Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Economic News Release
PRINT:Print
MXP MXP Program Links

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                USDL-12-1381
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, July 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 - JUNE 2012

U.S. import prices fell 2.7 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, following a 
1.2 percent decrease in May. Lower prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the overall 
decline. U.S. export prices fell 1.7 percent in June after a 0.4 percent drop the previous month. 


Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices decreased 2.7 percent in June after declining 1.2 percent and 0.1 percent the 
previous two months. The June drop was the largest monthly decrease since the index fell 4.6 percent in 
December 2008. The price index for U.S. imports decreased 2.6 percent over the past 12 months, the largest 
year-over-year decline since the October 2008-09 period. In contrast, import prices rose 13.6 percent for the 
year ended June 2011.

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices declined 10.1 percent in June after recording a 4.6 percent decrease in May and a 
0.8 percent drop in April. The June decline in import fuel prices was the largest one-month drop in the index 
since a 22.2 percent decrease in December 2008. In June, a 10.5 percent decline in petroleum prices more 
than offset a 7.4 percent increase in natural gas prices, the first advance for the index since a 3.6 percent rise 
in November. Fuel prices fell 12.0 percent for the year ended in June, as a 10.7 percent drop in petroleum 
prices and a 44.7 percent decrease in natural gas prices both contributed to the overall decline.      

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports also fell in June, decreasing 0.3 percent 
following a 0.1 percent drop the previous month. Each of the major end use categories recorded declines in 
June. Despite the declines in each of the past two months, nonfuel prices rose 0.6 percent over the past year. 
However, the June 2011-12 increase was the smallest 12-month gain for the index since a 0.3 percent 
advance between December 2008 and December 2009.     

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

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

1.4 4.4 (r)0.4 0.8 2.4 0.5

April

(r)-0.1 (r)-0.8 0.2 0.4 2.0 0.2

May

(r)-1.2 (r)-4.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.7 (r)-0.6

June

-2.7 -10.1 -0.3 -1.7 -4.0 -1.4

June 2010 to 2011

13.6 46.1 5.0 10.1 31.4 8.0

June 2011 to 2012

-2.6 -12.0 0.6 -2.1 -6.1 -1.6

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports declined 1.7 percent in June, the largest monthly decline since 
the index fell 2.0 percent in October 2011. Falling prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports 
each contributed to the decline. U.S. export prices also fell overall for the June 2011-12 period, decreasing 
2.1 percent. The decline over the past year was the largest 12-month drop since the index declined 3.6 
percent between October 2008 and October 2009.    

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices fell 4.0 percent in June, the first monthly decrease since a 0.4 
percent decline in February, and the largest monthly drop since a 6.5 percent decrease in October 2011. The 
June decrease was driven by a 9.0 percent decline in soybean prices, an 8.3 percent fall in corn prices, and a 
14.3 percent drop in cotton prices. Overall agricultural prices also decreased for the year ended in June, 
declining 6.1 percent.        

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports fell for the second consecutive 
month in June, decreasing 1.4 percent after falling 0.6 percent in May. Declining prices for nonagricultural 
industrial supplies and materials prices, capital goods prices, and automotive vehicles prices more than offset 
rising consumer goods prices. Nonagricultural prices fell 1.6 percent over the past year, the first year-over-
year drop since a 2.9 percent decrease from October 2008 to October 2009.
		

                                         SELECTED JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Import Highlights: The overall decrease in nonfuel prices was led by a 1.3 percent decline in the 
price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. A 3.5 percent drop in unfinished metals prices and 
a 0.8 percent decline in prices for chemicals were the main contributors to the drop in nonfuel industrial 
supplies and materials prices. The price indexes for each of the major finished goods categories also recorded 
declines in June; prices for capital goods fell 0.2 percent, while consumer goods prices and prices for 
automotive vehicles each edged down 0.1 percent. Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 1.0 
percent in June, led by lower prices for fruit and food oils.    

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union all decreased in June, 
led by lower fuel prices. The price index for imports from Canada fell 2.9 percent in June following declines 
of 0.5 percent and 1.4 percent the two previous months. Import prices from Mexico decreased 2.2 percent in 
June after a 0.9 percent drop in May and a 0.3 percent decline in April, and prices for imports from the 
European Union declined for the second consecutive month in June, falling 0.7 percent after edging down 
0.1 percent in May. In contrast, the price index for imports from Japan ticked up 0.1 percent in June, while 
import prices from China recorded no change.  

