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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-12-1180
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, June 12, 2012

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 2012

U.S. import prices decreased 1.0 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 
no change the previous month. Lower fuel and nonfuel prices each contributed to the May decrease in 
overall import prices. U.S. export prices also declined in May, falling 0.4 percent after a 0.4 percent increase 
in April. 

Imports
 	
All Imports: The price index for overall imports fell 1.0 percent in May, the largest one-month drop since 
the index declined 1.2 percent in June 2010. Prices for U.S. imports also decreased over the past 12 months, 
falling 0.3 percent, the first year-over-year decline for the index since import prices fell 5.6 percent between 
October 2008 and October 2009. The decrease over the May 2011-12 period was led by lower fuel prices 
which more than offset an increase in nonfuel prices.  

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices fell 4.2 percent in May, the largest monthly drop for the index since a 5.1 percent 
decrease in May 2010. The price index for import fuels declined 3.9 percent over the past year after rising 
43.7 percent for the year ended May 2011. The decline over the past year was the largest 12-month drop in 
fuel prices since the index fell 14.2 percent for the October 2008-09 period. Decreasing petroleum and 
natural gas prices each factored into the declines in overall fuel prices in May and over the past 12 months. 
Petroleum prices fell 4.2 percent for the month and 2.0 percent for the year ended in May, while prices for 
natural gas decreased 4.8 percent and 49.6 percent, respectively, over the same periods.       

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports edged down 0.1 percent in May, the first monthly 
decline since the index fell 0.2 percent in November 2011. The May decrease followed increases of 0.2 
percent in April and 0.5 percent in March. Lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages; consumer goods; 
and automotive vehicles more than offset a 0.1 percent advance in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 
prices. Despite the May decline, the price index for nonfuel imports rose 1.0 percent over the past year.    

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

May

0.1 -0.6 0.3 0.4 -1.1 0.5

June

-0.6 -2.3 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.2

July

0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.4 -4.0 0.1

August

-0.4 -2.1 0.2 0.4 1.6 0.3

September

-0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.5 1.9 0.3

October

-0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -2.0 -6.5 -1.4

November

0.7 3.4 -0.2 0.1 1.7 -0.2

December

0.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.5 -2.3 -0.2

2012

January

0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.3 1.1 0.2

February

0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.4 0.6

March

(r)1.4 4.4 0.5 0.8 (r)2.4 0.5

April

(r)0.0 (r)-0.7 (r)0.2 0.4 2.0 0.2

May

-1.0 -4.2 -0.1 -0.4 0.7 -0.5

May 2010 to 2011

12.9 43.7 4.5 9.1 30.4 7.0

May 2011 to 2012

-0.3 -3.9 1.0 -0.1 -1.3 0.1

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Export prices fell 0.4 percent in May after increasing 2.0 percent over the first four months of 
2012. The May decline was driven by lower prices for nonagricultural exports, which more than offset 
increasing agricultural prices. Overall export prices edged down 0.1 percent between May 2011 and May 
2012, the first 12-month drop in the index since a 3.6 percent decrease for the year ended October 2009. 
The 12-month decline was led by lower agricultural prices.   

Agricultural Exports: Led by a 5.1 percent rise in soybean prices, the index for agricultural exports rose 0.7 
percent in May following a 2.0 percent increase the previous month. Despite the recent advances, 
agricultural prices fell 1.3 percent over the past 12 months. Lower prices for cotton, wheat, and corn over the 
past year all contributed to the decline.        

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports fell 0.5 percent in May, the 
first monthly decline since a 0.2 percent decrease in December 2011 and the largest since a 1.4 percent drop 
in October 2011. In May, falling nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices more than offset 
higher finished goods prices. Overall nonagricultural prices ticked up 0.1 percent over the past year. 


					   SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS


Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices edged up 0.1 
percent in May after rising 0.5 percent in April. An 8.0 percent rise in fertilizer prices was the largest 
contributor to the May advance. 

