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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-12-0664
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, April 11, 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 - MARCH 2012

U.S. import prices advanced 1.3 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 
edging down 0.1 percent the previous month. Higher fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the advance. 
Prices for U.S. exports rose 0.8 percent in March, following increases of 0.4 percent in February and 0.2 
percent in January. 


Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices advanced 1.3 percent in March, the first increase for the index since rising 0.7 
percent in November and the largest monthly rise since a 2.6 percent advance in April 2011. Import prices 
increased 3.4 percent over the past year, the smallest 12-month advance for the index since a similar 3.4 
percent rise between November 2008 and November 2009. 

Fuel Imports: A 3.8 percent rise in import fuel prices led the March increase in overall import prices.  The 
increase in fuel prices was the first one-month advance since a 3.4 percent rise in November. In March, a 4.3 
percent increase in petroleum prices, the largest component of imported fuels more than offset a 14.2 percent 
drop in natural gas prices. Prices for import fuel rose 7.4 percent for the year ended in March, driven by a 9.6 
percent advance in petroleum prices. In contrast, natural gas prices fell 37.8 percent over the past 12 months.     

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports increased 0.5 percent in March, the largest 
one-month advance since a 0.8 percent rise in April 2011. A 1.7 percent increase in nonfuel industrial 
supplies and materials prices was the largest contributor to the overall advance, while prices for foods, feeds, 
and beverages; capital goods; and automotive vehicles rose as well. Nonfuel import prices increased 2.0 
percent for the March 2011-12 period, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 1.9 percent rise for the 
year ended in February 2010.

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

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

-0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -2.0 -6.5 -1.4

November

0.7 3.4 -0.2 0.1 1.7 -0.2

December

0.0 (r)-0.4 (r)0.1 -0.5 -2.3 -0.2

2012

January

0.0 (r)-0.2 0.1 0.2 (r)1.0 0.0

February

(r)-0.1 (r)0.0 (r)0.0 0.4 (r)-0.6 0.5

March

1.3 3.8 0.5 0.8 2.7 0.5

Mar. 2010 to 2011

10.3 31.0 4.4 9.5 34.0 7.1

Mar. 2011 to 2012

3.4 7.4 2.0 0.9 -5.5 1.7

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports

All Exports: U.S. export prices increased 0.8 percent in March, the largest monthly advance for the index 
since a 0.8 percent rise in April 2011. In March, higher prices for nonagricultural goods and agricultural 
goods each contributed to the advance. Despite recording the largest monthly increase in 11 months, overall 
export prices rose only 0.9 percent over the past 12 months, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 0.4 
percent rise for the November 2008-09 period.   

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose 2.7 percent in March following a 0.6 percent 
downturn the previous month. An 8.3 percent increase in soybean prices and a 2.6 percent rise in corn prices 
more than offset a 6.5 percent drop in cotton prices. Prices for fruit, wheat, and nuts also rose, up 4.5 
percent, 1.4 percent, and 2.1 percent, respectively. Despite the monthly increase, overall agricultural prices 
decreased 5.5 percent over the past year.       

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.5 percent in March, 
led by a 1.3 percent increase in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices. Each of the major 
finished goods categories also advanced in March. Nonagricultural prices rose 1.7 percent over the past 12 
months. 


                                        SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 1.7 
percent in March after rising 0.9 percent the previous month. The March increase was the largest monthly 
advance since a 2.0 percent rise in March 2011, and was led by a 3.3 percent increase in unfinished metals 
prices. The advance in unfinished metals prices was driven by a 4.8 percent rise in gold prices and a 7.8 
percent increase in the price index for other precious metals.            

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices rose overall in March, with capital goods prices advancing 0.2 
percent and prices of automotive vehicles increasing 0.3 percent. The price index for consumer goods was 
unchanged. The March increase in capital goods prices was led by a 0.4 percent gain in computer prices, 
while the advance in automotive prices was driven by a 0.5 percent increase in the price index for passenger 
cars.          
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.8 percent in March following a 
2.8 percent decline the previous month. A 14.5 percent advance in vegetable prices and a 5.7 percent 
increase in fruit prices were the largest contributors to the overall rise.    

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, and 
Mexico increased 1.2 percent, 0.9 percent, and 1.1 percent, respectively, in March. Higher fuel prices were 
the primary contributing factor for the increases. In contrast, import prices from China and Japan were each 
unchanged in March.         

