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

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                  USDL-13-0016
8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, January 11, 2013

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


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

The price index for U.S. imports edged down 0.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
reported today, after declining 0.8 percent the previous month. Falling fuel and nonfuel prices each 
contributed to the December decrease. U.S. export prices also fell 0.1 percent in December following a 0.7 
percent drop in November. 

Imports

All Imports: Import prices declined for the second consecutive month in December after increasing the 
three months prior to November. Overall, import prices fell 1.5 percent in 2012, the first calendar year 
decrease for the index since a 10.1 percent drop in 2008. Import prices had risen 8.5 percent in 2011, 5.3 
percent in 2010, and 8.6 percent in 2009.         

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel edged down 0.1 percent in December after declining 2.8 
percent the previous month. The decrease in both months was led by falling petroleum prices, down 0.8 
percent in December and 3.4 percent in November. In contrast, natural gas prices rose 18.4 percent in 
December following an 18.0 percent rise in November. Overall fuel prices fell 6.4 percent in 2012 after 
increasing 24.9 percent the previous year. The decline over the past 12 months was driven by a 7.1 percent 
drop in petroleum prices which more than offset a 14.2 percent increase in natural gas prices.           

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports also declined 0.1 percent in December following a 
0.2 percent decrease in November. Lower prices for capital goods, consumer goods, and foods, feeds, and 
beverages all contributed to the December decline. Despite the recent decreases, nonfuel import prices 
ticked up 0.1 percent in 2012, after advancing 3.4 percent and 3.0 percent the two previous years. The 2012 
increase was led by a 1.9 percent rise in automotive vehicles prices, as all other major categories either 
recorded declines or no change for the year.  

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

December

0.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.5 -2.3 -0.2

2012

January

0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.3 1.1 0.2

February

0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.4 0.6

March

1.4 4.4 0.4 0.8 2.4 0.5

April

-0.1 -0.9 0.2 0.4 2.0 0.2

May

-1.5 -5.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.5 -0.6

June

-2.3 -8.5 -0.3 -1.7 -3.5 -1.5

July

-0.7 -2.0 -0.4 0.4 6.0 -0.2

August

1.2 6.1 -0.2 0.9 4.8 0.4

September

1.0 (r)3.9 0.2 0.8 1.3 0.7

October

(r)0.4 (r)0.1 (r)0.3 0.0 -1.9 (r)0.3

November

(r)-0.8 (r)-2.8 -0.2 -0.7 0.1 (r)-0.8

December

-0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Dec. 2010 to 2011

8.5 24.9 3.4 3.6 1.0 4.0

Dec. 2011 to 2012

-1.5 -6.4 0.1 1.1 12.8 -0.4

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports 

All Exports: Export prices fell 0.1 percent in December after a 0.7 percent decline the previous month. 
Decreasing nonagricultural prices in December and November more than offset rising prices for agricultural 
exports. Despite the recent declines, the price index for overall exports rose 1.1 percent in 2012. That 
increase followed a 3.6 percent advance in 2011, and was the smallest calendar-year rise since the index 
declined 2.9 percent in 2008.      

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports ticked up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive 
month in December. The increases for both December and November were driven by higher fruit prices. 
Agricultural prices increased 12.8 percent in 2012 after rising 1.0 percent the previous year. The 2012 
advance was led by rising prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat, up 31.6 percent, 26.9 percent, and 28.0 
percent, respectively.             

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports fell 0.2 percent in 
December, driven by falling prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and 
consumer goods. Overall nonagricultural prices declined 0.4 percent in 2012 after rising 4.0 percent in 2011 
and 5.1 percent in 2010.     


                                        SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China were unchanged in December and declined 0.7 
percent in 2012. The yearly decrease followed increases of 3.6 percent in 2011 and 0.8 percent in 2010. 
Import prices from the European Union and Mexico fell 0.2 percent in December, while import prices from 
Japan edged down 0.1 percent. The price index for imports from Canada rose 0.3 percent, led by higher 
natural gas prices. For the year, import prices from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all declined, 
falling 2.5 percent, 1.1 percent, and 3.6 percent, respectively. In contrast, prices for imports from Japan rose 
1.0 percent over the past 12 months.      

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials ticked up 
0.1 percent in December, led by a 7.5 percent increase in prices for agricultural materials. For the year, the 
price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 0.8 percent, driven mostly by a 4.9 percent drop 
in unfinished metal prices.    

