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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-18-0746
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, May 11, 2018

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 - APRIL 2018

U.S. import prices increased 0.3 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 
following a 0.2-percent decline in March. Prices for fuel and nonfuel imports advanced in April. Prices for 
U.S. exports rose 0.6 percent in April, after increasing 0.3 percent in March. Higher prices for 
nonagricultural exports more than offset declining agricultural export prices in April. 

Imports

All Imports: Import prices advanced 0.3 percent in April resuming the recent upward trend after declining 
0.2 percent the previous month. The March decrease was the first time the index recorded a drop since a 0.2-
percent decline in July 2017. Prices for U.S. imports rose 3.3 percent between April 2017 and April 2018. 
U.S. import prices have not recorded a 12-month decline since a 0.2-percent decrease for the year ended 
October 2016.

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuels advanced 1.3 percent in April after declining 2.4 percent in 
March. Petroleum prices rose 1.6 percent in April more than offsetting a 4.4-percent drop in natural gas 
prices. Import fuel prices advanced 18.7 percent between April 2017 and April 2018 and have not declined 
on a 12-month basis since a 3.7-percent drop for the year ended September 2016. The price index for 
petroleum imports rose 20.6 percent over the past 12 months. Natural gas prices fell 6.6 percent for the year 
ended in April, the largest 12-month decline since a 16.1-percent decrease for the year ended October 2017. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports rose 0.2 percent in April, following 
advances of 0.1 percent in March and 0.4 percent in February. Higher import prices for nonfuel industrial 
supplies and materials; consumer goods; and automotive vehicles more than offset declining prices for 
foods, feeds, and beverages. Nonfuel import prices advanced 1.8 percent over the past 12 months and have 
not recorded an over-the-year decline since a 0.2-percent drop for the year ended November 2016. 


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

2017

April

0.2 -0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3

May

-0.1 -0.9 0.1 -0.6 -1.6 -0.4

June

-0.2 -3.6 0.1 -0.1 -1.4 0.0

July

-0.2 -1.0 -0.1 0.5 1.8 0.3

August

0.6 4.0 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.7

September

0.8 5.7 0.3 0.8 -0.7 0.9

October

0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 2.0 -0.1

November

1.0 9.8 0.0 0.5 -0.7 0.7

December

0.2 3.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.0

2018

January

0.8 (r)3.3 0.5 0.7 0.0 (r)0.8

February

(r)0.2 (r)-1.8 (r)0.4 0.2 0.6 0.2

March

(r)-0.2 (r)-2.4 (r)0.1 0.3 (r)3.2 (r)0.0

April

0.3 1.3 0.2 0.6 -1.2 0.7

Apr. 2016 to 2017

3.6 36.9 1.0 3.1 4.6 3.0

Apr. 2017 to 2018

3.3 18.7 1.8 3.8 1.4 4.0

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports rose 0.6 percent in April and have not recorded a decline since June 
2017. The monthly advance was driven by higher nonagricultural export prices which more than offset 
declining agricultural prices. The price index for U.S. exports increased 3.8 percent over the past year, the 
largest 12-month increase since a 4.8-percent rise for the year ended November 2011. The index has not 
recorded a decrease on a 12-month basis since a 0.2-percent decline between November 2015 and 
November 2016.

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports fell 1.2 percent in April after recording a 3.2-percent 
rise in March. The decline in April was the first monthly drop in agricultural prices since the index fell 0.3 
percent in December 2017. Lower export prices for soybeans, nuts, and wheat drove the April decline. The 
price index for agricultural exports rose 1.4 percent over the past 12 months and has not declined over a 12-
month period since a 1.8-percent decrease in July 2017. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports increased 0.7 percent in 
April. Nonagricultural export prices have not declined on a monthly basis since a 0.1-percent drop in 
October 2017. The April increase in nonagricultural export prices was driven by a 1.5-percent rise in 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Prices for nonagricultural exports advanced 4.0 percent 
over the 12-month period ended April 2018, the largest 12-month increase since a 4.8-percent rise for the 
year ended November 2011. 


