Technical Information Jim Thomas (202) 606-7155 USDL-97-131 Bill Alterman (202) 606-7108 For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T. Media contact: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902 Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Note: Beginning with the release of January 1997 indexes, there were several changes in the construction of the import and export price indexes. See page 4 for more details. U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES -MARCH 1997- The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 1.4 percent in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The decline followed decreases of 0.8 percent and 0.3 percent in February and January, respectively, and was led by a further sharp drop in petroleum prices. The U.S. Export Price Index was unchanged in March after gaining 0.2 percent in the previous month. 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 1996 March 0.6 8.6 -0.2 -0.2 1.4 -0.3 April 0.9 8.5 -0.1 0.6 4.8 0.0 May -0.7 -3.7 -0.3 0.4 3.1 -0.1 June -1.1 -5.8 -0.4 -0.2 -2.2 0.1 July -0.1 1.9 -0.4 -0.5 -1.9 -0.2 August 0.1 2.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 September 1.2 7.5 0.4 -0.8 -7.3 0.2 October 0.5 7.1 -0.3 -0.2 -2.6 0.0 November -0.2 -0.8 -0.1 -0.4 -2.3 0.0 December 0.3 2.0 0.1 0.0 -0.9 0.1 1997 January -0.3 r 0.6 r -0.4 0.1 r 0.1 0.0 r February -0.8 r -7.5 r 0.0 r 0.2 r 2.2 0.0 r March -1.4 -10.9 -0.3 0.0 1.4 -0.1 March 1995-96 1.6 12.1 0.7 1.5 18.5 -0.5 March 1996-97 -1.6 -1.2 -1.9 -1.0 -6.2 -0.2 r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents. Import Goods The March decline in import prices was the largest recorded since December 1992, as petroleum prices were down 10.9 percent after dropping 7.5 percent in February. Also contributing to the March decline were nonpetroleum import prices which resumed a downward trend, falling 0.3 percent after recording no change in February. For the year ended in March, overall import prices dropped 1.6 percent, attributable to falling petroleum and nonpetroleum import prices, down 1.2 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively. The decrease in the price index for nonpetroleum imports in March was led by a 1.3 percent decline in prices for industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum. The decrease marked the biggest decline in this component in over six years and was primarily due to a large drop in natural gas prices. Consumer and capital goods prices were both down in March, falling 0.6 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. The decrease in the price index for consumer goods was largely attributable to seasonal fluctuations in flower prices and a continued decline for manufactured durables. Prices for capital goods, down 0.3 percent, fell for the sixth consecutive month and have fallen in 15 of the last 16 months. The price index for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines, however, remained stable as prices were unchanged for the second consecutive month. Over the past 12 months, this index inched up 0.1 percent. In contrast, the price index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 2.8 percent in March, after gaining 1.9 percent in February. Higher coffee prices continued to have the largest upward impact. Export Goods Export prices were unchanged in March, as an increase in agricultural prices was offset by a slight decrease in nonagricultural export prices. Agricultural export prices rose 1.4 percent in March, after increasing 2.2 percent the previous month, and was led by higher prices for grains and oilseeds. In contrast, nonagricultural exports edged down 0.1 percent in March, following no change over the previous two months. The dip in nonagricultural export prices in March was led by declining capital and consumer goods prices. The capital goods decrease, down 0.3 percent in March after falling 0.1 percent in February, was primarily due to prices for computers and semiconductors. Consumer goods prices fell 0.4 percent in March, marking the first decline since May. In contrast, prices for autos and nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials edged up 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent in March, respectively, continuing recent trends of little or slightly upward movements. Imports by Locality of Origin Import prices from Japan decreased for the seventh consecutive month, falling 0.4 percent in March. (See table 7.) This index has dropped 4.9 percent over the past year, reflecting the sustained strength of the dollar versus the yen. The index for import prices from Canada fell 1.5 percent in March, similar to the 1.6 percent decrease in February. The price index for imports from Canada was down 1.4 percent for the year ended in March. Import prices from the European Union also fell in March, dropping 1.1 percent after decreasing 0.4 percent in February. Over the past 12 months, this index was down 1.0 percent. In contrast, the price index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized countries posted an upturn in March, edging up 0.1 percent. This index had decreased in each of the previous four months, however, and was down 3.2 percent for the year ended in March. Import and Export Services (Quarterly) The Import Air Freight Index continued to fall for the fifth consecutive quarter, posting a 5.8 percent decrease from December 1996 to March 1997. This resulted from declines of 7.1 percent in the Atlantic region and 4.5 percent in the Pacific region. The Export Air Freight Index, which was introduced this quarter, declined 1.5 percent. The Import Air Passenger Fares Index advanced 1.2 percent in the first quarter, after declining in the previous two. This upturn reflected price increases of 2.3 percent in the Atlantic region and 2.8 percent in the Latin American/Caribbean region and was moderated by a slight drop of 0.9 percent in the Pacific region. In contrast, the Export Air Passenger Fares Index fell 3.0 percent, due to price decreases of 5.7 percent in the Atlantic region and 2.8 percent in the Pacific region. The Import Ocean Liner Freight Index edged down for the fourth consecutive quarter with a 0.6 percent decrease. The drop reflected decreases in the U.S. East Coast and U.S. West Coast regions of 1.