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares fell 1.0 percent in March, the first 
monthly decline since a 0.7 percent drop in November. A 6.6 percent decrease in Asian fares and a 2.4 
percent fall in European fares each contributed to the March decline. Import air freight prices rose 2.6 
percent in March, the first monthly increase for the index since a 1.1 percent advance in August and the 
largest rise since a 5.8 percent increase in May.    

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials increased 1.3 percent in March following a 1.1 percent advance in February. A 2.3 percent rise in 
fuel prices led the March increase, although higher prices for metals and chemicals also contributed to the 
overall advance.      
  
Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories recorded increases in March. Capital goods 
prices rose 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. Prices for automotive vehicles also advanced 0.2 
percent in March following a 0.3 percent increase the previous month, while the price index for consumer 
goods advanced 0.3 percent, after ticking up 0.1 percent in February.                 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 1.1 percent in March following a 4.5 percent 
decline the previous month. The March decrease was led by a 3.5 percent decrease in European fares. In 
contrast, the price index for export air freight rose 1.4 percent after increasing 0.3 percent in February.
		
Import and Export Price Index data for April 2012 are scheduled for release on Thursday, May 10, 
2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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

All commodities

  100.000 142.1 144.0 3.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1 1.3

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

  70.596 103.4 103.8 2.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.4

All imports excluding petroleum

  76.650 116.2 116.6 1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  75.636 120.5 121.1 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.040 171.3 174.3 -0.3 -0.5 2.2 -2.8 1.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.889 192.0 196.1 -1.4 -0.5 2.4 -3.4 2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.151 124.4 124.8 3.4 -0.3 1.5 -0.9 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials

1

37.497 263.1 271.1 5.8 -0.3 -0.5 0.3 3.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.148 165.9 167.4 -0.6 -0.5 -1.3 0.2 0.9

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

  13.134 189.7 192.9 2.7 -0.2 -1.0 0.9 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.838 180.0 183.4 1.1 0.0 -1.1 1.1 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.296 149.6 149.1 -2.6 -1.1 -1.6 -0.9 -0.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

24.362 355.7 369.2 7.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 3.8

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

23.348 399.3 416.6 9.6 -0.3 0.0 0.4 4.3

Crude

10000

17.938 417.3 431.9 11.8 0.3 -0.4 2.6 3.5

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

101

0.713 97.7 85.8 -34.8 -4.2 -5.6 -10.0 -12.2

Gas-natural

10110

0.616 84.6 72.6 -37.8 -4.0 -6.6 -10.8 -14.2

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.580 112.6 114.4 -1.6 -1.2 -1.9 0.0 1.6

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.823 175.3 177.6 7.1 -0.4 -0.4 0.5 1.3

Selected building materials

13

0.973 131.8 134.2 2.1 0.4 0.4 0.5 1.8

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.734 275.3 284.5 -2.0 0.2 -2.5 1.7 3.3

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.542 163.9 163.5 3.9 -0.2 -0.4 1.5 -0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.482 114.7 115.3 2.9 -0.5 -0.4 0.0 0.5

Capital goods

2

22.107 93.4 93.6 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.855 118.8 119.3 3.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.638 86.5 86.7 0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2

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

22

1.613 131.6 132.6 6.3 0.9 1.2 0.0 0.8

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.399 113.4 113.7 3.0 -0.3 0.4 0.0 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

23.956 107.5 107.5 2.7 0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.460 114.2 114.3 3.6 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

11.196 100.0 100.2 1.0 0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.300 119.8 118.0 9.5 4.2 -0.6 1.0 -1.5

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

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


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

All commodities

  100.000 132.8 133.9 0.9 -0.5 0.2 0.4 0.8

Agricultural commodities

  10.622 201.3 206.7 -5.5 -2.3 1.0 -0.6 2.7

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

  81.455 102.9 103.3 1.1 0.0 -0.1 0.6 0.4

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.379 128.0 128.7 1.7 -0.2 0.0 0.5 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.694 200.1 205.9 -0.5 -2.0 1.2 -0.6 2.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.988 202.2 208.7 -1.6 -2.2 1.2 -0.7 3.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.706 186.0 184.4 16.8 0.7 0.9 0.3 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.777 185.7 187.9 -0.2 -0.7 -0.5 1.1 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.447 188.6 191.1 2.7 0.5 -1.9 2.2 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.330 184.9 187.0 -1.8 -1.4 0.4 0.4 1.1

