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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-13-0927
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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 2013


U.S. import prices fell 0.5 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, following a 
0.2 percent decrease in March. Lower prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the declines in 
each month. Prices for U.S. exports decreased 0.7 percent in April after a 0.5 percent decline in March.  


Imports

All Imports: The price index for U.S. imports decreased for the second consecutive month in April, after 
increasing the two months prior to March. The April decrease was largely driven by lower fuel prices, 
although nonfuel prices also declined in April. Import prices fell 2.6 percent over the past 12 months, the 
largest year-over-year decline since a 3.3 percent decrease between July 2011 and July 2012. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices continued to decline in April, decreasing 1.7 percent after falling 0.6 percent in 
March. In April, a 1.9 percent decline in petroleum prices more than offset a 6.1 percent increase in the price 
index for natural gas, the first advance in natural gas prices since a 16.6 percent rise in December 2012. The 
price index for import fuels decreased 7.8 percent for the year ended in April and has not recorded a year-
over-year advance since March 2012. The annual decline in fuel prices was led by a 9.5 percent drop in 
petroleum prices, which more than offset an 83.8 percent rise in natural gas prices.              

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices also fell in April, decreasing 0.2 percent following a 0.1 
percent drop the previous month. Lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; capital goods; 
automotive vehicles; and foods, feeds, and beverages more than offset a 0.3 percent advance in consumer 
goods prices. The price index for nonfuel imports fell 0.7 percent over the past 12 months.     


Table A. Import and export price indexes, selected categories
Percent changes

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

2012

April

-0.1 -0.9 0.2 0.4 2.0 0.2

May

-1.5 -5.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.5 -0.6

June

-2.3 -8.5 -0.3 -1.7 -3.5 -1.5

July

-0.7 -2.0 -0.4 0.4 6.0 -0.2

August

1.2 6.1 -0.2 0.9 4.8 0.4

September

1.0 3.9 0.2 0.8 1.3 0.7

October

0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 -1.7 0.3

November

-0.7 -2.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.5 -0.7

December

-0.6 -2.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

2013

January

0.5 (r)1.9 0.2 0.4 -1.2 0.5

February

(r)0.9 (r)3.7 0.1 0.7 (r)2.0 0.6

March

(r)-0.2 (r)-0.6 (r)-0.1 (r)-0.5 (r)-1.9 (r)-0.3

April

-0.5 -1.7 -0.2 -0.7 -2.2 -0.5

Apr. 2011 to 2012

0.8 -0.5 1.3 0.7 -3.1 1.2

Apr. 2012 to 2013

-2.6 -7.8 -0.7 -0.9 4.2 -1.5

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports 

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports declined 0.7 percent in April, the largest monthly decrease 
since the index fell 1.7 percent in June 2012. Falling prices for both nonagricultural and agricultural exports 
each contributed to the decline. U.S. export prices also fell for the April 2012-13 period, decreasing 0.9 
percent. The 12-month decrease was led by lower nonagricultural prices, which more than offset rising 
agricultural prices over the past year. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices fell 2.2 percent in April after decreasing 1.9 percent in March. The 
April decline was driven by an 8.1 percent drop in corn prices, a 6.2 percent decrease in soybean prices, and 
a 7.7 percent fall in nut prices. Despite the recent monthly decreases, overall agricultural prices rose 4.2 
percent for the year ended in April.                   

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 0.5 percent in 
April, led by a 1.0 percent decline in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices. Each of the 
major finished goods categories decreased or was unchanged in April. Nonagricultural export prices fell 1.5 
percent for the year ended in April, the largest year-over-year decline since a 1.5 percent decrease in 
September 2012. 


                                       SELECTED APRIL HIGHLIGHTS


Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from Japan decreased 0.6 percent in April, the largest 
monthly decline since a 0.6 percent drop in September 2008. The April decrease followed declines of 0.2 
percent and 0.5 percent for the two previous months. The fall in import prices from Japan over the past three 
months paralleled a drop in the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar during the first quarter 
of 2013. Prices for imports from China fell for the second consecutive month in April, edging down 0.1 
percent following a 0.2 percent decrease in March. Import prices from China have not recorded a monthly 
advance since a 0.1 percent rise in February 2012 and decreased 0.9 percent over the past year.  Prices for 
imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union also decreased in April, falling 0.6 percent, 0.9 
percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively.        