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in December; capital goods prices fell 0.2 percent 
and prices for consumer goods edged down 0.1 percent. Prices for automotive vehicles remained unchanged 
for the second consecutive month. In 2012, automotive vehicles prices rose 1.9 percent, while prices for 
consumer goods fell 0.1 percent. Capital goods prices were unchanged over the past year.   

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.2 percent in December 
and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. Lower coffee prices were the largest contributor to the annual 
decline, decreasing 26.8 percent in 2012.     

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 6.8 percent in December, which helped 
contribute towards an 8.2 percent advance in 2012. A 16.1 percent rise in Asian fares was the largest 
contributor to the December increase, but the advance over the past year was led by a 17.5 percent jump in 
European fares. Import air freight prices decreased 0.7 percent in December as well as over the past 12 
months.  

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural materials declined 0.3 
percent in December. A 0.7 percent drop in fuel prices and a 0.6 percent decrease in chemicals prices were 
the primary contributors to the decline. Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices fell 2.2 
percent over the past year, led by a 6.1 percent drop in fuel prices.   

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices decreased overall in December as capital goods prices and prices for 
consumer goods each edged down 0.1 percent. Automotive vehicles prices were unchanged. In 2012, capital 
goods prices rose 1.0 percent, while automotive vehicles prices advanced 0.9 percent and prices for 
consumer goods were unchanged.     

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 6.2 percent in December, led by a 10.9 
percent increase in Asian fares. The index for export air passenger fares rose 1.7 percent over the past year. 
Export air freight prices fell 0.7 percent in December. Despite the decline, prices for export air freight 
increased 1.9 percent in 2012.    

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2013 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 
February 13, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

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

All commodities

  100.000 140.1 140.0 -1.5 1.0 0.4 -0.8 -0.1

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

  71.728 103.5 103.5 0.2 0.1 0.4 -0.2 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum

  77.910 116.4 116.5 0.1 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  76.801 120.6 120.5 0.1 0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.073 169.9 169.5 -1.7 1.4 0.3 -1.3 -0.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.932 191.3 191.0 -1.5 1.9 0.3 -1.8 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.141 121.4 120.9 -2.3 -0.3 0.3 0.7 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

36.433 252.0 251.8 -4.5 2.5 0.5 -1.9 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.343 165.8 167.5 -0.2 0.1 1.2 0.4 1.0

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

  13.234 188.4 188.5 -0.8 0.1 1.1 -0.4 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.865 178.0 177.6 -1.3 0.5 2.3 -0.6 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.369 151.4 155.3 1.2 -0.6 0.0 1.5 2.6

Fuels & lubricants

10

23.200 333.8 333.4 -6.4 3.9 0.1 -2.8 -0.1

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

22.091 372.4 369.6 -7.1 4.0 0.0 -3.4 -0.8

Crude

10000

16.637 381.5 377.9 -7.5 4.2 -0.3 -3.4 -0.9

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

101

0.826 111.6 129.8 12.8 0.2 6.0 14.8 16.3

Gas-natural

10110

0.724 97.9 115.9 14.2 -0.5 7.7 18.0 18.4

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.587 112.2 111.4 -3.0 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.872 174.6 175.6 0.3 -0.7 -0.6 -0.2 0.6

Selected building materials

13

1.060 141.5 143.5 9.8 1.2 0.2 -0.1 1.4

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.658 265.8 264.1 -4.9 0.8 4.4 -0.9 -0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.557 163.1 162.0 -0.1 0.0 1.4 -0.5 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.500 114.4 114.4 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Capital goods

2

22.408 93.3 93.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.917 119.6 119.6 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.826 86.2 86.0 -0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

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

22

1.665 133.9 134.2 3.2 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.735 115.1 115.1 1.9 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.351 107.7 107.6 -0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.741 115.3 115.3 0.8 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

11.336 99.8 99.8 -0.5 0.1 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.273 115.7 115.3 -3.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.3

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

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


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

All commodities

  100.000 133.6 133.5 1.1 0.8 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

Agricultural commodities

  11.847 225.9 226.1 12.8 1.3 -1.9 0.1 0.1

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

  80.788 102.7 102.6 0.2 0.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.152 127.0 126.8 -0.4 0.7 0.3 -0.8 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

