Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Economic News Release
PRINT:Print
MXP MXP Program Links

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                             USDL-16-0041
8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, January 14, 2016

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 2015

U.S. import prices declined 1.2 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 
driven by a drop in fuel prices. The December decrease followed a 0.5-percent fall the previous month. 
Prices for U.S. exports also decreased in December, declining 1.1 percent, after a 0.7-percent drop in 
November. 

Imports

All Imports: Overall import prices fell 1.2 percent in December, the largest monthly drop for the index 
since a 1.8-percent decline in August. While most of the December decrease was attributable to falling fuel 
prices, nonfuel prices continued to trend down as well. Import prices fell 8.2 percent in 2015, the largest 
calendar-year decline since the index fell 10.1 percent in 2008. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices decreased 9.5 percent in December, following a 3.5-percent drop in November. 
The December decline was the largest 1-month fall in the index since a 12.7-percent decrease in August and 
was led by a 10.0-percent drop in petroleum prices. Natural gas prices also declined in December, falling 
6.8 percent. The price index for import fuel decreased 40.5 percent in 2015, after a 29.1-percent drop the 
previous year. The decline over the past 12 months was the largest calendar-year decrease in fuel prices 
since the index fell 47.0 percent in 2008. For the year ended in December, petroleum prices declined 41.3 
percent and natural gas prices decreased 43.3 percent. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports fell 0.3 percent in December and have not 
recorded a monthly advance since the index rose 0.1 percent in July 2014. Lower prices for nonfuel 
industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and each of the major finished goods 
categories all contributed to the overall drop in nonfuel prices. The price index for nonfuel imports declined 
3.4 percent over the past year, the biggest calendar-year drop since the index was first published in 2001. 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories

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

2014

December

-2.5 -15.0 -0.1 -0.9 -0.7 -1.0

2015

January

-3.2 -20.1 -0.7 -1.7 -1.4 -1.8

February

-0.4 -1.9 -0.2 -0.2 -2.2 0.2

March

-0.2 1.5 -0.4 0.0 -1.6 0.2

April

-0.2 1.8 -0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.7

May

1.1 10.8 0.0 0.5 -1.3 0.6

June

0.1 1.5 -0.2 -0.3 -1.6 -0.1

July

-0.9 -6.1 -0.3 -0.4 1.0 -0.6

August

-1.8 -12.7 -0.3 -1.4 -2.5 -1.3

September

-1.1 -8.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.4 -0.5

October

(r)-0.4 (r)-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

November

(r)-0.5 (r)-3.5 -0.2 (r)-0.7 (r)-0.9 (r)-0.7

December

-1.2 -9.5 -0.3 -1.1 -1.0 -1.0

Dec. 2013 to 2014

-5.6 -29.1 0.0 -3.0 -5.2 -2.8

Dec. 2014 to 2015

-8.2 -40.5 -3.4 -6.5 -13.0 -5.9

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports decreased 1.1 percent in December, the largest 1-month drop 
since a 1.4-percent decline in August. In December both agricultural and nonagricultural prices contributed 
to the overall decline. Prices for U.S. exports decreased 6.5 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year drop 
since the index was first published in 1983. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports decreased 1.0 percent in December, following a 0.9-
percent decrease in November. Nut prices, which fell 4.0 percent in December after a 6.1-percent decline 
the previous month, were the largest contributor to both the December and November drops in overall 
agricultural prices. In December, falling prices for wheat, corn, and meat also factored into the decrease. 
Agricultural export prices fell 13.0 percent over the past year, the third consecutive calendar-year decline 
and the largest since the index was first published in 1985. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices fell 1.0 percent in December, after a 0.7-
percent decline the previous month. In December, lower prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials, capital goods, and consumer goods all contributed to the overall drop in nonagricultural prices. 
Prices for nonagricultural exports decreased 5.9 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year decline since the 
index was first published in 1985. 