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 
declined 0.7 percent in April after decreasing 0.5 percent the previous month. The decline was primarily led 
by a 2.2 percent drop in unfinished metals prices. 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices fell for the third consecutive month in April, down 0.2 percent. Prices 
for capital goods declined 0.6 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since a 0.7 percent 
drop in February 2010. The price index for automotive vehicles decreased 0.3 percent in April, led by a 0.4 
percent decline in passenger cars prices. In contrast, consumer goods prices rose 0.3 percent in April, led by a 
1.8 percent advance in medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 0.5 percent in April after rising 
1.6 percent in March. The decline was led by a 7.4 percent drop in vegetable prices, which followed an 11.5 
percent increase the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 0.3 percent after three consecutive monthly 
declines. Higher European and Asian fares contributed to the April advance.  The index for import air 
passenger fares increased 1.2 percent for the year ended in April. In contrast, import air freight prices 
decreased 0.9 percent in April and 2.4 percent over the past year. 


Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices declined 1.0 percent in April, following a 0.8 percent drop in March. Both declines were driven by 
lower fuel prices, although nonferrous metal prices and prices for chemicals each decreased in April as well. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices decreased overall in April. Prices for capital goods fell 0.2 percent, 
led by a 2.0 percent drop in semiconductor prices. The price index for consumer goods declined 0.3 percent 
driven by lower prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products. Automotive vehicles prices were 
unchanged in April. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 3.2 percent in April, following a 0.9 percent 
advance in March. A 5.7 percent drop in Asian fares, a 4.1 percent decline in European fares, and a 3.3 
percent decrease in Latin American/Caribbean fares each contributed to the decline. In contrast, the price 
index for export air freight rose 0.3 percent in April.      

Import and Export Price Index data for May 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, June 13, 
2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).


Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2012 to April 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

All commodities

  100.000 141.0 140.3 -2.6 0.5 0.9 -0.2 -0.5

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

  73.497 103.4 103.2 -0.8 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  79.462 116.5 116.4 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  78.514 120.6 120.4 -0.7 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.017 173.7 172.9 -0.9 -0.2 1.2 1.6 -0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.888 194.5 192.3 -2.1 -0.5 1.1 1.4 -1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.129 126.5 129.1 3.4 0.8 1.5 2.7 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.942 256.9 253.5 -6.5 1.3 2.3 -0.5 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.404 166.9 166.2 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4

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

  13.456 188.4 187.1 -3.5 0.5 0.1 -0.5 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.021 177.9 176.1 -2.9 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.434 153.7 154.2 2.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.8 0.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

21.486 344.7 339.0 -7.8 1.9 3.7 -0.6 -1.7

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

20.538 383.6 376.4 -9.5 2.2 4.0 -0.6 -1.9

Crude

10000

15.585 394.0 386.2 -9.7 2.2 4.3 -1.3 -2.0

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

101

0.737 123.7 129.7 66.9 -5.3 -2.1 0.0 4.9

Gas-natural

10110

0.608 109.3 116.0 83.8 -6.1 -2.1 -0.4 6.1

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.554 112.7 112.7 -0.4 0.4 1.0 -0.3 0.0

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.959 174.7 174.1 -5.0 0.4 0.2 -1.1 -0.3

Selected building materials

13

1.043 148.9 151.1 11.8 2.2 0.6 0.8 1.5

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.791 263.5 257.8 -7.2 0.2 0.1 -0.4 -2.2

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.585 160.3 159.2 -3.0 0.3 -0.9 -0.3 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.524 114.4 114.2 -1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Capital goods

2

23.863 93.0 92.8 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.968 119.3 119.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

19.053 85.8 85.5 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

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

22

1.842 135.6 135.7 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

12.143 114.9 114.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.035 107.7 108.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.687 115.9 116.7 1.5 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.7

Durables, manufactured

41

11.039 99.2 99.1 -0.8 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.309 116.4 116.6 -2.2 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to April 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