10.989 228.2 227.4 14.3 1.0 -1.7 0.2 -0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

10.275 232.6 232.1 15.4 1.2 -1.9 0.5 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.714 189.3 184.5 0.4 -0.3 0.7 -2.6 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

33.660 180.8 180.6 -2.2 1.9 0.5 -2.0 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.169 185.6 186.0 -1.2 1.0 2.0 -0.7 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  21.489 179.0 178.4 -2.7 2.3 -0.3 -2.7 -0.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.572 193.6 197.4 -1.6 2.0 -1.8 -2.0 2.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.087 180.6 180.1 -2.2 1.8 0.7 -2.0 -0.3

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.222 255.9 254.1 -6.1 4.4 -0.5 -5.8 -0.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.925 172.4 172.2 -0.9 1.0 1.1 -0.6 -0.1

Selected building materials

13

0.940 117.8 117.8 1.9 0.1 -0.8 -0.1 0.0

Capital goods

2

34.425 105.7 105.6 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.550 114.3 113.9 1.0 0.3 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.912 94.8 94.8 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

22

5.963 149.2 149.4 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.200 112.9 112.9 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.726 116.7 116.6 0.0 0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.950 115.8 115.7 1.6 0.3 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.352 114.4 114.2 0.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

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

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


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

Nonmanufactured articles

  19.967 163.9 163.3 -6.4 4.2 0.2 -2.4 -0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.785 166.1 165.8 -5.3 2.7 1.3 -4.9 -0.2

Crop production

111

1.259 171.3 171.3 -5.7 3.5 1.1 -6.5 0.0

Mining

21

18.182 163.3 162.6 -6.6 4.3 0.1 -2.2 -0.4

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

212

0.318 139.0 139.7 -4.7 0.8 -3.0 -0.9 0.5

Manufactured articles

  79.570 117.7 117.6 -0.3 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.808 123.5 123.8 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Food manufacturing

311

2.940 153.7 155.2 -1.3 -1.5 -0.8 -0.1 1.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.854 112.4 112.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 -0.3

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.408 102.4 102.2 2.2 0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Textile product mills

314

0.875 115.9 115.9 -2.2 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.075 111.0 111.0 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.657 120.8 120.9 3.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.968 138.4 138.6 -0.9 0.9 0.2 -1.2 0.1

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.648 120.4 123.5 15.0 0.9 0.1 0.4 2.6

Paper manufacturing

322

1.090 110.6 110.0 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.576 167.1 168.4 -5.9 2.6 0.3 -4.9 0.8

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.821 135.0 134.8 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.906 127.5 127.6 1.4 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.838 129.5 129.3 0.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

50.795 110.0 109.8 -0.1 0.3 0.5 -0.3 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.239 174.6 172.8 -5.0 0.5 4.1 -1.1 -1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.581 130.5 130.3 0.9 0.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.716 122.2 122.2 2.3 0.5 0.6 -0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.460 81.9 81.7 -1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.897 119.5 119.6 1.8 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.427 112.4 112.4 2.2 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.322 113.8 113.9 0.9 0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.153 121.3 121.1 -1.7 -0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.2

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

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


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

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.772 175.4 175.4 5.7 0.8 -2.9 -0.1 0.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.928 217.6 217.4 16.5 1.5 -3.5 -0.1 -0.1

Crop production

111

6.491 226.9 227.1 17.7 2.0 -3.8 0.2 0.1

Mining

21

1.844 93.5 93.6 -21.7 -2.0 -1.0 0.2 0.1

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.216 107.5 108.8 -23.0 -1.6 -4.9 -3.7 1.2

Manufactured articles

  88.291 120.8 120.6 0.6 0.8 0.2 -0.7 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.316 150.6 150.0 4.5 0.9 0.4 -0.1 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

5.114 172.8 171.1 5.1 1.1 0.6 -0.2 -1.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.593 125.3 127.6 11.0 2.2 -0.5 -1.9 1.8

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.427 122.8 122.8 3.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.142 132.8 132.3 -0.2 2.0 0.1 -2.2 -0.4