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.634 199.9 199.4 -23.0 -2.9 0.0 -0.4 -0.3

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  33.143 185.4 187.8 1.3 -0.6 -0.5 1.1 1.3

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.852 273.8 280.2 1.4 -2.7 1.2 0.0 2.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.352 174.5 176.1 1.3 0.2 -1.2 1.6 0.9

Selected building materials

13

0.939 117.0 117.3 0.9 -0.6 0.2 1.0 0.3

Capital goods

2

34.499 105.2 105.4 1.3 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.519 112.6 112.8 1.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.3 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.019 94.6 94.8 1.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2

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

22

5.961 148.2 148.6 2.8 0.3 0.8 1.0 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.207 112.3 112.5 2.6 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.824 116.9 117.2 2.9 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.937 114.8 115.2 1.6 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.3

Durables, manufactured

41

5.369 114.0 114.3 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.3

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

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


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

Nonmanufactured articles

  21.103 175.7 181.0 7.1 -0.1 -0.6 1.3 3.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.776 167.7 173.2 -8.5 -0.2 1.1 -5.3 3.3

Crop production

111

1.245 172.0 178.5 -9.4 0.2 2.8 -7.9 3.8

Mining

21

19.327 176.1 181.3 8.8 -0.1 -0.7 1.9 3.0

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

212

0.322 142.8 142.1 -3.9 -2.7 0.2 -2.8 -0.5

Manufactured articles

  78.424 117.6 118.7 2.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.4 0.9

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.789 125.1 125.2 5.7 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.1

Food manufacturing

311

3.005 159.3 161.1 6.4 0.4 1.5 -0.3 1.1

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.838 111.9 111.7 1.2 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Textile product mills

314

0.876 117.7 115.4 1.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1 -2.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.056 112.1 112.1 6.1 -0.1 0.4 0.2 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.616 119.5 119.5 8.7 0.4 1.5 0.8 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.554 137.1 140.6 3.0 -0.8 0.3 -2.2 2.6

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.577 108.8 112.1 1.2 0.3 0.7 0.6 3.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.073 110.3 111.6 0.6 -0.6 -1.3 0.0 1.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.555 168.8 180.9 2.7 -1.8 2.0 -7.5 7.2

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.564 133.0 134.2 3.1 -0.5 -0.7 -0.2 0.9

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.871 127.0 127.1 5.8 -0.2 1.1 -0.2 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.825 129.4 129.5 2.7 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

50.081 110.0 110.5 1.4 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.324 180.7 185.7 -0.8 0.3 -2.4 1.8 2.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.530 129.8 129.6 5.1 0.3 0.1 0.4 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.548 120.4 120.7 3.0 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.445 83.0 83.1 -1.7 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.783 117.7 118.2 3.2 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.038 110.4 110.9 3.3 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.5

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.291 112.8 113.2 3.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.122 122.3 122.3 3.3 0.4 -1.0 0.2 0.0

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

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


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

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.237 163.8 165.4 -11.1 -2.4 0.2 -1.6 1.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.058 189.2 194.9 -10.8 -3.2 2.1 -0.7 3.0

Crop production

111

5.637 195.9 202.3 -11.8 -3.4 2.5 -1.0 3.3

Mining

21

2.179 109.8 104.6 -11.2 -0.3 -4.6 -3.7 -4.7

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.584 139.3 132.1 -3.2 -1.1 -2.3 0.9 -5.2

Manufactured articles

  88.612 120.6 121.5 2.4 -0.2 0.1 0.5 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.999 143.3 145.2 2.5 -0.6 -0.7 0.6 1.3

Food manufacturing

311

4.855 163.1 165.7 5.3 -0.9 -0.2 0.4 1.6

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.550 115.5 119.1 3.4 -0.6 -0.8 1.2 3.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.419 119.8 119.8 8.4 1.5 1.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.637 134.5 136.5 2.9 -0.8 0.7 0.8 1.5

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.405 114.6 114.1 -6.3 0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.833 118.7 118.3 -5.5 -1.5 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.359 170.9 177.7 3.3 -3.6 2.4 2.0 4.0

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.110 132.0 133.1 3.5 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.8

