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

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                    USDL-12-0028
8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, January 13, 2012

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


                           U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES - DECEMBER 2011

U.S. import prices edged down 0.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 
today, after rising 0.8 percent the previous month. In December, declining prices for fuels more than offset a 
0.1 percent rise in nonfuel prices. Export prices also decreased in December, falling 0.5 percent following a 
0.1 percent advance in November.


Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices resumed a downward trend, declining 0.1 percent following a 0.8 percent upturn 
in November. The price index for overall imports rose 8.5 percent in 2011, driven by a 9.2 percent increase 
for the index over the first five months of the year. 2011 was the third consecutive year that import prices 
rose, advancing 5.3 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively in 2010 and 2009, after declining 10.1 percent in 
2008.   

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices fell 0.5 percent in December after rising 3.7 percent in November. In December, 
lower prices for both petroleum and natural gas, down 0.4 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively, each 
contributed to the overall decline. Despite falling 3.4 percent since April, overall fuel prices advanced 25.2 
percent in 2011 as a 27.4 percent rise in petroleum prices more than offset a 9.4 percent drop in natural gas 
prices. Fuel prices previously advanced 14.2 percent in 2010 and 62.2 percent in 2009.    

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports ticked up 0.1 percent in December 
following 0.2 percent decreases in each of the two previous months. In December, higher prices for each of 
the major finished goods categories led nonfuel import prices up despite lower prices for nonfuel industrial 
supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages. Nonfuel import prices advanced 3.4 percent over the 
past year after rising 3.0 percent in 2010. Higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, 
feeds, and beverages; and finished goods all contributed to the 2011 increase in nonfuel prices.          

Table A. Percent changes

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

2010

December

1.4 5.6 0.3 0.7 2.0 0.6

2011

January

1.5 4.1 0.7 1.3 3.1 1.0

February

1.7 5.6 0.5 1.3 4.6 1.0

March

3.0 9.7 0.8 1.5 2.2 1.4

April

2.6 7.6 0.8 0.8 -0.5 0.9

May

0.1 -0.6 0.3 0.4 -1.1 0.5

June

-0.6 -2.3 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.2

July

0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.4 -4.0 0.1

August

-0.4 -2.1 0.2 0.4 1.6 0.3

September

-0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.5 1.9 0.3

October

(r)-0.4 (r)-0.6 -0.2 (r)-2.0 -6.5 (r)-1.4

November

(r)0.8 (r)3.7 -0.2 0.1 (r)1.7 (r)-0.2

December

-0.1 -0.5 0.1 -0.5 -2.6 -0.2

Dec. 2009 to 2010

5.3 14.2 3.0 6.5 20.5 5.1

Dec. 2010 to 2011

8.5 25.2 3.4 3.6 0.8 4.0

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Prices for overall exports declined 0.5 percent in December, following a 0.1 percent advance in 
November and a 2.0 percent decrease in October. In December, falling prices for both agricultural exports 
and nonagricultural exports factored into the decrease in export prices. The price index for overall exports 
rose 3.6 percent in 2011 after rising 6.5 percent in 2010 and 3.4 percent in 2009. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports fell 2.6 percent in December, driven by lower 
prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat, down 8.2 percent, 4.0 percent, and 7.8 percent, respectively. 
Agricultural prices advanced 0.8 percent in 2011 despite falling 7.4 percent in the final quarter of the year. 
Agricultural prices rose 20.5 percent in 2010 and 9.2 percent in 2009 in contrast to the relatively small 
increase in 2011. The rise in agricultural prices in 2011 was driven by a 28.1 percent increase in vegetable 
prices and a 7.9 percent advance in corn prices.       

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices fell 0.2 percent in December, led by lower 
prices for nonagricultural supplies and materials. Prices for nonagricultural exports rose 4.0 percent in 2011 
after a 5.1 percent increase the previous year and a 2.9 percent advance in 2009.   
 				

                                     SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices edged down 
0.1 percent in December led by a 0.7 percent drop in chemicals prices. In contrast, prices for nonfuel 
industrial supplies and materials rose 6.8 percent in 2011, driven by higher prices for both chemicals and 
metals.           