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.400 113.7 113.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.7 0.3 -0.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.827 119.0 118.9 -0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.067 164.0 163.2 -0.3 5.7 -0.1 -7.6 -0.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.895 130.8 130.2 -0.5 0.9 0.2 -0.6 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.203 118.8 119.2 2.8 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.750 111.5 111.4 0.6 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.833 113.3 113.2 0.4 0.3 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.832 173.6 173.2 -3.7 1.7 4.0 -1.1 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.665 132.1 132.0 2.3 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.121 121.2 121.1 2.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.201 88.9 88.7 -1.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.211 112.7 112.8 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.370 116.8 116.9 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

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

337

0.302 104.7 104.8 4.8 0.1 1.4 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.130 122.1 122.0 -1.3 0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

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

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


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

Live animals; animal products

I

1.157 164.4 164.2 -1.3 0.2 0.2 1.5 -0.1

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.275 218.5 217.2 1.0 0.3 -0.7 0.4 -0.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.582 114.6 113.8 -6.3 -1.2 0.3 1.5 -0.7

Vegetable products

II

1.618 204.5 207.8 -1.8 0.9 -0.6 -4.0 1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.372 369.3 363.9 18.8 25.8 0.5 -1.6 -1.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.436 109.5 108.7 -4.3 -0.6 -2.3 -3.0 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.359 233.0 232.3 -21.5 -6.5 4.0 -11.3 -0.3

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

III

0.238 121.2 118.3 -11.8 1.2 -2.5 -2.2 -2.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.397 157.8 157.4 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.191 88.3 91.7 8.0 1.1 2.8 1.6 3.9

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

19

0.233 129.4 129.4 3.3 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.0

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

20

0.343 168.9 166.6 -4.4 -0.1 -1.0 0.6 -1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.805 122.7 122.5 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Mineral products

V

22.860 335.4 335.5 -6.3 3.9 0.1 -3.0 0.0

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

27

22.564 331.9 332.0 -6.2 4.0 0.1 -3.1 0.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.414 151.6 151.3 1.3 0.1 0.5 0.3 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.985 393.6 387.9 0.6 0.5 -0.9 0.1 -1.4

Organic chemicals

29

2.483 140.3 140.3 2.3 -0.3 0.2 1.2 0.0

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.107 119.7 119.7 2.8 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.421 131.8 131.2 -9.4 -0.2 -1.3 -1.9 -0.5

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

32

0.163 93.2 93.1 -6.9 0.0 -10.0 0.0 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.420 126.0 125.7 0.9 -0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.468 100.9 101.2 -3.3 0.0 -1.1 0.2 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.105 151.8 151.8 -0.1 0.3 0.3 -0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.905 144.8 145.2 1.6 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.200 165.6 164.8 -2.7 -0.7 0.1 -0.9 -0.5

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

VIII

0.590 126.2 126.2 2.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

42

0.557 127.0 126.9 2.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

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

IX

0.683 146.0 149.6 15.2 1.0 0.4 0.1 2.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.194 113.4 113.1 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

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

47

0.175 97.8 97.5 -2.5 -2.1 -1.2 -0.8 -0.3

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

48

0.801 108.6 108.1 -1.5 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.5

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.213 114.6 114.5 -0.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.005 104.8 104.8 -1.6 -0.7 -0.4 0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.922 117.4 117.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.633 108.7 108.6 -3.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.356 120.2 120.2 2.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.158 119.7 119.9 3.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

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

XIII

0.760 131.9 131.5 0.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

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

68

0.244 125.3 124.2 0.0 0.6 -1.0 0.4 -0.9

Ceramic products

69

0.226 140.9 141.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -1.0 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.290 127.6 127.3 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.2

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

XIV

3.384 207.0 205.8 -0.6 2.0 4.5 -0.7 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.771 184.4 183.4 -3.0 -0.6 0.7 -0.5 -0.5

Iron and steel

72

1.030 221.0 218.7 -11.2 -1.9 -2.8 0.2 -1.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.397 158.1 156.9 -2.8 -0.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.8

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.456 354.1 355.0 4.4 2.7 5.0 -3.2 0.3

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.135 104.1 97.2 -8.8 -2.5 6.9 2.5 -6.6

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.697 136.8 137.5 -1.9 -0.9 4.1 -1.0 0.5

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

82

0.364 128.1 128.1 3.1 0.2 -0.5 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.415 136.3 136.9 3.9 0.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.4

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

XVI

24.878 85.8 85.7 -0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.576 90.0 89.9 1.0 0.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

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

85

12.302 81.7 81.7 -1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.359 116.7 116.6 2.0 0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.544 115.6 115.6 1.9 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.0