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. CONTENTS OF RELEASE This news release includes the following tables: Table 1 Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 Table 2 Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 6 Table 3 Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 7-8 Table 4 Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 9-10 Table 5 Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 11-12 Table 6 Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 13-14 Table 7 Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 15 Table 8 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16 Table 9 U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for release on May 21 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). Announcement of Changes in the U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes Beginning with the release of January 1997 data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics made several changes to the U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes. First, all price indexes were re-weighted to 1995 trade weights. Second, the indexes were rebased from 1990=100 to 1995=100. Third, the aggregation structure below the published level was modified to incorporate the use of sampling weights in the estimator. The current practice is to update the weights in these price indexes every five years. The new weights are based on U.S. export and import shipment values for calendar 1995 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census) and will be used in the calculation of indexes from January 1997 forward. In addition, as a result of shifts in trade patterns, there also are minor changes in the publication structure. In keeping with the policy of using a reference base that is the same as the weight base, all indexes were rebased to 1995=100. This impacts the level of the published indexes prior to January 1997 that previously used 1990=100; however, it should not (except for rounding) cause any differences in the published percent changes between different time periods. The index estimation methodology was modified to incorporate the use of sampling weights at the item level. Previously, price relatives for individual items were averaged using equal weights in the construction of what is referred to as the elementary aggregation. Under the new structure, items are averaged using sampling weights. These weights are primarily based on the value of exports (or imports) for a given company in a specific product category. As a result, item weights will more properly represent their true share of the market. This change affects the construction of data from January 1997 forward. More detailed information will be available in a forthcoming article in the Monthly Labor Review. For further information, please contact Jim Thomas at (202) 606-7155. Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. END Description 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 USE February February March to to to to to 1997 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 100.8 99.4 -1.6 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 -1.4 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM 90.297 98.3 98.0 -1.9 0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES 4.574 98.5 101.3 4.0 -1.1 -0.1 1.9 2.8 00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages 3.306 97.7 101.7 4.3 -1.9 0.0 2.1 4.1 01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages) 1.268 100.3 100.1 3.2 0.9 -0.5 1.3 -0.2 1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 28.141 108.2 103.1 -1.2 1.2 0.8 -2.5 -4.7 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM 18.438 100.1 98.8 -1.7 0.8 1.0 0.3 -1.3 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, DURABLE 9.492 98.7 99.7 1.0 -0.1 0.2 0.8 1.0 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM 8.947 101.5 97.7 -4.5 1.7 1.9 -0.3 -3.7 10 Fuels & lubricants 11.297 129.8 113.0 0.0 2.9 2.5 -6.5 -12.9 100 Petroleum & petroleum products 9.704 125.3 111.6 -1.2 2.0 0.6 -7.5 -10.9 10000 Crude 7.740 125.9 110.8 -1.5 1.7 1.0 -8.0 -12.0 11 Paper & paper base stocks 1.666 79.0 80.4 -19.4 -1.8 -1.7 -0.6 1.8 12 Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials 5.884 96.8 97.1 -2.6 0.0 -0.6 -0.2 0.3 13 Selected building materials 2.159 114.0 114.8 15.7 -1.6 0.6 2.7 0.7 14 Unfinished metals associated with durable goods 4.261 93.5 95.4 -2.1 0.7 0.5 0.6 2.0 15 Finished metals associated with durable goods 1.412 97.6 97.4 -2.0 -0.3 -0.7 -0.3 -0.2 16 Nonmetals associated with durable goods 1.463 97.2 96.7 -4.7 0.5 -0.4 -0.7 -0.5 2 CAPITAL GOODS 28.581 94.0 93.7 -5.3 -0.2 -1.7 -0.5 -0.3 20 Electric & electrical generating equipment 3.292 98.5 97.8 -2.