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U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Technical information:					      		  	  USDL-09-248
     (202) 691-7101								  Transmission of this
Media contact:								          material is embargoed
     (202) 691-5902								  until 8:30 A.M. EDT
Internet address:   http://www.bls.gov/mxp					  Friday, March 13, 2009


                                   U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                             - FEBRUARY 2009 -

   The U.S. Import Price Index edged down 0.2 percent in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, as declining nonpetroleum prices more than offset an 
upturn in petroleum prices.  Export prices also recorded a modest decrease in February, falling 0.1 
percent.

                             Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                                             by End Use category
                                         - not seasonally adjusted -

Month IMPORTS EXPORTS
All
imports
Petroleum
imports
Non-
petroleum
imports
All
exports
Agri-
cultural
exports
Non-
agricultural
exports

2008

February

0.2 -1.3 0.6 0.9 4.6 0.6

March

3.1 10.1 1.1 1.6 4.7 1.3

April

2.8 8.1 1.3 0.5 -2.0 0.7

May

2.8 9.7 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.4

June

3.0 9.2 0.9 1.0 2.3 0.9

July

1.4 3.3 0.6 1.5 6.7 0.9

August

-3.1 -9.8 -0.4 -1.6 -9.6 -0.7

September

-3.6 -11.4 -1.0 -0.8 0.1 -0.9

October

-6.0 -22.2 -0.9 -2.1 -8.4 -1.4

November

(r)-7.4 (r)-30.2 -1.7 -3.2 (r)-6.9 -2.8

December

(r)-4.6 (r)-25.2 -1.1 -2.2 -6.2 -1.9

2009

January

(r)-1.2 (r)-4.2 -0.8 0.5 6.2 (r)0.1

February

-0.2 3.9 -0.6 -0.1 -1.7 0.1

Feb. 2007 to 2008

13.5 60.4 4.5 6.9 30.7 4.8

Feb. 2008 to 2009

-12.8 -52.4 -1.9 -4.5 -15.2 -3.3

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Import Goods
   
   Import prices fell 0.2 percent in February after declining 1.2 percent in January.  The index 
decreased every month since July 2008 and fell 12.8 percent for the year ended in February, the largest 
12-month decline since the index was first published in 1982.  The February decrease was led by a 0.6 
percent drop in nonpetroleum prices which fell for the seventh consecutive month.  Nonpetroleum 
import prices declined 1.9 percent over the past year.  In contrast, petroleum prices advanced 3.9 percent 
in February after falling 68.9 percent from July through January.  The price index for import petroleum 
fell 52.4 percent for the February 2008-2009 period.  
    
   The continued decline in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.0 percent drop in nonpetroleum 
industrial supplies and materials prices.  That decrease was driven by a sharp fall in natural gas prices, 
although lower prices for chemicals and some metals also contributed to the decline.  The price index for 
nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials fell 4.5 percent in January and has not recorded an 
increase since July 2008.  Lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages and capital goods also 
contributed to the drop in nonpetroleum prices in February, decreasing 3.2 percent and 0.4 percent, 
respectively.    

   In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles rose for the second consecutive month, increasing 0.2 
percent in February following a 0.3 percent advance in January.  
   
   The price index for consumer goods was unchanged in February as price declines for jewelry and 
diamonds were offset by price increases for nonmanufactured consumer goods.  Consumer goods prices 
also recorded no change in January.   

Export Goods 

   Export prices edged down 0.1 percent in February as a 1.7 percent drop in agricultural prices 
more than offset a 0.1 percent increase in nonagricultural prices.  The drop in export prices followed a 
0.5 percent increase in January; however, the index declined in each of the previous five months and 
decreased 4.5 percent for the year ended in February.  Agricultural prices fell for the fourth time in the 
past five months in February after rising 6.2 percent in January.  The February decrease was led by lower 
prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans, all of which turned down after rising in January.  Agricultural 
export prices fell 15.2 percent over the past year, the largest annual decrease since the index was first 
published in 1985.    
   