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories advanced in December and overall 
in 2011. Consumer goods prices rose 0.2 percent for the month and 3.2 percent in 2011, the largest calendar-
year increase since a 3.5 percent advance in 1990. Prices for capital goods increased 0.2 percent in 
December, and advanced 0.9 percent over the past year. The price index for automotive vehicles ticked up 
0.1 percent in December, and increased 3.7 percent in 2011, the largest calendar-year rise since a 3.9 percent 
advance in 1993.         
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.4 percent in 
December, driven by a 4.8 percent decline in vegetable prices. In contrast, foods, feeds, and beverages 
prices rose 6.3 percent over the past 12 months, led by a 41.4 percent jump in coffee prices in 2011.   

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for imports from China, Mexico, and Japan all ticked up 
0.1 percent in December, and each advanced in 2011, up 3.6 percent, 5.8 percent, and 2.3 percent, 
respectively. The 3.6 percent increase in import prices from China in 2011 was the largest calendar-year 
advance in the index since the index was first published in December 2003, and followed a 0.8 percent 
increase in 2010. In contrast, prices for imports from Canada fell 0.4 percent in December and the price 
index for imports from the European Union decreased 0.2 percent.    

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares advanced 1.6 percent in December and 5.7 percent 
over the past year. The December increase was led by higher Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. 
Import air freight prices fell for the fourth consecutive month, declining 0.6 percent in December. Despite 
those declines, the index rose 4.0 percent in 2011.    

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials fell 0.6 percent in December, led by a 2.9 percent drop in fuel prices that more than offset a 
1.7 percent increase in prices for nonferrous metals. Despite decreasing 4.3 percent during the last three 
months of 2011, nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices rose 7.9 percent for the year.       
  
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in December. Consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 
percent, automotive vehicle prices edged down 0.1 percent, and prices for capital goods recorded no change. 
Each of the major finished goods categories advanced in 2011, with consumer goods prices rising 3.6 
percent, automotive vehicle prices 2.6 percent, and capital goods prices 0.7 percent.              

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 1.7 percent in December, driven by higher 
Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. The index for export air passenger fares rose 10.8 percent in 
2011. Export air freight prices ticked up 0.1 percent in December, and advanced 12.6 percent over the past 
year.
		
Import and Export Price Index data for January 2012 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, February 
14, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2010 to December 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

All commodities

  100.000 142.3 142.2 8.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.8 -0.1

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

  67.170 103.1 103.2 3.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

All imports excluding petroleum

  74.155 116.3 116.3 3.3 0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  72.821 120.3 120.4 3.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.651 173.6 172.9 6.3 0.2 -0.6 0.0 -0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.405 195.4 194.6 6.6 0.2 -0.9 0.3 -0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.246 124.2 123.7 5.4 0.0 0.2 -1.1 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

40.088 265.0 264.0 18.6 -0.5 -1.0 1.9 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.242 168.6 167.8 5.3 0.1 -2.1 -1.3 -0.5

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

  12.908 190.3 190.1 6.8 0.6 -1.5 -1.7 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.758 179.9 180.3 5.3 0.6 -2.5 -2.5 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.150 155.1 153.1 5.2 -0.5 -1.6 0.1 -1.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

27.181 359.0 357.2 25.2 -1.0 -0.6 3.7 -0.5

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

25.847 400.3 398.8 27.4 -0.9 -0.3 3.8 -0.4

Crude

10000

19.219 408.9 409.1 27.7 -0.1 0.0 4.8 0.0

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

101

1.011 120.6 114.7 -8.9 -3.9 -8.5 3.0 -4.9

Gas-natural

10110

0.897 106.3 101.1 -9.4 -4.2 -9.7 4.3 -4.9

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.619 116.2 114.6 -2.5 -1.1 0.2 -0.9 -1.4

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.614 175.6 174.7 11.3 0.5 0.2 -0.3 -0.5

Selected building materials

13

1.037 129.9 130.7 2.9 0.3 -0.7 -0.3 0.6

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.658 277.3 278.9 4.8 0.7 -4.2 -5.1 0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.568 162.4 162.3 6.3 0.9 -2.1 0.1 -0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.412 115.8 115.1 5.9 0.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.6

Capital goods

2

20.681 92.6 92.8 0.9 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.664 118.6 118.6 4.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

16.207 86.1 86.3 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.2

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

22

1.810 126.4 126.4 3.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

9.204 113.3 113.4 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.377 107.3 107.5 3.2 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.045 114.3 114.3 3.5 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

11.300 100.1 100.3 2.1 0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.032 114.5 116.0 11.9 0.8 0.2 -0.5 1.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