                                        SELECTED APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China fell 0.1 percent in April after rising 0.2 percent in 
March. The decline in April was the first monthly drop since a 0.3-percent decrease in September 2017. 
Import prices from China increased 0.2 percent over the past 12 months and have not recorded a 12-month 
decrease since December 2017. Prices for imports from Japan rose 0.1 percent in April after rising 0.2 
percent in March and 0.3 percent in February. The price index for imports from Japan rose 0.2 percent over 
the past 12 months. The price indexes for imports from the European Union and Canada both increased 0.6 
percent in April. Import prices from Mexico fell for a third consecutive month in April, declining 0.2 
percent.

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Import prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 
increased 0.7 percent in April following a 1.0-percent rise in March. Import prices for industrial organic 
chemicals rose 4.2 percent and prices for iron and steel mill products advanced 4.0 percent, driving the 
overall April increase in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. 

Finished Goods: The price index for consumer goods rose 0.1 percent in April after a 0.1-percent decline in 
March. Consumer goods import prices were driven by higher prices for medicinal, dental, and 
pharmaceutical materials. Import prices for automotive vehicles also increased 0.1 percent in April 
following a 0.1-percent drop in March. Import prices for capital goods recorded no change in April. 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Import prices for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.4 percent in April after a 
1.1-percent drop in March. The import price index for vegetables drove the monthly decrease, falling 7.0 
percent. Meat prices also contributed to the April drop, declining 2.2 percent. 

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares increased 2.8 percent in April after 
declining 6.5 percent in March. Import air passenger fares rose 7.9 percent over the past year, the largest 12-
month increase since an 8.2-percent advance for the year ended December 2013. Import air freight prices 
increased 0.7 percent in April and 10.2 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Export prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials increased 1.5 percent in April. The monthly advance was driven by a 4.0-percent increase in 
the price index for export fuels. 

Finished Goods: Export prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles advanced 0.4 percent and 0.1 
percent, respectively, in April. Capital goods export prices rose 2.0 percent for the year ended April 2018, 
the largest 12-month increase since a 2.1-percent rise for the year ended August 2008. Consumer goods 
prices recorded no change in April. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 16.2 percent in April, the largest monthly 
advance since the index was first published monthly in December 2000. The April increase was driven by 
higher Asian and Latin American fares. The price index for export air passenger fares advanced 25.7 percent 
between April 2017 and April 2018, the largest 12-month rise since the index rose 30.5 percent for the year 
ended July 2010. Export air freight prices increased 0.6 percent in April and 5.4 percent over the past year. 

Import and Export Price Index data for May are scheduled for release on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. 
(EDT).


Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2017 to April 2018 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

All commodities

  100.000 126.5 126.9 3.3 0.8 0.2 -0.2 0.3

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

  83.362 100.5 100.7 1.8 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  90.185 113.7 113.8 1.7 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  89.477 117.8 118.0 1.8 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.114 182.1 181.3 1.6 0.7 1.0 -1.1 -0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.793 199.4 198.2 1.6 0.8 1.0 -1.6 -0.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.321 143.2 143.3 1.5 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

24.991 188.8 190.6 12.2 2.4 -0.3 -0.5 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  15.245 158.4 159.3 7.1 2.3 0.2 0.6 0.6

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

  14.457 180.1 181.4 7.8 1.8 0.9 1.0 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  9.227 171.9 172.6 8.7 2.3 1.0 1.3 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.949 141.5 142.6 4.7 2.3 -0.8 -0.6 0.8

Fuels & lubricants

10

10.523 203.9 206.6 18.7 3.3 -1.8 -2.4 1.3

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

9.815 222.2 225.7 20.6 2.7 -1.1 -2.2 1.6

Crude

10000

6.974 231.0 235.1 23.4 4.1 -2.6 -1.6 1.8

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

101

0.524 103.0 100.3 -6.7 13.1 -12.9 -8.3 -2.6

Gas-natural

10110

0.367 84.3 80.6 -6.6 13.4 -15.4 -11.4 -4.4

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.555 113.1 114.5 7.6 1.5 1.3 0.4 1.2

