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U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Technical information:					      		  	  USDL-09-0509
     (202) 691-7101								  Transmission of this
Media contact:								          material is embargoed
     (202) 691-5902								  until 8:30 A.M. EDT
Internet address:   http://www.bls.gov/mxp					  Wednesday, May 13, 2009


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

   The U.S. Import Price Index rose 1.6 percent in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. 
Department of Labor reported today.  A 15.4 percent increase in import petroleum prices more than 
offset a 0.4 percent decline in the price index for nonpetroleum imports.  Export prices also rose in 
April, increasing 0.5 percent.

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

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

2008

April

2.8 8.1 1.3 0.5 -2.0 0.7

May

2.8 9.7 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.4

June

3.0 9.2 0.9 1.0 2.3 0.9

July

1.4 3.3 0.6 1.5 6.7 0.9

August

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

September

-3.6 -11.4 -1.0 -0.8 0.1 -0.9

October

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

November

-7.4 -30.2 -1.7 -3.2 -6.9 -2.8

December

-4.6 -25.2 -1.1 -2.2 -6.1 -1.9

2009

January

(r)-1.3 (r)-4.6 (r)-0.8 (r)0.7 (r)5.9 (r)0.3

February

-0.1 (r)5.3 -0.7 -0.3 (r)-1.8 (r)-0.2

March

(r)0.2 (r)7.9 (r)-0.9 (r)-0.7 (r)-3.4 (r)-0.4

April

1.6 15.4 -0.4 0.5 3.6 0.3

Apr. 2007 to 2008

16.9 64.7 6.5 8.0 33.3 5.7

Apr. 2008 to 2009

-16.3 -49.8 -5.6 -6.8 -17.6 -5.4

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Import Goods
   
   Import prices increased 1.6 percent in April after rising 0.2 percent in March.  The April advance 
was led by a 15.4 percent rise in petroleum prices, which increased for the third consecutive month after 
declining in each of the previous six months.  In contrast, nonpetroleum prices decreased for the ninth 
consecutive month, falling 0.4 percent in April.  For the year ended in April, petroleum prices fell 49.8 
percent and prices for nonpetroleum imports declined 5.6 percent.  Overall import prices declined 16.3 
percent over the past year, the largest annual decline since the index was first published in September 
1982.  
    
   The continued decline in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.3 percent drop in nonpetroleum 
industrial supplies and materials prices.  That decrease was driven by a sharp fall in natural gas prices, 
although lower prices for chemicals and some metals also contributed to the decline.  The price index for 
nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials fell 21.0 percent over the past 12 months, the largest 
annual decrease since the index was first published in September 1982.
   
   Prices for the major finished goods categories were mixed in April.  Import automotive vehicle 
prices edged down 0.1 percent in April after decreasing 0.2 percent in March.  In contrast, prices for 
consumer goods and capital goods increased in April, rising 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. 
   
   Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 0.1 percent in April as lower fruit prices more 
than offset higher coffee prices.  The April drop followed a 0.7 percent decline in March.  


Export Goods 

   Export prices increased 0.5 percent in April because of higher prices for both agricultural and 
nonagricultural exports.  The price index for all exports decreased 6.8 percent for the year ended in 
April, matching the annual decrease in March as the largest 12-month decline since the index was first 
published in September 1983.  Agricultural prices rose 3.6 percent in April, led by increases for 
soybeans, corn, and wheat.  The April increase notwithstanding, agricultural export prices decreased 
17.6 percent over the past year.  Nonagricultural prices edged up 0.3 percent in April but fell 5.4 percent 
over the past 12 months.  
   
   The rise in nonagricultural prices was led by a 0.3 percent increase in the index for 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials.  Higher prices for fuels more than offset lower prices 
for chemicals.  Despite the April increase, nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials decreased 
18.4 percent for the April 2008-2009 period, the largest annual decrease since the index was first 
published in September 1989.
   
   Prices for capital goods and consumer goods also contributed to the increase in nonagricultural 
prices.  The price index for capital goods rose 0.4 percent, driven by higher prices for aircraft parts and 
semiconductors.  Consumer goods prices advanced 0.1 percent.  For the year ended in April, prices for 
capital goods and consumer goods increased 1.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.  
   
