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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-15-1134
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 11, 2015

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 - MAY 2015

U.S. import prices increased 1.3 percent in May following declines in each of the previous 10 months, the 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The May advance was driven by an increase in fuel prices. 
The price index for U.S. exports rose 0.6 percent in May, after a 0.7-percent decrease in April. 

Imports

All Imports: U.S. import prices advanced 1.3 percent in May, after decreasing 0.2 percent in April and 
March, and 0.4 percent in February. The May increase was the first monthly rise since the index advanced 
0.3 percent in June 2014 and the largest 1-month increase since the index rose 1.4 percent in March 2012. 
Despite the May increase, prices for imports decreased 9.6 percent over the past year, and have not recorded 
a 12-month rise since the index advanced 0.9 percent between July 2013 and July 2014.          

Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuel rose 11.8 percent in May following a 1.3-percent advance in April and 
a 1.4-percent increase in March. The May rise was the largest monthly advance since the index increased 
16.0 percent in June 2009. A 12.7-percent jump in petroleum prices in May led the advance in overall fuel 
prices. The price index for import natural gas declined 0.2 percent in May. Despite the May increase, fuel 
prices fell 40.0 percent over the past year. A 40.6-percent drop in petroleum prices and a 41.9-percent 
decrease in natural gas prices both contributed to the overall decline.         

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports recorded no change in May, after 
decreasing 0.3 percent the previous month. Nonfuel import prices have not increased on a monthly basis 
since the index ticked up 0.1 percent in July 2014. In May, rising prices for foods, feeds, and beverages 
offset lower prices for capital goods; nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and automotive vehicles. 
Prices for nonfuel imports fell 2.2 percent for the year ended in May. Decreasing prices for finished goods; 
nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the overall 12-
month decline.            

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

2014

May

0.3 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0

June

0.3 1.6 -0.1 -0.5 -1.9 -0.3

July

-0.3 -1.5 0.1 0.1 -1.8 0.2

August

-0.8 -3.8 0.0 -0.5 -3.1 -0.2

September

-0.8 -3.6 -0.2 -0.4 -1.6 -0.2

October

-1.4 -6.8 -0.1 -0.9 -2.2 -0.7

November

-1.8 -9.3 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 -1.0

December

-2.5 -15.0 -0.1 -0.9 -0.7 -1.0

2015

January

-3.2 -20.1 -0.7 -1.7 -1.4 -1.8

February

-0.4 (r)-1.9 -0.2 -0.2 (r)-2.2 (r)0.2

March

-0.2 (r)1.4 -0.4 0.1 -1.7 0.2

April

(r)-0.2 (r)1.3 (r)-0.3 -0.7 (r)-0.9 -0.7

May

1.3 11.8 0.0 0.6 -1.0 0.7

May 2013 to 2014

0.5 3.8 -0.2 0.6 1.4 0.5

May 2014 to 2015

-9.6 -40.0 -2.2 -5.9 -16.8 -4.6

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports increased 0.6 percent in May following a 0.7-percent drop the previous 
month. The May advance was the largest rise for the index since a 0.9-percent increase in March 2014. In 
May, rising nonagricultural prices more than offset lower agricultural prices. Despite the May upturn, the 
price index for overall exports declined 5.9 percent over the past 12 months.               

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices rose 0.7 percent in May, after falling 
0.7 percent in April. The May increase in nonagricultural export prices was led by higher prices for 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and automotive vehicles which more than offset lower 
prices for capital goods and consumer goods. Nonagricultural export prices fell 4.6 percent for the year 
ended in May.    

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports declined 1.0 percent in May, continuing the 
downward trend over the past 12 months. In May, falling wheat and corn prices more than offset higher 
prices for fruit and nuts. Agricultural export prices fell in every month over the past year except for a 0.1-
percent uptick in November 2014, decreasing 16.8 percent over that period. The 12-month drop in May was 
the largest year-over-year decline since a 22.5-percent drop between July 2008 and July 2009.                                    

					  SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China declined 0.3 percent in May, after recording 
no change in April. The May decline was driven by a 0.7-percent drop in the price index for computer and 
electronic products, and was the largest 1-month decline since the index decreased 0.6 percent in May 2013. 
Import prices from Japan continued to trend down in May, declining 0.1 percent following a 0.5-percent 
drop in April. Prices for imports from Japan have not recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.2 
percent in March 2014. In May, the price indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, and 
Mexico advanced 2.2 percent, 0.7 percent, and 0.5 percent, respectively, led by rising fuel prices.               