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.752 162.4 164.2 5.9 0.9 0.8 0.4 1.1

Selected building materials

13

1.684 157.5 159.1 9.3 -0.7 1.6 3.1 1.0

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.974 238.8 240.3 11.1 4.8 0.9 1.0 0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.838 163.4 163.0 9.7 1.8 1.0 0.9 -0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.664 111.5 111.8 2.3 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.3

Capital goods

2

26.837 89.7 89.7 1.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment

20

3.246 117.7 117.8 1.3 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

21.338 82.2 82.2 1.1 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0

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

22

2.253 135.5 135.4 0.7 0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

15.899 110.8 110.9 0.3 0.5 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

26.158 107.2 107.3 0.3 0.1 0.5 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.780 122.0 122.1 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

12.072 93.3 93.4 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.305 115.8 116.6 0.3 0.8 2.8 -2.6 0.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

All commodities

  100.000 126.3 127.0 3.8 0.7 0.2 0.3 0.6

Agricultural commodities

  10.209 185.2 182.9 1.4 0.0 0.6 3.2 -1.2

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

  81.102 101.3 101.6 2.8 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.791 121.8 122.7 4.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.564 187.2 184.7 0.9 -0.2 0.6 3.3 -1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.907 185.5 182.6 0.3 -0.3 0.5 3.3 -1.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.657 221.2 224.8 9.5 1.6 2.2 4.0 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials

1

31.253 158.0 160.4 8.7 2.0 0.3 -0.1 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.544 167.3 168.4 5.9 1.5 1.2 0.5 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  20.708 153.9 156.9 10.3 2.2 -0.2 -0.3 1.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.302 189.9 191.5 9.1 2.2 1.0 2.8 0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  29.951 157.0 159.4 8.7 2.0 0.2 -0.1 1.5

Fuels & lubricants

11

9.334 185.1 192.5 15.8 4.2 -1.9 -1.9 4.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

19.599 160.0 160.6 6.1 1.1 1.3 0.7 0.4

Selected building materials

13

1.018 123.1 123.8 3.4 -1.8 1.0 0.3 0.6

Capital goods

2

36.508 109.2 109.6 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.4

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.853 115.3 115.7 2.6 -0.5 -0.4 0.3 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

23.592 94.7 95.2 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.5

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

22

9.063 173.9 174.3 2.7 0.6 0.4 -0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.120 114.0 114.1 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.555 109.9 109.9 1.6 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

6.120 106.7 107.0 2.8 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.3

Durables, manufactured

41

4.997 107.5 107.3 0.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

Nonmanufacturing

  9.657 110.2 111.0 16.5 4.2 -1.8 -2.7 0.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.060 187.3 185.0 1.8 2.2 3.5 -4.1 -1.2

Crop production

111

1.648 198.7 196.2 1.2 2.0 3.9 -5.7 -1.3

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.200 80.5 79.3 1.1 2.6 1.8 0.6 -1.5

Mining

21

7.597 101.8 103.0 21.0 4.7 -3.2 -2.2 1.2

Oil and gas extraction

211

7.359 101.7 103.0 21.5 4.7 -3.3 -2.3 1.3

Manufacturing

  90.052 112.1 112.3 2.1 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.2

Manufacturing, part 1

31

11.354 124.9 125.0 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

Food manufacturing

311

3.423 156.9 157.1 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.094 120.4 120.7 2.1 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.386 100.4 100.5 2.1 -0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.926 109.8 109.8 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.855 111.3 111.2 0.1 0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.670 122.8 122.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufacturing, part 2

32

18.189 125.6 126.6 4.8 0.0 1.2 -0.1 0.8

Wood product manufacturing

321

1.056 141.4 143.3 12.6 -1.1 2.6 4.1 1.3

Paper manufacturing

322

1.014 107.6 108.3 3.6 0.4 0.7 0.3 0.7

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

323

0.209 100.3 100.3 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.583 93.9 95.5 14.8 -1.2 3.4 -3.0 1.7

Chemical manufacturing

325

10.141 139.4 140.4 3.2 0.3 0.9 0.1 0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.197 119.1 119.6 1.4 -0.1 0.6 0.2 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.989 130.1 130.3 1.5 0.4 -0.2 0.5 0.2