   The price index for automotive vehicles was unchanged in April after rising 0.1 percent in 
March.  Automotive vehicle prices advanced 0.7 percent over the past year.  
   
   
Imports by Locality of Origin 
	
   Prices for imports from China fell for the eighth consecutive month, decreasing 0.5 percent in 
April.  Import prices from China fell 1.1 percent for the year ended in April.  
    
   Import prices from the European Union and from Japan also declined in April, falling 0.2 percent 
and 0.1 percent, respectively.  Prices for imports from the European Union declined for the third 
consecutive month and decreased 6.4 percent over the past year, the largest annual drop since the index 
was first published in December 1990.  The price index for imports from Japan increased 1.4 percent for 
the April 2008-2009 period despite declines in March and April.
   
   In contrast, led by rising petroleum prices, prices for imports from Mexico and from Canada 
increased in April, advancing 1.0 percent and 0.2 percent for the month.  Over the past 12 months, 
however, import prices from Mexico fell 13.6 percent while import prices from Canada fell 22.3 percent, 
the largest annual decline since the index was first published in December 1990.


Import and Export Services

   Import air passenger fares decreased 1.3 percent in April following a 4.7 percent drop the 
previous month.  The April decrease was again led by lower European fares, which fell 1.3 percent after 
decreasing 7.8 percent in March.  The index for import air passenger fares fell 7.1 percent for the year 
ended in April, the largest annual decrease since the index was first published in March 1988.  Export air 
passenger fares also decreased in April, falling 4.0 percent as lower fares from Asia more than offset 
higher prices from the Latin America/Caribbean region and Europe.  Fares for export air passengers 
decreased 11.1 percent over the past 12 months, the largest annual decrease since the index was first 
published in September 1986.
	
   Import air freight prices fell 1.6 percent in April, as both European and Asian air freight prices 
declined.  The price index for import air freight decreased 13.3 percent over the past year, the largest 
annual decline since the index was first published in September 1990.  Prices for export air freight 
declined 3.5 percent in April and 11.0 percent for the April 2008-2009 period, the largest monthly and 
annual declines since the index was first published in December 1996.

CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for May 2009 are scheduled for release on June 12, 2009 at 
8:30 A.M. (EDT).  

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

All commodities

  100.000 113.1 114.9 -16.3 -1.3 -0.1 0.2 1.6

All imports excluding petroleum

  87.679 107.2 106.8 -5.6 -0.8 -0.7 -0.9 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  85.989 110.6 110.5 -4.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

4.889 136.8 136.6 -4.9 0.0 -3.2 -0.7 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.757 151.1 150.5 -5.8 -0.3 -3.8 -1.2 -0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.132 104.6 105.1 -2.0 0.7 -1.1 1.2 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

28.431 147.3 155.3 -37.6 -4.5 0.7 1.8 5.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  16.110 133.1 130.1 -21.0 -4.3 -2.3 -2.5 -2.3

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

  14.420 145.6 144.0 -16.3 -4.1 -0.9 -1.2 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.876 134.5 133.5 -19.6 -2.8 -0.7 -1.8 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.544 131.2 126.0 -22.3 -6.0 -4.1 -3.5 -4.0

Fuels & lubricants

10

14.011 157.8 177.0 -50.1 -4.7 2.5 5.0 12.2

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

12.320 163.4 188.5 -49.8 -4.6 5.3 7.9 15.4

Crude

10000

8.781 164.5 188.5 -52.3 -5.3 3.3 9.2 14.6

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

101

1.485 128.2 112.9 -50.4 -5.2 -12.2 -13.8 -11.9

Gas-natural

10110

1.270 114.2 98.2 -56.5 -7.4 -13.7 -15.8 -14.0

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.766 105.8 104.1 -10.4 -2.6 -1.7 -2.4 -1.6

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.876 137.4 134.8 -9.3 -6.5 -1.2 0.2 -1.9

Selected building materials

13

1.739 116.4 115.5 1.0 -0.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.8

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.440 171.2 170.2 -34.3 -5.0 -0.4 -2.6 -0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.934 132.3 131.4 -13.0 -2.2 -1.4 -2.6 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.665 105.1 104.7 -1.4 -1.7 -0.8 -1.0 -0.4