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices edged down 
0.1 percent in May following a 0.8-percent drop in April. In May, a 3.6-percent decline in iron and steel 
products and a 5.9-percent drop in lumber prices drove the decrease in nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials prices.  
 
Finished Goods: Prices for import finished goods were mostly down in May. Capital goods prices declined 
0.2 percent, after a 0.3-percent drop the previous month. The May decrease was led by a 1.2-percent drop in 
computer prices. Automotive vehicles prices edged down 0.1 percent in May following no change in April. 
Prices for consumer goods recorded no change in May.         
    
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: In contrast to the other major import categories, the price index for import 
foods, feeds, and beverages rose 0.3 percent in May, after declining 1.0 percent the previous month. In May, 
a 9.1-percent advance in vegetable prices more than offset lower prices for fish and shellfish.         

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 1.9 percent in May following decreases in each of 
the previous 4 months. The May advance was driven by higher European and Asian fares. Despite the 
increase, import air passenger fares fell 2.9 percent over the past year. Import air freight prices declined 0.4 
percent in May and 0.2 percent over the past 12 months.            

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials increased 2.4 percent in May, the largest monthly advance since the index rose 3.3 percent in 
March 2011. The May advance in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices was driven by an 
8.3-percent rise in fuel prices.   

Finished Goods: Export finished goods prices were mixed in May. The price indexes for capital goods and 
for consumer goods each edged down 0.1 percent following larger decreases the previous month. In April, 
consumer goods prices fell 0.4 percent and prices for capital goods declined 0.2 percent. In contrast, 
automotive vehicle prices rose 0.2 percent in May, after recording no change the previous month.         

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 3.0 percent in May following a 3.6-percent 
drop the previous month. The May increase was led by a 9.1-percent rise in Asian fares and a 4.3-percent 
advance in European fares. Export air passenger fares decreased 12.9 percent for the year ended in May. 
The price index for export air freight declined 0.5 percent in May and 2.0 percent over the past year.        

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2015 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 
8:30 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2014 to May 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

All commodities

  100.000 125.0 126.6 -9.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 1.3

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

  83.148 100.1 100.1 -2.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum

  89.877 113.0 113.0 -2.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  89.117 117.1 117.1 -2.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.969 176.3 176.9 -1.4 0.1 -0.7 -1.0 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.626 194.4 196.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.7 -0.8 1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.343 135.5 132.3 -6.0 0.7 -0.6 -1.2 -2.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

24.446 176.0 185.2 -26.7 -1.4 -0.2 0.1 5.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.323 149.1 149.0 -8.0 -1.5 -1.6 -1.1 -0.1

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

  13.563 169.1 169.0 -6.4 -1.0 -1.4 -0.8 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.031 156.6 156.1 -7.2 -0.9 -1.7 -1.1 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.532 139.8 140.1 -8.9 -2.1 -1.6 -1.1 0.2

Fuels & lubricants

10

10.882 185.2 207.0 -40.0 -1.9 1.4 1.3 11.8

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

10.122 201.0 226.5 -40.6 -1.4 2.1 1.8 12.7

Crude

10000

7.204 200.8 230.0 -41.8 -1.7 0.6 4.1 14.5

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

101

0.556 98.2 98.0 -34.7 -9.9 -8.2 -7.2 -0.2

Gas-natural

10110

0.396 81.4 81.2 -41.9 -12.7 -10.7 -9.8 -0.2

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.596 111.2 111.1 -2.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.005 160.5 161.1 -5.4 -1.1 -1.0 -0.4 0.4

Selected building materials

13

1.205 137.1 134.9 -4.5 -0.7 -1.1 -0.9 -1.6

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.363 210.8 210.1 -12.8 -1.3 -3.1 -1.9 -0.3

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.716 153.8 153.3 -2.4 -0.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.678 109.7 110.2 -1.3 -0.4 -0.9 -0.5 0.5

Capital goods

2

27.592 91.1 90.9 -1.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

3.358 118.2 118.0 -1.6 -0.2 -0.3 -0.8 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