Manufacturing, part 3

33

60.509 105.2 105.2 1.5 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.530 158.3 159.5 11.7 4.0 1.4 1.1 0.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.127 128.2 127.9 4.6 0.4 0.6 0.6 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

6.807 118.8 119.0 2.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

17.118 75.7 75.6 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.907 115.6 115.8 1.1 -0.2 0.5 0.0 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

16.894 110.0 110.0 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.775 116.7 116.5 1.0 0.3 0.1 0.4 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.350 118.8 118.9 1.3 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

Nonmanufacturing

  8.646 142.0 141.9 6.9 1.2 -1.9 3.4 -0.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

5.445 164.8 161.6 1.8 1.0 0.5 5.8 -1.9

Crop production

111

5.018 171.1 167.2 1.6 1.1 0.3 6.1 -2.3

Mining

21

3.201 87.6 90.3 15.5 1.4 -5.3 -0.6 3.1

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.137 111.9 111.3 12.0 1.8 1.9 -0.5 -0.5

Manufacturing

  89.762 115.8 116.5 3.6 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.6

Manufacturing, part 1

31

6.997 140.8 140.8 2.6 -0.5 0.9 0.6 0.0

Food manufacturing

311

4.790 159.3 158.8 2.3 -0.8 0.8 0.6 -0.3

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.694 120.3 121.5 10.0 1.0 1.9 1.5 1.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2016=100)

313

0.634 102.9 103.8 2.3 -0.2 0.9 0.5 0.9

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

316

0.270 97.1 96.7 -3.1 -0.2 0.5 -0.5 -0.4

Manufacturing, part 2

32

25.074 115.2 116.5 8.0 1.7 0.9 -0.1 1.1

Wood product manufacturing (Dec. 2017=100)

321

0.544 103.7 104.4 - 0.4 2.2 1.1 0.7

Paper manufacturing

322

1.657 126.6 128.4 9.6 0.8 0.1 1.0 1.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.217 109.3 114.3 19.1 6.0 0.4 -2.8 4.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.357 119.2 119.0 4.8 0.3 1.3 0.8 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.231 114.9 114.9 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.832 116.5 116.9 3.3 -0.1 0.7 1.1 0.3

Manufacturing, part 3

33

57.690 113.5 114.0 2.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

3.956 145.7 147.4 7.0 2.1 1.6 0.5 1.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.011 138.5 140.9 2.5 0.5 0.3 -0.1 1.7

Machinery manufacturing

333

8.906 125.9 127.2 1.4 0.1 0.2 -0.2 1.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.140 83.7 83.9 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.804 115.6 115.7 2.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.3 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.100 126.0 126.2 1.6 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.2

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

337

0.401 118.8 118.7 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.373 120.0 120.0 1.4 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

Live animals; animal products

I

1.412 199.1 196.7 2.2 1.2 1.8 1.1 -1.2

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.382 253.0 247.3 1.4 0.4 1.5 0.9 -2.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.726 144.5 144.0 0.7 1.5 1.4 1.4 -0.3

Vegetable products

II

2.025 219.9 215.8 -0.3 1.6 3.7 -5.5 -1.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.455 484.3 435.3 3.3 0.3 6.6 -10.3 -10.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.808 127.8 128.7 0.1 1.8 1.5 -3.7 0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.329 217.0 215.8 -7.2 0.5 -0.8 0.2 -0.6

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

III

0.291 110.4 108.1 -4.6 -1.6 -1.3 -2.2 -2.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.756 162.9 165.0 3.2 0.4 -0.1 0.3 1.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.202 90.8 90.7 5.5 4.6 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.208 99.7 101.4 7.5 0.0 0.8 4.7 1.7

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

20

0.363 168.2 167.5 1.8 -1.4 -0.5 0.7 -0.4

Miscellaneous edible preparations (Dec. 2017=100)

21

0.206 101.9 102.0 - 0.0 1.1 0.8 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.035 130.4 130.8 2.3 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.3

