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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-17-0417
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, April 12, 2017

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 2017                                

U.S. import prices declined 0.2 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 
following increases in each of the 3 previous months. The March downturn was driven by lower fuel import 
prices which more than offset rising nonfuel prices. In contrast, the price index for U.S. exports increased 
0.2 percent in March, after advancing 0.3 percent in February.  

Imports

All Imports: Import prices fell 0.2 percent in March, after increasing 1.4 percent over the previous 3 
months. Prior to the March downturn, import prices trended up over most of the past 12 months, advancing 
4.2 percent between March 2016 and March 2017. In contrast, import prices fell 6.1 percent for the previous 
12-month period.      

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel declined 3.8 percent in March, the largest 1-month drop since 
the index fell 6.8 percent in February 2016. In March, a 3.6-percent decrease in petroleum prices and an 
11.0-percent decline in natural gas prices contributed to the overall fall in fuel prices. The March decrease in 
petroleum prices was the largest monthly decline since the index fell 4.1 percent in August, and the drop in 
natural gas prices was the largest 1-month decrease since the index declined 20.0 percent in March 2016. 
Despite the March downturn, the price index for import fuel increased 50.2 percent over the past year, after 
declining 36.7 percent the previous 12 months. The March 2017 over-the-year increase was driven by a 
52.1-percent advance in petroleum prices and a 53.8-percent rise in natural gas prices.                           

All Imports Excluding Fuel: In contrast to fuel prices, prices for nonfuel imports increased in March, 
rising 0.2 percent. The advance followed a 0.4-percent rise in February and was led by higher prices for 
nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and capital goods. Those increases more than offset falling prices 
for consumer goods and foods, feeds, and beverages. The price index for nonfuel imports advanced 1.0 
percent over the past 12 months, the largest over-the-year advance since the index increased 1.3 percent in 
April 2012. The increase from March 2016 to March 2017 was driven by higher prices for nonfuel industrial 
supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages, which more than offset 12-month declines for each 
of the major finished goods categories.                        
  
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

2016

March

0.4 8.5 -0.1 -0.1 -2.1 0.2

April

0.7 9.8 0.1 0.5 0.8 0.4

May

1.2 12.7 0.3 1.1 3.0 1.0

June

0.7 10.5 -0.2 0.8 2.5 0.5

July

0.1 -2.1 0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.3

August

-0.2 -3.4 0.0 -0.8 -3.4 -0.6

September

0.1 1.3 0.0 0.3 -1.0 0.5

October

0.5 6.6 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.2

November

-0.1 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 0.7 0.0

December

0.4 5.8 (r)0.0 0.4 -0.2 0.4

2017

January

0.6 (r)6.1 -0.1 0.2 (r)0.5 0.2

February

(r)0.4 (r)0.7 (r)0.4 0.3 (r)1.5 0.3

March

-0.2 -3.8 0.2 0.2 0.9 0.2

Mar. 2015 to 2016

-6.1 -36.7 -2.5 -6.2 -10.7 -5.8

Mar. 2016 to 2017

4.2 50.2 1.0 3.6 5.3 3.3

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports rose 0.2 percent in March, continuing an upward trend since the index 
last fell on a monthly basis in August. Higher prices for agricultural exports and nonagricultural exports 
each contributed to the advance in March. U.S. export prices also increased over the past year, rising 3.6 
percent for the year ended in March. That matched the 12-month advance recorded in December 2011 and 
was the largest over-the-year increase since the index rose 4.8 percent in November 2011.                                

Agricultural Exports: Export agricultural prices increased 0.9 percent in March, after rising 1.5 percent in 
February. The March advance was led by a 4.4-percent increase in meat prices and a 4.9-percent rise in nut 
prices. Prices for agricultural exports advanced 5.3 percent for the year ended in March, the largest 12-
month increase since the index rose 9.6 percent in June 2013. Higher soybean prices over the past year were 
the biggest contributor to the March 12-month rise in agricultural export prices.         