   Nonagricultural prices ticked up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month in February, the 
first monthly advances for the index since July 2008.  Despite the modest upturn, the index declined 3.3 
percent for the February 2008-2009 period.  The February increase was driven by a 0.3 percent rise in 
capital goods prices that was led in turn by higher semiconductor prices.  The February increase in 
capital goods prices followed a 0.5 percent advance the previous month.
   
   In contrast, the price indexes for consumer goods, automotive vehicles, and nonagricultural 
supplies and materials all declined in February.  Consumer goods prices and prices for automotive 
vehicles each decreased 0.3 percent.  The 0.3 percent drop in automotive vehicles prices was the largest 
one-month drop since the index was first published monthly in December 1988.  Nonagricultural 
industrial supplies and materials prices fell 0.1 percent in February, the seventh consecutive month the 
index was down. 
   
Imports by Locality of Origin 
	
   Prices for imports from China fell 0.5 percent in February after decreasing in each of the previous 
five months.  Despite the recent downward trend, import prices from China rose 1.0 percent for the year 
ended in February.  
    
   Import prices from Canada and from Mexico also continued to decline in February, falling 1.6 
percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.  Prices for imports from Canada fell for the seventh consecutive 
month, and decreased 14.4 percent over the past year, the largest annual decline since January 2002.  The 
price index for imports from Mexico fell 8.6 percent for the February 2008-2009 period. 
   
   In contrast, prices for imports from Japan rose for the fifth consecutive month in February, 
advancing 0.2 percent for the month.  The index increased 1.9 percent over the past 12 months.
   
   The price index for imports from the European Union was unchanged in February and declined 
2.5 percent over the past year.    

Import and Export Services

   Import air passenger fares decreased 4.6 percent in February following a 5.6 percent drop the 
previous month.  The February decrease was led by lower European fares which fell 5.7 percent after 
rising 5.3 percent in January.  Despite the recent drop, the index for import air passenger fares rose 8.1 
percent for the year ended in February.  Export air passenger fares also decreased in February, falling 
10.7 percent as lower fares from Asia, Europe, and the Latin America/Caribbean region all contributed 
to the overall decrease.  Fares for export air passengers decreased 1.9 percent over the past 12 months.     
	
   Import air freight prices fell 1.1 percent in February, partially attributable to a 2.3 percent drop in 
European air freight prices.  The price index for import air freight decreased 4.8 percent over the past 
year.  Prices for export air freight declined 3.3 percent in February and 4.0 percent for the February 
2008-2009 period.

CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for March 2009 are scheduled for release on April 9, 2009 at 
8:30 A.M. (EDT).  

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to February 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

All commodities

  100.000 113.1 112.9 -12.8 -7.4 -4.6 -1.2 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  89.109 109.0 108.3 -1.9 -1.7 -1.1 -0.8 -0.6

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  86.981 111.9 111.5 -1.2 -1.7 -1.1 -0.7 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.096 142.6 138.1 0.2 -4.5 2.2 0.0 -3.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.966 159.5 153.6 0.7 -5.2 3.4 -0.1 -3.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.130 104.4 103.2 -1.1 -2.0 -1.9 0.6 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

27.753 143.8 144.3 -34.1 -18.2 -13.9 -4.4 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  16.862 139.5 136.7 -11.5 -5.2 -4.8 -4.5 -2.0

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

  14.734 148.8 147.8 -8.7 -5.4 -5.4 -4.1 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  9.108 138.1 137.6 -9.8 -6.8 -6.2 -2.6 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.626 141.0 135.5 -13.1 -3.1 -3.0 -6.5 -3.9

Fuels & lubricants

10

13.018 146.7 148.9 -50.4 -27.8 -22.2 -4.6 1.5

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

10.890 144.5 150.1 -52.4 -30.2 -25.2 -4.2 3.9

Crude

10000

7.842 146.9 153.0 -53.8 -31.1 -23.7 -4.6 4.2

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

101

1.920 165.8 146.2 -27.6 -3.4 -0.1 -7.2 -11.8

Gas-natural

10110

1.726 155.2 134.7 -32.1 -3.8 -0.1 -8.5 -13.2

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.799 110.5 108.9 -4.0 -1.1 -1.7 -2.4 -1.4

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.925 138.8 137.2 -6.4 -3.2 -4.2 -6.5 -1.2