All commodities

  100.000 134.4 133.5 -0.9 0.4 0.7 -0.5 -0.7

Agricultural commodities

  10.514 224.8 219.8 4.2 -1.2 2.0 -1.9 -2.2

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

  80.768 103.2 103.0 -0.5 0.5 0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.485 127.9 127.3 -1.5 0.5 0.6 -0.3 -0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.784 225.4 219.9 4.3 -1.5 1.8 -2.0 -2.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.097 229.3 223.4 4.7 -1.6 1.9 -2.2 -2.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.687 191.2 190.2 -0.6 1.2 -0.1 0.6 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.381 183.0 181.3 -4.1 0.6 1.4 -0.7 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.171 183.0 182.5 -3.7 -0.7 0.5 -1.5 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.210 183.9 181.4 -4.4 1.3 2.0 -0.3 -1.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.417 205.1 205.1 1.7 2.0 2.4 0.0 0.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.963 182.4 180.6 -4.4 0.6 1.4 -0.8 -1.0

Fuels & lubricants

11

9.447 264.0 256.1 -10.3 0.9 3.7 -0.6 -3.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.512 172.5 172.0 -2.5 0.4 0.5 -0.9 -0.3

Selected building materials

13

1.004 120.7 122.1 3.7 0.8 0.6 1.0 1.2

Capital goods

2

35.125 106.7 106.5 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.458 114.8 114.8 1.4 0.4 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.544 95.7 95.5 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.2

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

22

6.123 151.8 151.6 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.3 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.857 113.5 113.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

11.853 115.7 115.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.414 115.0 114.2 -0.5 0.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.7

Durables, manufactured

41

5.054 112.3 112.3 -1.4 -0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to April 2013
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

Nonmanufactured articles

  18.678 169.9 167.1 -6.8 1.5 4.0 -0.6 -1.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.851 176.8 172.7 -2.4 -0.8 3.5 4.1 -2.3

Crop production

111

1.305 182.7 176.8 -4.0 -2.4 4.4 5.0 -3.2

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.201 104.5 100.8 - 5.9 0.9 -2.2 -3.5

Mining

21

16.827 168.8 166.1 -7.3 1.7 4.0 -1.1 -1.6

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

212

0.320 134.0 133.6 -8.3 -3.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Manufactured articles

  80.864 117.6 117.3 -1.4 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.396 123.4 123.6 -2.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Food manufacturing

311

2.821 153.7 154.2 -6.4 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 0.3

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.867 113.5 113.4 1.7 1.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.387 101.9 101.9 0.2 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.779 115.3 115.4 -1.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.902 110.6 110.5 -1.5 -0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.640 121.3 121.5 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.041 139.9 139.8 -2.0 0.9 1.0 0.1 -0.1

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.633 130.1 133.2 17.9 3.3 0.9 1.2 2.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.021 110.1 110.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.392 170.8 168.0 -9.6 2.1 2.7 1.4 -1.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.151 136.2 136.9 0.6 0.8 0.6 -0.4 0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.937 127.1 126.4 -0.9 -0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.825 128.9 129.1 -0.4 0.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

52.427 109.6 109.2 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.419 172.6 168.9 -7.6 0.5 -0.3 -0.5 -2.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.656 129.4 129.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

6.562 121.7 121.3 0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.902 81.2 81.1 -1.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.983 119.7 119.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.872 112.5 112.3 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.241 114.3 114.4 1.1 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.792 120.9 120.9 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to April 2013
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

Nonmanufactured articles

  7.934 174.0 169.4 1.1 -1.8 2.6 -1.6 -2.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

5.838 215.4 206.7 2.9 -1.9 3.2 -2.0 -4.0

Crop production

111

5.392 224.0 213.3 2.5 -1.9 3.0 -2.1 -4.8

Mining

21

2.096 93.3 94.6 -5.6 -1.5 0.8 -0.5 1.4

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.422 106.8 106.6 -15.0 -1.6 0.7 -1.2 -0.2

Manufactured articles

  89.557 121.7 121.1 -0.9 0.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.980 152.0 151.5 3.3 0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Food manufacturing

311

4.916 174.7 173.8 3.5 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.569 128.2 127.3 6.9 1.2 0.7 -0.3 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.567 135.2 133.5 -3.5 0.9 1.5 -0.1 -1.3

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.411 116.0 117.3 2.0 0.3 0.6 1.5 1.1

Paper manufacturing

322

1.792 120.9 121.0 1.1 1.1 0.1 0.5 0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

7.174 170.9 163.4 -11.1 1.4 4.6 -0.3 -4.4

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.216 132.0 131.7 -1.7 0.9 0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.194 119.4 120.0 2.0 0.3 0.1 -0.3 0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.780 111.7 112.3 0.7 -0.4 0.1 1.1 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