Mineral products

V

10.330 203.5 206.3 18.9 3.3 -1.7 -2.3 1.4

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

27

10.070 201.1 204.0 18.9 3.3 -1.8 -2.4 1.4

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

9.479 156.8 157.5 3.6 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.615 310.8 313.6 9.5 2.7 1.4 -1.0 0.9

Organic chemicals

29

2.392 130.4 132.1 7.1 0.7 0.3 0.1 1.3

Pharmaceutical products

30

4.447 150.7 151.0 1.3 0.5 1.3 -0.1 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.258 80.1 81.0 6.4 1.5 -1.5 -0.1 1.1

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

32

0.184 107.6 107.4 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2016=100)

33

0.586 104.1 104.0 5.1 0.6 0.9 0.3 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.644 107.7 107.0 3.0 1.1 -0.7 1.4 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.420 141.1 141.4 0.9 -0.3 0.6 0.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.245 143.6 143.8 2.0 -0.1 0.5 0.1 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.176 138.0 138.7 -0.8 -0.6 0.8 0.3 0.5

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

VIII

0.633 124.3 124.3 1.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

42

0.598 129.7 129.8 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

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

IX

1.091 172.4 174.7 13.1 -1.2 2.7 4.4 1.3

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

44

1.067 119.1 120.7 13.3 -1.2 2.8 4.5 1.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.070 113.6 114.3 3.9 0.9 0.8 0.3 0.6

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

48

0.706 105.3 106.2 3.0 0.7 1.3 0.2 0.9

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)

49

0.205 105.9 106.1 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.021 114.2 114.3 1.0 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.006 103.9 103.9 0.1 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.695 119.3 119.3 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.640 104.2 104.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artificial flowers, etc.

XII

1.382 122.0 122.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.156 120.7 120.8 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

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

XIII

0.929 131.8 132.0 1.5 0.4 -0.4 0.6 0.2

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

68

0.334 99.4 99.5 3.4 0.2 0.2 1.4 0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.255 134.0 134.6 -1.5 -0.1 -1.5 -0.3 0.4

Glass and glassware

70

0.340 132.6 132.6 2.2 0.9 0.0 0.5 0.0

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

XIV

3.096 174.6 174.6 2.4 2.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.657 181.4 182.4 9.0 2.0 1.2 1.1 0.6

Iron and steel

72

1.305 219.6 228.4 14.7 3.1 2.2 2.6 4.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.637 154.7 155.4 10.4 1.1 1.2 1.4 0.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.418 300.2 293.2 8.1 4.4 -0.9 -1.0 -2.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.952 139.4 137.0 5.5 1.3 0.4 1.0 -1.7

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

82

0.420 123.0 122.9 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.518 137.3 137.5 0.7 -0.8 0.3 0.1 0.1

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

XVI

29.036 80.8 80.8 0.5 -0.2 0.4 0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

14.220 87.1 87.1 1.6 -0.1 0.5 0.2 0.0

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

85

14.816 74.9 74.9 -0.5 -0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.081 114.7 114.7 0.4 0.7 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.872 113.7 113.7 0.4 0.7 0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

88

1.118 116.2 116.2 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

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

XVIII

3.900 103.5 103.3 2.0 1.9 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.606 100.0 99.8 1.8 1.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.235 146.5 145.5 2.5 -1.3 0.0 2.8 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.303 111.8 111.9 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1

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

94

2.715 117.8 117.8 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.304 101.9 102.1 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.283 128.6 128.6 -0.9 -0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

Live animals; animal products

I

1.969 211.1 211.0 3.3 -0.3 0.7 1.2 0.0

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

02

1.202 169.1 167.9 5.3 0.1 0.7 0.7 -0.7

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

03

0.434 122.1 124.6 8.2 1.7 2.4 4.0 2.0

Dairy products, eggs and honey (Dec. 2017=100)

04

0.259 94.1 92.6 - -5.6 -0.3 0.0 -1.6

Vegetable products

II

5.010 206.3 202.1 -1.2 1.1 0.1 5.7 -2.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.931 149.2 148.0 4.2 0.7 -0.4 1.8 -0.8