All commodities

  100.000 132.7 132.1 3.6 0.5 -2.0 0.1 -0.5

Agricultural commodities

  11.383 205.3 200.0 0.8 1.9 -6.5 1.7 -2.6

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

  80.697 102.4 102.4 2.4 0.2 -0.9 -0.5 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.618 127.5 127.3 4.0 0.3 -1.4 -0.2 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

10.356 203.1 198.1 3.7 2.3 -6.9 2.1 -2.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.612 205.8 200.3 2.9 2.5 -7.4 2.3 -2.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.744 182.1 182.8 13.5 -0.1 -0.2 -1.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.552 185.9 184.5 6.9 0.6 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.349 187.1 188.0 7.6 2.3 -3.4 -1.5 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.204 186.0 183.3 6.4 -0.3 -3.5 0.5 -1.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.771 206.4 201.8 -9.5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.4 -2.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.782 185.2 184.0 7.9 0.7 -3.5 -0.2 -0.6

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.948 278.5 270.5 15.6 0.2 -5.5 3.5 -2.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.965 173.2 173.6 5.6 0.9 -2.9 -1.5 0.2

Selected building materials

13

0.869 116.4 115.5 -0.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.8

Capital goods

2

34.711 104.6 104.6 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.381 113.0 113.1 3.0 0.0 -0.4 -0.6 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.228 94.2 94.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

22

7.101 145.2 145.6 2.8 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

6.831 112.0 111.9 2.6 0.3 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.550 116.7 116.8 3.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

6.715 113.5 113.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.437 113.4 113.5 2.3 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

Nonmanufactured articles

  23.299 175.2 174.6 22.6 -0.1 -0.5 3.8 -0.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.062 175.5 173.9 4.8 1.5 -0.3 -1.7 -0.9

Crop production

111

1.495 181.4 180.1 5.5 2.0 -0.9 -1.4 -0.7

Mining

21

21.237 174.8 174.3 24.7 -0.2 -0.5 4.4 -0.3

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

212

0.363 150.6 148.7 5.8 -1.0 -0.7 -2.8 -1.3

Manufactured articles

  76.216 118.0 117.9 4.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.942 123.9 124.0 8.6 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1

Food manufacturing

311

3.289 157.0 157.8 11.1 -0.4 -0.8 1.0 0.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.887 112.0 111.9 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.868 118.6 119.2 11.8 0.6 0.1 -0.1 0.5

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.044 111.5 111.2 7.6 0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.481 116.5 116.8 7.6 0.0 0.9 0.9 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

19.012 141.1 140.1 10.0 -1.0 0.4 0.3 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.631 107.1 107.4 2.5 0.7 -1.5 -0.6 0.3

Paper manufacturing

322

1.150 112.4 111.6 0.9 -0.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.7

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

5.501 183.2 180.5 28.5 -3.8 -0.8 1.7 -1.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.132 134.9 134.2 3.7 0.3 1.4 -0.4 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.742 126.0 125.7 7.9 0.2 0.5 0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.766 127.3 127.5 3.2 0.1 -0.6 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

46.262 109.6 109.8 2.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.4 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.383 181.2 182.3 5.0 0.9 -3.8 -4.2 0.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.496 128.7 128.9 6.2 1.2 -0.8 0.4 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.321 119.3 119.3 3.9 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.145 82.5 82.9 -2.6 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.460 117.2 117.5 3.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

10.267 109.8 109.9 3.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.208 113.2 113.1 5.4 0.5 0.6 0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.982 122.6 122.4 7.1 0.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.919 170.4 165.7 0.2 1.2 -8.8 2.5 -2.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.507 192.9 186.5 -1.6 2.0 -10.5 3.4 -3.3

Crop production

111

6.073 199.5 192.5 -2.7 2.2 -11.5 4.3 -3.5

Mining

21

2.412 120.3 118.9 5.3 -0.7 -4.0 -0.1 -1.2

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.641 143.5 143.0 9.5 -1.1 -2.1 -0.7 -0.3

Manufactured articles

  87.620 120.2 119.9 4.2 0.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.403 144.5 142.7 5.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.4 -1.2

Food manufacturing

311

5.202 164.6 162.3 6.6 1.5 -0.1 -0.5 -1.4

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.550 116.1 114.7 -0.1 1.0 -1.4 1.8 -1.2

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.412 114.4 114.8 9.6 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.660 133.6 132.5 6.3 0.0 -2.4 0.5 -0.8