Selected building materials

13

1.749 117.1 116.6 2.5 -1.3 -0.6 -0.8 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.543 176.4 176.5 -21.4 -11.6 -11.4 -4.9 0.1

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

2.022 138.4 137.4 -2.3 -5.5 -4.5 -1.7 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.696 107.0 106.4 0.5 -0.5 -1.1 -2.0 -0.6

Capital goods

2

25.318 92.7 92.3 0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Electric generating equipment

20

3.269 111.4 110.9 2.0 -0.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

19.836 87.5 87.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.5

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

22

2.213 121.1 121.0 4.9 0.3 0.0 0.7 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

14.853 108.1 108.3 1.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

26.980 104.4 104.4 0.9 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.522 108.9 108.9 2.0 -0.1 0.2 0.6 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

13.152 100.1 99.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.306 102.7 104.4 0.3 -2.5 0.4 -0.9 1.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

All commodities

  100.000 116.4 116.3 -4.5 -3.2 -2.2 0.5 -0.1

Agricultural commodities

  8.827 160.0 157.3 -15.2 -6.9 -6.2 6.2 -1.7

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.173 113.3 113.4 -3.3 -2.8 -1.9 0.1 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.337 166.3 163.3 -13.5 -5.8 -5.9 7.3 -1.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.623 168.0 164.6 -15.1 -6.4 -6.2 7.3 -2.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.714 153.4 153.7 6.2 0.3 -3.1 6.8 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials

1

26.909 138.3 138.2 -13.1 -8.4 -5.9 -0.9 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.402 141.3 141.9 -14.3 -6.6 -5.4 0.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  16.507 137.2 136.6 -12.5 -9.3 -6.2 -1.4 -0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.204 125.5 126.2 -16.2 -9.6 -6.0 -0.5 0.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  25.705 139.2 139.0 -13.1 -8.3 -5.9 -0.9 -0.1

Fuels & lubricants

11

3.741 167.2 163.9 -27.3 -19.1 -14.0 0.5 -2.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

20.911 137.2 137.4 -10.8 -6.4 -4.7 -1.2 0.1

Selected building materials

13

1.053 115.2 115.2 1.2 -0.9 -0.6 0.3 0.0

Capital goods

2

41.194 102.0 102.3 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.5 0.3

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.787 107.8 107.5 -0.7 -0.5 -0.3 -1.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

28.527 93.4 93.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.4

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

22

8.880 134.5 135.0 5.7 -0.1 0.5 2.1 0.4

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.489 108.4 108.1 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.071 109.3 109.0 1.5 -0.7 -0.1 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.801 109.0 109.0 0.7 -1.4 -0.2 1.7 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

6.138 109.7 109.5 3.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

Nonmanufactured articles

  12.107 79.1 79.7 -46.3 -26.3 -16.4 -4.8 0.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.920 139.0 130.7 4.5 -6.6 12.0 -1.1 -6.0

Crop production

111

1.448 153.9 142.6 11.6 -5.1 20.3 -0.6 -7.3

Mining

21

10.187 73.0 74.5 -50.5 -28.3 -20.1 -5.4 2.1

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

212

0.467 126.5 127.2 16.9 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2 0.6

Manufactured articles

  87.362 105.4 105.1 -3.9 -2.9 -2.5 -0.7 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.141 107.5 107.2 0.0 -1.4 -0.4 0.2 -0.3

Food manufacturing

311

2.613 117.8 115.8 -4.1 -5.2 -2.3 -0.7 -1.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.995 106.7 106.7 1.7 -0.3 0.5 0.4 0.0

Textile mills

313

0.479 112.7 113.8 2.2 -1.1 -1.3 1.9 1.0

Textile product mills

314

0.869 101.1 100.9 -0.4 0.1 -0.3 -0.7 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.501 102.5 102.7 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.1 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.683 108.0 108.1 4.1 0.2 0.1 1.4 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.553 105.4 104.7 -12.1 -7.4 -7.2 -2.0 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