Capital goods

2

25.016 91.6 91.7 -1.4 0.0 -0.5 -0.7 0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

3.220 109.7 109.6 -1.7 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

19.589 86.3 86.4 -1.8 0.0 -0.5 -0.9 0.1

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

22

2.207 120.7 121.0 3.0 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

14.799 107.7 107.6 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

26.865 103.9 104.1 -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.5 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.470 108.4 108.5 0.6 0.6 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

13.109 99.7 100.0 -1.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.287 101.1 102.6 -2.8 -0.9 1.7 -3.2 1.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2008 to April 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

All commodities

  100.000 115.4 116.0 -6.8 0.7 -0.3 -0.7 0.5

Agricultural commodities

  8.438 151.5 157.0 -17.6 5.9 -1.8 -3.4 3.6

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.562 112.8 113.1 -5.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

7.921 156.5 162.6 -15.7 6.6 -2.0 -3.5 3.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.244 158.1 164.8 -16.9 7.0 -2.1 -3.7 4.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.677 144.1 145.2 -0.8 3.1 -1.5 -1.1 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

26.781 136.4 136.7 -18.6 -0.4 -0.9 -1.0 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.632 143.1 141.8 -18.7 0.4 0.5 0.3 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  16.150 133.0 134.4 -18.4 -0.9 -1.8 -1.8 1.1

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.194 123.3 123.6 -21.7 -0.4 0.2 -2.1 0.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  25.588 137.3 137.7 -18.4 -0.4 -0.9 -0.9 0.3

Fuels & lubricants

11

3.311 146.6 158.2 -39.0 -0.6 -5.8 -6.1 7.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

21.220 137.9 136.7 -14.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.9

Selected building materials

13

1.057 114.5 114.0 -0.1 0.3 0.2 -1.0 -0.4

Capital goods

2

41.664 102.2 102.6 1.1 0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.4

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.786 106.8 106.8 -1.7 -1.6 -0.7 0.2 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

28.882 93.7 94.0 0.1 0.4 0.3 -0.3 0.3

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

22

8.996 135.0 136.3 5.7 1.8 0.5 0.3 1.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.569 108.2 108.2 0.7 0.4 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.064 108.2 108.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.9 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.742 106.9 107.2 -2.4 1.5 0.3 -2.0 0.3

Durables, manufactured

41

6.206 109.8 109.7 4.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2008 to April 2009 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

Nonmanufactured articles

  12.512 81.8 89.6 -48.6 -5.1 0.3 3.4 9.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.775 128.5 130.5 -2.5 -0.8 -5.8 -1.7 1.6

Crop production

111

1.283 136.4 136.1 -1.2 -0.6 -7.4 -3.7 -0.2

Mining

21

10.737 77.0 85.3 -52.2 -5.7 1.4 4.3 10.8

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

212

0.477 129.2 129.5 5.2 2.0 0.4 -1.4 0.2

Manufactured articles

  86.972 104.9 105.4 -6.5 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.088 106.9 106.5 -1.8 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

2.560 115.4 114.7 -8.2 -0.7 -1.5 -0.7 -0.6

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.996 106.9 107.0 1.7 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Textile mills

313

0.481 113.1 111.4 -0.3 1.6 0.7 -0.2 -1.5

Textile product mills

314

0.866 100.7 98.8 -3.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -1.9

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.507 102.6 102.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.678 107.7 107.5 2.6 1.0 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.800 106.9 109.4 -13.2 -1.9 0.6 0.8 2.3

Wood product manufacturing

321

1.031 90.4 89.8 -1.3 -1.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.7

Paper manufacturing

322

1.358 104.4 102.7 -7.2 -1.6 -1.4 -2.1 -1.6

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

3.002 79.6 93.1 -42.1 -1.4 7.1 7.3 17.0

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.082 119.2 118.4 -3.9 -3.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.987 112.8 112.7 2.8 0.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.226 118.4 118.1 6.5 0.8 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

58.084 103.9 103.8 -5.0 -0.6 -0.3 -0.6 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.128 120.1 119.1 -32.6 -4.5 -0.9 -2.6 -0.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.008 116.7 115.9 -0.7 -0.3 -0.8 -1.0 -0.7