                                     SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China edged down 0.1 percent in 
December and has not recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.1 percent in December 2014. 
Import prices from China declined 1.7 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year decrease since the index 
fell 1.8 percent in 2009. Prices for imports from Japan declined 0.1 percent in December and 2.9 percent 
over the past year. The drop over the past 12 months followed decreases of 1.4 percent in 2014 and 3.4 
percent in 2013. Import prices from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico also declined in December, 
falling 2.8 percent, 0.4 percent, and 0.7 percent, respectively. All three indexes were impacted by falling 
fuel prices. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices decreased 1.2 
percent in December, following a 0.8-percent decline the previous month. Both drops were driven by lower 
unfinished metals prices which fell 3.3 percent in December and 2.6 percent in November. 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods areas declined in December. Prices for capital goods 
declined 0.3 percent, and the price indexes for both consumer goods and automotive vehicles edged down 
0.1 percent. Capital goods prices fell 2.5 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month drop since the 
index declined 2.6 percent in November 2002 and the biggest calendar-year decrease since the index 
declined 2.7 percent in 2001. 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Import foods, feeds, and beverages prices edged down 0.1 percent for the 
second consecutive month in December. The December decline was led by lower prices for meat and food 
oils which more than offset rising prices for vegetables and fruits. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 0.6 percent in December, following increases 
of 3.7 percent in November and 5.2 percent in October. The December decrease was driven by an 11.6-
percent drop in European fares. Overall air passenger fares fell 9.9 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year 
drop since the index was first published in 1989. Import air freight prices decreased 2.7 percent in 
December and 2.6 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials declined 3.1 percent in December, led by an 8.6-percent drop in export fuel prices. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in December. Capital goods prices declined 0.2 
percent in December. Prices for consumer goods fell 0.4 percent for the month, and 2.4 percent over the past 
12 months. The decrease in 2015 was the largest calendar-year decline since the index was first published in 
1983. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 4.1 percent in December, the largest 
increase since the index rose 8.3 percent in December 2014. Despite the advance, export air passenger fares 
declined 15.0 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year drop since the index was first published in 1987. 
The price index for export air freight edged down 0.1 percent in December and increased 0.4 percent over 
the past year. 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2016 are scheduled for release on Friday, February 12, 2016 
at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 


Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to December 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

All commodities

  100.000 120.8 119.4 -8.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.5 -1.2

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

  84.750 98.6 98.3 -3.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum

  91.547 111.2 110.8 -3.7 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  90.803 115.3 114.9 -3.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.053 172.8 172.7 -5.2 -0.7 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.702 190.9 190.5 -5.5 -0.7 -1.4 0.1 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.351 131.7 132.4 -4.0 -0.6 0.4 -0.7 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

22.414 155.9 148.8 -25.4 -4.2 -0.7 -1.9 -4.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  13.961 140.4 138.5 -12.5 -0.8 -1.0 -0.9 -1.4

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

  13.217 159.2 157.3 -11.1 -1.0 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.747 146.0 143.5 -12.6 -0.8 -0.5 -1.0 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.469 133.3 132.0 -12.3 -0.7 -1.8 -0.7 -1.0

Fuels & lubricants

10

9.198 151.3 136.9 -40.5 -8.4 -0.4 -3.5 -9.5

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

8.454 162.2 146.0 -41.3 -9.4 -0.2 -3.6 -10.0

Crude

10000

5.972 160.8 142.0 -42.9 -9.8 1.6 -5.5 -11.7

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

101

0.553 94.3 89.8 -35.2 4.7 -2.6 -3.4 -4.8

Gas-natural

10110

0.390 77.4 72.1 -43.3 6.6 -3.6 -4.7 -6.8

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.608 109.5 108.5 -3.8 0.0 -0.6 0.3 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.932 152.8 152.0 -9.5 -1.4 -1.8 -0.5 -0.5

Selected building materials

13

1.224 134.6 134.1 -4.6 -1.7 -0.2 1.3 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.035 183.7 177.6 -22.4 -0.9 -0.6 -2.6 -3.3

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.697 147.0 145.2 -7.5 -0.7 -0.7 -0.6 -1.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.721 108.7 108.5 -2.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Capital goods

2

28.223 90.1 89.8 -2.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Electric generating equipment

20

3.436 116.9 116.6 -2.9 0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

22.270 82.6 82.3 -2.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

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

22

2.516 137.0 136.9 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

15.783 110.6 110.5 -1.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

27.527 107.1 107.0 -0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

13.155 119.1 119.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

12.855 95.3 95.0 -1.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.517 117.1 118.5 -0.5 -0.6 0.2 0.2 1.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to December 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