1.040 91.2 90.5 0.3 -1.9 -0.9 -1.8 -0.8

Paper manufacturing

322

1.408 108.2 106.7 -1.5 -1.0 -1.3 -1.5 -1.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.601 69.0 68.5 -48.7 -26.2 -30.6 -1.8 -0.7

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.167 120.3 119.6 -1.7 -1.8 -2.4 -2.9 -0.6

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.004 113.8 113.2 4.6 -0.3 0.0 0.4 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.218 117.6 117.6 6.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

58.669 104.9 104.7 -1.9 -1.7 -1.4 -0.4 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.274 124.4 124.1 -20.1 -10.8 -10.8 -4.4 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.074 119.3 118.6 3.9 -1.0 -1.2 0.2 -0.6

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.324 111.2 111.1 2.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.9 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.341 89.8 89.5 -4.4 -0.5 -0.5 -1.1 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.347 113.9 113.5 3.7 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

16.057 105.1 105.3 1.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.678 109.0 108.9 4.7 -0.9 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.573 111.0 110.4 1.3 -0.5 0.3 0.3 -0.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.275 122.3 118.4 -24.4 -6.6 -6.9 7.2 -3.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

5.004 143.0 138.0 -23.3 -6.0 -7.3 11.1 -3.5

Crop production

111

4.639 147.2 141.7 -24.4 -6.4 -7.6 11.7 -3.7

Mining

21

1.271 76.5 74.9 -27.9 -8.7 -5.6 -6.1 -2.1

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

0.935 84.5 84.3 -16.2 -4.6 -0.9 -6.9 -0.2

Manufactured articles

  92.152 107.4 107.3 -1.8 -2.5 -1.6 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.533 117.8 118.4 1.1 -3.4 -2.7 0.6 0.5

Food manufacturing

311

4.349 130.8 131.9 2.1 -4.8 -3.6 1.3 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.507 103.5 103.2 -1.2 -0.6 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.391 101.6 101.6 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

21.891 109.2 108.4 -7.5 -7.0 -4.4 -0.5 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.473 108.8 108.7 -3.2 -1.4 -0.5 -1.4 -0.1

Paper manufacturing

322

1.951 112.7 112.3 -1.2 -0.7 -1.2 -1.4 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.179 97.1 93.0 -34.7 -23.3 -18.6 -0.3 -4.2

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.175 111.1 110.9 -4.6 -5.7 -3.3 -0.6 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.239 110.0 108.9 2.1 -1.3 -1.2 0.6 -1.0

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.874 113.1 111.8 2.6 0.5 0.3 0.8 -1.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

63.728 105.6 105.6 0.0 -0.8 -0.5 0.3 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.211 119.7 118.8 -13.8 -8.1 -5.3 0.1 -0.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.848 120.3 120.4 5.1 -0.2 -0.3 1.6 0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

12.835 111.7 111.8 3.7 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.439 92.1 92.5 -3.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9 0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.659 107.3 107.1 0.5 -0.5 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.334 109.1 109.3 3.1 0.1 0.2 1.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.054 111.3 110.8 4.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

Live animals; animal products

I

1.172 125.6 123.7 -3.8 -6.3 -3.4 0.0 -1.5

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.264 148.3 148.2 -1.1 -7.9 -4.9 -0.3 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.598 100.0 98.1 -2.1 -2.7 -2.8 0.6 -1.9

Vegetable products

II

1.671 172.7 160.9 10.5 -4.6 17.3 -2.0 -6.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.539 346.3 257.9 26.5 -1.1 49.3 -2.3 -25.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.515 115.2 112.4 16.2 -5.7 13.7 -1.5 -2.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.268 150.7 149.2 -6.2 -4.1 -1.7 4.0 -1.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.439 135.0 134.4 1.0 -2.1 0.2 0.3 -0.4

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

19

0.255 107.0 106.1 3.7 -3.4 -1.7 0.1 -0.8

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

20

0.314 131.9 131.4 -5.2 -3.1 -1.7 -0.8 -0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.995 115.2 115.2 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.4 0.0

Mineral products

V

13.319 150.2 152.2 -48.6 -26.9 -21.2 -4.6 1.3

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

27

12.908 146.5 148.5 -50.0 -27.6 -22.0 -4.6 1.4

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.295 131.3 131.1 -3.2 -2.4 -3.3 -3.7 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.735 192.4 186.4 -26.8 -2.6 -9.7 -25.5 -3.1