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.309 110.9 110.6 0.3 0.8 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.127 88.7 88.7 -5.2 -1.0 -0.4 -0.8 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.294 112.5 112.4 0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

15.995 104.7 104.8 0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.701 110.5 110.3 1.5 -0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.522 110.0 110.7 0.3 0.2 -0.6 -0.2 0.6

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2008 to April 2009 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

Nonmanufactured articles

  5.758 111.1 118.0 -25.1 7.2 -3.1 -6.2 6.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.558 129.0 138.4 -22.8 11.1 -3.5 -6.6 7.3

Crop production

111

4.194 131.8 142.3 -23.9 11.8 -3.8 -7.0 8.0

Mining

21

1.200 71.6 73.3 -32.7 -6.3 -1.6 -4.8 2.4

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

0.936 83.8 86.2 -13.5 -6.8 -0.4 -0.6 2.9

Manufactured articles

  92.589 106.9 107.2 -3.9 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.548 116.9 116.4 -4.4 0.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

4.343 129.4 129.2 -5.3 0.4 0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.522 105.5 105.4 -1.0 0.1 0.6 1.3 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.397 102.2 102.5 1.5 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

21.539 106.5 107.2 -12.3 -0.2 -1.4 -1.5 0.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.474 107.8 106.9 -4.3 -1.4 -0.1 -0.9 -0.8

Paper manufacturing

322

1.956 111.9 111.3 -3.3 -1.4 -0.2 -0.5 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

1.833 80.9 90.2 -47.0 -1.5 -7.8 -8.5 11.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.181 110.1 109.6 -7.9 0.0 -0.6 -1.0 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.216 107.9 108.3 0.4 0.5 -1.3 -0.6 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.878 112.6 113.1 4.3 0.8 -0.6 0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

64.502 105.8 106.0 -0.7 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.320 121.7 120.1 -20.9 0.2 -0.5 2.1 -1.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.879 120.4 120.6 4.8 2.3 0.2 -1.1 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

12.942 111.6 111.7 2.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.747 92.9 93.2 -2.5 -0.1 0.5 -0.4 0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.653 106.1 106.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.1 0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.539 109.3 109.8 3.1 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.5

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.071 110.6 110.7 4.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.0 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2008 to April 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

Live animals; animal products

I

1.169 125.4 125.8 -7.2 -0.1 -1.8 1.9 0.3

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.255 143.2 143.6 -6.3 -0.9 -1.0 -1.5 0.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.600 100.5 100.9 -4.5 0.7 -1.7 2.1 0.4

Vegetable products

II

1.484 153.5 153.7 -1.5 -1.7 -6.8 -4.1 0.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.423 271.6 258.2 15.0 -2.3 -25.6 5.4 -4.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.465 104.0 101.2 -4.3 -1.3 -2.3 -5.0 -2.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.248 139.1 146.6 -12.3 3.5 -1.0 -6.3 5.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.417 133.8 133.4 -2.0 0.3 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3

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

19

0.253 106.3 105.9 -1.0 0.1 -1.0 0.4 -0.4

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

20

0.304 128.1 123.8 -12.5 -0.8 -0.5 -2.4 -3.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.998 115.6 115.7 -1.3 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.1

Mineral products

V

14.309 161.4 180.1 -48.6 -4.6 2.5 4.8 11.6

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

27

13.899 157.8 176.7 -49.8 -4.6 2.5 5.0 12.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.207 130.0 129.8 -5.3 -3.7 -0.3 -0.8 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.730 191.1 197.1 -23.4 -25.3 -2.1 1.3 3.1

Organic chemicals

29

2.536 121.3 123.2 -6.1 -1.2 0.5 0.3 1.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.893 113.1 113.1 -0.2 1.6 0.3 -2.0 0.0

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

32

0.182 104.1 103.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -1.0 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.450 119.2 118.0 -4.8 1.2 -0.9 -1.4 -1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.465 92.4 90.6 -8.9 -1.7 -2.2 -0.9 -1.9

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.119 127.5 127.0 -2.8 -1.2 -1.3 0.3 -0.4