All commodities

  100.000 121.2 119.9 -6.5 -0.6 -0.2 -0.7 -1.1

Agricultural commodities

  8.735 177.3 175.6 -13.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.9 -1.0

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

  85.030 98.7 98.3 -3.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.265 116.9 115.7 -5.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.7 -1.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.111 178.9 177.0 -13.3 -1.4 0.5 -0.9 -1.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.441 179.5 177.4 -13.9 -1.5 0.4 -0.9 -1.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.670 180.1 179.4 -5.6 0.0 2.0 -0.7 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

29.535 141.7 137.6 -15.4 -1.5 -0.8 -2.0 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.709 150.4 147.6 -10.5 -0.1 -0.1 -1.4 -1.9

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  18.825 137.9 133.1 -17.9 -2.3 -1.1 -2.3 -3.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.294 169.0 169.9 -6.9 -1.0 -1.7 -1.6 0.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  28.241 140.9 136.5 -15.7 -1.5 -0.8 -1.9 -3.1

Fuels & lubricants

11

6.859 150.5 137.6 -32.6 -5.1 -1.2 -3.5 -8.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

20.384 149.0 146.9 -9.1 -0.3 -0.6 -1.6 -1.4

Selected building materials

13

0.998 113.8 114.7 -5.4 -0.9 0.3 0.5 0.8

Capital goods

2

39.045 107.2 107.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.911 113.1 112.9 -2.2 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

26.666 94.7 94.5 -0.9 0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

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

22

8.467 162.0 161.9 2.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.487 113.6 113.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.822 112.0 111.6 -2.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.682 107.7 107.2 -3.9 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.5

Durables, manufactured

41

5.473 110.0 109.6 -1.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to December 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.707 83.3 76.7 -35.6 -6.5 0.5 -3.9 -7.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.081 172.9 175.7 -5.2 0.4 -2.6 0.9 1.6

Crop production

111

1.686 184.8 190.2 -3.3 0.8 -1.4 0.5 2.9

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.206 81.2 75.9 -24.1 -1.8 -11.4 4.5 -6.5

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.107 60.3 58.6 -14.0 -0.6 -6.8 -1.6 -2.8

Mining

21

6.626 72.3 64.4 -42.2 -8.5 1.5 -5.4 -10.9

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

212

0.211 96.8 96.6 -18.1 -0.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured articles

  91.015 109.5 108.9 -4.7 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

12.254 123.3 122.8 -2.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

3.337 148.8 147.4 -7.6 -1.2 -1.1 -0.3 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.128 118.1 118.0 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.412 99.7 99.5 -3.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Textile product mills

314

0.906 111.0 110.8 -2.6 0.0 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.502 111.6 111.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.968 124.5 124.4 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.319 117.0 115.8 -10.4 -1.8 -1.4 0.2 -1.0

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.722 111.4 110.7 -7.6 -2.6 -0.5 1.8 -0.6

Paper manufacturing

322

1.120 106.6 106.1 -4.7 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.338 78.9 74.2 -37.1 -8.9 -5.4 1.5 -6.0

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.673 131.0 130.6 -5.0 -0.7 -0.9 -0.2 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.248 118.6 118.4 -2.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.008 130.2 130.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

61.442 104.0 103.5 -3.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing

331

3.717 124.7 120.6 -20.8 -1.1 -0.5 -2.3 -3.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.077 124.2 123.9 -2.7 0.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.419 118.3 117.8 -2.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

18.168 77.5 77.3 -2.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.829 116.8 116.2 -2.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

16.972 109.8 109.6 -1.5 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.628 115.5 115.0 -0.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.632 119.1 118.8 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to December 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.001 120.7 119.6 -18.7 -2.7 -1.2 -3.3 -0.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.132 155.9 153.9 -10.6 -2.5 1.7 -1.6 -1.3

Crop production

111

3.895 161.8 159.5 -10.8 -2.6 1.7 -1.6 -1.4

Mining

21

1.869 61.1 61.2 -32.0 -3.2 -6.7 -6.9 0.2

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.113 79.4 76.8 -19.2 -2.4 -2.1 -1.0 -3.3

Manufactured articles

  92.646 111.9 110.8 -5.4 -0.4 -0.4 -0.5 -1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.867 134.1 133.5 -12.0 -0.4 -1.2 -0.6 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