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.2 percent in March 
following a 0.3-percent advance the previous month. In March, higher prices for nonagricultural industrial 
supplies and materials, consumer goods, capital goods, and nonagricultural foods all contributed to the 
overall advance in nonagricultural prices. Prices for nonagricultural exports rose 3.3 percent over the past 
year, matching the 12-month increase in February; those were the largest over-the-year advances since the 
index rose 4.0 percent in December 2011.

                                           SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS                                            

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China increased 0.2 percent in March, after ticking up 
0.1 percent the previous month. The February uptick was the first monthly rise since the index increased 0.1 
percent in December 2014, and the March advance was the largest rise since the index increased 0.3 percent 
in May 2014. Despite the recent advances, prices for imports from China fell 1.2 percent over the past 12 
months. The price index for imports from Japan increased 0.2 percent in March and rose 1.4 percent over 
the past year. Import prices from Mexico and the European Union also advanced in March, rising 0.4 
percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. In contrast, prices for imports from Canada declined 1.3 percent, led 
by lower fuel prices.                                     

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices rose 1.6 
percent in March following a 1.5-percent increase in February. Both monthly advances were driven by 
higher prices for metals and chemicals.              
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in March. The price index for consumer goods declined 
0.2 percent, after rising 0.3 percent in February and 0.4 percent in January. In contrast, capital goods prices 
ticked up 0.1 percent following a 0.2-percent advance the previous month. Prices for import automotive 
vehicles recorded no change for the second consecutive month in March.                              
    
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for import foods, feeds, and beverages declined 0.7 percent 
in March, after rising 1.0 percent the previous month. In March, the decrease was led by lower prices for 
food oils, fruits, and vegetables.                     

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 4.0 percent in March, the largest monthly 
decline since a 6.0-percent drop in August. The March decrease was driven by an 8.6-percent decline in 
European fares. The index for import air passenger fares fell 2.7 percent for the year ended in March, led by 
a 5.9-percent drop in European fares. Prices for import air freight rose 0.6 percent in March and 7.6 percent 
over the past 12 months.

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices advanced 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month in March. The March increase was driven by 
rising prices for nonferrous metals and chemicals.              
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices increased overall in March. Consumer goods prices advanced 0.3 
percent, the largest rise since a 0.5-percent advance in July 2016. Despite the increase in March, export 
consumer goods prices fell 2.2 percent over the past year. Prices for capital goods rose 0.1 percent following 
0.2-percent increases in each of the past 3 months. The price index for export automotive vehicles recorded 
no change in March.                       

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 4.3 percent in March following an 11.6-
percent decline in February. Higher Latin American/Caribbean, Asian, and European fares all contributed to 
the March advance in export air passenger fares. The index for export air passenger fares fell 0.3 percent for 
the year ended in March. Export air freight prices increased 1.9 percent in March and 3.7 percent over the 
past year.                
		
Import and Export Price Index data for April 2017 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 
8:30 a.m. (EDT).    



Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March 2017 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

All commodities

  100.000 122.8 122.6 4.2 0.4 0.6 0.4 -0.2

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

  84.368 98.5 98.8 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum

  91.178 111.5 111.7 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  90.487 115.5 115.7 1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.119 178.7 177.4 4.1 -1.6 -1.3 1.0 -0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.764 195.0 193.3 3.9 -2.0 -2.0 1.3 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.355 142.3 141.7 5.0 -0.1 1.0 0.1 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

22.791 170.2 169.1 20.9 2.6 2.9 1.1 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  13.970 145.8 147.5 7.8 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.2

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

  13.279 164.4 167.1 6.8 0.6 0.6 1.5 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.248 154.7 157.3 8.9 0.6 0.7 2.0 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.031 134.7 135.3 6.3 1.1 1.9 -0.4 0.4