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.179 116.9 116.7 7.0 -0.1 0.6 0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.752 111.1 111.6 1.2 -0.3 0.4 0.0 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.976 112.9 113.4 2.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.894 174.8 179.4 4.9 1.3 -4.0 1.3 2.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.591 127.7 129.2 2.1 0.2 0.4 -1.4 1.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.067 119.9 120.3 3.8 0.0 1.7 0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.391 89.6 89.6 -0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.188 111.3 111.4 0.7 -0.4 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.374 116.2 116.5 2.6 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.177 122.5 122.9 6.2 -0.5 -0.9 0.0 0.3

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

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


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

Live animals; animal products

I

1.169 168.3 171.1 3.2 -0.2 2.0 -0.9 1.7

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.271 217.9 222.3 5.1 -0.5 2.6 -1.3 2.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.613 122.4 123.2 0.5 -0.8 2.2 -1.4 0.7

Vegetable products

II

1.607 205.7 214.0 -0.7 1.8 3.1 -5.7 4.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.248 248.8 290.3 -26.8 -4.1 19.4 -32.0 16.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.470 119.1 127.7 -2.1 -0.2 2.9 1.9 7.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.445 291.8 273.7 10.5 2.9 1.0 -2.3 -6.2

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

III

0.255 131.6 133.4 -15.5 1.6 1.2 -3.0 1.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.368 157.9 157.6 2.3 -0.7 0.5 -0.1 -0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.185 86.9 88.0 -18.1 -12.0 0.6 1.8 1.3

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

19

0.222 124.8 125.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.2

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

20

0.351 175.1 173.6 13.0 2.5 1.1 -0.6 -0.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.794 122.6 122.1 1.5 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Mineral products

V

24.037 357.2 370.6 7.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 3.8

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

27

23.728 353.5 366.9 7.7 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 3.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.055 147.0 147.5 1.8 -0.5 -0.8 -0.8 0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.875 354.3 339.6 -6.8 -1.8 -4.8 -3.5 -4.1

Organic chemicals

29

2.408 137.8 140.8 4.3 -0.3 0.3 0.2 2.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.918 113.8 113.9 1.2 0.1 -0.9 -1.4 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.441 140.0 140.9 15.9 -4.2 -4.7 1.4 0.6

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

32

0.177 102.6 103.5 - - 3.1 -0.5 0.9

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.408 123.7 124.8 1.0 -0.6 0.2 -0.9 0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.472 103.2 103.6 -3.5 0.3 -1.2 -0.2 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.071 152.1 153.0 4.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.855 142.8 143.9 5.5 0.6 0.2 -0.3 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.216 170.0 170.3 1.6 -2.3 -0.4 0.8 0.2

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

VIII

0.585 126.8 126.8 8.3 0.1 1.9 1.0 0.0

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

42

0.538 127.6 127.6 8.8 0.1 2.0 1.0 0.0

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

IX

0.607 131.5 135.4 1.7 0.2 0.5 0.7 3.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.177 113.3 114.2 0.4 -0.6 -1.1 0.3 0.8

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

47

0.170 96.1 100.9 - - -4.4 0.5 5.0

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

48

0.795 109.1 109.2 1.7 -0.2 -0.6 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.208 116.0 115.6 5.2 -0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.019 106.9 106.7 3.8 0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.905 117.9 118.0 9.9 -0.2 0.6 0.3 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.644 112.0 108.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.7 0.0 -2.8

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.322 118.6 118.7 7.8 0.5 0.9 0.4 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.125 117.7 117.7 8.0 0.6 0.9 0.5 0.0

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

XIII

0.745 131.1 131.5 2.7 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.3

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

68

0.239 124.3 124.5 3.6 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Ceramic products

69

0.224 141.2 142.1 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.6

Glass and glassware

70

0.282 126.1 126.3 3.4 0.4 0.6 -0.3 0.2

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

XIV

3.327 206.1 211.3 14.2 2.6 -1.9 1.5 2.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.887 191.3 192.5 -3.6 -0.5 0.2 0.9 0.6

Iron and steel

72

1.129 245.3 246.8 -3.7 -0.6 0.2 -0.6 0.6

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.401 160.6 160.7 2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.471 370.5 375.8 -11.4 0.4 2.6 6.2 1.4

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.143 111.2 118.0 -22.4 -2.4 -1.6 6.0 6.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.709 141.0 141.8 -6.8 -2.4 -1.3 2.0 0.6

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

82

0.356 126.7 126.0 3.2 0.4 2.1 -0.1 -0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.400 133.0 132.2 2.6 -0.1 0.5 0.5 -0.6

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

XVI

24.660 86.1 86.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.372 89.7 89.9 1.2 0.2 0.8 0.0 0.2