4.661 150.3 149.2 -15.0 -0.5 -1.3 -0.7 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.580 106.9 108.0 -4.7 -1.4 -2.0 0.3 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

23.682 107.8 104.8 -13.2 -1.5 -0.5 -1.3 -2.8

Paper manufacturing

322

1.914 122.6 122.3 -2.9 1.6 -0.2 -0.9 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.634 87.9 77.9 -35.9 -5.6 -1.1 -3.3 -11.4

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.196 116.2 115.2 -7.6 -0.7 -0.6 -1.1 -0.9

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.277 116.6 116.3 -1.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.848 112.6 112.7 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

62.097 111.4 111.0 -1.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.613 131.2 127.2 -10.8 1.2 0.2 -2.1 -3.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.113 129.9 129.8 1.2 0.0 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.875 125.5 125.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.532 85.0 84.7 -2.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.808 113.1 112.8 -1.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.045 121.7 121.7 0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

337

0.395 110.1 110.2 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.715 122.4 122.0 -1.7 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to December 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.343 179.9 177.0 -10.7 -1.2 -2.9 0.4 -1.6

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.312 224.9 218.3 -14.4 -0.6 -6.4 0.9 -2.9

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.703 128.4 129.6 -5.3 -1.1 0.9 -1.4 0.9

Vegetable products

II

2.023 200.8 207.5 -2.6 2.0 -1.2 0.0 3.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.612 498.6 527.8 9.1 11.1 -5.9 0.0 5.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.497 95.0 97.5 0.0 -2.8 3.4 0.3 2.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.362 226.6 230.8 -11.3 -1.5 -0.7 -0.9 1.9

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

III

0.272 102.5 97.7 -10.4 -3.3 0.1 -0.4 -4.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.882 159.9 159.3 -1.9 -0.4 -0.4 0.1 -0.4

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.181 85.3 84.6 -7.7 0.1 -0.8 0.4 -0.8

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.271 115.9 115.6 5.1 2.6 -1.7 1.7 -0.3

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

19

0.289 132.1 132.0 -1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

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

20

0.339 154.8 154.8 -7.5 -2.1 -0.3 1.4 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.094 128.1 128.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Mineral products

V

9.102 151.8 137.4 -40.5 -8.4 -0.5 -3.7 -9.5

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

27

8.863 148.8 134.3 -41.1 -8.6 -0.5 -3.8 -9.7

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.890 146.1 145.7 -4.3 -0.6 -0.7 -0.1 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.656 283.8 277.9 -18.0 -1.0 -1.4 -1.3 -2.1

Organic chemicals

29

2.493 120.6 120.5 -8.4 -2.4 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.669 138.1 138.0 2.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.328 91.6 92.4 -19.9 -1.6 -8.9 0.0 0.9

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

32

0.210 98.0 97.8 -7.1 0.9 -1.5 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.573 90.4 89.8 -2.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.442 138.3 137.8 -5.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.4

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.235 142.2 142.0 -4.9 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.207 133.0 132.0 -6.8 -0.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.8

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

VIII

0.742 127.0 127.0 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

42

0.702 130.0 130.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

IX

0.751 135.9 135.3 -6.9 -2.3 -0.4 1.8 -0.4

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (Dec. 2014=100)

44

0.712 93.2 92.8 -7.2 -2.4 -0.4 1.9 -0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.190 111.0 110.5 -2.5 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.5

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

48

0.791 104.9 104.9 -1.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.653 113.9 113.7 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.279 104.0 104.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

2.039 119.7 119.5 -0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.655 105.1 104.9 -2.5 0.4 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.561 123.6 123.4 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.357 122.7 122.5 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

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

XIII

0.933 132.1 131.5 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.1 -0.5

Ceramic products

69

0.278 138.0 137.8 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.328 130.0 128.9 -0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.8

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

XIV

3.027 163.7 159.5 -7.8 0.7 0.8 -0.9 -2.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.125 156.7 155.0 -14.1 -1.3 -1.2 -1.4 -1.1

Iron and steel

72

0.994 160.3 157.6 -27.4 -1.6 -3.6 -3.9 -1.7

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.686 143.8 143.1 -6.8 -0.6 -1.0 -0.5 -0.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.428 257.7 251.4 -19.6 -4.8 1.3 -0.7 -2.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.711 122.2 121.4 -14.5 -1.3 -0.9 -1.5 -0.7