Fuels & lubricants

10

9.512 180.8 173.9 50.2 5.8 6.1 0.7 -3.8

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

8.821 194.4 187.4 52.1 5.9 5.7 1.3 -3.6

Crude

10000

6.258 199.2 190.2 53.4 8.3 4.4 2.7 -4.5

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

101

0.537 112.8 103.6 48.6 5.4 13.7 -8.1 -8.2

Gas-natural

10110

0.416 92.5 82.3 53.8 6.1 11.6 -10.2 -11.0

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.533 104.9 104.7 -2.6 1.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.566 152.2 154.7 4.2 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.6

Selected building materials

13

1.398 140.1 141.9 5.7 0.6 1.1 0.9 1.3

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.416 208.6 214.8 19.3 1.0 1.3 3.6 3.0

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.685 145.8 146.9 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.681 108.7 109.3 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.8 0.6

Capital goods

2

27.407 88.8 88.9 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

3.307 116.2 116.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

21.491 81.1 81.3 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.2

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

22

2.609 137.1 137.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

16.234 110.1 110.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

27.448 107.2 107.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.3 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

13.442 121.5 121.5 1.3 0.2 1.0 0.3 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

12.653 93.3 93.3 -1.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.353 118.4 114.9 -3.3 -2.6 0.1 2.6 -3.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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: March 2016 to March 2017 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

All commodities

  100.000 122.0 122.3 3.6 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Agricultural commodities

  9.494 178.5 180.1 5.3 -0.2 0.5 1.5 0.9

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

  83.259 98.6 98.9 0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  90.507 117.7 117.9 3.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.803 180.0 181.7 5.3 -0.5 0.6 1.4 0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.212 179.9 181.4 5.2 -0.3 0.5 1.6 0.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.591 189.5 193.7 5.9 -2.4 1.7 -0.8 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials

1

29.878 147.3 147.7 11.5 1.8 0.6 0.4 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.610 157.4 159.5 6.3 -0.5 0.5 1.4 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  19.270 142.7 142.2 14.7 3.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.282 175.6 177.6 6.0 0.6 0.1 1.0 1.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  28.597 146.3 146.7 11.7 1.9 0.6 0.3 0.3

Fuels & lubricants

11

7.939 165.6 163.4 39.7 7.4 2.9 -2.2 -1.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

19.644 151.4 152.6 4.2 -0.1 -0.2 1.5 0.8

Selected building materials

13

1.014 117.2 119.3 5.0 0.4 -0.4 0.2 1.8

Capital goods

2

38.238 107.3 107.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.941 111.9 112.5 0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.3 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.056 93.6 93.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

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

22

9.242 169.4 169.6 3.7 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.344 113.1 113.1 0.0 -0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.737 107.7 108.0 -2.2 -1.0 -1.0 0.0 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

6.146 103.3 103.4 -1.9 -0.7 -2.0 0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.196 106.7 107.1 -1.6 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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 industries: March 2016 to March 2017 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

Nonmanufacturing

  9.020 99.4 94.9 38.7 5.2 3.6 2.2 -4.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.070 185.9 180.2 8.1 -2.9 -1.4 3.0 -3.1

Crop production

111

1.639 196.9 190.2 7.3 -4.9 -3.1 3.0 -3.4

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.208 80.0 79.2 -5.1 4.6 5.9 1.1 -1.0

Mining

21

6.950 89.4 85.0 51.5 7.8 5.3 1.9 -4.9

Oil and gas extraction

211

6.683 89.1 84.5 53.4 8.2 5.0 1.9 -5.2

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

212

0.267 105.3 108.2 16.2 1.0 9.2 -0.3 2.8

Manufacturing

  90.695 109.6 109.9 1.7 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3

Manufacturing, part 1

31

11.899 123.7 123.6 0.7 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.1

Food manufacturing

311

3.454 154.1 153.5 3.6 -0.1 -0.9 0.9 -0.4

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.057 117.9 118.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.398 98.0 98.3 -0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3