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 10.3 percent in June, the largest monthly advance 
for the index since a 13.0 percent increase in June 2009. While the current rise was led by a seasonal increase 
in European fares, up 20.0 percent in June, the index for overall air passenger fares advanced 8.6 percent 
over the past 12 months. Import air freight prices also increased in June, rising 0.3 percent for the second 
consecutive month. Despite the recent increases, prices for import air freight fell 3.4 percent for the year 
ended in June. 

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Export Highlights: A 3.8 percent drop in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices led the decline in overall nonagricultural prices in June. The decrease was driven by an 8.6 percent 
decline in export fuel prices, although lower prices for nonferrous metals and chemicals were also 
contributing factors. Finished goods prices were mixed in June. The price indexes for capital goods and 
automotive vehicles each edged down 0.1 percent, while consumer goods prices rose 0.2 percent. 
 
Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 3.1 percent in June following a 2.9 percent 
increase the previous month. The June rise was driven by a 14.7 percent seasonal advance in European fares. 
Export air passenger fares rose over the past year, advancing 6.0 percent. Prices for export air freight fell 1.8 
percent in June, the largest monthly decrease since a 3.0 percent decline in May 2009. The price index for 
export air freight increased 0.4 percent over the past 12 months.

Announcement
Beginning with the July Import-Export Price Indexes data release scheduled for August 10, 2012, existing 
import price indexes by locality of origin will be expanded to include price indexes for select industry areas. 
These new indexes will be available at http://www.bls.gov/web/ximpim/ippsloor.htm. In total, 249 indexes 
will be added across the various localities, including 31 new price indexes for imports from China, and 20 
new price indexes for imports from the European Union.
		
Import and Export Price Index data for July 2012 are scheduled for release on Friday, August 10, 
2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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

All commodities

  100.000 142.4 138.5 -2.6 1.4 -0.1 -1.2 -2.7

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

  70.909 104.0 103.7 0.8 0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum

  76.838 116.6 116.2 -0.2 0.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  75.996 121.2 120.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.087 173.2 171.4 -1.9 1.8 0.1 -0.8 -1.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.950 195.3 193.0 -2.0 2.2 0.1 -0.6 -1.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.137 123.0 122.6 -1.5 0.3 0.2 -1.5 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials

1

37.418 263.0 244.8 -8.0 3.4 -0.3 -3.0 -6.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.256 167.3 165.6 -4.0 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -1.0

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

  13.414 194.1 191.5 -0.7 1.5 0.6 0.1 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.832 180.2 176.9 -4.2 1.8 -1.1 -0.6 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.582 152.2 152.1 -3.9 -0.2 1.2 0.6 -0.1

Fuels & lubricants

10

24.005 351.1 315.8 -12.0 4.4 -0.8 -4.6 -10.1

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

23.163 396.8 355.1 -10.7 4.9 -0.5 -4.7 -10.5

Crude

10000

17.702 412.5 371.9 -9.1 4.0 -1.2 -3.6 -9.8

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

101

0.551 75.6 79.6 -40.3 -9.7 -11.9 -2.7 5.3

Gas-natural

10110

0.444 61.0 65.5 -44.7 -12.9 -14.3 -3.3 7.4

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.589 114.4 114.1 -4.4 1.4 -0.8 1.1 -0.3

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.082 185.1 183.8 6.2 1.1 3.2 1.0 -0.7

Selected building materials

13

1.012 137.2 138.8 7.3 1.8 0.5 1.6 1.2

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.703 273.5 263.8 -11.2 3.0 -2.2 -1.5 -3.5

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.536 163.5 161.9 0.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 -1.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.492 115.6 115.0 0.6 0.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.5

Capital goods

2

22.071 93.4 93.2 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.858 119.1 118.6 1.3 0.2 0.3 -0.1 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.577 86.4 86.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

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

22

1.637 133.8 133.7 6.0 0.9 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.467 114.3 114.2 0.8 0.3 0.6 -0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

23.957 107.7 107.6 1.7 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.511 114.9 114.9 3.0 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

11.150 99.8 99.7 0.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.297 119.7 119.5 6.9 -1.5 1.0 0.4 -0.2

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

All commodities

  100.000 134.0 131.7 -2.1 0.8 0.4 -0.4 -1.7

Agricultural commodities

  11.114 212.5 204.0 -6.1 2.4 2.0 0.7 -4.0

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

  81.086 103.3 102.6 -0.8 0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.7

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.888 128.4 126.6 -1.6 0.5 0.2 -0.6 -1.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