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.383 114.0 113.7 -2.2 0.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Paper manufacturing

322

1.919 121.6 119.4 -2.7 -0.8 -0.8 -1.7 -1.8

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.045 169.9 163.8 17.2 0.6 -6.6 4.3 -3.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.578 130.5 130.9 4.4 -0.2 -1.4 -0.5 0.3

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.040 116.1 116.0 7.8 0.2 0.9 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.694 111.0 110.6 -1.7 0.6 0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

53.557 112.6 112.8 2.9 0.4 -0.3 -0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.148 177.5 179.7 12.0 3.1 -2.9 -2.7 1.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.510 128.8 128.9 5.3 -0.2 0.5 0.5 0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

10.501 117.9 117.9 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

13.743 89.5 89.5 -2.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.055 111.6 111.4 1.6 0.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.079 114.9 115.1 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.229 124.4 124.5 10.3 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

Live animals; animal products

I

1.312 166.9 166.4 6.4 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 -0.3

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.319 217.1 215.0 11.5 -2.5 -0.6 4.4 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.682 122.5 121.5 1.7 -0.6 0.3 -2.4 -0.8

Vegetable products

II

1.792 207.9 210.2 11.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 1.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.322 319.8 306.3 -5.8 -0.2 1.3 0.6 -4.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.484 113.9 113.5 -0.6 -4.5 -7.3 -0.5 -0.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.486 287.4 295.9 35.6 9.8 -1.4 -1.0 3.0

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

III

0.291 133.8 136.6 1.2 -3.1 -7.2 3.5 2.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.581 158.4 157.4 5.5 -0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.6

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.208 96.5 84.9 -11.7 -0.6 -4.4 2.2 -12.0

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

19

0.253 125.7 125.5 -5.6 -0.6 -0.9 0.1 -0.2

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

20

0.390 170.1 174.3 17.8 -1.7 2.2 4.2 2.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.861 122.6 122.4 1.6 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Mineral products

V

26.747 360.7 359.0 25.4 -1.0 -0.6 3.7 -0.5

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

27

26.400 356.7 355.0 25.5 -1.0 -0.5 3.8 -0.5

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.806 150.1 149.6 4.2 0.3 1.4 0.2 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.149 391.4 389.7 19.3 1.1 0.9 2.8 -0.4

Organic chemicals

29

2.773 137.0 136.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.5 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.179 116.3 116.4 0.7 0.3 3.9 0.0 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.303 151.0 145.5 29.8 1.1 -0.3 0.5 -3.6

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.422 127.4 127.2 2.8 0.2 0.6 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.475 104.5 104.8 4.4 -0.8 -0.7 -1.4 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

2.908 152.6 151.5 6.7 0.5 0.2 -0.5 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.791 142.0 142.4 6.2 0.6 0.1 -0.4 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.117 173.0 169.1 7.7 0.2 0.2 -0.7 -2.3

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

VIII

0.533 123.2 123.2 6.7 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.0

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

42

0.489 123.6 123.7 7.0 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.1

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

IX

0.664 129.5 129.9 2.9 0.6 -1.3 -0.5 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.254 114.9 114.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.7

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

48

0.848 109.9 109.6 2.6 -0.4 0.6 0.5 -0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.206 115.7 115.5 9.0 0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.987 106.4 106.1 5.3 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.953 117.1 116.9 11.8 0.3 0.5 0.2 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.649 113.0 113.6 13.0 1.2 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.230 116.0 116.5 7.1 0.1 0.9 1.0 0.4

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.053 115.4 116.0 7.5 0.1 1.0 1.1 0.5

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

XIII

0.704 130.4 130.6 3.2 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.2

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

68

0.243 124.2 124.2 4.0 -0.2 1.6 0.2 0.0

Ceramic products

69

0.202 141.1 141.2 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.258 124.6 124.9 3.7 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2

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

XIV

3.097 201.9 204.7 16.2 5.0 -4.0 -2.1 1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.842 190.0 189.5 0.9 -1.6 -2.3 -2.2 -0.3

Iron and steel

72

0.902 247.8 246.6 6.7 -0.3 -2.5 -2.9 -0.5

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.541 161.4 161.6 5.6 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.492 338.5 343.9 -9.5 -5.7 -9.5 -5.5 1.6

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.135 109.2 106.5 -16.8 -4.8 -6.7 -7.5 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.830 143.6 140.7 -2.4 -2.5 -2.2 -2.6 -2.0