Finished Goods: Prices for import finished goods recorded little movement in May, with the price indexes 
for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each edging down 0.1 percent and capital goods prices 
remaining unchanged.  
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 0.7 percent in May after 
ticking up 0.1 percent the previous month. The May decline was led by a 4.1 percent drop in fruit prices and 
a 2.5 percent decrease in the price index for fish and shellfish. In contrast, vegetable prices advanced 3.2 
percent in May. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European 
Union decreased in May, falling 1.3 percent, 0.7 percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. Each index was 
driven by lower fuel prices. In contrast, import prices from Japan rose 0.2 percent in May and increased by 
1.1 percent over the past year. Prices for imports from China were unchanged in May after declining 0.3 
percent in April and recording no change in March. Despite falling over the past three months, import prices 
from China increased 1.7 percent for the year ended in May.  

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares advanced 0.6 percent in May, led by a 
6.1 percent increase in Asian fares. Import air passenger fares rose 5.1 percent over the past year, driven by a 
10.2 percent jump in Asian fares. European fares ticked up 0.2 percent over the May 2011-12 period, while 
Latin American/Caribbean fares advanced 0.8 percent. Import air freight prices rose 0.3 percent in May, but 
fell 4.1 percent over the past 12 months. 


Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials fell 1.7 percent in May following a 0.5 percent increase the previous month. The May decline was 
led by a 4.6 percent drop in fuel prices, although a 0.8 percent decrease in chemical prices and a 1.5 percent 
decline in prices for nonferrous metals also contributed to the overall decrease.
  
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in May. Prices for consumer goods rose 0.7 percent and 
automotive vehicles prices ticked up 0.1 percent. The price index for capital goods was unchanged as a 0.3 
percent drop in computers, peripherals, and semiconductor prices offset a 0.2 percent increase in prices for 
capital goods excluding computers.    

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 3.2 percent in May, driven by a 6.6 percent 
increase in Asian fares. Export air passenger fares rose 4.9 percent over the past year. Export air freight 
prices advanced 0.2 percent in May and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. 
		
Import and Export Price Index data for June 2012 are scheduled for release on Thursday, July 12, 
2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2011 to May 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

All commodities

  100.000 144.2 142.7 -0.3 0.0 1.4 0.0 -1.0

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

  70.069 104.1 104.1 1.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum

  75.974 116.8 116.7 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  75.129 121.4 121.3 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.060 174.5 173.3 -2.6 -2.8 1.7 0.1 -0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.922 196.5 195.7 -3.0 -3.4 2.2 0.1 -0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.138 124.7 122.4 -1.2 -0.9 0.2 0.2 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

38.098 271.3 264.0 -2.5 0.3 3.4 -0.3 -2.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.072 167.3 167.1 -3.6 0.2 0.9 -0.2 -0.1

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

  13.227 193.8 194.0 0.2 1.0 1.5 0.5 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.781 181.3 180.2 -3.6 1.2 1.8 -1.1 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.446 151.0 151.8 -3.6 -0.9 -0.1 0.9 0.5

Fuels & lubricants

10

24.872 368.5 353.2 -3.9 -0.1 4.4 -0.7 -4.2

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

24.027 416.9 399.5 -2.0 0.3 4.9 -0.4 -4.2

Crude

10000

18.096 427.2 412.2 -1.6 2.3 4.0 -1.3 -3.5

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

101

0.558 77.5 74.6 -44.3 -10.0 -9.7 -12.1 -3.7

Gas-natural

10110

0.453 63.0 60.0 -49.6 -10.9 -12.9 -14.4 -4.8

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.575 113.1 114.4 -4.3 -0.1 1.4 -0.8 1.1

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.959 182.9 184.8 7.9 0.6 1.1 2.9 1.0

Selected building materials

13

0.984 135.1 137.1 4.4 0.5 1.8 0.5 1.5

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.712 277.7 273.5 -10.2 1.7 3.0 -2.2 -1.5

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.521 164.0 163.5 2.0 1.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.476 115.8 115.9 2.3 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.1

Capital goods

2

21.826 93.5 93.5 0.9 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment

20

2.837 119.7 119.6 2.2 -0.2 0.4 0.4 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.375 86.5 86.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

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

22

1.614 133.6 133.8 6.2 0.2 0.9 0.4 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.337 114.5 114.4 1.4 0.1 0.3 0.7 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

23.679 107.8 107.7 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.383 115.1 115.0 3.7 -0.1 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

11.021 99.9 99.8 -0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.274 119.2 119.7 9.4 1.0 -1.5 1.0 0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 2011 to May 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