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.030 125.0 125.2 -2.5 -1.7 -1.5 0.6 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.089 132.3 130.6 -3.5 0.1 -1.0 -0.4 -1.3

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

VIII

0.669 113.9 113.3 1.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.5

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

42

0.621 114.8 114.1 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.6

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

IX

1.062 110.5 109.9 -1.5 -1.6 -0.8 -0.3 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.553 109.6 108.3 -5.7 -0.8 -1.2 -1.7 -1.2

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

48

1.099 110.6 109.5 -1.0 0.2 -1.1 -1.9 -1.0

Printed matter

49

0.304 119.8 119.7 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.648 103.2 102.8 -1.0 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.130 99.9 99.7 -0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

2.174 104.0 104.0 0.8 -0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.579 90.9 90.8 -5.4 -3.4 -0.1 -1.0 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.367 108.0 108.1 2.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.155 107.3 107.4 3.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.1

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

XIII

1.092 123.2 123.0 6.7 1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

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

68

0.416 119.1 118.0 10.3 0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.9

Ceramic products

69

0.332 132.3 131.8 5.5 0.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Glass and glassware

70

0.345 116.8 117.9 4.0 2.5 0.0 -0.1 0.9

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

XIV

2.689 134.5 135.8 -14.3 1.0 0.2 1.7 1.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.791 150.9 149.5 -23.3 -3.7 -1.5 -2.9 -0.9

Iron and steel

72

1.354 191.2 181.0 -32.3 -4.4 -2.9 -6.1 -5.3

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.995 146.9 145.7 -2.3 -2.2 -1.6 -2.7 -0.8

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.460 181.9 198.7 -38.7 -7.5 3.0 1.6 9.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.699 100.7 99.3 -37.2 -8.4 -4.8 -2.4 -1.4

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

82

0.423 118.3 117.9 3.2 2.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.504 129.3 128.6 0.9 0.3 -1.8 -0.1 -0.5

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

XVI

27.549 86.4 86.4 -2.8 -0.5 -0.5 -0.6 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.826 87.1 87.1 -2.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.9 0.0

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

85

13.723 85.7 85.7 -3.1 -1.1 -0.6 -0.3 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.662 109.1 109.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.396 108.0 108.2 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.2

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

88

1.154 115.6 115.9 3.9 0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.3

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

XVIII

3.415 101.5 101.6 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.067 99.3 99.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.266 123.1 123.2 1.8 0.9 0.2 0.6 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.550 107.9 107.9 2.2 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

94

2.498 113.2 112.9 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.833 100.7 100.6 2.3 0.9 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.219 111.1 115.2 4.1 0.3 -0.2 -1.2 3.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2008 to April 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

Live animals; animal products

I

1.531 155.3 156.4 -6.0 1.2 -0.9 -0.2 0.7

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

02

0.782 122.8 122.8 -10.6 1.7 -0.2 1.5 0.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.404 144.8 149.6 -0.7 1.1 -2.3 -2.4 3.3

Vegetable products

II

4.404 174.5 186.2 -20.6 11.4 -3.6 -5.3 6.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.576 100.0 101.2 -17.3 -1.8 -1.5 -3.7 1.2

Cereals

10

1.891 186.7 202.2 -33.6 18.7 -6.6 -5.2 8.3

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

12

1.299 183.7 200.7 -14.1 13.1 -1.6 -7.5 9.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.465 134.6 135.6 0.4 1.7 1.0 -1.0 0.7

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.379 119.6 118.6 -1.2 -1.9 0.1 0.0 -0.8

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

22

0.286 100.4 99.8 - 0.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.485 176.4 184.6 -6.4 7.6 4.1 -6.9 4.6

Mineral products

V

3.164 166.6 178.3 -43.5 -4.3 -6.8 -7.6 7.0

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

27

2.694 159.4 171.6 -44.9 -1.9 -7.6 -8.7 7.7

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.873 134.8 134.7 -4.9 0.4 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.371 202.8 197.5 6.2 1.7 -0.8 -0.6 -2.6

Organic chemicals

29

3.195 131.9 132.8 -16.6 -1.7 0.1 1.5 0.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.693 114.1 114.5 -4.3 2.1 1.5 -3.3 0.4