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

88

0.709 118.4 118.9 2.7 -0.5 0.0 0.2 0.4

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

XVIII

3.247 104.9 104.6 -1.2 0.2 0.7 0.1 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.974 101.8 101.5 -2.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.212 141.0 140.8 10.3 1.8 6.4 0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.721 112.8 112.8 1.1 -0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0

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

94

1.986 116.6 116.7 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.531 105.2 105.2 0.6 -0.4 0.4 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.204 135.9 135.8 2.3 -0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

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


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

Live animals; animal products

I

1.984 212.6 212.3 2.2 -1.8 2.7 -0.2 -0.1

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

02

1.150 168.9 169.0 -0.6 0.8 1.6 -0.2 0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.426 206.8 200.7 0.0 -0.1 0.9 -2.7 -2.9

Vegetable products

II

6.539 278.4 279.0 20.2 1.7 -3.7 0.5 0.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.930 149.4 158.0 13.9 3.5 4.2 3.8 5.8

Cereals

10

2.572 334.6 336.2 24.1 -1.1 -1.0 0.6 0.5

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

12

2.439 302.9 295.8 27.9 4.4 -9.2 -0.5 -2.3

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

III

0.426 133.8 131.8 -9.5 1.7 -2.6 -6.7 -1.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.897 167.9 166.7 12.1 1.6 0.4 0.3 -0.7

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

20

0.320 110.9 110.6 1.3 0.3 -1.4 0.0 -0.3

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

22

0.402 110.7 110.3 4.8 0.1 0.7 0.0 -0.4

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.989 286.9 280.9 36.6 4.9 1.2 0.7 -2.1

Mineral products

V

8.144 299.4 298.5 -6.3 3.9 -0.5 -5.9 -0.3

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

27

7.573 296.2 294.5 -6.5 4.2 -0.6 -6.1 -0.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.200 154.7 154.1 -0.5 0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.005 185.8 182.3 -7.9 0.6 -0.9 0.9 -1.9

Organic chemicals

29

3.401 165.7 165.3 -0.9 1.0 0.4 -0.5 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.161 125.0 124.7 0.8 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.762 136.5 136.5 2.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.0

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

34

0.465 123.0 122.9 -1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.757 152.6 152.8 1.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.409 147.6 147.1 -0.1 1.6 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.352 138.9 138.5 0.4 2.0 -0.1 -0.9 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.057 188.6 187.6 -1.8 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5

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

VIII

0.381 135.0 137.0 13.3 -0.2 0.8 1.5 1.5

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

IX

0.542 110.0 109.9 1.8 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.298 117.1 117.3 0.3 -0.8 1.1 0.8 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.598 117.8 119.0 -2.1 -3.7 2.0 2.9 1.0

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

48

1.228 117.4 117.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.3

Printed material

49

0.471 125.6 125.8 5.4 0.8 2.8 0.1 0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.897 125.6 126.1 -5.0 0.6 -0.7 0.2 0.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.547 130.8 132.3 -22.1 1.1 -2.8 0.2 1.1

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

XIII

0.746 118.4 118.4 1.7 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.402 98.9 98.8 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 -0.1

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

XIV

5.374 286.3 285.9 -3.0 3.1 3.7 -1.5 -0.1

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.421 171.3 171.8 -1.2 -0.5 0.5 -0.1 0.3

Iron and steel

72

1.576 199.6 199.7 -6.1 -2.5 -1.8 2.1 0.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.359 172.7 172.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.644 247.3 253.8 1.9 2.0 4.5 -4.3 2.6

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.822 125.7 125.9 0.0 0.6 2.3 -1.1 0.2

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

82

0.388 133.1 133.1 3.5 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.339 146.0 145.6 6.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3

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

XVI

27.507 96.9 96.8 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.083 111.0 110.8 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.424 81.7 81.6 -1.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.942 126.8 126.9 1.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.229 113.0 113.0 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

5.797 106.2 106.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.351 110.9 111.1 2.5 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.702 121.2 121.6 2.1 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.517 90.9 90.9 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

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


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

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 131.6 131.7 -1.1 1.2 0.5 -0.3 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

12.380 223.7 226.0 -8.3 6.7 2.2 -2.3 1.0

Manufactured articles

87.017 124.1 124.0 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Other Countries(3)

100.000 139.3 139.1 -2.0 0.7 -0.1 -0.9 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