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.7 21 Nonelectrical machinery 23.659 92.2 92.0 -6.5 -0.3 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES 17.141 100.7 100.7 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0 4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES 21.563 100.2 99.6 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.6 40 Nondurables, manufactured 10.517 100.7 100.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.1 41 Durables, manufactured 9.909 99.0 98.5 -1.9 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.5 42 Nonmanufactured consumer goods 1.137 108.0 99.9 -0.6 1.6 0.5 6.4 -7.5 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. END Description 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 USE February February March to to to to to 1997 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 99.6 99.6 -1.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES 11.290 103.6 105.0 -6.2 -0.9 0.1 2.2 1.4 NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES 88.710 99.1 99.0 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES 10.118 104.4 106.0 -6.9 -1.2 -0.3 2.0 1.5 00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages 9.382 105.8 107.5 -8.0 -1.2 -0.3 2.6 1.6 01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages) 0.736 91.4 90.6 1.0 -0.1 -1.2 -5.0 -0.9 1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 26.440 95.4 95.5 -0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, DURABLE 10.224 96.4 96.1 -2.2 0.6 0.0 0.4 -0.3 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, NONDURABLE 16.216 94.7 95.0 0.8 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 10 Agricultural industrial supplies & materials 1.908 95.8 95.9 1.7 0.5 2.1 0.0 0.1 NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 24.532 95.3 95.4 -0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 11 Fuels & lubricants 2.568 111.5 110.8 3.8 0.5 -0.2 -2.7 -0.6 12 Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials 20.254 92.3 92.6 -1.6 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.3 13 Selected building materials 1.710 98.6 97.0 -0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4 -1.6 2 CAPITAL GOODS 42.321 100.5 100.2 -0.5 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 20 Electric & electrical generating Equipment 4.348 100.2 100.3 -0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.1 21 Nonelectrical machinery 32.592 98.4 98.1 -2.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES 9.762 101.7 101.9 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES 11.359 102.0 101.6 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.4 40 Nondurables, manufactured 6.392 101.6 101.4 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 41 Durables, manufactured 4.864 101.7 101.2 0.5 0.0 0.3 0.1 -0.5 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. SITC Description 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 Rev. 3 February February March to to to to to 1997 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 100.8 99.4 -1.6 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 -1.4 0 FOOD AND LIVE ANIIALS 3.832 97.2 101.5 6.6 -2.0 0.0 2.7 4.4 01 Meat and meat preparations 0.326 97.7 101.5 10.2 -3.3 -1.3 0.1 3.9 03 Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof 0.959 100.3 99.7 4.5 1.1 0.2 1.9 -0.6 05 Vegetables and fruit, prepared fresh or dried 1.062 104.1 110.2 8.3 -4.7 -0.2 2.5 5.9 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof 0.582 85.8 98.7 17.6 -2.8 3.6 10.4 15.0 0R 3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100) 0.903 99.0 100.1 n.a. n.a. -1.6 0.6 1.1 1 BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 0.809 106.6 106.8 4.1 0.2 0.4 0.9 0.2 11 Beverages 0.679 102.9 103.2 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 2 CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS 3.061 102.1 98.9 2.6 -0.1 0.9 5.0 -3.1 23 Crude rubber (including synthetic and reclaimed) 0.287 89.0 89.2 -11.0 3.2 0.0 0.9 0.2 24 Cork and wood 1.110 125.4 126.2 27.2 -4.1 0.7 3.3 0.6 25 Pulp and waste paper 0.354 65.7 65.3 -16.9 -2.4 -0.8 0.0 -0.6 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 0.609 102.6 103.0 1.1 1.7 2.4 2.8 0.4 29 Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s. (9612=100) 0.367 146.6 102.9 n.a. n.a. 5.9 38.4 -29.8 2R 3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels (9612=100) 0.334 95.7 97.3 n.a. n.a. -1.7 -2.6 1.7 3 MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 10.958 129.8 112.6 0.1 2.8 2.6 -6.6 -13.3 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 9.225 124.7 111.0 -1.6 1.7 0.5 -7.4 -11.0 34 Gas, natural and manufactured 1.615 180.1 131.4 17.0 15.4 17.1 -2.3 -27.0 5 CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S. 5.513 98.0 98.1 -2.3 0.0 -0.5 -0.6 0.1 51 Organic chemicals 1.599 99.6 100.6 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.0 52 Inorganic chemicals 0.680 102.7 101.9 0.0 1.4 -0.3 -0.5 -0.8 53 Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials 0.281 97.4 96.9 -6.1 -0.2 -1.0 -2.0 -0.5 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 0.886 96.8 95.9 -4.8 -0.9 -1.2 -1.0 -0.9 55 Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps 0.315 98.7 98.9 -4.7 -0.6 -0.7 -0.7 0.2 57 Plastics in primary forms 0.357 92.4 91.8 -10.4 -0.7 -0.5 -2.2 -0.6 58 Plastics in nonprimary forms 0.527 85.7 86.4 -2.7 0.8 -1.2 0.0 0.8 59 Chemical materials and products, n.e.s. 0.644 104.6 104.5 -3.2 -1.4 -0.3 -0.9 -0.1 6 MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL 12.041 95.3 96.0 -4.5 0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.7 62 Rubber manufactures, n.e.s. 0.714 97.9 97.4 -2.