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

85

12.288 82.7 82.8 -0.6 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.051 114.7 115.3 3.4 -0.3 0.3 0.1 0.5

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.273 113.8 114.3 3.4 -0.3 0.2 0.1 0.4

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

88

0.687 116.1 117.9 2.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.6

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

XVIII

3.180 104.1 104.3 0.0 0.4 -1.9 0.2 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.930 101.6 101.8 -0.3 0.5 -2.1 0.2 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.190 128.0 128.2 2.6 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.633 111.5 111.7 3.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.2

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

94

1.929 114.8 115.1 3.3 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.507 104.8 104.9 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.197 133.1 133.3 3.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.2

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

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


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

Live animals; animal products

I

1.922 204.7 203.3 6.6 -0.1 -1.0 -0.5 -0.7

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

02

1.119 169.3 169.6 7.8 -0.5 -0.8 0.3 0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.404 202.1 198.0 17.3 2.0 0.6 0.0 -2.0

Vegetable products

II

5.526 233.9 243.6 -3.9 -2.4 1.6 -0.8 4.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.805 128.6 134.3 -1.6 6.7 -4.7 -2.7 4.4

Cereals

10

2.160 279.4 285.0 -8.0 -7.1 3.2 -0.1 2.0

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

12

1.982 244.6 261.9 -1.1 -3.3 5.2 0.5 7.1

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

III

0.463 144.4 150.6 -4.7 -1.7 1.1 -2.0 4.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.606 150.2 154.3 3.9 -1.2 0.0 1.0 2.7

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

20

0.321 110.0 110.3 3.8 -0.9 0.4 0.4 0.3

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

22

0.389 105.9 109.8 4.6 0.1 0.8 -0.1 3.7

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.722 207.0 218.1 -2.2 -2.5 -1.7 2.4 5.4

Mineral products

V

8.837 322.9 330.6 1.0 -2.6 0.8 0.5 2.4

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

27

8.199 318.7 326.7 1.3 -2.8 1.1 0.1 2.5

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.272 154.7 154.8 2.5 0.2 -0.5 0.4 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.970 178.2 174.0 -10.5 1.2 -9.7 -0.3 -2.4

Organic chemicals

29

3.506 169.8 170.5 4.4 0.9 0.1 1.7 0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.175 124.8 125.4 0.6 -0.3 0.8 0.1 0.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.759 135.0 135.3 5.9 0.2 0.9 0.3 0.2

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

34

0.468 123.0 123.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.5 -0.9 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.755 151.6 152.6 5.0 0.1 1.3 -0.5 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.497 149.1 151.0 4.9 -0.1 0.3 0.9 1.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.414 140.0 141.2 2.8 0.1 0.7 0.8 0.9

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.083 192.1 197.6 13.9 -1.1 -1.2 1.7 2.9

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

VIII

0.359 126.2 131.5 -0.7 -2.4 2.1 2.3 4.2

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

IX

0.533 107.6 107.3 -2.6 -1.4 -1.8 1.4 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.324 117.8 118.4 -6.9 -2.5 0.2 0.6 0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.643 125.9 128.3 -16.7 -7.0 0.7 2.8 1.9

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

48

1.230 116.9 116.9 -2.4 -0.7 0.1 -0.4 0.0

Printed material

49

0.451 119.4 119.4 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.004 132.0 130.0 -21.1 -1.6 0.2 -0.7 -1.5

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.655 162.7 154.1 -47.3 -4.9 -1.5 -2.8 -5.3

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

XIII

0.743 117.3 117.7 1.9 -0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3

Glass and glassware

70

0.403 98.6 98.7 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

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

XIV

5.438 288.0 293.8 17.3 1.1 -4.4 2.3 2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.676 178.3 179.7 -4.1 -0.2 1.1 1.4 0.8

Iron and steel

72

1.798 226.2 225.6 -8.1 0.0 3.4 2.8 -0.3

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.347 170.1 173.8 3.1 -0.2 0.3 -1.6 2.2

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.686 261.5 266.8 -6.6 0.6 -0.4 5.4 2.0

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.847 128.8 129.0 -6.8 -2.0 0.5 1.8 0.2

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

82

0.379 129.2 129.3 3.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.319 136.7 138.0 2.4 0.4 -0.1 0.4 1.0