56.010 113.5 113.3 -0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.101 167.3 165.7 -6.1 -1.3 -0.4 -1.4 -1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.740 132.0 132.3 1.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.518 122.1 122.0 1.3 0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.129 89.3 88.9 -1.4 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.268 113.6 113.9 1.4 0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

14.023 118.0 118.0 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.0

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

337

0.311 105.5 105.8 3.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.919 122.3 122.3 0.7 0.9 0.1 -0.5 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to April 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

Live animals; animal products

I

1.098 172.5 175.4 4.4 1.2 1.6 2.9 1.7

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.247 217.0 219.1 3.2 1.6 0.4 -2.0 1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.599 125.4 128.9 5.4 1.9 3.0 5.7 2.8

Vegetable products

II

1.655 214.6 209.0 -8.3 -1.3 3.0 2.5 -2.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.385 378.1 333.2 4.6 -10.3 6.3 13.4 -11.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.435 118.4 122.4 -4.2 2.3 4.3 2.0 3.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.383 250.6 240.2 -13.0 3.0 3.6 1.2 -4.2

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

III

0.253 119.3 117.9 -13.2 0.8 1.4 -1.6 -1.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.378 157.4 156.9 -0.4 0.2 -0.4 0.1 -0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.212 101.1 98.2 - 0.9 -0.3 0.5 -2.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.192 86.5 85.8 -0.9 -0.5 -4.7 -1.0 -0.8

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

19

0.238 131.9 132.1 4.7 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.2

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

20

0.305 160.9 160.3 -7.8 -2.2 -0.7 -0.4 -0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.857 124.4 124.2 2.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Mineral products

V

21.390 346.8 341.1 -7.7 1.8 3.7 -0.6 -1.6

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

27

21.109 343.5 337.8 -7.6 1.9 3.8 -0.6 -1.7

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.594 151.4 151.9 1.3 0.5 0.2 -0.5 0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.814 364.7 356.4 1.3 -1.5 -1.1 -2.9 -2.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.635 138.1 136.7 -2.5 0.6 0.1 -1.8 -1.0

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.324 123.4 126.4 7.7 1.6 0.8 0.6 2.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.407 129.8 127.7 -14.8 -1.5 -0.8 1.6 -1.6

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

32

0.162 93.9 93.8 -12.3 0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.482 102.8 102.1 -1.5 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.198 153.2 152.9 -0.5 1.0 0.3 -0.5 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.946 148.0 149.1 3.3 1.6 0.7 -0.6 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.252 163.7 161.1 -6.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 -1.6

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

VIII

0.593 126.1 126.2 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

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

42

0.548 127.2 127.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

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

IX

0.671 158.2 162.3 18.6 3.4 1.2 1.2 2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.117 113.3 113.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.0

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

47

0.174 101.6 102.3 3.0 0.9 2.7 0.5 0.7

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

48

0.744 107.3 107.1 -1.5 -0.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

4.913 114.1 114.1 -1.5 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.929 103.8 103.8 -2.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.807 117.4 117.3 -0.8 -0.7 0.5 0.4 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.542 107.9 108.2 -1.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.348 121.0 121.3 2.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.155 120.2 120.5 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2

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

XIII

0.759 132.1 131.9 0.4 0.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.2

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

68

0.245 125.5 125.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Ceramic products

69

0.237 140.3 140.5 -1.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.277 128.4 128.0 1.3 1.7 -0.6 0.0 -0.3

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

XIV

3.288 201.1 198.4 -4.2 -0.8 -0.6 -0.9 -1.3

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.031 185.5 183.3 -4.9 0.9 0.1 0.1 -1.2

Iron and steel

72

1.147 220.1 218.7 -11.4 -0.5 0.7 0.6 -0.6

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.487 156.9 156.6 -3.4 0.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.487 356.4 341.4 -7.5 2.7 -0.9 -1.4 -4.2

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.152 104.5 100.1 -9.4 5.2 0.2 1.9 -4.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.684 140.9 138.4 -3.4 2.0 0.1 0.4 -1.8

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

82

0.383 129.7 129.3 1.3 1.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.429 136.5 136.4 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

XVI

26.272 85.4 85.2 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.591 90.0 89.8 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

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

85

12.681 81.0 80.8 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.643 116.7 116.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.715 115.5 115.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