All commodities

  100.000 134.7 134.1 -0.1 0.5 0.8 0.4 -0.4

Agricultural commodities

  10.986 211.1 212.6 -1.3 -0.4 2.4 2.0 0.7

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

  80.839 103.5 103.4 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.014 129.2 128.5 0.1 0.6 0.5 0.2 -0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

10.068 210.7 212.4 2.4 -0.5 2.7 2.3 0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.356 213.4 215.8 2.0 -0.6 3.0 2.3 1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.712 190.1 184.6 8.5 0.5 -0.2 2.0 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.946 189.2 185.9 -3.7 1.2 1.1 0.5 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.342 189.6 188.6 -0.7 2.2 1.2 -0.8 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.605 189.8 185.2 -5.4 0.7 1.1 1.3 -2.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.630 202.2 199.0 -17.3 0.6 -0.2 0.3 -1.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  33.316 188.9 185.6 -2.9 1.2 1.2 0.5 -1.7

Fuels & lubricants

11

9.093 285.1 271.9 -5.5 0.0 2.5 1.7 -4.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.291 176.5 175.3 -2.0 1.7 0.7 0.1 -0.7

Selected building materials

13

0.932 117.7 117.3 0.8 1.1 0.1 0.4 -0.3

Capital goods

2

34.259 106.0 106.0 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.485 113.0 113.8 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.7

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.863 95.4 95.3 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1

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

22

5.911 149.0 149.2 2.8 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.153 113.1 113.2 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.574 116.2 117.0 1.8 0.0 0.1 -0.5 0.7

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.862 114.9 115.0 0.8 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.291 113.9 115.6 3.8 0.5 0.3 -0.3 1.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 2011 to May 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  21.251 179.5 173.2 -4.6 1.1 3.6 -1.3 -3.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.852 177.4 176.1 -7.6 -5.3 3.5 2.2 -0.7

Crop production

111

1.317 184.4 184.0 -7.9 -7.9 4.2 2.8 -0.2

Mining

21

19.399 179.3 172.6 -4.2 1.7 3.7 -1.6 -3.7

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

212

0.324 145.7 145.6 -6.1 -1.8 1.3 -0.4 -0.1

Manufactured articles

  78.288 119.1 118.6 1.0 -0.3 0.8 0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.728 126.2 125.8 4.3 0.2 0.2 0.6 -0.3

Food manufacturing

311

3.058 164.5 163.4 5.6 -0.1 1.1 1.9 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.823 111.5 111.8 1.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.3

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.394 101.7 101.8 - 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.862 117.5 117.0 0.5 -0.1 -1.1 0.9 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.002 112.2 111.9 4.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.590 119.3 119.4 6.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.025 142.9 140.9 1.4 -1.9 2.5 1.3 -1.4

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.591 113.1 114.6 4.1 0.7 2.9 0.9 1.3

Paper manufacturing

322

1.061 110.7 111.3 -1.2 0.0 1.0 -0.6 0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.973 186.9 175.3 -2.7 -7.0 7.2 2.7 -6.2

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.646 136.2 136.8 3.4 0.0 0.8 1.2 0.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.852 127.6 128.0 4.2 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.814 129.6 130.3 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

49.536 110.4 110.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.312 182.8 180.0 -7.7 1.9 2.8 -1.7 -1.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.493 129.7 129.8 3.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.505 121.2 121.4 2.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.135 82.5 82.4 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.772 119.0 119.1 3.2 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

11.988 111.6 111.6 1.9 0.0 0.5 0.6 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.277 113.2 113.2 2.7 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.055 122.5 122.4 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 2011 to May 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.305 167.4 167.9 -8.9 -1.6 0.7 1.5 0.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.349 201.0 202.4 -4.2 -0.4 2.8 3.0 0.7

Crop production

111

5.908 208.1 210.6 -4.4 -0.7 3.0 2.8 1.2

Mining

21

1.956 100.0 98.9 -21.4 -4.8 -5.1 -2.9 -1.1

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.403 125.1 122.3 -13.7 -0.9 -5.5 -3.3 -2.2

Manufactured articles

  88.627 122.2 121.7 1.2 0.5 0.7 0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.061 146.6 147.3 2.4 0.6 1.3 0.8 0.5

Food manufacturing

311

4.924 167.7 168.8 5.4 0.5 1.5 1.0 0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.560 119.1 119.8 3.0 1.4 2.6 0.3 0.6