Organic chemicals

29

2.500 119.6 121.3 -8.5 -4.4 -4.4 -1.8 1.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.944 115.0 115.2 3.5 -0.2 0.1 1.5 0.2

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments; varnish & paints; putty

32

0.185 105.5 105.5 2.3 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.461 122.1 121.0 0.0 -2.2 -1.3 1.2 -0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.486 96.5 95.5 -3.0 -1.2 -0.9 -1.1 -1.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.155 128.9 127.6 -1.1 -2.6 -1.8 -1.1 -1.0

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.049 126.2 125.1 -1.3 -1.9 -0.8 -1.7 -0.9

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.106 134.2 132.4 -0.7 -3.9 -3.6 0.1 -1.3

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

VIII

0.670 114.0 114.0 2.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

42

0.622 114.9 114.8 2.9 0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.1

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

IX

1.074 111.6 110.7 0.0 -1.9 -0.9 -1.7 -0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.601 112.9 111.7 -1.2 -0.8 -1.0 -0.7 -1.1

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

48

1.134 114.1 113.0 4.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.4 -1.0

Printed matter

49

0.304 119.8 119.8 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.652 103.2 103.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.136 100.2 100.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.5 0.4 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

2.164 103.4 103.9 1.2 0.0 1.1 -0.2 0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.585 91.8 91.7 -1.9 -0.2 -0.3 -3.5 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.373 108.4 108.4 3.8 0.4 0.0 1.5 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.160 107.8 107.8 4.7 0.4 0.1 1.7 0.0

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

XIII

1.085 122.5 122.3 6.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.3 -0.2

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

68

0.416 119.3 119.1 11.8 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

Ceramic products

69

0.332 132.4 132.3 6.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.337 114.1 114.1 0.6 -0.5 -1.0 0.0 0.0

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

XIV

2.645 132.2 132.3 -11.6 -5.0 -1.2 1.1 0.1

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

6.055 157.7 155.8 -11.2 -8.6 -7.7 -3.6 -1.2

Iron and steel

72

1.483 209.4 203.8 -10.5 -8.6 -14.3 -4.3 -2.7

Articles of iron or steel

73

2.091 153.9 152.2 7.9 -2.4 -2.7 -2.0 -1.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.435 171.7 177.4 -37.4 -23.2 -12.7 -8.7 3.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.752 108.4 103.2 -27.0 -12.0 -6.3 -8.4 -4.8

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

82

0.428 119.4 119.4 5.6 -0.3 -0.3 2.6 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.514 131.8 129.5 2.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -1.7

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

XVI

27.887 87.4 87.2 -1.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.982 88.1 87.9 -0.8 -0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.2

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

85

13.905 86.8 86.5 -1.8 -0.5 -0.3 -0.9 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.712 109.5 109.5 0.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.4 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.429 108.3 108.3 0.4 -0.6 -0.2 0.3 0.0

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

88

1.163 116.4 116.1 5.0 0.2 -0.1 0.8 -0.3

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

XVIII

3.412 101.4 101.6 2.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.067 99.3 99.4 1.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.264 122.2 122.8 4.0 -0.7 -0.4 0.9 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.530 107.4 107.4 4.4 -0.3 -0.3 0.5 0.0

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

94

2.472 112.0 112.0 5.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.835 100.8 100.9 3.5 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.223 112.8 112.7 4.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

Live animals; animal products

I

1.545 158.4 157.0 -0.1 -9.8 -3.6 1.9 -0.9

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

02

0.766 121.5 119.9 -3.7 -14.8 -4.8 1.9 -1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.434 157.1 157.3 6.1 -0.5 -1.7 3.9 0.1

Vegetable products

II

4.771 191.1 184.0 -21.1 -5.4 -8.6 11.4 -3.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.601 105.3 103.8 -15.0 -2.0 -2.3 -1.8 -1.4