Cereals

10

1.495 201.3 197.6 13.8 1.5 4.6 4.8 -1.8

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

12

2.059 217.3 213.5 11.1 -2.4 2.2 6.6 -1.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

3.122 153.1 152.1 2.9 0.5 1.1 1.1 -0.7

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

20

0.350 118.2 118.5 1.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Miscellaneous edible preparations (Dec. 2017=100)

21

0.593 101.0 96.9 - 1.8 1.1 -1.8 -4.1

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

22

0.525 107.2 106.3 -5.1 -1.0 0.9 1.0 -0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.754 222.9 225.4 15.6 1.3 2.8 5.5 1.1

Mineral products

V

9.728 223.3 232.9 18.6 4.3 -1.7 -2.0 4.3

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

26

0.569 112.1 110.5 18.3 3.3 3.9 -1.1 -1.4

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

27

8.983 213.3 223.4 19.1 4.4 -2.1 -2.1 4.7

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.845 139.1 138.4 3.4 0.2 1.2 0.6 -0.5

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.752 167.7 167.7 -0.5 2.2 0.5 0.4 0.0

Organic chemicals

29

2.575 145.1 140.2 6.1 1.3 3.5 1.4 -3.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.256 107.6 107.7 3.3 0.9 0.8 0.2 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2016=100)

31

0.255 118.5 123.5 14.6 3.5 4.7 1.4 4.2

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

32

0.529 101.0 101.7 3.6 -1.6 0.8 0.4 0.7

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.816 130.7 131.5 -1.4 -2.0 0.2 0.2 0.6

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

34

0.495 119.2 119.6 4.2 -3.3 0.2 0.7 0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.809 151.2 152.3 5.0 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.180 143.5 144.4 3.7 0.4 1.2 1.3 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.296 140.0 140.9 5.9 0.6 1.3 1.1 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.883 157.3 157.6 -5.5 -0.5 0.9 2.3 0.2

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

IX

0.685 105.7 106.3 9.7 -1.1 1.6 0.9 0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.996 126.7 130.1 4.7 0.0 -1.0 -0.2 2.7

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.597 129.2 134.2 2.0 0.0 -3.7 -1.4 3.9

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

48

1.072 124.8 127.3 5.8 0.2 0.4 0.2 2.0

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.327 104.5 107.5 5.9 -0.6 0.0 0.0 2.9

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.700 125.2 125.7 3.8 1.2 0.2 2.3 0.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.478 141.1 141.5 8.8 3.2 -0.2 6.8 0.3

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

XIII

0.806 123.7 123.7 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0

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

68

0.269 101.2 101.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.412 99.2 99.3 0.0 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

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

XIV

4.122 240.0 240.5 3.5 2.0 0.5 -0.4 0.2

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.975 161.9 164.4 7.6 1.3 0.9 0.9 1.5

Iron and steel

72

1.093 175.1 183.0 15.4 3.6 0.2 4.2 4.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.576 202.3 200.4 18.5 3.0 0.9 -1.3 -0.9

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.988 122.4 120.6 6.1 0.1 3.0 0.6 -1.5

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

82

0.315 99.6 99.9 0.4 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.341 151.2 152.0 2.6 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.5

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

XVI

27.522 97.0 97.3 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.751 114.0 114.6 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.5

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.771 78.5 78.7 2.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.286 134.6 134.8 1.7 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.315 116.1 116.2 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1

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

XVIII

5.976 109.2 109.2 3.1 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.401 112.3 112.5 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.819 129.0 128.9 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.0 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.421 87.9 87.6 -1.2 1.1 -1.2 -0.1 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 123.8 124.4 4.4 1.1 0.1 -0.1 0.5

Nonmanufacturing

8.416 146.7 147.5 10.4 2.9 -6.3 -2.5 0.5

Manufacturing

91.028 121.3 121.8 3.6 0.9 0.7 0.2 0.4

Canada

100.000 131.3 132.1 6.2 1.4 -1.1 -0.4 0.6

Nonmanufacturing

22.721 139.3 139.9 9.3 2.7 -6.9 -2.5 0.4

Manufacturing

76.312 132.7 133.4 4.7 1.0 0.8 0.3 0.5

European Union(3)