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.413 119.8 119.8 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

27.051 138.5 136.0 -0.3 1.0 1.4 1.3 -1.8

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.402 115.3 114.9 -1.0 0.4 -0.5 1.1 -0.3

Paper manufacturing

322

1.823 119.7 118.1 -7.2 0.0 -0.3 1.1 -1.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.742 183.7 174.3 -2.2 2.0 4.2 3.1 -5.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.173 134.3 133.3 0.5 0.9 0.8 0.8 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.166 117.8 118.0 6.1 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.744 111.4 111.4 0.9 0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.515 113.5 113.6 1.6 0.3 0.4 -0.2 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.875 176.5 174.5 -2.3 1.4 2.4 -1.7 -1.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.588 129.3 129.3 1.4 -0.9 0.5 0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing

333

10.966 120.4 120.5 3.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.300 90.2 90.3 0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.177 112.4 112.6 -0.2 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.271 116.9 117.0 2.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.1

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

337

0.294 102.6 102.6 - 1.5 0.2 0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.043 121.0 122.5 3.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.9 1.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 2011 to May 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.153 168.3 165.2 -2.8 -0.9 1.3 -1.2 -1.8

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.260 212.0 211.7 -1.1 -1.3 2.0 -4.6 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.604 122.2 119.2 -6.1 -1.5 0.4 -0.5 -2.5

Vegetable products

II

1.758 228.2 226.2 1.7 -5.7 4.5 6.1 -0.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.314 319.2 323.8 -12.3 -32.0 18.8 7.9 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.497 127.8 122.4 -5.3 1.9 7.2 0.1 -4.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.416 276.5 271.2 -9.8 -2.3 -6.2 1.0 -1.9

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

III

0.260 135.9 136.7 -11.5 -2.8 2.1 0.9 0.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.328 157.4 157.2 1.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.182 86.6 85.4 -16.2 1.8 1.3 -1.6 -1.4

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

19

0.221 126.1 126.2 -1.7 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

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

20

0.344 173.8 172.7 9.9 -0.2 -0.7 -0.7 -0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.778 121.8 122.4 1.7 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.5

Mineral products

V

24.527 369.6 354.7 -3.7 -0.1 4.3 -0.8 -4.0

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

27

24.223 365.9 351.0 -3.7 -0.1 4.4 -0.8 -4.1

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.104 149.9 151.2 3.3 -0.5 0.3 1.1 0.9

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.838 344.1 359.8 -5.5 -3.1 -3.5 0.2 4.6

Organic chemicals

29

2.429 140.9 140.9 3.1 0.1 1.8 0.5 0.0

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.973 117.6 117.6 5.2 -0.5 0.4 1.7 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.462 148.7 160.2 27.1 0.4 0.2 6.0 7.7

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

32

0.182 107.1 106.9 - -0.5 0.6 3.8 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.409 125.8 125.2 -0.4 -0.8 0.7 0.9 -0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.469 103.9 104.0 -4.1 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.064 153.9 153.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.7 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.853 144.6 144.3 2.4 0.0 0.4 0.6 -0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.211 171.8 171.6 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.9 -0.1

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

VIII

0.574 126.1 126.3 5.2 0.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

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

42

0.527 126.9 127.1 5.6 0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

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

IX

0.624 137.0 138.7 4.6 0.8 3.0 1.0 1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.163 113.5 114.1 -1.3 0.3 0.6 -0.4 0.5

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

47

0.173 99.3 103.5 - 0.5 5.0 -1.6 4.2

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

48

0.780 108.7 108.5 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.133 115.9 115.6 3.6 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.989 106.7 106.1 2.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.6

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.884 118.2 118.2 7.7 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.627 110.5 109.9 -1.2 0.0 -1.8 0.5 -0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.303 118.5 118.7 5.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.108 117.5 117.7 5.8 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

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

XIII

0.737 131.4 132.0 2.4 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.5

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

68

0.236 124.5 124.4 2.4 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.222 142.1 142.1 0.6 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.279 126.3 127.7 3.7 -0.2 0.1 0.0 1.1

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

XIV

3.298 207.2 204.4 2.8 1.5 2.5 -1.9 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.858 192.8 191.9 -5.1 1.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.5

Iron and steel

72

1.119 246.7 247.7 -6.1 -0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.394 162.1 161.9 1.8 -0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.463 369.3 364.3 -10.5 6.2 1.4 -1.7 -1.4