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

88

0.860 119.9 119.9 1.7 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.0

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

XVIII

3.305 103.7 103.9 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.995 100.5 100.8 -1.3 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.252 142.2 141.2 9.3 0.7 0.1 0.0 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.432 113.2 113.2 0.9 0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.0

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

94

1.918 117.1 117.2 1.0 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.322 105.3 105.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.192 138.4 138.4 3.9 2.3 -0.6 0.4 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to April 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

Live animals; animal products

I

2.044 217.7 219.8 7.3 -2.7 1.9 -2.0 1.0

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

02

1.179 169.2 168.9 0.9 -0.8 1.1 0.1 -0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.402 203.3 202.4 -2.9 0.3 -0.7 0.6 -0.4

Vegetable products

II

5.387 273.4 260.6 4.2 -1.3 1.4 -1.8 -4.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.986 155.5 147.9 7.7 3.2 1.7 -4.8 -4.9

Cereals

10

2.113 313.4 297.4 3.7 -7.9 4.1 -2.8 -5.1

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

12

1.725 296.3 280.4 0.9 -2.7 3.1 -0.1 -5.4

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

III

0.305 135.1 136.4 -11.7 0.6 2.6 -0.8 1.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.975 166.9 166.4 6.6 0.4 0.7 -0.7 -0.3

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

20

0.342 112.4 113.1 2.3 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.6

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

22

0.629 113.4 113.3 3.2 2.3 1.2 -0.5 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.766 266.3 267.6 18.6 -2.5 0.3 -2.2 0.5

Mineral products

V

9.385 309.0 299.5 -11.3 0.7 3.5 -0.3 -3.1

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

26

0.471 97.7 96.8 - -2.0 1.9 -2.2 -0.9

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

27

8.733 306.1 296.2 -11.6 0.9 3.7 -0.2 -3.2

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.396 154.3 154.1 -0.7 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.008 183.1 183.5 -0.7 0.2 -0.6 -0.3 0.2

Organic chemicals

29

3.271 168.0 167.0 -1.8 0.7 0.8 -0.5 -0.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.674 123.4 122.2 -1.8 0.9 -1.0 -0.9 -1.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)

31

0.381 97.2 99.6 - -2.1 -2.5 1.8 2.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.719 138.7 138.7 2.3 0.4 0.0 1.2 0.0

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

34

0.444 119.3 120.0 -2.5 -1.2 0.0 -1.6 0.6

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.729 152.5 152.4 -0.5 1.3 0.8 -1.5 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.274 151.0 150.8 -1.9 0.9 1.2 0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.219 142.8 142.7 -0.6 1.1 1.4 0.3 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.055 188.8 188.8 -6.7 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0

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

VIII

0.396 144.4 146.6 10.6 3.4 1.3 1.0 1.5

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

IX

0.572 112.2 113.6 3.3 0.1 0.5 1.4 1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.219 120.5 120.4 1.2 2.2 0.0 0.5 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.603 126.2 125.5 -1.3 6.4 -2.4 2.2 -0.6

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

48

1.178 118.5 118.6 0.3 1.0 0.5 -0.3 0.1

Printed material

49

0.438 128.9 128.9 7.1 0.3 1.7 0.5 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.802 129.9 130.2 -0.7 1.3 1.8 -0.1 0.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.538 145.0 144.6 -7.9 2.8 7.1 -0.5 -0.3

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

XIII

0.751 118.0 118.2 0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.1 0.2

Glass and glassware

70

0.385 97.4 97.4 -1.2 -1.5 0.0 0.2 0.0

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

XIV

5.172 276.7 274.0 -3.5 -1.2 -0.1 -2.0 -1.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.349 169.4 168.3 -6.3 -0.8 1.1 -1.8 -0.6

Iron and steel

72

1.515 195.0 192.4 -14.2 -1.5 2.2 -3.9 -1.3

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.306 169.2 169.4 -2.5 -1.5 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.627 250.9 245.7 -7.6 0.4 2.1 -3.6 -2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.845 124.9 124.1 -3.8 0.6 0.0 -1.5 -0.6

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

82

0.397 131.7 132.4 2.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.320 146.3 146.3 3.1 0.0 0.8 -0.3 0.0

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

XVI

27.771 97.6 97.4 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.573 111.5 111.6 0.9 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.198 82.5 82.0 -1.1 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.6