Textile product mills

314

0.929 108.1 108.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.212 111.1 111.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.849 123.1 123.0 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Manufacturing, part 2

32

17.450 119.6 120.4 7.2 0.2 2.0 0.2 0.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.850 120.2 122.5 9.8 1.1 1.6 2.0 1.9

Paper manufacturing

322

1.018 104.1 104.1 -1.5 0.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Printing and related support activities (Dec. 2016=100)

323

0.222 100.1 100.1 - - -0.1 0.2 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.282 83.7 83.6 47.4 -0.4 8.1 -3.2 -0.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.855 134.6 135.6 4.0 0.3 1.6 1.0 0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.212 116.7 118.0 0.8 -0.5 0.0 0.0 1.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.011 128.6 128.3 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Manufacturing, part 3

33

61.346 103.3 103.5 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.104 138.9 142.7 17.5 0.9 1.7 3.7 2.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.060 121.2 121.3 -1.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.067 116.0 116.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

17.616 75.9 75.9 -1.3 0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.899 114.2 113.9 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.531 109.4 109.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.731 115.2 115.3 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.338 117.8 117.9 -1.6 -1.1 -0.4 0.4 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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 industries: March 2016 to March 2017 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

Nonmanufacturing

  7.497 133.6 131.8 17.5 6.5 2.2 0.5 -1.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.673 156.7 158.1 7.3 -0.5 0.7 2.6 0.9

Crop production

111

4.328 163.5 164.7 7.7 -0.3 0.4 2.8 0.7

Mining

21

2.824 81.3 77.3 41.1 20.3 4.6 -2.9 -4.9

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.290 106.5 103.1 36.6 6.2 8.4 4.8 -3.2

Manufacturing

  91.006 111.9 112.1 2.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Manufacturing, part 1

31

7.010 135.8 137.0 3.4 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.9

Food manufacturing

311

4.698 153.4 154.5 4.5 0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.690 109.0 111.2 4.1 0.4 -1.4 1.5 2.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2016=100)

313

0.677 101.5 101.9 - - 1.1 0.4 0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing (Dec. 2016=100)

316

0.290 100.3 100.3 - - 0.1 0.2 0.0

Manufacturing, part 2

32

23.981 107.3 107.2 7.1 0.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.1

Paper manufacturing

322

1.641 117.5 114.6 -5.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.6 -2.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

5.260 94.6 93.8 42.6 4.6 1.9 -2.1 -0.8

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.187 113.2 113.7 1.4 0.0 -1.8 1.1 0.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.310 114.5 114.9 -0.3 -0.2 0.9 0.0 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.841 112.5 113.3 1.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.3 0.7

Manufacturing, part 3

33

60.015 111.4 111.6 0.5 -0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

3.971 135.2 137.2 4.2 -2.8 0.5 1.4 1.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.311 137.3 137.1 5.6 -0.2 2.8 2.5 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

10.270 125.1 125.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.192 82.5 82.5 -1.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.963 112.2 112.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.506 124.0 124.1 1.9 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.1

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

337

0.457 117.6 117.4 3.9 -0.6 0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.346 118.4 118.8 -2.3 -1.5 0.1 0.3 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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: March 2016 to March 2017 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

Live animals; animal products

I

1.484 191.9 191.5 4.9 -0.2 0.6 1.2 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.432 238.3 240.7 10.1 -1.3 -1.7 3.5 1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.762 145.5 143.5 6.7 -0.6 1.5 -0.8 -1.4

Vegetable products

II

2.080 218.4 211.7 10.1 -4.5 -3.2 3.1 -3.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.368 419.6 402.4 -5.2 -1.4 -16.5 2.8 -4.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.854 126.6 124.8 32.6 -9.0 -1.1 2.4 -1.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.371 238.7 236.8 5.3 -4.4 2.2 -0.2 -0.8