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.140 110.5 104.4 -26.8 6.0 6.1 -6.4 -5.5

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.710 143.2 140.6 -11.5 2.0 1.1 0.4 -1.8

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

82

0.354 127.7 128.5 4.5 0.2 -0.2 0.7 0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.400 134.8 135.1 4.2 0.5 -0.2 1.6 0.2

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

XVI

24.294 86.0 86.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.239 90.0 90.1 1.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

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

85

12.055 82.2 82.1 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.015 115.8 115.8 1.6 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.235 114.9 114.9 1.5 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.0

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

88

0.688 117.9 118.0 2.3 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.1

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

XVIII

3.147 104.4 104.2 -0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.900 102.0 101.8 -0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.188 128.2 128.2 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.606 112.2 112.3 2.7 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.1

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

94

1.922 116.0 116.0 2.8 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.489 105.1 105.3 2.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.195 133.3 133.3 3.5 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 2011 to May 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.890 204.1 201.2 1.3 -0.5 -0.9 0.5 -1.4

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

02

1.091 167.4 167.8 3.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.403 204.5 199.3 7.8 0.2 -1.6 2.3 -2.5

Vegetable products

II

5.830 250.2 255.0 1.6 -0.8 3.8 3.0 1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.848 137.3 137.9 7.6 -2.5 4.2 2.2 0.4

Cereals

10

2.186 286.7 280.6 -9.3 -0.1 2.0 0.6 -2.1

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

12

2.219 277.8 290.3 10.8 0.5 7.1 6.1 4.5

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

III

0.489 154.7 157.8 0.3 -1.3 4.3 2.0 2.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.673 156.2 158.0 5.2 1.0 2.5 1.3 1.2

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

20

0.319 110.7 111.1 3.5 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4

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

22

0.397 109.8 110.4 5.3 0.4 2.7 0.3 0.5

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.777 225.9 236.6 4.0 2.2 4.9 3.8 4.7

Mineral products

V

9.103 337.3 321.2 -6.1 0.3 2.5 2.1 -4.8

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

27

8.482 334.4 317.3 -6.2 0.0 2.7 2.3 -5.1

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.163 155.5 155.2 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.992 184.8 184.1 -6.2 0.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.4

Organic chemicals

29

3.470 170.4 169.1 0.2 1.4 0.6 0.0 -0.8

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.128 124.7 124.8 -0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.754 136.0 136.2 5.7 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.1

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

34

0.462 123.1 123.4 0.8 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.748 153.1 152.9 2.1 0.1 0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.600 154.1 153.1 0.7 1.4 1.0 1.9 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.460 143.5 142.8 -1.0 1.3 0.4 1.6 -0.5

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.140 205.1 203.1 8.0 1.4 3.6 3.4 -1.0

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

VIII

0.372 132.9 134.2 -2.9 2.0 3.3 2.1 1.0

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

IX

0.538 110.0 109.3 -0.4 1.5 -0.3 2.4 -0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.316 119.0 118.1 -7.5 0.4 0.3 0.8 -0.8

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.642 127.4 126.9 -17.7 2.3 1.3 0.4 -0.4

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

48

1.226 118.2 116.6 -3.3 -0.3 0.0 1.0 -1.4

Printed material

49

0.448 120.4 120.4 1.9 -0.1 0.0 0.8 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.961 131.0 128.6 -16.7 0.2 -1.4 -0.2 -1.8

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.647 157.0 148.5 -40.8 -0.2 -4.9 -1.2 -5.4

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

XIII

0.735 117.7 117.7 1.6 0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.396 98.5 98.5 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 -0.3 0.0

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

XIV

5.273 283.2 281.1 5.2 1.8 1.7 -3.1 -0.7

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.618 179.0 178.7 -4.5 1.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Iron and steel

72

1.758 224.4 226.0 -7.1 3.4 -0.7 -0.6 0.7

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.348 172.7 172.5 0.5 -0.8 0.8 0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.687 265.7 261.2 -5.5 5.4 2.0 -0.4 -1.7

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.837 129.0 127.8 -8.8 1.7 0.2 0.1 -0.9

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

82

0.374 129.2 129.2 3.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.318 138.0 138.0 2.1 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