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

82

0.313 123.6 124.0 2.6 0.6 -0.4 -0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.359 131.6 131.3 2.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

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

XVI

22.788 85.5 85.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

11.337 88.5 88.6 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.1

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

85

11.451 82.6 82.9 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

8.578 114.6 114.8 3.7 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.629 113.9 114.1 3.9 0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.2

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

88

0.864 115.8 115.8 1.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

3.094 105.3 105.3 3.4 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.855 102.9 102.9 3.5 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.176 127.7 127.6 2.7 0.8 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.491 111.7 111.6 4.0 0.3 0.6 0.1 -0.1

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

94

1.720 115.4 115.3 4.3 0.3 0.5 0.1 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.568 104.5 104.5 3.5 0.2 0.9 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.203 133.2 132.9 6.4 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

Live animals; animal products

I

2.083 208.7 207.3 16.1 0.4 1.6 0.0 -0.7

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

02

1.284 171.2 169.8 17.3 2.4 1.7 0.4 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.427 196.0 199.9 15.3 -0.5 -0.6 -0.9 2.0

Vegetable products

II

5.821 237.9 231.6 2.7 3.3 -11.5 4.8 -2.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.957 130.0 137.0 6.3 -7.7 1.2 4.8 5.4

Cereals

10

2.330 291.7 271.0 5.8 8.0 -15.7 6.3 -7.1

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

12

1.962 239.1 231.3 -7.8 3.1 -15.6 4.1 -3.3

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

III

0.503 147.9 146.9 4.8 0.7 -7.0 -1.5 -0.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.657 150.5 147.4 0.1 1.3 0.0 -1.4 -2.1

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

20

0.350 110.2 109.6 4.9 -0.1 0.6 0.3 -0.5

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.435 117.1 113.0 -5.3 -0.2 -0.5 0.0 -3.5

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

22

0.331 104.6 104.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.8 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.675 210.9 199.6 -9.2 3.2 -2.1 -4.7 -5.4

Mineral products

V

8.818 327.5 318.8 14.6 0.0 -5.6 3.0 -2.7

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

27

8.231 324.4 314.9 16.2 0.1 -6.0 3.3 -2.9

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

13.005 155.0 155.2 4.8 -0.1 -0.7 0.5 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.015 196.0 199.9 3.1 -1.0 0.2 0.4 2.0

Organic chemicals

29

3.338 166.5 167.2 8.3 -0.7 -2.3 1.1 0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.861 124.2 123.8 -1.7 -0.2 -1.2 -0.2 -0.3

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints, varnish, putty, & inks

32

0.684 152.2 152.2 28.9 4.5 4.7 4.5 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.767 133.3 133.1 5.4 0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

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

34

0.478 124.8 124.7 3.1 0.1 0.2 1.3 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.836 149.9 150.3 4.7 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.161 147.3 147.5 5.1 -0.1 -1.6 -2.4 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.112 137.7 138.2 3.2 0.0 -2.0 -2.1 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.049 192.8 192.0 13.7 -0.4 -0.1 -4.0 -0.4

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

VIII

0.394 123.9 120.5 -2.8 -1.9 -2.3 -4.9 -2.7

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

IX

0.507 109.5 107.4 -2.1 0.7 -0.1 0.2 -1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.554 119.7 116.7 -5.7 -0.9 -1.8 -3.9 -2.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.805 130.1 120.9 -17.5 -2.3 -4.2 -10.6 -7.1

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

48

1.260 118.1 117.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.7 -0.8 -0.7

Printed material

49

0.489 119.3 119.3 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.084 134.1 131.8 -8.1 -1.5 -1.7 -1.0 -1.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.794 177.7 170.1 -24.4 -3.3 -4.3 -2.6 -4.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics, glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)

XIII

0.685 116.8 116.4 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Glass and glassware

70

0.381 99.3 98.7 0.5 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.6

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

XIV

5.665 291.4 296.0 25.1 5.7 -2.9 -1.5 1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.568 174.3 173.5 3.3 -0.4 -4.0 -1.1 -0.5

Iron and steel

72

1.734 212.6 211.0 6.1 1.2 -3.9 -5.1 -0.8

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.288 172.8 172.8 8.1 0.1 0.5 0.9 0.0

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.654 247.6 249.1 -3.7 -3.2 -17.1 6.0 0.6

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.898 128.5 125.6 -2.6 -1.7 -4.4 -0.9 -2.3