24.950 345.7 343.9 -5.5 3.6 -0.3 -2.6 -0.5

Manufactured articles

74.698 110.9 110.9 -0.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Canada

100.000 151.1 151.5 -2.5 2.3 0.7 -0.5 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

29.017 212.3 214.7 -9.1 6.9 3.1 -2.1 1.1

Manufactured articles

70.018 138.9 138.7 0.7 0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

European Union(4)

100.000 135.1 134.8 -1.1 -0.1 0.6 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

2.360 381.6 378.5 4.0 0.1 1.1 0.0 -0.8

Manufactured articles

96.831 131.3 131.1 -1.2 -0.2 0.6 0.0 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 120.0 119.9 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 114.9 114.5 -0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2 -0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 134.9 134.7 1.7 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Latin America(5)

100.000 173.5 173.6 -4.4 1.3 -0.4 -2.4 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

34.215 359.5 358.0 -10.4 3.1 -1.3 -5.0 -0.4

Manufactured articles

65.331 132.7 133.1 -0.9 0.4 0.1 -0.9 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 142.8 142.5 -3.6 0.8 -0.3 -1.7 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

20.537 191.5 188.8 -10.4 3.7 -1.7 -5.9 -1.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

79.463 94.1 94.2 -1.8 0.0 0.1 -0.6 0.1

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

100.000 104.2 104.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.4 104.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Japan

100.000 103.2 103.1 1.0 0.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 90.8 90.5 -0.1 0.2 0.5 -0.8 -0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 103.9 103.8 -1.0 0.1 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

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

100.000 273.5 271.6 -0.5 2.5 1.3 -0.4 -0.7

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

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


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

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 177.1 175.8 -0.7 0.3 1.3 0.6 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.449 166.7 162.2 -3.6 1.0 3.8 1.8 -2.7

Asia

71.089 156.8 156.7 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 148.1 147.0 1.9 2.4 1.2 -0.3 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

35.179 130.0 129.6 0.0 1.7 -1.3 -0.4 -0.3

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 168.5 167.5 4.2 1.6 1.2 1.8 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.253 151.8 149.2 -0.2 1.4 3.2 1.3 -1.7

Asia

64.875 154.5 154.2 6.6 1.8 0.6 2.3 -0.2

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 149.2 147.9 2.3 1.4 0.3 1.3 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

29.974 162.7 161.7 -0.8 0.7 -1.3 0.3 -0.6

Asia

50.137 143.1 141.6 4.7 1.8 0.9 2.3 -1.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 181.8 194.2 8.2 -1.6 2.0 -0.9 6.8

Europe

41.988 202.9 207.2 17.5 0.6 3.7 2.4 2.1

Asia

25.485 147.5 171.3 5.4 -5.4 -0.3 -3.0 16.1

Latin America/Caribbean

11.626 169.2 185.1 -1.0 -9.1 1.5 6.3 9.4

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 182.9 194.3 1.7 -12.4 -0.4 -2.2 6.2

Europe

27.657 216.5 222.2 7.4 -9.4 -2.2 0.6 2.6

Asia

28.271 165.7 183.7 2.7 -24.1 -0.9 -4.1 10.9

Latin America/Caribbean

24.308 215.5 224.6 9.7 -2.9 -0.4 0.4 4.2

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

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


                                          TECHNICAL NOTE


Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres 
formula and are not seasonally adjusted.  Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 
the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More detailed index series 
and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using 
three classification systems.  Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 
Analysis Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS).  While 
classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for 
classifying items by industry.  In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output 
industry, not input industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products 
manufacturing) include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  The 
NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price 
Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  
The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 
(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for 
crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 
system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 
(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 
industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

Services Price Indexes -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 
calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service.  These data include tickets sold by 
travel agencies and travel websites.  Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 
flyer tickets generally.  Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 
sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 
from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 
directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 
priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 
transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 
Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 
represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 
information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP 
Publications."

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 
for the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 
using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  
Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 
NAICS 31-33. 
 
Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further data 
revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision in 
the releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  
Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, 
Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 
International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also 
can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 
indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis.

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 
e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 
page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp).  Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access 
to either a large volume of time series data or other related documentation. The FTP site can be accessed 
at ftp://ftp.bls.gov.   For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 
(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 
(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.  
Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.

Last Modified Date: January 11, 2013