27.383 97.3 97.3 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.903 110.6 110.5 2.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.480 82.8 83.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.855 126.8 126.9 2.8 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.185 113.2 113.3 3.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.1

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

XVIII

5.723 105.7 106.8 1.3 0.6 0.2 0.2 1.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.334 110.4 110.4 0.4 0.4 0.0 1.3 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.689 119.9 119.9 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.514 91.2 91.2 -1.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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 2011 to May 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

38.296 132.3 131.5 -2.5 -0.2 0.5 -0.5 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

4.447 222.3 213.6 -18.4 -1.8 -3.6 -3.2 -3.9

Manufactured articles

33.487 124.8 124.7 0.3 -0.1 1.2 -0.1 -0.1

Other Countries(3)

61.704 145.4 143.8 1.4 0.3 1.7 0.3 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles

12.907 390.0 376.9 0.4 2.0 5.2 0.1 -3.4

Manufactured articles

48.593 112.6 112.4 1.9 -0.3 0.4 0.4 -0.2

Canada

14.414 152.4 150.4 -7.8 0.1 -0.6 -0.8 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles

4.027 209.6 200.9 -20.6 -2.4 -4.3 -3.4 -4.2

Manufactured articles

10.122 140.9 140.7 -1.7 1.2 1.1 0.1 -0.1

European Union(4)

15.813 136.3 136.1 0.7 -0.1 1.0 0.0 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

0.262 403.4 391.6 13.0 5.6 2.8 0.0 -2.9

Manufactured articles

15.467 132.4 132.3 0.4 -0.2 0.9 0.0 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.736 121.7 121.7 1.9 -0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.265 115.0 114.9 -1.1 0.1 0.8 -0.1 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.397 136.6 133.8 -0.2 0.9 1.3 0.0 -2.0

Latin America(5)

19.049 185.1 182.8 -0.4 -0.2 1.6 -0.1 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

5.633 416.6 403.6 0.4 0.0 4.0 -0.2 -3.1

Manufactured articles

13.328 135.1 135.0 -1.0 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

12.091 148.9 147.9 -2.8 -1.0 1.1 -0.3 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

2.017 221.8 214.7 -1.2 -1.8 4.9 -1.3 -3.2

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

10.028 95.4 95.5 -3.1 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.1

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

34.659 104.8 104.8 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.583 105.2 105.2 1.7 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Japan

6.349 102.4 102.6 1.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

5.471 91.0 91.1 -1.7 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.652 106.5 106.2 1.8 0.6 0.5 0.3 -0.3

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

3.948 293.8 290.4 5.4 2.2 4.6 0.7 -1.2

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2012
May
2012
Annual Monthly
May
2011
to
May
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 177.0 177.5 -4.1 -1.1 2.6 1.9 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.971 163.4 165.3 -2.7 -1.6 3.0 -1.9 1.2

Asia

71.558 157.7 157.8 -4.7 -1.1 2.6 3.4 0.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 150.2 150.5 1.7 0.1 1.5 0.9 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.187 135.7 136.0 1.6 0.5 1.5 1.1 0.2

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 161.1 161.4 -2.2 -1.1 2.1 1.4 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.896 149.0 149.8 -2.6 -1.0 2.7 -0.4 0.5

Asia

63.675 145.0 145.1 -2.0 -1.6 2.2 2.3 0.1

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 149.9 150.2 4.7 0.3 1.2 2.5 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.379 165.7 166.6 4.4 0.7 1.2 0.2 0.5

Asia

50.019 143.5 143.4 5.3 0.2 1.4 4.6 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 180.0 181.1 5.1 0.3 -1.0 0.7 0.6

Europe

39.190 187.5 185.3 0.2 0.2 -2.4 3.8 -1.2

Asia

25.944 148.7 157.8 10.2 1.3 -6.6 0.8 6.1

Latin America/Caribbean

12.617 181.9 171.0 0.8 -0.6 0.3 2.1 -6.0

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 186.4 192.3 4.9 -4.5 -0.8 0.7 3.2

Europe

28.202 225.0 221.0 4.0 5.1 -4.7 7.7 -1.8

Asia

28.157 168.1 179.2 1.8 -14.7 3.0 0.7 6.6

Latin America/Caribbean

24.151 218.1 206.7 13.3 12.3 -0.9 -7.7 -5.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: June 12, 2012