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

III

0.313 119.7 110.8 8.0 3.5 -1.3 2.9 -7.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.669 159.2 159.5 0.2 0.1 -0.8 0.1 0.2

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.185 86.1 85.7 -0.5 0.5 -2.7 0.1 -0.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.199 98.0 98.8 -10.7 -1.6 -3.8 -2.8 0.8

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

20

0.340 158.1 157.9 1.8 -0.1 -1.0 -0.5 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.998 127.5 127.8 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Mineral products

V

9.356 179.7 173.1 49.4 5.8 6.3 0.3 -3.7

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

27

9.114 177.6 170.9 51.6 5.9 6.4 0.3 -3.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

9.327 151.7 152.6 4.0 0.3 2.0 1.2 0.6

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.533 267.8 285.4 7.4 1.6 3.8 2.1 6.6

Organic chemicals

29

2.370 122.6 123.5 3.2 0.4 1.0 0.8 0.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

4.372 149.7 149.9 5.5 0.6 3.1 1.3 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.285 80.7 80.6 4.7 0.9 2.4 5.2 -0.1

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

32

0.182 101.8 101.9 4.8 -0.8 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2016=100)

33

0.547 100.2 100.0 - - 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.682 103.5 104.2 1.6 0.1 0.8 0.4 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.426 138.7 139.7 2.9 -0.1 0.4 0.7 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.156 139.3 140.4 0.5 -0.6 0.1 0.2 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.270 139.1 139.9 7.4 1.0 1.0 1.5 0.6

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

VIII

0.685 123.4 123.3 -1.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

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

42

0.644 128.6 128.5 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

IX

0.881 146.0 148.8 9.4 1.1 1.6 1.7 1.9

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

44

0.856 100.4 102.5 9.9 1.0 1.6 1.7 2.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.082 109.6 109.5 -0.6 1.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.1

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

48

0.724 103.5 103.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)

49

0.220 106.0 106.0 5.6 1.8 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.350 113.1 113.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.201 103.7 103.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.837 119.2 119.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.650 103.3 103.7 0.3 0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artificial flowers, etc.

XII

1.524 122.4 122.3 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.290 121.5 121.4 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

XIII

0.943 130.1 129.8 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.326 96.3 95.8 -3.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.8 -0.5

Ceramic products

69

0.273 137.1 136.6 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Glass and glassware

70

0.344 129.6 129.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

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

XIV

2.780 167.8 169.8 1.1 -4.6 0.0 1.8 1.2

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.439 163.7 166.2 9.7 2.3 1.0 1.4 1.5

Iron and steel

72

1.314 190.3 197.0 31.4 4.8 5.1 3.0 3.5

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.631 138.5 139.0 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.388 273.5 277.1 11.4 8.6 -2.0 3.4 1.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.784 125.1 128.8 6.8 0.5 0.3 2.2 3.0

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

82

0.434 122.7 122.8 -1.5 -0.2 0.8 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.517 135.3 135.4 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

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

XVI

29.810 80.4 80.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

14.788 85.6 85.7 -0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

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

85

15.022 75.5 75.4 -1.3 0.3 -0.7 0.0 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.602 113.9 113.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

13.104 112.6 112.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0

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

88

1.365 118.8 118.5 -1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

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

XVIII

3.872 101.8 101.8 -1.6 0.0 -0.9 0.2 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.545 98.5 98.5 -1.8 -0.1 -0.8 0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.268 142.2 141.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.8 1.3 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.300 111.3 111.3 -0.7 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0

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

94

2.647 116.3 116.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.377 102.7 102.7 -0.9 0.1 -0.7 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.276 129.7 129.7 -4.1 -0.1 -1.5 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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: March 2016 to March 2017 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

Live animals; animal products

I

1.831 196.7 201.2 9.8 0.2 1.6 0.4 2.3

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

02

1.030 150.3 158.2 8.3 0.6 0.9 0.3 5.3

Fish and crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic invertebrates (Dec. 2016=100)