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

11.876 127.9 127.8 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.047 113.7 113.7 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

5.846 107.3 107.2 1.5 0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.329 110.8 110.8 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.715 121.0 121.0 1.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.507 91.0 90.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to April 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 132.6 131.8 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

11.333 223.7 222.3 2.3 -0.7 2.4 2.1 -0.6

Manufactured articles

88.062 125.2 124.5 -0.2 0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.6

Other Countries(3)

100.000 140.8 139.9 -3.6 0.4 1.3 -0.3 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

23.214 363.9 356.3 -8.3 2.2 4.4 -0.6 -2.1

Manufactured articles

76.443 110.8 110.6 -1.7 -0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Canada

100.000 151.9 151.0 -0.3 0.1 0.7 0.8 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

28.495 213.5 212.7 3.8 -0.6 2.6 2.3 -0.4

Manufactured articles

70.413 139.6 138.6 -1.6 0.4 0.0 0.2 -0.7

European Union(4)

100.000 135.9 135.8 -0.4 1.6 0.7 -0.7 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

1.084 377.1 369.8 -8.3 4.0 0.0 -2.0 -1.9

Manufactured articles

98.412 132.1 132.0 -0.3 1.6 0.6 -0.7 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 122.1 122.1 0.6 0.5 0.0 0.9 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 115.9 115.8 0.7 0.7 0.8 -0.3 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 129.0 128.3 -6.1 0.6 0.1 -3.3 -0.5

Latin America(5)

100.000 178.6 175.9 -4.6 1.0 2.4 -0.8 -1.5

Nonmanufactured articles

32.786 389.5 379.8 -8.0 3.1 6.5 -1.7 -2.5

Manufactured articles

66.806 133.4 132.0 -2.4 0.0 0.5 -0.3 -1.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 146.0 144.7 -2.9 0.7 1.8 -0.2 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

19.842 212.9 206.1 -7.5 3.6 8.4 -0.6 -3.2

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

79.820 94.4 94.1 -1.3 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.3

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

100.000 103.9 103.8 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.2 104.1 -0.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Japan

100.000 102.1 101.5 -0.9 0.0 -0.5 -0.2 -0.6

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 90.0 90.9 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.1 1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 103.9 104.7 -1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.8

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

100.000 278.2 274.1 -7.9 0.3 1.8 0.7 -1.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative figures are based on 2011 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 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 2012 to April 2013
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2013(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2013
Apr.
2013
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2012
to
Apr.
2013
Dec.
2012
to
Jan.
2013
Jan.
2013
to
Feb.
2013
Feb.
2013
to
Mar.
2013
Mar.
2013
to
Apr.
2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 174.4 172.8 -2.4 0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

22.201 168.1 163.8 0.2 1.9 1.4 0.3 -2.6

Asia

73.472 153.3 152.6 -3.2 -0.3 -1.0 -1.0 -0.5

Export Air Freight

100.000 149.0 149.4 -0.6 1.6 -0.3 0.1 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

35.740 133.4 134.1 -1.2 2.6 0.0 0.3 0.5

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 163.7 163.0 1.1 -1.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

22.196 151.4 149.1 -0.1 1.5 0.5 -0.5 -1.5

Asia

67.267 148.3 148.1 2.1 -2.1 -1.2 -0.6 -0.1

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 148.5 148.5 -1.0 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

27.631 161.1 160.4 -3.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.4

Asia

52.746 142.8 143.0 -0.3 -0.4 0.1 1.1 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 181.7 182.2 1.2 -3.7 -1.2 -1.6 0.3

Europe

43.618 206.3 209.2 11.6 1.7 2.4 -4.4 1.4

Asia

25.364 147.6 150.4 1.1 -7.7 -6.4 -0.3 1.9

Latin America/Caribbean

9.567 167.9 167.9 -7.7 -11.7 0.1 2.6 0.0

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 185.6 179.7 -3.6 7.5 -8.2 0.9 -3.2

Europe

28.441 221.8 212.8 -5.4 0.2 0.8 1.5 -4.1

Asia

28.586 160.4 151.2 -10.1 10.0 -18.0 -1.4 -5.7

Latin America/Caribbean

22.622 199.7 193.1 -11.5 6.6 -8.6 2.8 -3.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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


                                          TECHNICAL NOTE


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last Modified Date: May 14, 2013