21.807 83.7 83.5 -2.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

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

22

2.428 136.8 136.8 0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

15.321 111.2 111.1 -2.0 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

26.672 107.4 107.4 -0.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.711 119.1 119.1 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

12.484 95.8 95.8 -2.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.477 118.0 118.3 -2.8 2.7 -3.4 -0.1 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

All commodities

  100.000 125.1 125.8 -5.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.7 0.6

Agricultural commodities

  9.053 189.6 187.7 -16.8 -2.2 -1.7 -0.9 -1.0

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

  83.964 100.6 100.7 -1.9 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Nonagricultural commodities

  90.947 120.3 121.2 -4.6 0.2 0.2 -0.7 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.401 191.3 189.1 -16.3 -2.2 -1.3 -1.1 -1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.660 190.8 189.1 -17.8 -2.4 -2.1 -1.0 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.741 205.8 197.4 4.8 -0.5 8.5 -2.0 -4.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

30.973 153.4 156.8 -12.3 0.3 0.5 -1.6 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  11.093 160.8 161.1 -6.2 -0.7 -1.1 -0.4 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  19.880 150.3 155.4 -15.3 0.9 1.4 -2.2 3.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.393 187.8 184.5 -10.7 -0.7 0.8 -0.2 -1.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  29.580 152.3 155.9 -12.4 0.4 0.5 -1.6 2.4

Fuels & lubricants

11

7.635 173.0 187.4 -28.2 3.7 3.7 -5.7 8.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

20.939 158.0 158.6 -5.0 -0.6 -0.7 -0.1 0.4

Selected building materials

13

1.006 118.4 117.3 -8.5 -1.2 -0.5 -0.7 -0.9

Capital goods

2

37.964 107.6 107.5 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.839 114.6 114.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.982 95.2 95.2 -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.4 0.0

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

22

8.143 160.8 160.9 2.9 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.186 113.9 114.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.476 112.5 112.4 -2.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.536 108.3 108.3 -2.4 -1.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

5.323 110.4 110.3 -1.8 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  9.903 98.1 108.7 -37.3 -2.0 -0.2 1.9 10.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.037 175.2 178.1 -3.4 0.0 -1.3 -0.1 1.7

Crop production

111

1.621 183.8 188.9 -2.2 0.6 -2.2 0.1 2.8

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.230 93.9 91.2 - -4.1 0.1 0.3 -2.9

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.110 64.4 64.0 -18.8 -1.6 -2.2 -2.1 -0.6

Mining

21

7.866 88.9 100.7 -41.4 -2.5 0.0 2.4 13.3

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

212

0.215 102.3 103.0 -16.4 -0.3 0.4 -11.7 0.7

Manufactured articles

  89.780 111.8 112.0 -3.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.980 124.8 124.6 -0.6 0.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2

Food manufacturing

311

3.338 154.1 153.4 -3.7 0.3 -2.0 -0.9 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.084 117.5 117.6 1.9 -0.2 0.4 -0.3 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.405 101.3 101.2 -0.9 -0.4 -0.3 -0.7 -0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.888 112.6 112.5 -1.7 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.369 112.1 112.1 1.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.896 124.3 124.3 0.7 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.533 122.6 124.2 -10.4 -0.3 0.7 -0.7 1.3

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.720 115.0 112.1 -7.0 -1.2 -1.9 -1.3 -2.5

Paper manufacturing

322

1.106 109.1 109.2 -1.4 -0.2 -0.9 -0.5 0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.758 96.4 104.6 -36.5 -0.1 6.0 -3.0 8.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.577 134.3 134.4 -2.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.192 119.8 119.8 -2.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.973 130.2 130.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

60.267 105.6 105.4 -2.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.062 141.1 140.1 -11.4 -1.1 -2.8 -1.9 -0.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.020 126.2 126.2 -0.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.196 118.8 118.9 -2.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

17.754 78.4 78.1 -2.6 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.696 117.6 117.5 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.8 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

16.463 110.2 110.2 -1.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.579 116.0 116.1 0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.498 120.4 120.3 -1.6 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.495 134.9 134.4 -20.1 -4.0 1.9 -2.2 -0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.329 168.7 165.5 -19.1 -3.0 0.5 0.5 -1.9

Crop production

111

4.068 174.0 171.0 -19.8 -3.0 -0.2 0.7 -1.7

Mining

21

2.166 73.2 75.3 -20.6 -6.1 4.8 -7.3 2.9

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.203 88.7 91.3 -7.0 -2.2 -1.1 -1.3 2.9