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.5 63 Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture 0.549 100.5 99.2 0.7 n.a. -0.7 2.4 -1.3 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper or paper board 1.476 83.8 85.8 -19.4 -1.5 -2.3 -0.5 2.4 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s., and related product 1.373 100.0 100.3 -0.3 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.3 66 Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. 2.098 103.6 103.1 1.5 0.3 0.5 0.1 -0.5 67 Iron and steel 1.971 95.9 96.2 -2.4 -0.2 -1.0 -0.2 0.3 68 Nonferrous metals 1.756 87.5 90.9 -4.4 1.0 1.8 1.6 3.9 69 Manufactures of metals, n.e.s. 1.943 99.9 99.6 -1.7 0.2 -0.7 -0.4 -0.3 7 MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 46.310 96.8 96.7 -2.8 0.0 -1.0 -0.3 -0.1 71 Power generating machinery and equipment (9612=100) 2.924 100.2 99.9 n.a. n.a. -0.2 0.4 -0.3 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries 2.648 100.6 99.8 -2.8 0.5 -0.4 -0.5 -0.8 73 Metalworking machinery 0.819 100.7 99.6 -1.9 0.1 -0.4 -0.2 -1.1 74 General industrial machinery and equip- ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s 3.382 99.6 98.6 -2.4 0.0 -0.1 -1.0 -1.0 75 Computer equipment and office machines 7.486 85.6 84.5 -11.2 -0.6 -1.8 -1.2 -1.3 76 Telecommunications & sound recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment 4.517 94.8 94.6 -3.8 -0.2 -1.0 0.0 -0.2 77 Electrical machinery and equipment 9.413 90.2 91.1 -6.7 -0.6 -2.6 -0.1 1.0 78 Road vehicles 14.104 100.6 100.9 0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 8 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 16.989 100.4 100.2 -0.6 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2 81 Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat & lighting fixtures, n.e.s. 0.382 98.7 97.0 -4.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -1.7 82 Furniture and parts thereof 1.214 101.9 101.7 1.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers 0.489 101.1 101.4 0.3 -0.1 0.6 -0.2 0.3 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 5.592 101.5 102.2 1.2 -0.3 0.2 0.2 0.7 85 Footwear 1.729 101.7 100.9 -0.5 0.2 0.5 0.3 -0.8 87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. 1.574 98.8 97.0 -3.6 0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -1.8 88 Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.; 1.330 96.0 95.5 -3.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5 -0.5 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. 4.679 100.1 99.8 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available. 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 separetely Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. SITC Description 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 Rev. 3 February February March to to to to to 1997 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 99.6 99.6 -1.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0 FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS 8.180 102.4 103.1 -10.0 -1.3 -1.2 1.7 0.7 01 Meat and meat preparations 1.190 94.6 96.4 -1.7 -0.5 -2.4 -0.9 1.9 03 Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and preparations 0.559 90.4 89.3 1.6 0.0 -1.1 -5.5 -1.2 04 Cereals and cereal preparations 3.222 102.9 105.0 -19.8 -1.0 -1.7 4.1 2.0 05 Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried 1.410 101.9 100.5 -2.5 -4.9 0.5 0.4 -1.4 08 Feeding stuff for animals (not including unmilled cereals) 0.905 122.8 123.7 1.9 1.9 -1.9 4.3 0.7 09 Miscellaneous edible products and preparations 0.391 103.4 103.3 0.8 n.a. -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0R 3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100) 0.503 101.8 101.2 n.a. n.a. 1.7 0.1 -0.6 1 BEVERAGES ANB TOBACCO 1.561 100.4 100.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 12 Tobacco and tobacco manufactures 1.294 100.4 100.1 -0.3 n.a. 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 2 CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS 6.241 92.2 93.2 2.4 0.0 1.5 2.4 1.1 21 Hides, skins and furskins, raw 0.392 114.7 115.7 27.0 -2.3 -0.3 1.1 0.9 22 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits 1.452 126.7 133.2 11.5 -0.6 4.6 5.4 5.1 24 Cork and wood 1.071 98.3 95.8 -2.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 -2.5 25 Pulp and waste paper 0.714 59.4 58.6 -1.5 -3.6 0.0 6.3 -1.3 26 Textile fibers and their waste 0.868 83.2 85.2 -7.8 1.1 -0.2 -0.1 2.4 27 Crude fertilizers and crude minerals 0.342 97.7 97.0 -1.8 0.0 0.6 -0.1 -0.7 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 0.961 88.8 89.7 -0.9 2.0 1.4 2.2 1.0 2R 3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels (9612=100) 0.440 102.9 102.7 n.a. n.a. 2.5 0.4 -0.2 3 MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 2.266 112.4 111.4 4.2 1.0 -0.3 -3.4 -0.9 32 Coal, coke and briquettes 0.733 102.1 102.2 -0.4 0.1 0.7 -0.4 0.1 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 1.376 121.7 119.5 7.3 1.6 -1.2 -4.2 -1.8 4 ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND WAXES 0.482 97.6 96.6 8.2 3.3 3.3 1.6 -1.0 5 CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S. 11.334 96.5 97.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.5 51 Organic chemicals 2.702 86.2 86.8 -4.0 -0.4 0.1 1.4 0.7 52 Inorganic chemicals 0.874 100.0 100.4 -3.3 0.4 -2.1 0.3 0.4 53 Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials 0.511 101.8 101.8 1.