03

0.385 102.9 105.6 - - 4.3 -1.3 2.6

Vegetable products

II

4.439 200.8 202.7 7.6 -1.0 0.5 4.0 0.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.841 140.7 142.6 -9.3 -3.8 1.0 -4.5 1.4

Cereals

10

1.223 178.2 182.3 3.2 -1.8 3.9 2.2 2.3

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

12

1.719 207.1 207.2 14.2 3.7 -1.7 1.8 0.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

3.051 146.3 146.6 1.0 0.1 -0.9 -0.3 0.2

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

20

0.382 116.4 116.6 -1.9 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

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

22

0.541 109.3 109.2 3.8 0.6 -1.7 -1.4 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.733 199.2 197.1 3.0 0.6 -2.0 0.4 -1.1

Mineral products

V

8.233 195.9 193.3 42.4 7.7 2.8 -1.4 -1.3

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

26

0.559 93.8 92.5 29.4 4.4 -1.8 6.6 -1.4

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

27

7.482 187.2 184.6 45.2 8.2 3.1 -1.9 -1.4

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.870 134.3 134.9 0.4 0.0 -2.1 0.9 0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.856 178.5 178.2 3.4 1.6 0.7 -0.7 -0.2

Organic chemicals

29

2.583 133.9 135.8 4.5 0.3 -4.5 4.1 1.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.131 103.2 103.4 -2.5 -1.0 -3.5 -0.1 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2016=100)

31

0.230 99.5 103.4 - - 0.0 -0.5 3.9

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100)

32

0.523 97.9 98.3 -0.6 0.5 -0.7 0.7 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.810 131.2 131.2 -2.4 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

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

34

0.519 116.8 116.0 -0.2 0.2 0.5 -0.2 -0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.775 145.9 145.5 1.3 0.5 -0.7 0.0 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.122 137.6 138.7 2.1 -0.4 0.0 0.8 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.120 131.7 132.2 0.8 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.002 163.3 167.7 7.7 -0.4 1.1 3.7 2.7

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

VIII

0.351 123.2 123.8 5.2 0.1 0.7 0.9 0.5

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

IX

0.597 92.1 93.1 -1.1 -0.7 0.6 -1.9 1.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.133 126.0 129.0 6.7 0.8 0.9 0.7 2.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.696 139.6 149.3 24.2 3.0 3.2 0.4 6.9

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

48

1.086 119.3 119.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3 1.1 0.1

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.351 100.6 101.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.771 121.6 121.6 2.4 0.2 1.2 0.5 0.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.464 128.5 129.9 18.2 -0.3 3.4 1.7 1.1

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

XIII

0.834 122.3 122.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.275 99.5 100.2 -0.3 0.0 -1.8 0.0 0.7

Glass and glassware

70

0.432 99.8 99.9 0.5 -0.2 0.6 -0.4 0.1

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

XIV

4.137 227.7 231.7 0.3 -5.2 -0.1 1.9 1.8

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.919 150.8 152.6 8.2 1.9 1.6 0.8 1.2

Iron and steel

72

1.028 154.9 158.7 17.9 5.2 4.2 -2.3 2.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.479 169.0 171.2 12.7 9.0 -2.8 1.7 1.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.828 109.5 112.7 10.0 0.5 0.1 2.4 2.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100)

82

0.349 99.5 99.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.347 147.7 148.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3

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

XVI

28.743 95.8 95.8 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.896 113.3 113.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.847 76.8 77.0 -0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.992 132.3 132.3 1.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.718 115.1 115.1 0.5 -0.3 0.6 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

6.063 106.3 106.4 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.497 112.8 112.7 1.1 -0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.902 128.4 128.2 2.6 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.440 89.5 89.3 -0.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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: March 2016 to March 2017 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 119.5 118.9 4.2 0.5 0.5 0.7 -0.5