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

32

0.549 113.3 110.8 -4.8 -1.0 0.2 0.1 -2.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.732 121.6 121.8 0.0 3.0 -5.1 -0.3 0.2

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

34

0.421 115.4 113.4 -2.3 -3.0 -1.4 -0.9 -1.7

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.814 129.6 129.8 4.3 2.2 -1.7 -0.4 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.333 130.1 128.5 -7.2 -1.3 -1.0 -2.0 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.279 123.7 123.3 -8.2 -1.1 -0.8 -2.1 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.054 159.5 150.9 -3.7 -1.7 -1.8 -0.9 -5.4

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

VIII

0.278 81.2 77.6 -33.8 -11.2 -0.4 -2.9 -4.4

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

IX

0.592 105.0 104.4 -6.1 -2.2 0.4 -1.8 -0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.401 106.3 106.2 -9.9 -1.3 0.8 -0.4 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.496 88.6 89.5 -31.1 -5.1 1.7 0.9 1.0

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

48

1.370 113.0 112.3 -0.2 -0.5 0.6 -0.5 -0.6

Printed material

49

0.535 114.3 114.6 -5.5 0.1 0.1 -1.1 0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.988 101.3 101.0 -6.7 0.0 -1.4 -1.1 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.517 86.1 89.1 -19.9 0.2 -1.5 -5.5 3.5

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

XIII

0.861 116.2 115.6 4.1 1.3 0.3 0.0 -0.5

Glass and glassware

70

0.457 100.5 100.3 0.7 0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

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

XIV

3.940 173.5 172.3 -9.5 1.9 2.1 3.6 -0.7

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.067 142.0 141.0 -21.3 -0.3 -0.5 -1.5 -0.7

Iron and steel

72

1.339 165.0 156.0 -32.9 1.1 -0.5 -3.2 -5.5

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.542 164.2 164.0 8.7 3.3 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.335 120.4 140.4 -48.3 -8.3 2.3 0.5 16.6

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.672 95.7 93.9 -39.6 -4.8 -0.8 -0.4 -1.9

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

82

0.410 121.8 121.8 2.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.332 116.8 116.8 -9.0 0.3 -0.6 -8.5 0.0

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

XVI

31.766 94.8 95.1 -0.2 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

18.322 104.8 105.0 1.1 0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

13.444 84.0 84.4 -1.7 -0.1 0.4 -0.4 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

16.016 119.2 119.9 3.4 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.6

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.267 107.5 107.4 0.8 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

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

XVIII

6.351 106.8 106.7 0.0 0.8 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.599 106.8 106.9 -1.4 -0.2 0.0 0.5 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.782 116.5 116.7 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.9 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.694 93.1 92.7 -2.1 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: April 2008 to April 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

Industrialized Countries(2)

42.434 117.4 117.7 -12.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.3 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

4.390 141.2 147.8 -50.6 -5.3 -3.7 0.2 4.7

Manufactured articles

37.621 114.9 114.8 -6.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Other Countries(3)

57.566 109.3 111.6 -18.7 -1.9 -0.2 0.4 2.1

Nonmanufactured articles

12.442 159.8 177.2 -47.7 -4.2 0.5 3.6 10.9

Manufactured articles

44.910 101.3 101.7 -6.7 -1.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.4

Canada

15.963 124.0 124.3 -22.3 -1.8 -2.2 -0.6 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

3.979 136.3 140.6 -52.7 -4.9 -4.7 -0.3 3.2

Manufactured articles

11.678 122.9 122.4 -8.4 -0.8 -1.6 -0.7 -0.4

European Union(4)

17.447 123.6 123.4 -6.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

0.222 187.4 204.3 -40.9 -3.8 -15.5 -0.1 9.0

Manufactured articles

17.133 121.6 121.3 -5.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.954 119.3 119.5 0.9 1.6 -0.8 0.3 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.735 108.4 108.0 -4.3 1.0 0.0 -0.8 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.660 118.1 118.5 -13.9 -0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.3

Latin America(5)

17.808 131.4 134.9 -24.6 -1.0 -1.4 -0.5 2.7

Nonmanufactured articles

5.160 184.4 200.9 -41.7 2.0 -2.9 2.6 8.9

Manufactured articles

12.547 121.8 122.4 -14.1 -2.2 -0.9 -1.6 0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