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 1.266 101.2 100.9 -1.2 0.0 -0.9 0.3 -0.3 55 Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps 0.770 102.4 102.3 2.4 0.0 -0.2 1.1 -0.1 56 Fertilizers (9612=100) 0.608 98.0 96.6 n.a. n.a. 0.5 -2.5 -1.4 57 Plastics in primary forms 1.954 95.7 97.5 6.7 0.8 1.1 0.9 1.9 58 Plastics in nonprimary forms 0.842 97.3 97.8 -2.8 0.1 1.7 -1.8 0.5 59 Chemical materials and products, n.e.s. 1.806 103.1 103.5 2.6 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.4 6 MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL 9.466 97.5 97.6 -1.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 62 Rubber manufactures, n.e.s. 0.690 102.6 102.7 0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 63 Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture 0.301 91.7 92.8 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.7 1.2 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard 1.568 83.2 83.1 -10.3 -0.8 -1.5 -0.5 -0.1 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s., and related product 1.444 102.7 102.2 -0.9 n.a. 0.2 0.1 -0.5 66 Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. 0.893 104.0 104.0 2.0 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0 67 Iron and steel 1.115 103.0 103.3 1.8 n.a. 1.3 0.0 0.3 68 Nonferrous metals 1.307 92.2 91.7 -1.4 3.6 1.8 2.6 -0.5 69 Manufactures of metals, n.e.s. 1.984 102.2 103.0 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.8 7 MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 48.451 100.5 100.4 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 71 Power generating machinery and equipment 4.289 105.1 105.5 2.2 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.4 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries 4.666 103.8 103.8 1.8 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.0 73 Metalworking machinery 0.937 103.5 103.3 1.7 0.2 0.0 1.1 -0.2 74 General industrial machinery and equip- ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s 5.026 103.9 104.2 2.5 -0.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 75 Computer equipment and office machines 6.228 87.0 86.4 -9.4 -1.5 -0.3 -0.7 -0.7 76 Telecommunications & sound recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment 3.745 100.4 100.0 -1.1 0.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.4 77 Electrical machinery and equipment 10.097 96.9 96.4 -3.4 0.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.5 78 Road vehicles 9.153 101.5 101.8 0.9 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.3 8 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 11.111 101.4 101.3 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 82 Furniture and parts thereof 0.620 102.5 102.5 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.0 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 1.278 101.3 101.4 1.9 n.a. 0.0 0.4 0.1 87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. 3.729 103.6 103.9 2.7 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.3 88 Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies and optical goods, n.e.s. 0.904 98.6 98.5 -0.7 n.a. -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. 4.139 99.9 99.3 -1.4 0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.6 8R 3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured articles (9612=100) 0.441 100.7 100.7 n.a. n.a. 0.8 -0.1 0.0 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available. 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly Harmo- ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. nized Description 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 System February February March to to to to to 1997 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS 1.456 98.2 99.8 5.8 0.5 -0.5 1.6 1.6 02 Meat and edible meat offal 0.251 93.2 98.6 6.3 -1.3 -1.5 0.4 5.8 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0.837 100.7 100.3 5.9 1.1 1.0 1.8 -0.4 3/ Other live animals and animal products (9612=100) 0.368 98.7 102.0 n.a. n.a. -3.4 2.2 3.3 II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS 1.567 94.5 97.1 7.6 -2.7 0.8 9.1 2.8 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 0.257 98.7 120.9 24.3 -9.6 -5.0 11.9 22.5 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 0.462 106.6 107.1 10.3 -1.9 -2.4 -1.9 0.5 09 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 0.367 78.6 89.7 11.3 -4.8 4.7 11.0 14.1 3/ Other vegetable products 0.481 115.2 98.6 1.1 4.8 5.2 19.0 -14.4 IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND TOBACCO 1.995 101.6 100.7 -1.5 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants 0.281 97.3 95.7 -12.4 -3.9 1.5 -2.5 -1.6 22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar 0.711 102.9 102.8 1.9 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100) 1.003 99.4 98.2 n.a. n.a. -0.9 0.3 -1.2 V MINERAL PRODUCTS 11.587 128.9 112.3 -0.1 2.5 2.7 -6.2 -12.9 26 Ores, slag and ash 0.275 99.3 99.9 -1.5 -0.5 0.1 0.2 0.6 27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral wax 11.092 130.4 112.8 -0.2 2.6 2.8 -6.5 -13.5 VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED INDUSTRIES 5.150 101.0 101.3 -1.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 0.3 28 Inorganic chemicals 0.837 104.9 105.9 1.8 2.5 0.5 -0.1 1.0 29 Organic chemicals 1.998 99.1 99.7 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.6 30 Pharmaceutical products 0.532 101.5 101.0 -1.7 -0.7 -0.9 -1.2 -0.5 32 Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments; varnish & paints; putty 0.279 96.1 95.8 -7.1 -0.3 -1.2 -2.7 -0.3 37 Photographic or cinematographic goods 0.341 98.0 99.0 -1.0 -0.1 -1.0 0.1 1.0 38 Miscellaneaous chemical products (9612=100) 0.407 99.8 98.6 n.a. n.a. 1.0 -1.2 -1.2 3/ Other products of the chemical or allied industries (9612=100) 0.756 100.4 100.2 n.a. n.a. 0.0 0.4 -0.2 VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 2.751 93.9 94.3 -4.