Nonmanufacturing

8.884 141.8 134.9 36.7 6.2 5.2 3.1 -4.9

Manufacturing

90.677 117.3 117.2 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Other Countries(3)

100.000 119.5 119.3 3.5 0.8 -0.1 0.4 -0.2

Nonmanufacturing

9.182 203.4 194.5 39.5 7.2 2.4 2.5 -4.4

Manufacturing

90.621 102.7 102.9 0.7 0.3 -0.3 0.2 0.2

Canada

100.000 126.2 124.5 12.9 1.8 2.0 1.4 -1.3

Nonmanufacturing

24.534 136.3 129.4 39.1 6.5 5.5 3.1 -5.1

Manufacturing

74.728 127.3 127.0 6.6 0.5 0.9 1.0 -0.2

European Union(4)

100.000 132.1 132.2 1.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1

Manufacturing

99.419 128.7 128.8 0.9 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 120.9 121.3 -1.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 113.3 113.3 -0.1 -0.4 1.3 0.2 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 117.6 117.6 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Latin America(5)

100.000 143.4 142.8 6.1 2.4 0.0 0.7 -0.4

Nonmanufacturing

18.848 232.8 222.2 37.5 9.7 1.1 2.0 -4.6

Manufacturing

80.830 119.2 119.8 0.9 0.9 -0.3 0.5 0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 123.5 124.0 0.0 0.0 -1.2 0.4 0.4

Nonmanufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)

8.536 116.0 118.0 36.6 -1.2 -2.4 1.4 1.7

Manufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)

91.147 86.1 86.3 -2.8 0.2 -1.2 0.3 0.2

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

100.000 98.3 98.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 100.0 100.2 -1.2 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Japan

100.000 96.3 96.5 1.4 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 84.8 85.2 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 97.7 97.8 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

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

100.000 162.1 157.1 28.1 2.2 3.4 2.7 -3.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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: March 2016 to March 2017 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Feb.
2017(1)
Index Percent change
Feb.
2017
Mar.
2017
Annual Monthly
Mar.
2016
to
Mar.
2017
Nov.
2016
to
Dec.
2016
Dec.
2016
to
Jan.
2017
Jan.
2017
to
Feb.
2017
Feb.
2017
to
Mar.
2017

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 161.7 162.6 7.6 -0.5 -1.9 -0.2 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.862 136.5 136.7 -2.7 -1.4 -0.7 0.4 0.1

Asia

61.925 148.4 150.0 13.5 -0.3 -2.6 -0.8 1.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 156.5 159.4 3.7 0.1 0.6 0.5 1.9

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

33.379 147.3 147.0 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.5 -0.2

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 153.0 153.4 6.0 -0.2 -0.9 -0.4 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

27.265 132.8 132.2 -1.8 -1.6 0.8 0.4 -0.5

Asia

58.831 139.6 140.6 10.7 0.4 -2.8 -1.0 0.7

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 138.9 139.4 -1.1 0.1 2.4 -0.6 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.528 143.6 144.4 -4.7 -0.1 1.9 -1.6 0.6

Asia

46.705 134.0 134.4 2.1 0.1 4.0 0.1 0.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 181.6 174.3 -2.7 1.3 -1.7 -0.8 -4.0

Europe

43.901 216.2 197.5 -5.9 -9.9 9.7 0.3 -8.6

Asia

20.554 128.5 128.0 -1.9 17.4 -8.5 -4.0 -0.4

Latin America/Caribbean

9.545 158.3 162.1 9.3 8.3 -11.7 2.3 2.4

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 149.6 156.1 -0.3 7.9 0.5 -11.6 4.3

Europe

35.580 215.1 221.1 -1.0 6.9 -6.3 5.4 2.8

Asia

26.412 123.6 127.5 -0.8 4.8 10.1 -20.5 3.2

Latin America/Caribbean

25.354 158.3 171.7 9.8 4.8 2.6 -9.6 8.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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: April 12, 2017