Manufactured articles

  91.943 114.7 115.4 -4.5 0.2 0.0 -0.7 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.070 142.6 141.5 -10.2 -1.1 -1.8 -1.5 -0.8

Food manufacturing

311

4.833 160.9 159.8 -12.6 -1.6 -2.6 -2.0 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.622 118.2 116.6 -4.3 0.8 0.6 1.3 -1.4

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

24.236 113.9 117.0 -11.4 0.7 0.8 -1.5 2.7

Paper manufacturing

322

1.870 123.7 123.7 -1.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

5.219 102.2 113.5 -31.6 6.5 4.4 -6.6 11.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.285 120.8 121.5 -4.8 -1.1 -0.3 0.2 0.6

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.246 118.8 119.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.820 112.4 112.2 -1.0 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

60.638 112.4 112.3 -0.6 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.804 141.1 140.2 -5.8 1.5 -2.1 -0.6 -0.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.999 129.3 129.4 1.3 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.471 125.2 125.3 1.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.251 86.1 85.8 -2.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.750 115.1 115.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.421 121.3 121.5 1.4 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2

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

337

0.377 108.6 109.8 1.9 -0.1 -2.3 0.8 1.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.564 123.0 122.9 -1.9 0.0 0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.370 189.8 186.4 -6.4 0.2 -1.9 -1.0 -1.8

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.318 236.9 240.3 -2.4 2.1 -5.9 -1.2 1.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.707 133.7 129.2 -11.3 1.2 -1.2 -1.5 -3.4

Vegetable products

II

1.915 196.7 204.0 -3.2 1.0 -1.7 -1.5 3.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.484 408.1 468.7 14.8 1.8 8.9 -4.4 14.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.503 99.6 98.6 -10.8 0.3 -1.6 -0.4 -1.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.378 244.3 240.5 -5.2 -3.1 -4.6 -0.2 -1.6

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

III

0.267 103.9 105.8 -8.3 -2.0 -0.2 -3.9 1.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.812 161.4 160.9 0.5 0.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.187 91.1 91.3 2.4 0.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.245 108.2 110.6 3.3 -0.1 -3.6 0.0 2.2

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

19

0.280 132.2 132.0 0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

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

20

0.341 161.2 157.8 -6.4 -0.5 -1.5 -0.7 -2.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.053 127.5 127.6 1.4 -0.3 0.3 -0.3 0.1

Mineral products

V

10.773 185.8 207.9 -40.2 -1.9 1.4 1.0 11.9

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

27

10.536 183.0 205.1 -40.5 -1.9 1.5 1.3 12.1

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.749 148.7 148.9 -2.5 -0.5 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.678 303.4 300.7 -8.8 -3.8 -1.8 0.7 -0.9

Organic chemicals

29

2.476 123.9 124.4 -8.2 -1.0 -0.1 0.6 0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.506 136.5 136.5 2.4 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.387 111.6 113.7 2.4 -0.4 -0.5 -2.1 1.9

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

32

0.204 98.1 98.2 -3.2 0.1 -4.3 -1.9 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.563 91.9 92.2 -1.6 -0.6 0.0 1.9 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.424 142.4 142.2 -3.8 -0.3 -0.6 -0.8 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.229 146.8 146.7 -2.0 -0.2 -0.7 -0.8 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.195 136.2 135.9 -6.9 -0.6 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2

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

VIII

0.724 128.1 128.0 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

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

42

0.683 130.5 130.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

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

IX

0.746 139.7 136.1 -6.9 -1.1 -1.8 -1.2 -2.6

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

44

0.721 95.9 93.4 - -1.2 -1.9 -1.2 -2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.162 112.0 112.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

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

48

0.775 106.2 106.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.500 114.6 114.6 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.202 104.2 104.2 1.2 0.0 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.976 120.3 120.3 1.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.641 106.7 106.6 -1.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.505 123.2 123.3 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.308 122.3 122.3 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

XIII

0.903 132.3 132.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Ceramic products

69

0.270 138.6 138.7 -1.6 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.316 129.3 129.5 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

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

XIV

3.085 172.6 171.6 -6.0 1.4 -2.0 0.1 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.370 169.8 169.8 -6.8 -1.7 -1.3 -1.3 0.0

