2340 104.7 97.4 -0.9 7.7 -6.5 5.8 -7.0 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 3021 109.0 112.5 5.2 -0.6 2.8 -0.3 3.2 1/ Crude Oil Tanker Freight 1346 82.3 n.a. n.a. -14.6 -3.9 5.0 n.a. Ocean Liner Freight 9868 100.6 100.6 7.7 7.9 0.4 -0.6 0.0 U.S. East Coast 4271 99.0 99.0 2.6 2.8 1.1 -1.3 0.0 from Atlantic 1952 97.4 97.5 0.3 -0.5 0.7 0.0 0.1 from Pacific 1774 103.3 103.3 9.0 6.8 1.9 0.2 0.0 1/ U.S. West Coast 5596 101.2 101.1 11.7 12.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 EXPORT Air Freight (9612 = 100) 2562 96.7 90.5 -4.6 -0.4 1.2 1.2 -6.4 Air Passenger Fares 17272 98.0 100.6 6.7 0.8 0.3 2.7 2.7 1/ Atlantic 4120 109.0 106.5 4.7 8.8 4.1 -5.4 -2.3 1/ Pacific 10700 82.0 85.1 6.9 -2.4 -1.7 7.3 3.8 Latin American / Caribbean 1392 113.1 111.6 4.0 1.6 3.9 -0.1 -1.3 Canadian 1006 166.0 188.6 13.5 -3.6 -3.3 7.2 13.6 1 Detailed data available upon request. n.a. Not available. Table 9 U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services, March 1998-March 1999 1995 = 100 Index Percent Change Annual Quarterly Trade March March June Sept. Dec. Description (Mil. 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 of Dec. March to to to to to Dollars) 1998 1999 March June Sept. Dec. March 1999 1998 1998 1998 1999 Air Freight (Inbound) 5495 87.4 88.0 6.2 0.6 -1.9 6.8 0.7 Atlantic 1880 91.6 89.1 4.3 3.5 -0.5 4.1 -2.7 Pacific 3151 85.5 88.0 8.2 -1.2 -3.0 9.8 2.9 Air Freight (Outbound) 5835 95.2 92.7 -4.6 -1.2 -0.2 -0.6 -2.6 Atlantic 2080 104.1 104.1 3.1 1.2 1.1 0.8 0.0 Pacific 3222 89.7 85.3 -10.7 -3.2 -1.1 -1.9 -4.9 Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier) 30673 103.1 104.5 5.2 8.6 -0.5 -3.9 1.4 1/ Atlantic 8811 98.0 96.9 2.9 24.0 3.1 -18.6 -1.1 1/ Pacific 15900 93.4 94.6 5.2 4.1 -4.4 4.4 1.3 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 4542 116.7 118.4 6.9 0.7 5.0 -0.4 1.5 Canadian 1367 171.9 190.5 9.7 -3.3 -3.2 5.7 10.8 Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier) 31694 101.1 98.9 1.3 4.9 1.6 -2.8 -2.2 1/ Atlantic 13572 102.9 98.3 -0.5 13.3 5.4 -12.7 -4.5 1/ Pacific 12570 87.9 86.6 2.2 -2.2 -3.7 10.3 -1.5 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 4224 107.9 109.8 4.3 -0.2 2.5 0.2 1.8 1/ Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound) 1949 82.7 n.a. n.a. -15.6 -5.1 -0.2 n.a. Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound) 12253 104.2 104.1 11.9 11.0 1.7 -0.8 -0.1 U.S. East Coast 5410 96.7 96.7 1.4 2.2 0.9 -1.7 0.0 from Atlantic 2647 95.4 95.5 0.3 -0.4 0.6 0.0 0.1 from Pacific 1874 100.7 100.7 8.2 6.1 1.8 0.1 0.0 1/ U.S. West Coast 6844 109.6 109.5 20.9 18.4 2.2 -0.1 -0.1 1 Detailed data available upon request. n.a. Not available. TECHNICAL NOTE Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights. The merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications: the Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System, and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3. Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality). Published series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible. Net transaction price data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000 companies and secondary sources. Indexes are not seasonally adjusted. More detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155. Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 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 1995 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. Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes. Prior to January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured goods were defined as SITC 5-8. Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC-based). Nonmanufactured goods are defined as SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3. The indexes use 1995 weights and a base of 1995=100. Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated on a quarterly basis. The figures for services indexes will not sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables. Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter. Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics. For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts. Indexes published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general market analysis. For trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful for terms of trade analysis. The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the two-digit level of detail. 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