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.6 0.4 39 Plastics and articles thereof 1.669 94.3 95.1 -1.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.6 0.8 40 Rubber and articles thereof 1.082 93.3 93.1 -6.7 0.9 0.0 -0.6 -0.2 VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, TRAVEL GOODS, ETC 0.975 103.8 103.8 1.8 -0.2 0.7 -0.5 0.0 42 Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc. of various materials 0.819 101.3 101.4 0.7 -0.2 0.8 -0.2 0.1 IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET AND WICKER 1.703 114.6 114.7 15.3 -1.6 0.0 3.1 0.1 X WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 2.202 82.4 83.3 -15.3 -1.5 -1.3 0.0 1.1 47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; waste paper/paperboard 0.355 66.6 66.3 -16.3 -2.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.5 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard 1.498 85.3 86.9 -18.0 -1.4 -1.9 -0.5 1.9 49 Printed matter 0.350 102.6 101.7 3.9 0.1 0.0 2.1 -0.9 XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES 6.594 100.6 101.3 0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.7 61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 1.947 100.5 101.8 0.2 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 1.3 62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 3.159 102.1 102.6 1.8 -0.3 0.4 0.8 0.5 63 Made-up or worn textile articles and clothing; needlecraft sets; rags 0.331 97.8 98.4 -1.3 0.0 -0.5 -1.4 0.6 3/ Other textile & textile articles (9612=100) 1.157 99.9 100.3 n.a. n.a. -0.1 0.0 0.4 XII FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS, ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC. 2.009 101.6 100.9 -0.5 0.0 0.5 0.2 -0.7 64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 1.735 101.6 100.7 -0.7 0.1 0.6 0.2 -0.9 3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas, whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100) 0.274 100.0 100.2 n.a. n.a. 0.0 0.0 0.2 XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC GLASS ETC. 1.126 104.4 103.6 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.0 -0.8 69 Ceramic products 0.430 102.1 101.8 0.1 n.a. 0.4 -0.4 -0.3 70 Glass and glassware 0.443 106.0 103.8 -0.8 0.6 0.6 1.0 -2.1 XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, IIITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS 2.077 96.5 97.4 -3.1 -0.3 -0.5 -1.1 0.9 XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL 5.650 94.7 95.0 -3.0 0.4 0.1 0.7 0.3 72 Iron and steel 1.681 94.6 95.0 -2.9 -0.1 -1.3 0.0 0.4 73 Articles of iron or steel 1.271 99.3 98.8 -2.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.6 -0.5 74 Copper and articles thereof 0.438 84.1 85.3 -5.8 4.7 0.9 3.1 1.4 76 Aluminum and articles thereof 0.943 93.4 93.3 -0.9 0.6 4.4 3.4 -0.1 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 0.402 102.6 102.9 1.3 0.6 -1.1 0.4 0.3 3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and articles, including scrap (9612=100) 0.480 99.2 103.0 n.a. n.a. -1.5 0.7 3.8 XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC. 30.541 93.8 93.7 -5.0 -0.1 -1.8 -0.3 -0.1 84 Specialized machinery & computer equipment 16.215 96.0 95.2 -4.0 0.2 -0.8 -0.6 -0.8 85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV recorders & reproducers, parts 14.326 91.4 92.0 -6.1 -0.4 -2.8 0.0 0.7 XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 15.237 100.9 101.0 0.4 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.1 87 Motor vehicles and their parts 14.402 100.6 100.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES 3.502 96.2 94.9 -4.7 -0.2 -0.9 -0.3 -1.4 90 Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments 2.989 96.0 94.8 -4.7 -0.1 -1.0 -0.4 -1.3 91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof 0.372 96.6 95.2 -4.9 -0.6 -1.0 -0.8 -1.4 XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 3.589 100.0 99.6 -1.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.4 94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nes; 1.539 100.0 99.5 -0.7 0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.5 95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof 1.774 100.9 100.7 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 0.275 93.9 93.3 -5.3 0.3 -0.2 -2.4 -0.6 1 Relative importance figures are based on 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly Harmo- ance March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. nized Description 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 System February February March to to to to to 1997 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 1/ 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS 1.973 95.4 96.0 2.1 -0.5 -2.0 -2.3 0.6 02 Meat & edible meat offal 1.107 92.5 94.3 -3.3 -0.3 -2.8 -0.9 1.9 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0.497 88.3 87.1 -0.1 -0.2 -2.2 -7.0 -1.4 3/ Other live animals and animal products (9612=100) 0.369 100.5 100.1 n.a. n.a. 0.2 0.3 -0.4 II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS 5.851 106.6 108.9 -11.6 -1.7 0.4 3.6 2.2 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 0.300 95.5 96.1 -1.8 -7.2 -0.3 -1.1 0.6 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 0.696 100.9 97.9 -7.6 -5.6 -0.2 1.1 -3.0 10 Cereals 2.978 102.6 104.7 -21.2 -1.0 -1.9 4.6 2.0 12 Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits, plants, straw and fodder 1.640 125.1 130.9 11.2 -0.5 5.2 4.2 4.6 III ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS 0.516 97.6 96.3 5.8 2.8 2.5 2.0 -1.3 IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND TOBACCO 3.735 105.4 105.2 0.3 0.5 -0.1 1.0 -0.2 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants 0.398 110.0 109.5 4.7 0.5 2.1 2.4 -0.5 21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 0.361 104.1 104.1 1.8 0.8 0.0 -0.3 0.0 22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar 0.339 99.7 99.9 -2.1 n.a. -1.2 -0.5 0.2 23 Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed 0.829 121.7 121.3 -0.6 1.5 -2.2 4.1 -0.3 24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 1.299 100.4 100.1 -0.3 n.a. 