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

82

0.454 126.2 125.9 -2.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.7 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.539 137.9 137.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

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

XVI

30.533 81.9 81.7 -2.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.516 87.0 86.7 -2.6 0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

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

85

15.017 77.0 76.9 -2.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.246 114.3 114.2 -1.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.869 112.9 112.8 -1.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

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

88

1.281 119.7 119.7 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

4.017 103.1 102.9 -1.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.684 99.9 99.7 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.268 141.0 140.0 -2.3 -0.1 -0.6 0.3 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.157 112.4 112.1 -1.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

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

94

2.508 117.1 116.6 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.382 103.8 103.8 -1.9 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.267 134.0 134.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to December 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.793 183.1 180.8 -21.9 0.6 -2.0 -0.4 -1.3

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

02

1.042 141.0 139.2 -25.0 1.1 -2.9 -0.4 -1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.395 199.1 198.5 -6.2 0.0 1.2 -1.1 -0.3

Vegetable products

II

3.917 200.1 196.2 -12.9 -2.6 2.0 -0.8 -1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

1.162 175.6 169.5 -9.6 -1.2 2.3 0.6 -3.5

Cereals

10

1.008 193.3 185.4 -18.6 -1.3 7.9 -1.3 -4.1

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

12

1.304 188.1 188.8 -14.9 -7.2 0.1 -2.9 0.4

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

III

0.197 90.9 91.3 -12.7 -1.6 -1.2 -0.3 0.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.935 149.3 148.9 -8.4 -1.3 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3

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

20

0.415 118.3 118.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

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

22

0.518 107.9 107.2 -3.2 -1.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.692 201.2 199.8 -17.9 -3.6 -3.4 -1.1 -0.7

Mineral products

V

6.626 170.1 155.8 -34.0 -4.7 -2.2 -3.9 -8.4

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)

26

0.416 72.1 70.2 -24.8 -2.4 -3.8 -1.9 -2.6

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

27

6.026 163.4 148.7 -35.3 -5.0 -2.2 -4.2 -9.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.944 139.6 138.7 -5.4 -0.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.916 183.0 183.4 5.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.2

Organic chemicals

29

2.839 136.3 135.7 -12.5 -3.1 -0.9 -0.9 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.639 110.3 109.2 -4.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.2 -1.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.810 135.5 135.5 1.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0

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

34

0.490 112.7 112.2 -4.3 0.3 -0.5 0.3 -0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.939 150.6 148.6 -3.6 1.8 0.1 -0.7 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.115 137.1 135.9 -8.4 -0.1 -1.3 -1.4 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.165 132.6 131.3 -8.7 -0.1 -1.4 -1.6 -1.0

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.950 156.1 155.0 -7.4 -0.7 -0.6 -0.5 -0.7

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

VIII

0.369 119.3 119.3 -22.0 0.6 -2.9 -4.4 0.0

Raw hides and skins other than furskins and leather (Dec.2014=100)

41

0.204 68.8 68.8 -31.2 1.7 -4.8 -5.8 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)

IX

0.625 95.5 96.5 -3.5 -0.9 0.6 1.1 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.295 122.6 122.0 -3.2 0.9 0.0 -0.7 -0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.637 122.9 121.5 -6.3 3.3 -0.3 -2.8 -1.1

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

48

1.238 122.6 121.6 -2.6 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.8

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.420 99.2 100.4 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 1.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.808 120.1 120.5 -3.5 -0.6 -0.7 -0.7 0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.460 116.2 115.9 -5.3 -1.3 -1.3 -1.2 -0.3

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

XIII

0.848 122.5 122.6 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.437 99.2 99.4 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

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

XIV

4.694 223.7 218.2 -7.9 1.3 0.4 -1.4 -2.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.044 143.6 141.7 -11.3 -0.7 -0.7 -1.5 -1.3

Iron and steel

72

1.085 141.4 137.4 -23.2 -1.4 -1.9 -4.1 -2.8

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.452 161.3 150.2 -25.6 -0.8 -0.3 -3.4 -6.9

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.809 103.6 103.6 -16.9 -2.8 -0.7 -2.7 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.344 148.6 148.3 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2

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

XVI

29.694 96.5 96.3 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.920 113.1 112.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.774 78.4 78.3 -2.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

15.044 131.0 131.0 0.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.333 115.0 114.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