10.785 124.5 125.8 -13.6 -1.5 -1.8 -0.7 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

1.947 97.5 103.3 - -1.6 -6.9 6.4 5.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

8.788 95.5 95.8 - -1.7 -0.7 -2.2 0.3

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

33.590 99.3 99.1 -2.6 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)

16.852 100.9 100.4 -1.1 -0.4 -0.5 -0.6 -0.5

Japan

7.488 96.3 96.2 1.4 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Asian NICs(7)

5.647 85.5 84.8 -6.3 -2.7 -0.3 -1.2 -0.8

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.729 95.2 95.6 -5.3 -1.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.4

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

3.992 140.0 152.2 -44.6 -7.6 1.0 6.1 8.7

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 trade values.
(2) Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) Includes European Union countries.
(5) Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) Includes China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

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


Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: April 2008 to April 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2009(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2009
Apr.
2009
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2008
to
Apr.
2009
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Jan.
2009
to
Feb.
2009
Feb.
2009
to
Mar.
2009
Mar.
2009
to
Apr.
2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 132.8 130.7 -13.3 -0.9 -1.1 -2.2 -1.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

22.089 124.4 121.1 -27.0 0.2 -2.3 -3.6 -2.7

Asia

69.275 118.4 116.8 -7.7 -0.8 -0.1 -1.7 -1.4

Export Air Freight

100.000 124.1 119.8 -11.0 -3.0 -3.0 -2.3 -3.5

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

37.497 115.2 107.8 -14.9 -0.5 -4.5 -2.9 -6.4

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 127.6 125.3 -14.1 -2.0 -2.0 -2.8 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.375 121.3 117.7 -25.4 -1.5 -2.3 -4.4 -3.0

Asia

64.027 112.4 110.6 -8.4 -1.6 -2.1 -1.9 -1.6

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 119.0 115.1 -12.9 -4.0 -2.6 -2.5 -3.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

40.778 139.8 133.2 -12.0 -3.3 -3.0 -2.0 -4.7

Asia

39.904 105.1 103.7 -11.6 -5.0 -0.4 -2.5 -1.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 134.9 133.1 -7.1 -5.6 -4.6 -4.7 -1.3

Europe

41.741 134.6 132.9 -9.0 5.3 -5.7 -7.8 -1.3

Asia

28.444 123.1 122.8 1.9 -11.7 -4.6 -4.1 -0.2

Latin America/Caribbean

11.926 118.2 120.6 -11.1 -19.7 -3.9 -3.0 2.0

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 141.7 136.0 -11.1 0.2 -10.6 -3.9 -4.0

Europe

28.514 153.7 154.3 -17.4 -1.7 -9.9 -7.1 0.4

Asia

36.027 128.3 122.7 -5.3 2.4 -13.9 0.2 -4.4

Latin America/Caribbean

21.172 149.7 151.1 -1.8 0.9 -10.2 -7.6 0.9

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2007 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight Indexes are based on 2006 trade values.

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


                                          TECHNICAL NOTE


Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres 
formula and are not seasonally adjusted.  Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, 
with a two-year lag in the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More 
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by 
calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using 
three classification systems.  Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 
Analysis Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS).  While 
classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for 
classifying items by industry.  In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output 
industry, not input industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products 
manufacturing) include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  The 
NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price 
Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  
The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 
(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for 
crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 
system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 
(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 
industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

Services Price Indexes -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 
calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service.  These data include tickets sold by 
travel agencies and travel websites.  Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 
flyer tickets generally.  Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 
sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. 
The scope of the service being priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does 
not include any ground transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 
International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets 
specifying detailed information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under 
"MXP Publications".

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 
for the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 
using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  
Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 
NAICS 31-33. 
 
Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further data 
revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision in 
the releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  
Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, 
Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 
International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also 
can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 
indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis.

E-Mail Subscription -- The IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp).  Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access to 
either a large volume of time series data or other IPP-related documentation. The FTP site can be 
accessed at ftp://ftp.bls.gov.   For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 
(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For IPP data requests, send e-mail to (mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.  
Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.

Last Modified Date: May 13, 2009