Cereals

10

2.113 210.9 197.0 -33.0 -10.4 -12.8 18.7 -6.6

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

12

1.412 201.8 198.5 -18.1 -4.0 -8.4 13.1 -1.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.458 135.7 137.0 3.1 -0.6 -0.8 2.6 1.0

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.390 124.4 124.8 5.0 -0.3 0.1 2.1 0.3

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

22

0.284 100.7 100.1 - - - 0.7 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.498 183.2 191.7 0.1 -2.7 -4.1 8.1 4.6

Mineral products

V

3.685 196.1 191.6 -30.2 -18.5 -13.7 -3.0 -2.3

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

27

3.208 191.8 187.4 -29.7 -19.6 -15.3 -0.4 -2.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.749 134.8 134.6 -2.7 -4.6 -2.0 -0.3 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.441 204.7 204.6 13.1 -1.6 -2.5 1.4 0.0

Organic chemicals

29

3.199 126.8 127.6 -16.6 -12.9 -5.2 -4.2 0.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.871 116.8 118.6 1.6 -2.2 -0.6 2.7 1.5

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

32

0.569 112.9 113.0 -2.5 -1.0 0.2 -1.1 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.799 127.5 119.7 0.6 0.1 1.1 2.2 -6.1

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

34

0.448 118.0 116.7 1.0 -0.7 -0.1 -3.1 -1.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.912 131.2 128.8 5.1 0.3 -1.5 1.7 -1.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.439 134.2 133.3 -2.7 -4.5 -3.9 -1.3 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.371 127.7 127.7 -3.9 -4.6 -3.9 -1.1 0.0

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.068 163.3 157.8 2.3 -3.9 -4.1 -1.9 -3.4

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

VIII

0.284 83.9 83.6 -28.1 -2.6 -14.4 -11.2 -0.4

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

IX

0.592 106.1 106.3 -4.8 -2.1 -0.8 -2.5 0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.367 105.8 106.7 -8.3 -5.4 -2.5 -1.4 0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.477 86.1 88.2 -31.0 -18.4 -8.4 -5.3 2.4

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

48

1.355 112.9 113.4 2.3 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.4

Printed material

49

0.535 115.4 115.5 -4.1 -1.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.023 104.1 103.8 -2.7 -2.6 -0.5 0.2 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.549 92.5 91.1 -15.2 -7.5 -2.8 0.2 -1.5

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

XIII

0.853 116.3 117.3 5.1 0.4 0.4 1.7 0.9

Glass and glassware

70

0.453 100.7 100.7 1.4 0.0 0.2 1.0 0.0

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

XIV

3.687 164.1 167.5 -6.2 -5.3 -2.8 1.9 2.1

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.086 144.0 143.4 -15.2 -7.0 -6.0 -0.6 -0.4

Iron and steel

72

1.372 171.0 170.8 -21.9 -10.2 -8.2 1.0 -0.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.513 162.8 161.3 7.5 -0.1 -0.5 2.6 -0.9

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.322 117.1 119.6 -51.5 -20.4 -29.1 -8.3 2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.674 96.9 96.1 -31.5 -13.7 -6.4 -4.8 -0.8

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

82

0.405 121.7 121.9 3.6 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.360 128.3 127.2 -1.8 -1.1 -0.8 0.2 -0.9

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

XVI

31.395 94.7 95.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

18.162 105.0 105.2 1.5 0.1 -0.2 0.7 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

13.233 83.5 83.9 -2.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.8 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

15.807 118.9 119.1 3.2 0.1 0.3 0.7 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.177 107.6 107.5 1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

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

XVIII

6.308 107.2 107.2 1.2 -0.7 0.1 1.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.576 106.4 106.3 -0.9 -0.8 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.771 116.1 115.7 -0.7 -0.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.683 92.6 92.6 0.0 -0.8 -0.7 -0.5 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

Industrialized Countries(2)

42.434 118.3 118.1 -7.6 -5.5 -2.9 -0.7 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

4.390 145.0 139.5 -44.7 -18.5 -15.7 -6.1 -3.8

Manufactured articles

37.621 115.5 115.6 -2.4 -3.8 -1.7 -0.2 0.1

Other Countries(3)

57.566 108.9 108.9 -15.8 -8.6 -5.2 -2.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles

12.442 152.4 154.7 -46.5 -28.3 -15.4 -4.9 1.5

Manufactured articles

44.910 101.9 101.6 -4.7 -2.2 -2.8 -1.5 -0.3

Canada

15.963 127.4 125.4 -14.4 -9.0 -4.4 -1.8 -1.6

Nonmanufactured articles

3.979 143.1 136.2 -45.2 -19.8 -15.8 -5.1 -4.8

Manufactured articles

11.678 125.7 124.7 -2.0 -5.3 -1.5 -0.9 -0.8

European Union(4)

17.447 124.4 124.4 -2.5 -2.6 -1.5 0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles

0.222 221.8 229.1 -23.2 -10.6 3.4 -3.9 3.3

Manufactured articles

17.133 121.9 122.0 -2.1 -2.4 -1.6 0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.954 119.9 118.6 3.9 -1.7 -0.8 1.6 -1.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.735 109.4 109.4 -1.5 -1.5 -0.7 1.0 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.660 118.3 119.4 -9.4 -5.4 -2.7 0.0 0.9

Latin America(5)

17.808 133.9 132.4 -19.7 -11.1 -6.1 -1.2 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles

5.160 184.8 180.5 -39.1 -28.0 -7.0 1.6 -2.3

Manufactured articles

12.547 124.8 123.9 -9.4 -2.8 -6.0 -2.2 -0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

10.785 127.6 125.9 -8.6 -7.5 0.5 -1.5 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles

1.947 98.5 92.7 - - - -1.5 -5.9

Manufactured articles

8.788 98.2 97.8 - - - -1.8 -0.4

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

33.590 100.2 99.8 -0.7 -0.7 -0.9 -0.6 -0.4

China (Dec. 2003=100)

16.852 102.0 101.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4 -0.5

Japan

7.488 96.2 96.4 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

5.647 86.8 86.4 -3.0 -0.5 -3.2 -2.6 -0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.729 95.9 95.6 -4.3 -1.6 -1.3 -1.4 -0.3

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

3.992 130.6 133.6 -44.2 -22.7 -16.3 -7.4 2.3

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 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: February 2008 to February 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2009
Feb.
2009
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2008
to
Feb.
2009
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 137.4 135.9 -4.8 -4.1 -4.5 -1.2 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

22.683 132.1 129.0 -13.8 -10.4 -6.8 0.2 -2.3

Asia

68.211 120.7 120.6 -0.9 -0.9 -2.8 -1.3 -0.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 130.6 126.3 -4.0 -1.6 -3.1 -3.3 -3.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

38.674 125.1 120.8 -1.9 -3.3 -4.1 0.2 -3.4

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 133.7 131.1 -6.0 -3.3 -4.0 -2.5 -1.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.919 130.0 127.0 -13.0 -8.4 -6.6 -1.4 -2.3

Asia

63.416 116.7 114.1 -2.4 -0.4 -2.2 -2.2 -2.2

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 126.8 122.8 -3.4 -2.5 -4.3 -4.4 -3.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

40.476 147.8 144.2 -0.4 -2.2 -3.7 -2.8 -2.4

Asia

39.559 111.0 110.6 -2.4 -2.9 -4.2 -6.6 -0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 148.5 141.6 8.1 -5.0 -0.2 -5.6 -4.6

Europe

43.587 154.8 146.0 17.6 -7.0 -10.2 5.3 -5.7

Asia

28.223 134.5 128.3 10.0 1.5 10.1 -11.7 -4.6

Latin America/Caribbean

11.632 126.9 121.9 -5.1 -0.2 22.1 -19.7 -3.9

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 167.9 149.9 -1.9 -1.5 3.1 1.9 -10.7

Europe

28.734 182.7 165.0 -5.9 -5.7 -3.4 -2.3 -9.7

Asia

36.759 154.4 128.3 -0.9 3.9 4.5 8.4 -16.9

Latin America/Caribbean

21.642 180.5 153.3 0.1 -1.2 9.2 0.9 -15.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2007 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight Indexes are based on 2006 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 for merchandise goods 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 excluded from both 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 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 IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP 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 IPP-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 IPP 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: March 13, 2009