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 3/ Other prepared foods 0.511 100.3 100.1 1.0 n.a. 1.7 -0.5 -0.2 V MINERAL PRODUCTS 2.928 110.5 109.2 5.0 1.1 0.1 -1.8 -1.2 27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral wax 2.347 114.7 113.4 5.8 1.0 -0.3 -2.8 -1.1 VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED INDUSTRIES 9.205 97.6 97.8 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.2 28 Inorganic chemicals 0.966 102.1 102.5 -1.4 0.6 -1.3 0.5 0.4 29 Organic chemicals 3.029 89.6 90.1 -3.2 -0.3 0.0 1.5 0.6 30 Pharmaceutical products 0.916 101.0 100.7 -0.8 0.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.3 31 Fertilizers (9612=100) 0.674 98.0 96.6 n.a. n.a. 0.5 -2.5 -1.4 32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink 0.519 101.5 101.5 0.8 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0 33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet 0.535 102.8 102.8 2.9 0.1 -0.4 1.9 0.0 34 Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring products; candles, pastes 0.323 101.3 101.3 1.7 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 37 Photographic or cinematographic goods 0.441 97.2 96.8 -1.5 0.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4 38 Miscellaneous chemical products 1.579 103.0 103.6 2.6 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.6 VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 4.512 97.4 98.1 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 39 Plastics and articles thereof 3.573 96.5 97.4 2.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.9 40 Rubber and articles thereof 0.939 101.1 100.9 1.0 0.4 0.2 0.9 -0.2 VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, TRAVEL GOODS, ETC. 0.627 105.4 105.0 13.5 -1.8 -0.5 0.5 -0.4 41 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 0.456 101.1 103.0 13.9 -2.3 -0.7 0.6 1.9 IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET AND WICKER 1.398 97.4 95.7 -1.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 -1.7 X WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 2.984 75.7 75.3 -6.7 -1.4 -0.9 -0.3 -0.5 47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; waste paper/paperboard 0.667 57.6 56.4 -7.7 -3.4 -0.5 1.2 -2.1 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard 1.516 83.1 83.5 -10.2 -0.9 -1.4 -0.7 0.5 49 Printed material 0.801 104.4 103.2 1.2 0.0 0.1 -0.9 -1.1 XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES 3.335 93.2 93.6 -3.6 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.4 52 Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof 0.757 84.1 85.0 -9.4 2.3 0.0 -0.2 1.1 XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, CERAMIC, GLASS ETC. 0.869 103.3 103.2 1.8 n.a. 0.2 0.0 -0.1 70 Glass and glassware 0.501 101.2 101.1 -0.3 n.a. 0.2 -0.3 -0.1 XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS 1.403 96.3 95.4 -6.7 -0.6 -1.8 -2.6 -0.9 XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS 4.683 95.2 96.2 -1.0 1.7 0.5 0.7 1.1 72 Iron and steel 0.984 93.6 93.6 -4.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.0 73 Articles of iron or steel 1.228 103.0 105.7 3.5 0.0 0.4 0.2 2.6 74 Copper and articles thereof 0.466 85.7 87.6 -6.8 5.6 1.3 1.2 2.2 76 Aluminum and articles thereof 0.907 87.7 88.5 -0.6 4.3 0.8 1.4 0.9 82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof 0.417 103.8 103.6 1.2 n.a. 0.1 0.4 -0.2 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 0.379 99.5 99.3 -2.0 0.4 -0.3 0.2 -0.2 XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC 34.962 98.1 97.9 -2.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 84 Specialized machinery & computer equipment 20.121 98.6 98.3 -1.7 -0.3 0.2 0.0 -0.3 85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound & tv recorders & reproducers, parts 14.841 97.5 97.4 -2.9 0.2 -0.2 -0.7 -0.1 XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 13.766 103.5 103.7 2.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 87 Motor vehicles and their parts 9.591 101.6 101.9 0.9 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.3 XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES 5.319 102.5 102.1 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 -0.4 XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 1.733 101.6 101.7 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi; 0.862 102.8 102.8 0.7 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof 0.701 100.5 100.7 1.1 0.0 0.5 -0.2 0.2 1 Relative importance figures are based on 1995 trade values. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 1996-March 1997 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Percentage of Annual Monthly US Imports March Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Description 1/ 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 1995 Feb. March to to to to to 1997 1997 March Dec. Jan. Feb. March 2/ 1997 1996 1997 1997 1997 3/ Developed Countries 55.6 99.4 98.2 -2.4 0.3 0.0 -0.9 -1.2 Manufactured Goods 52.2 98.0 97.7 -2.