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

82

0.341 128.4 128.4 2.4 -0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.308 135.7 136.3 9.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

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

XVI

26.427 96.3 96.3 0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.550 108.6 108.6 1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

10.877 82.9 82.9 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.747 124.4 124.6 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

6.047 111.2 111.2 2.1 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

5.794 105.5 105.6 -1.6 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.378 108.5 108.5 1.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.657 119.3 119.2 0.7 -0.2 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.595 90.0 90.0 -1.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

Industrialized Countries(2)

39.494 133.2 133.0 3.8 -0.3 -0.3 0.5 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

4.457 246.9 244.9 12.2 -1.1 0.4 5.5 -0.8

Manufactured articles

34.670 123.9 123.9 2.6 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.0

Other Countries(3)

60.506 142.2 142.3 10.3 0.0 -0.3 1.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

12.079 364.8 365.0 26.4 0.1 -0.8 3.3 0.1

Manufactured articles

48.226 112.0 112.0 4.9 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Canada

14.271 155.2 154.6 4.4 -1.3 -1.0 1.2 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

3.991 236.1 233.9 10.6 -0.5 -0.3 6.2 -0.9

Manufactured articles

10.005 137.5 137.4 1.4 -1.7 -1.3 -1.2 -0.1

European Union(4)

17.186 137.3 137.0 6.1 0.0 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

0.256 379.5 379.7 38.5 -4.7 5.6 2.6 0.1

Manufactured articles

16.854 133.6 133.2 5.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 -0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.995 120.7 121.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.510 115.4 115.3 2.5 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.795 133.4 133.3 3.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.2 -0.1

Latin America(5)

18.406 181.3 181.7 10.9 0.2 -1.1 1.9 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

5.479 397.3 398.9 26.9 1.2 -0.8 5.7 0.4

Manufactured articles

12.844 134.4 134.7 2.1 -0.5 -1.2 -0.6 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

11.380 147.9 148.1 5.8 0.4 -0.7 0.9 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

1.900 212.1 212.8 26.7 0.5 -0.6 5.4 0.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

9.437 95.8 95.9 0.2 0.3 -0.8 -0.4 0.1

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

34.852 104.8 104.7 2.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.595 105.0 105.1 3.6 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1

Japan

6.198 102.0 102.1 2.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Asian NICs(7)

5.555 91.1 90.9 2.7 -0.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.987 105.2 105.1 4.7 0.1 -0.9 0.4 -0.1

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

3.795 277.2 276.6 23.8 1.9 -0.4 0.3 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 trade values.
(2) Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) Includes European Union countries.
(5) Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) Includes China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

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


Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: December 2010 to December 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2011
Dec.
2011
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2010
to
Dec.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 177.9 176.9 4.0 -0.3 -2.4 -1.8 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.495 168.8 168.2 18.0 -0.4 -2.9 -3.3 -0.4

Asia

72.464 157.1 156.2 -0.1 -0.3 -2.3 -1.3 -0.6

Export Air Freight

100.000 144.0 144.2 12.6 0.3 -0.8 -0.9 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

38.834 130.4 129.6 10.6 0.3 -0.3 -1.1 -0.6

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 162.0 160.5 4.6 0.0 -0.5 -0.9 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.453 149.4 149.4 12.8 0.2 -2.9 -2.4 0.0

Asia

65.327 146.6 144.4 2.4 -0.1 0.4 -0.3 -1.5

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 143.5 144.4 14.4 0.2 0.4 -0.7 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

36.792 163.3 163.0 11.0 -0.5 2.1 -0.3 -0.2

Asia

44.579 133.4 134.6 17.8 0.9 -1.6 -1.2 0.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 176.7 179.5 5.7 -2.1 1.9 -0.7 1.6

Europe

37.160 180.0 176.4 3.3 0.0 2.0 -3.5 -2.0

Asia

26.454 155.2 162.6 3.7 -3.4 -0.3 2.5 4.8

Latin America/Caribbean

14.694 173.1 186.9 9.2 -7.9 2.0 1.2 8.0

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 184.1 187.2 10.8 -13.4 -2.2 -2.3 1.7

Europe

29.693 212.7 208.7 10.2 -12.1 -0.6 -7.3 -1.9

Asia

31.304 174.2 178.4 13.2 -17.1 -5.2 1.6 2.4

Latin America/Caribbean

20.080 190.7 206.1 9.0 -3.0 -2.1 1.7 8.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 13, 2012