Iron and steel

72

1.118 186.5 182.5 -18.1 -4.7 -2.9 -5.0 -2.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.695 149.5 149.7 -2.4 -0.7 -0.6 -0.7 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.466 290.6 292.5 -11.1 -4.8 0.8 0.9 0.7

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.766 136.0 136.2 -1.2 0.7 -2.6 0.3 0.1

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

82

0.448 128.8 128.8 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.522 138.2 138.3 1.2 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.1

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

XVI

29.825 82.7 82.6 -2.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.173 88.0 87.8 -2.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

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

85

14.652 77.7 77.7 -2.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.806 114.6 114.6 -1.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.474 113.2 113.2 -1.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

88

1.238 119.8 119.8 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

3.907 103.7 103.6 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.584 100.6 100.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.261 141.6 140.8 -2.2 0.4 0.0 -0.9 -0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.050 113.2 113.0 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

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

94

2.441 117.8 117.6 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.350 104.9 104.8 -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.259 134.4 134.2 -0.7 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.946 205.0 203.3 -17.1 -2.5 -2.0 -2.9 -0.8

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

02

1.130 157.7 156.4 -16.2 -2.5 -5.5 -3.5 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.434 225.3 220.5 8.4 -0.6 9.6 -3.8 -2.1

Vegetable products

II

4.027 212.3 210.3 -19.2 -3.1 -1.3 -0.3 -0.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

1.105 172.2 181.0 -0.9 -1.0 -4.5 -1.2 5.1

Cereals

10

1.071 211.9 192.6 -28.7 -5.6 -0.8 2.9 -9.1

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

12

1.427 212.4 212.2 -27.0 -4.1 -0.1 -1.4 -0.1

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

III

0.200 95.3 95.2 -18.9 -6.5 -0.2 -1.5 -0.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.988 156.8 155.2 -8.6 -0.6 -1.6 -0.8 -1.0

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

20

0.402 118.2 118.3 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.1

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

22

0.514 110.5 110.7 -0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.777 233.0 225.3 -20.0 -0.9 -2.5 0.1 -3.3

Mineral products

V

7.482 198.2 215.2 -28.5 2.6 3.7 -6.0 8.6

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

26

0.482 86.1 92.4 -1.2 -1.2 -0.2 -2.7 7.3

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

27

6.805 190.5 207.6 -30.4 2.9 4.1 -6.4 9.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.941 144.0 144.1 -3.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.1 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.898 185.0 185.5 7.2 2.6 1.3 0.3 0.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.956 146.4 148.1 -8.9 -1.1 -1.0 0.3 1.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.564 110.6 110.8 -4.1 -1.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.791 136.4 136.5 2.2 -0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

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

34

0.482 114.4 114.4 -4.7 -2.9 0.7 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.935 155.1 152.8 -0.4 1.0 -0.2 1.2 -1.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.180 143.2 144.1 -4.4 -1.3 -0.1 -0.8 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.222 138.7 139.7 -3.9 -1.1 -0.2 -0.8 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.958 162.5 162.3 -6.6 -2.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

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

VIII

0.433 144.4 141.8 -10.6 -1.0 -0.5 -2.4 -1.8

Raw hides and skins other than furskins and leather (Dec.2014=100)

41

0.265 92.2 89.9 - -1.0 -0.6 -3.8 -2.5

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

IX

0.620 97.8 97.5 - -0.8 -0.6 -1.0 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.228 122.9 123.2 -1.4 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.613 122.0 123.0 -5.7 -3.6 -0.8 0.2 0.8

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

48

1.209 123.6 123.7 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.2 0.1

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.407 99.1 99.1 - 0.0 0.0 -1.2 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.789 122.7 121.9 -10.0 -0.8 -0.6 0.2 -0.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.459 119.8 117.5 -24.3 -1.8 -0.9 0.9 -1.9

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

XIII

0.821 122.4 122.2 1.7 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Glass and glassware

70

0.424 99.3 99.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

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

XIV

4.802 236.2 234.8 -6.3 1.9 -1.6 -0.3 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.216 153.2 154.3 -5.6 -1.8 -0.5 -0.6 0.7

Iron and steel

72

1.225 164.6 163.9 -15.1 -5.0 -1.2 -1.7 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.511 188.5 198.6 -11.3 -4.9 2.2 0.7 5.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.892 117.9 118.7 -0.6 -1.0 -1.1 -0.3 0.7