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3 Nonmanufactured Goods 3.1 125.8 109.8 0.7 5.3 6.4 -7.8 -12.7 3/ Developing Countries 42.7 104.2 103.0 0.7 0.1 0.0 -1.0 -1.2 Manufactured Goods 35.4 100.1 100.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 Nonmanufactured Goods 7.1 119.2 110.8 2.0 1.1 0.2 -4.6 -7.0 Canada 18.9 101.0 99.5 -1.4 1.1 0.8 -1.6 -1.5 Manufactured Goods 16.5 98.0 98.7 -1.0 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.7 Nonmanufactured Goods 2.2 128.1 109.2 -2.1 7.8 7.1 -10.6 -14.8 4/ European Union 17.0 102.5 101.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -1.1 Manufactured Goods 16.4 101.6 100.8 -1.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.8 Nonmanufactured Goods 0.5 131.9 122.0 11.7 -1.4 2.3 1.5 -7.5 Japan 16.6 94.6 94.2 -4.9 -0.4 -0.7 -0.6 -0.4 5/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries 10.9 96.3 96.4 -3.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 1 Regions are not mutually exclusive. 2 Data for December 1996, January and February 1997 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 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 1996-March 1997 1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Annual Quarterly Trade March March June Sept. Dec. Description (Mil. 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 of Dec. March to to to to to Dollars) 1996 1997 March June Sept. Dec. March 1997 1996 1996 1996 1997 IMPORT Air Freight 3188 95.6 90.1 -8.4 -1.3 -0.3 -1.2 -5.8 Atlantic 1278 98.2 91.2 -7.9 -2.5 2.0 -0.2 -7.1 Pacific 1674 94.8 90.5 -8.5 -0.8 -1.4 -2.0 -4.5 Air Passenger Fares 11127 100.0 101.2 4.1 7.5 -1.4 -2.9 1.2 1/ Atlantic 4922 98.4 100.7 4.9 10.5 -0.3 -7.0 2.3 1/ Pacific 2340 99.0 98.1 2.3 5.7 -9.2 7.5 -0.9 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 3021 104.1 107.0 4.4 0.1 1.4 0.1 2.8 1/ Crude Oil Tanker Freight (1990 = 100) 1985 122.0 n.a. n.a. -1.4 -11.3 6.4 n.a. Ocean Liner Freight 9868 98.6 98.0 -4.0 -1.9 -1.3 -0.3 -0.6 U.S. East Coast 4271 101.7 100.5 -2.2 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -1.2 from Atlantic 1952 102.9 100.4 -4.5 -2.2 0.2 -0.1 -2.4 from Pacific 1774 100.4 100.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.2 U.S. West Coast 5596 95.7 95.4 -6.0 -2.8 -2.4 -0.6 -0.3 from Pacific 5126 94.9 95.0 -6.2 -3.1 -2.5 -0.8 0.1 EXPORT Air Freight (12/96 = 100) 2562 100.0 98.5 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. -1.5 Air Passenger Fares 17272 99.7 96.7 -1.3 1.4 3.5 -3.1 -3.0 1/ Atlantic 4120 104.7 98.7 -0.5 5.7 8.3 -7.8 -5.7 1/ Pacific 10700 89.6 87.1 -9.4 -2.5 0.2 -4.6 -2.8 Latin American / Caribbean 1392 101.6 101.8 0.7 -1.1 0.8 0.8 0.2 Canadian 1006 145.8 146.2 41.7 4.5 7.1 26.3 0.3 1 Detailed data available upon request. n.a. N Table 9 U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services. March 1996-March 1997 1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Annual Quarterly Trade March March June Sept. Dec. Description (Mil. 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 of Dec. March to to to to to Dollars) 1996 1997 March June Sept. Dec. March 1997 1996 1996 1996 1997 Air Freight (Inbound) 5495 95.0 89.5 -6.7 -0.8 0.5 -0.6 -5.8 Atlantic 1880 96.6 89.7 -5.5 -1.8 1.8 1.8 -7.1 Pacific 3151 94.0 89.8 -7.1 -0.5 -0.6 -1.7 -4.5 Air Freight (Outbound) 5835 99.2 99.8 0.7 0.3 -0.5 0.3 0.6 Atlantic 2080 99.0 99.9 1.8 0.8 -0.2 0.3 0.9 Pacific 3222 100.2 100.3 -0.4 0.0 -0.9 0.4 0.1 Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier) 30673 101.6 99.8 1.5 6.1 2.9 -5.3 -1.8 1/ Atlantic 8811 99.6 97.3 1.6 13.4 6.0 -13.5 -2.3 1/ Pacific 15900 95.0 92.7 -6.0 1.7 -1.7 -3.7 -2.4 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 4542 102.9 105.1 2.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0 2.1 Canadian 1367 153.6 150.0 44.4 2.8 15.7 24.3 -2.3 Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier) 31694 100.7 98.9 2.7 7.0 2.4 -4.5 -1.8 1/ Atlantic 13572 100.3 97.6 1.6 10.2 4.0 -8.9 -2.7 1/ Pacific 12570 94.2 92.3 -0.4 4.5 -2.6 -0.2 -2.0 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 4224 103.6 105.8 3.5 -0.1 1.3 0.2 2.1 1/ Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound) (1990 = 100) 2153 122.1 n.a. n.a. -1.9 -11.0 8.1 n.a. Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound) 12253 98.4 97.6 -3.8 -1.9 -1.6 0.4 -0.8 U.S. East Coast 5410 101.7 99.8 -2.5 -0.9 -0.8 1.0 -1.9 from Atlantic 2647 101.4 99.4 -4.6 -1.6 -1.4 0.3 -2.0 from Pacific 1874 98.5 98.4 -0.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 U.S. West Coast 6844 95.4 95.4 -5.4 -3.0 -2.5 0.0 0.0 from Pacific 6347 94.8 95.1 -5.5 -3.2 -2.5 -0.2 0.3 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. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form below and mail or fax it to the following address: Division of International Prices Bureau of Labor Statistics PSB Building, Rm. 3955 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20212 Phone Number: (202) 606-7155 Fax Number: (202) 606-7179 IPP Order Form Please add my name to the mailing list for the following publications. 1. Monthly News Release ______ 2. Harmonized System Indexes ______ 3. SITC Indexes ______ 4. BEA End-Use Indexes ______ Name______________________________________________ Address___________________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone Number ( ) ______________________