XVIII

6.389 107.3 107.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.528 110.9 111.1 0.3 0.4 0.5 -0.6 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.875 123.9 124.2 1.4 0.2 0.6 -0.6 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.495 89.8 90.1 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: December 2014 to December 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 116.9 115.5 -8.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.2 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

7.253 121.3 110.1 -33.9 -7.6 6.2 -0.8 -9.2

Manufactured articles

92.371 116.2 115.6 -5.1 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5

Other Countries(3)

100.000 118.8 117.4 -8.5 -1.0 -0.4 -0.7 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

9.679 170.7 157.7 -35.5 -5.9 -0.7 -4.8 -7.6

Manufactured articles

90.103 103.7 103.2 -4.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.5

Canada

100.000 118.1 114.8 -14.8 -3.0 0.3 -0.1 -2.8

Nonmanufactured articles

20.813 115.9 104.6 -34.5 -7.7 6.6 -0.8 -9.7

Manufactured articles

78.591 123.0 121.7 -7.9 -1.7 -1.1 0.1 -1.1

European Union(4)

100.000 132.3 131.8 -3.9 -1.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.4

Manufactured articles

99.424 128.9 128.4 -3.7 -1.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.4

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 121.3 121.1 -1.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 116.8 116.2 -1.6 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 120.8 120.1 -5.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6

Latin America(5)

100.000 139.9 137.8 -11.2 -1.2 -0.7 -1.3 -1.5

Nonmanufactured articles

16.519 189.7 179.3 -30.7 -3.4 1.1 -5.9 -5.5

Manufactured articles

83.087 120.7 119.9 -6.2 -0.7 -1.1 -0.3 -0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 127.1 126.2 -6.3 -0.8 -0.4 -0.4 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

8.902 105.2 99.8 -30.9 -6.3 1.8 -4.6 -5.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

90.781 89.7 89.4 -3.1 -0.2 -0.7 0.1 -0.3

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

100.000 99.5 99.3 -2.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 102.0 101.9 -1.7 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Japan

100.000 95.2 95.1 -2.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 85.4 85.1 -3.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.4

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 98.1 97.8 -3.6 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

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

100.000 145.0 135.5 -32.6 -7.2 -2.7 -1.8 -6.6

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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 3 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 2014 to December 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Nov.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Nov.
2015
Dec.
2015
Annual Monthly
Dec.
2014
to
Dec.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015
Nov.
2015
to
Dec.
2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 167.3 162.8 -2.6 -2.2 5.0 0.8 -2.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

22.635 145.4 140.4 -15.7 -0.3 -0.4 -1.2 -3.4

Asia

66.343 153.4 148.9 2.5 -3.3 8.0 2.0 -2.9

Export Air Freight

100.000 156.7 156.5 0.4 -0.6 -0.3 0.4 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

33.037 149.4 149.8 6.2 -0.7 -0.5 0.3 0.3

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 155.8 153.0 -3.6 -0.9 2.6 0.6 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.363 137.8 135.0 -10.1 -0.3 -0.6 0.0 -2.0

Asia

60.921 142.2 139.2 -2.0 -2.3 4.6 1.3 -2.1

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 145.1 144.6 -5.1 -0.6 -2.3 0.1 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

31.639 157.0 157.8 -8.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.9 0.5

Asia

43.857 136.5 134.9 -6.2 -0.6 -4.6 0.4 -1.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 195.6 194.4 -9.9 -4.5 5.2 3.7 -0.6

Europe

44.683 232.6 205.6 -9.9 3.9 3.8 5.1 -11.6

Asia

21.884 141.2 159.9 -7.2 -7.7 5.1 -0.7 13.2

Latin America/Caribbean

8.225 149.3 170.5 -8.4 -9.2 0.1 0.2 14.2

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 154.0 160.3 -15.0 -11.5 -1.4 -0.4 4.1

Europe

32.543 211.7 199.3 -11.7 -0.3 -3.4 2.6 -5.9

Asia

27.664 132.7 139.4 -14.6 -23.0 0.4 -1.0 5.0

Latin America/Caribbean

22.287 154.5 164.2 -17.8 -13.5 2.4 1.4 6.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 
the export air passenger fares indexes. 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 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 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 
revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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.

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 
email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 
 
Additional Information - More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 
page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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 14, 2016