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.332 147.7 147.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

29.005 97.2 97.1 -0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.467 113.8 113.6 0.5 0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.538 79.3 79.3 -2.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.533 130.6 130.9 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.038 114.9 115.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2

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

XVIII

6.171 106.9 106.8 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.488 111.5 111.7 1.1 0.4 -0.4 0.5 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.847 123.8 124.4 2.2 0.5 -0.7 1.1 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.479 89.7 89.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 120.5 121.7 -8.9 -0.3 -0.6 -0.2 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles

7.891 135.9 148.8 -41.5 -0.9 -1.4 1.2 9.5

Manufactured articles

91.668 118.8 119.2 -3.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.3

Other Countries(3)

100.000 123.1 124.7 -10.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.3 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles

11.124 203.3 226.4 -35.2 -2.1 0.1 2.8 11.4

Manufactured articles

88.647 105.7 105.7 -3.9 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.0

Canada

100.000 125.2 127.9 -17.7 -0.9 -0.8 0.2 2.2

Nonmanufactured articles

22.041 130.2 142.7 -42.1 -1.0 -1.0 1.3 9.6

Manufactured articles

77.255 128.2 128.1 -5.0 -0.8 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1

European Union(4)

100.000 133.6 134.6 -3.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 0.7

Manufactured articles

99.380 130.1 131.1 -3.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.5 0.8

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 122.0 121.5 -1.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 116.7 116.6 -2.4 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 121.2 121.4 -7.4 1.6 -0.2 -0.3 0.2

Latin America(5)

100.000 148.2 150.9 -13.1 0.5 -0.1 0.1 1.8

Nonmanufactured articles

18.535 225.5 248.4 -33.4 5.1 0.0 2.3 10.2

Manufactured articles

81.056 124.8 124.7 -4.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 131.0 131.7 -7.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

10.193 124.2 134.9 -33.2 2.3 3.3 0.6 8.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

89.499 91.1 90.8 -2.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

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

100.000 100.8 100.6 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 103.3 103.0 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Japan

100.000 96.5 96.4 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 86.4 86.6 -2.6 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 98.9 98.8 -5.2 -0.2 -0.2 -1.1 -0.1

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

100.000 164.6 181.2 -31.8 -7.9 -0.5 0.6 10.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: May 2014 to May 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2015
May
2015
Annual Monthly
May
2014
to
May
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015
Feb.
2015
to
Mar.
2015
Mar.
2015
to
Apr.
2015
Apr.
2015
to
May
2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 176.0 175.3 -0.2 0.3 3.0 1.9 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.781 157.0 158.7 -12.0 -5.1 -1.8 4.5 1.1

Asia

72.869 159.8 158.3 4.6 2.4 4.8 0.9 -0.9

Export Air Freight

100.000 157.9 157.1 -2.0 -2.3 -1.7 0.8 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.789 151.2 150.1 4.8 -1.8 -1.7 1.5 -0.7

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 161.4 160.6 -2.8 -0.9 0.4 1.2 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

26.284 143.8 144.0 -9.7 -3.7 -1.3 2.3 0.1

Asia

63.216 148.7 147.4 -0.1 0.2 1.1 1.0 -0.9

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 144.4 147.5 -3.6 -0.9 -0.6 -3.1 2.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

31.248 154.2 153.9 -10.3 -0.1 -0.5 -9.1 -0.2

Asia

45.549 141.0 141.1 -2.8 -0.8 -0.4 0.4 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 185.8 189.3 -2.9 -2.5 -2.4 -2.9 1.9

Europe

48.263 219.8 227.3 4.6 2.7 -3.8 -5.5 3.4

Asia

24.290 137.1 145.5 -8.0 -6.2 2.2 -3.0 6.1

Latin America/Caribbean

10.426 165.7 159.2 -5.5 0.4 0.6 -0.8 -3.9

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 158.7 163.4 -12.9 -13.5 0.7 -3.6 3.0

Europe

30.031 201.3 209.9 -9.8 -2.3 0.5 -4.0 4.3

Asia

26.318 130.1 142.0 -14.5 -17.5 -0.1 -5.5 9.1

Latin America/Caribbean

23.887 170.7 163.9 -15.6 -9.7 2.8 -7.3 -4.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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). 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: June 11, 2015