10.213 212.7 205.2 -2.6 2.7 2.3 0.9 -3.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.503 215.7 207.4 -3.4 3.0 2.3 1.1 -3.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.710 188.6 190.5 9.1 -0.3 2.8 -1.5 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.463 185.7 178.5 -6.9 1.1 0.5 -1.8 -3.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.313 188.3 183.3 -3.7 1.1 -0.8 -0.6 -2.7

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.150 185.0 176.7 -8.7 1.1 1.2 -2.5 -4.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.611 198.9 189.3 -19.4 -0.3 0.3 -1.5 -4.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.852 185.4 178.3 -6.2 1.2 0.5 -1.8 -3.8

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.703 271.6 248.3 -12.6 2.5 1.7 -4.7 -8.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.215 175.0 171.2 -4.1 0.7 0.0 -0.7 -2.2

Selected building materials

13

0.934 117.3 117.5 1.1 0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.2

Capital goods

2

34.439 106.0 105.9 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.531 114.0 114.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.8 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.961 95.3 95.2 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

22

5.946 149.2 149.2 2.7 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.196 113.1 113.0 2.4 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.691 116.7 116.9 0.5 0.1 -0.5 0.4 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.889 114.9 114.8 0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.374 115.1 114.9 2.0 0.3 -0.3 1.1 -0.2

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 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: June 2011 to June 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
May
2012(1)
Index Percent change
May
2012
June
2012
Annual Monthly
June
2011
to
June
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  20.754 173.0 157.0 -11.2 3.6 -1.4 -3.5 -9.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.856 175.5 172.2 -4.1 3.5 2.1 -1.0 -1.9

Crop production

111

1.323 183.0 178.4 -4.0 4.2 2.9 -0.8 -2.5

Mining

21

18.898 172.4 155.2 -11.9 3.7 -1.7 -3.7 -10.0

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

212

0.328 145.4 143.9 -7.1 1.2 -0.3 -0.2 -1.0

Manufactured articles

  78.781 118.3 117.2 -0.2 0.8 0.3 -0.6 -0.9

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.843 125.9 125.4 2.9 0.2 0.6 -0.2 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

3.081 163.6 161.9 3.5 1.2 1.9 -0.6 -1.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.837 111.9 111.8 1.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.399 101.7 101.5 - 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Textile product mills

314

0.870 117.1 117.1 0.6 -1.1 0.9 -0.3 0.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.043 111.9 111.8 2.6 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.613 119.5 119.5 5.6 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.882 139.9 135.6 -1.9 2.4 1.3 -2.0 -3.1

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.608 114.7 116.5 8.7 2.9 0.9 1.4 1.6

Paper manufacturing

322

1.081 111.4 111.1 -1.8 1.0 -0.6 0.6 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.602 170.7 152.5 -13.2 7.2 2.2 -8.2 -10.7

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.792 136.7 135.7 2.0 0.7 1.3 0.4 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.881 127.9 127.7 3.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.829 130.2 130.2 2.0 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

50.056 110.1 109.7 -0.4 0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.301 180.0 173.9 -9.2 2.8 -1.7 -1.5 -3.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.524 129.7 129.5 2.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.587 121.4 121.2 2.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.303 82.3 82.2 -1.8 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.802 118.4 118.3 2.5 0.2 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.128 111.4 111.3 1.2 0.5 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.294 113.2 114.0 2.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.7

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.117 122.4 122.5 1.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1 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: June 2011 to June 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
May
2012(1)
Index Percent change
May
2012
June
2012
Annual Monthly
June
2011
to
June
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.366 167.9 158.1 -14.1 0.7 1.5 0.3 -5.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.422 202.3 190.1 -10.6 2.8 3.0 0.7 -6.0

Crop production

111

6.003 210.5 196.8 -11.4 3.0 2.8 1.2 -6.5

Mining

21

1.944 98.9 93.9 -23.6 -5.1 -2.9 -1.1 -5.1

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.379 122.4 119.4 -14.7 -5.5 -3.3 -2.2 -2.5

Manufactured articles

  88.570 121.6 120.2 -0.3 0.7 0.3 -0.5 -1.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.145 147.6 146.7 1.7 1.3 0.8 0.6 -0.6

Food manufacturing

311

4.992 169.2 167.8 4.3 1.5 1.2 0.8 -0.8

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.565 119.8 119.2 0.3 2.6 0.3 0.6 -0.5

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.416 119.9 121.7 6.8 0.0 0.1 0.0 1.5

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.644 135.8 131.9 -2.7 1.3 1.2 -1.8 -2.9