100.000 136.4 137.2 3.7 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.6

Manufacturing

98.975 132.9 133.7 3.6 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 128.5 128.8 6.5 1.3 0.7 0.0 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 112.2 112.5 -1.2 -3.0 0.7 -0.2 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 120.6 121.2 3.5 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.5

Latin America(4)

100.000 150.0 150.2 4.6 1.5 -0.1 -0.7 0.1

Nonmanufacturing

18.325 256.1 257.5 15.0 5.5 -1.4 -3.9 0.5

Manufacturing

81.412 123.1 123.2 2.4 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 129.0 128.7 1.8 0.6 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmanufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)

8.693 133.1 133.0 10.9 3.5 -4.7 -1.2 -0.1

Manufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)

91.058 89.1 88.9 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)(5)

100.000 98.9 99.0 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 100.4 100.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Japan

100.000 96.5 96.6 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1

Asian NICs(6)

100.000 88.7 88.8 3.6 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(7)

100.000 98.4 98.4 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 178.6 180.0 15.6 3.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.8

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 trade values.
(2) Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
(3) European Union countries.
(4) Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
(5) China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(6) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries - Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
(7) Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
(8) 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: April 2017 to April 2018 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2018(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2018
Apr.
2018
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2017
to
Apr.
2018
Dec.
2017
to
Jan.
2018
Jan.
2018
to
Feb.
2018
Feb.
2018
to
Mar.
2018
Mar.
2018
to
Apr.
2018

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 180.7 181.9 10.2 -2.2 1.9 -0.3 0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.245 150.4 152.3 8.3 0.6 2.9 0.9 1.3

Asia

62.232 170.2 170.4 11.8 -3.5 1.2 -0.6 0.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 166.1 167.1 5.4 -0.2 0.2 4.3 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

31.963 146.3 148.3 0.9 -0.3 0.0 -0.6 1.4

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 164.6 166.0 7.5 0.1 0.3 -2.3 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

27.217 138.3 138.9 4.1 1.1 3.3 0.6 0.4

Asia

57.118 150.5 151.2 6.0 -2.7 -1.4 -4.0 0.5

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 142.2 142.3 3.8 -0.2 -2.1 3.3 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

33.292 147.7 148.1 1.9 0.0 -0.3 2.4 0.3

Asia

43.168 137.7 137.2 6.4 0.1 -4.8 5.8 -0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 177.0 182.0 7.9 -3.2 0.9 -6.5 2.8

Europe

42.701 203.7 213.6 16.9 7.9 1.9 -14.6 4.9

Asia

22.129 127.7 131.4 2.4 -11.1 -5.6 0.1 2.9

Latin America/Caribbean

10.078 167.6 167.1 2.2 -13.0 4.6 2.3 -0.3

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 158.4 184.1 25.7 4.7 -7.9 3.5 16.2

Europe

30.819 210.9 225.5 20.8 -5.1 6.9 2.2 6.9

Asia

25.518 131.9 150.7 21.4 12.5 -14.4 2.1 14.3

Latin America/Caribbean

24.262 167.5 204.9 26.2 7.3 -8.0 0.1 22.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2016 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 - Indexes for import and export air passenger fares calculate changes in the 
average revenue received per passenger by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and by U.S. carriers from 
foreign residents, respectively. Data are obtained from an airline consulting service and report on tickets 
sold by travel agencies, travel websites, and tickets sold directly by the airlines. Taxes and fees are 
included in both the import and export air passenger fares indexes. Import air passenger fares data have 
used the airline consulting service source since September 2008. Before April 2018, the export air 
passenger fares data were collected directly by BLS from U.S. airlines. 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. 

Relative Importance - A relative importance is a specific index's price-updated value share (expressed 
as a percentage) of overall imports or exports at a specific point in time. Relative importance values are 
affected by the trade weights at the point indexes are reweighted and index changes relative to other 
indexes since the reweight point. If an index is rising in value relative to other indexes over time, the 
relative importance will increase as well. 
 
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: May 18, 2018