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

XVI

27.606 96.7 96.9 1.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.947 109.4 109.6 1.9 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.659 82.9 83.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.942 126.0 126.3 2.7 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.247 112.6 112.8 3.3 0.0 1.1 0.2 0.2

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

XVIII

5.773 105.1 105.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.9 0.5 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.335 108.9 108.9 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.695 119.2 119.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 0.6 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.522 91.1 91.2 -1.0 0.0 0.9 0.3 0.1

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

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


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2011 to March 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2012
Mar.
2012
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2011
to
Mar.
2012
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

38.296 132.3 133.9 2.4 0.0 -0.5 -0.2 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

4.447 241.5 244.9 3.5 0.0 -1.5 -0.5 1.4

Manufactured articles

33.487 123.4 124.8 2.3 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 1.1

Other Countries(3)

61.704 143.1 144.7 4.2 0.0 0.1 0.6 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles

12.907 370.4 382.2 8.6 -0.1 -0.2 2.0 3.2

Manufactured articles

48.593 112.3 112.7 2.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.4

Canada

14.414 155.1 156.9 0.8 0.3 -0.6 0.4 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

4.027 230.1 233.0 2.1 0.2 -1.7 -0.9 1.3

Manufactured articles

10.122 139.0 140.5 0.0 0.3 -0.1 1.0 1.1

European Union(4)

15.813 135.0 136.2 2.6 -0.4 -0.9 -0.1 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles

0.262 392.4 404.4 25.5 -2.0 2.1 5.6 3.1

Manufactured articles

15.467 131.2 132.3 2.1 -0.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.8

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.736 121.0 121.9 3.1 0.5 0.0 -0.2 0.7

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.265 114.2 115.1 0.6 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 0.8

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.397 134.8 136.7 3.1 -0.4 0.9 0.9 1.4

Latin America(5)

19.049 183.5 185.8 3.4 0.1 0.7 0.4 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles

5.633 402.9 414.6 8.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 2.9

Manufactured articles

13.328 135.9 136.3 0.1 -0.1 0.7 0.4 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

12.091 149.0 150.6 0.6 -0.1 1.0 -0.2 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

2.017 213.8 224.3 6.0 -0.9 3.5 -2.0 4.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

10.028 96.5 96.5 -0.9 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.0

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

34.659 104.8 104.9 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.583 105.5 105.5 2.7 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

Japan

6.349 102.4 102.4 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Asian NICs(7)

5.471 90.6 90.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.652 105.6 106.0 1.5 -0.1 0.2 0.5 0.4

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

3.948 283.4 291.8 14.0 -1.1 0.1 3.7 3.0

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 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: March 2011 to March 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2012
Mar.
2012
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2011
to
Mar.
2012
Nov.
2011
to
Dec.
2011
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 168.5 172.9 0.1 -0.4 -3.3 -1.6 2.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.911 161.7 166.6 12.0 -0.3 -2.3 -1.6 3.0

Asia

70.407 147.8 151.6 -3.9 -0.5 -3.8 -1.7 2.6

Export Air Freight

100.000 146.9 149.0 7.0 0.1 1.6 0.3 1.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.053 132.2 133.6 6.2 -0.6 1.5 0.5 1.1

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 155.2 158.3 0.8 -0.9 -2.1 -1.3 2.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.265 145.6 149.3 7.6 0.1 -1.6 -1.0 2.5

Asia

62.970 138.2 140.9 -1.3 -1.5 -2.6 -1.9 2.0

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 144.6 146.4 7.3 0.7 -0.3 0.3 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

31.059 163.4 164.8 6.0 -0.2 -0.4 0.7 0.9

Asia

48.866 135.2 137.3 8.5 1.1 -0.1 0.1 1.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 180.5 178.7 10.9 1.6 0.2 0.3 -1.0

Europe

38.580 185.1 180.7 8.8 -2.0 4.8 0.2 -2.4

Asia

27.481 157.9 147.5 7.0 4.8 -4.1 1.3 -6.6

Latin America/Caribbean

12.291 177.6 178.2 9.3 8.0 -4.4 -0.6 0.3

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 186.6 184.5 6.8 3.8 2.3 -4.5 -1.1

Europe

27.447 219.2 211.5 16.0 -2.7 0.8 5.1 -3.5

Asia

27.102 162.0 167.7 2.8 2.7 6.2 -14.7 3.5

Latin America/Caribbean

26.376 238.5 238.6 28.6 7.3 3.7 12.3 0.0

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

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


                                          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: April 11, 2012