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.403 114.9 114.4 -0.6 -0.5 1.1 -0.3 -0.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.810 118.3 118.9 -5.3 -0.2 0.9 -1.2 0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.412 173.9 158.4 -9.7 4.2 3.1 -5.3 -8.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.092 133.0 131.1 -1.0 0.7 0.7 -0.8 -1.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.180 118.0 117.8 5.6 0.2 0.6 0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.747 111.4 112.2 1.6 0.4 -0.3 0.0 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.781 113.6 113.2 0.7 0.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.839 174.4 169.2 -5.6 2.4 -1.8 -1.1 -3.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.608 129.7 129.7 1.8 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.0

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.026 120.5 120.6 2.8 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.370 90.3 90.0 0.4 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.197 112.6 112.6 -0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.336 116.9 116.9 2.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0

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

337

0.295 102.6 103.0 - 0.2 0.9 0.0 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.111 122.1 122.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.9 0.9 0.3

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: June 2011 to June 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
May
2012(1)
Index Percent change
May
2012
June
2012
Annual Monthly
June
2011
to
June
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.146 165.3 165.5 -1.3 1.3 -1.2 -1.8 0.1

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.263 212.1 215.2 2.6 2.0 -4.6 0.0 1.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.596 119.2 117.8 -7.1 0.4 -0.4 -2.5 -1.2

Vegetable products

II

1.760 225.7 220.5 4.7 4.5 6.2 -1.1 -2.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.318 319.9 319.2 6.5 18.9 8.1 -0.1 -0.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.482 122.4 117.6 -5.6 7.2 0.1 -4.2 -3.9

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.414 271.5 266.7 -8.5 -6.2 1.0 -1.8 -1.8

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

III

0.265 136.7 125.7 -19.9 2.1 0.9 0.6 -8.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.358 157.6 157.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 -0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.182 85.4 84.4 -14.7 1.3 -1.6 -1.4 -1.2

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

19

0.224 126.2 125.8 -2.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.3

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

20

0.346 172.7 168.7 5.2 -0.7 -0.7 -0.6 -2.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.792 122.5 122.2 1.5 -0.5 -0.2 0.6 -0.2

Mineral products

V

23.711 353.1 319.1 -11.4 4.3 -0.8 -4.4 -9.6

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

27

23.404 349.4 315.3 -11.5 4.4 -0.8 -4.5 -9.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.281 151.4 150.9 2.7 0.3 1.4 0.8 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.913 370.4 384.1 0.8 -4.5 3.5 5.3 3.7

Organic chemicals

29

2.447 140.3 138.1 1.0 1.8 0.4 -0.3 -1.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.006 117.5 117.4 4.9 0.3 1.6 0.1 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.505 160.6 156.7 12.7 1.2 5.8 7.1 -2.4

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

32

0.184 106.9 106.5 - 0.6 3.8 -0.2 -0.4

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.409 124.4 124.3 -0.7 0.7 0.5 -0.7 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.474 103.7 102.4 -5.0 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.094 153.6 153.1 0.9 0.3 0.5 -0.1 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.873 144.5 144.4 2.1 0.4 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.221 171.1 169.7 -1.0 0.2 0.8 -0.3 -0.8

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

VIII

0.583 126.7 127.0 5.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.5 0.2

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

42

0.536 127.5 127.8 5.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.5 0.2

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

IX

0.640 138.9 140.9 8.7 3.1 0.9 1.4 1.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.184 114.1 114.0 -1.6 0.6 -0.4 0.5 -0.1

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

47

0.183 103.5 103.9 - 5.0 -1.6 4.2 0.4

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

48

0.789 108.5 108.1 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.177 115.5 115.4 2.2 -0.3 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.000 106.1 105.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.6 -0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.905 118.1 118.2 6.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.631 109.9 109.9 -0.6 -1.8 0.5 -0.5 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.320 118.6 118.5 5.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.122 117.6 117.5 5.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

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

XIII

0.749 132.0 132.1 2.6 0.3 -0.1 0.5 0.1

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

68

0.239 124.7 125.4 3.2 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.6

Ceramic products

69

0.225 142.1 142.1 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.285 127.6 127.0 3.3 0.1 0.0 1.0 -0.5

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

XIV

3.294 204.4 199.2 0.6 2.5 -1.9 -1.4 -2.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.891 191.9 188.7 -5.7 0.7 -0.1 -0.5 -1.7

Iron and steel

72

1.137 247.7 242.7 -7.9 0.2 0.4 0.4 -2.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.409 161.9 160.8 0.4 0.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.7

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.462 364.3 349.2 -11.0 1.4 -1.7 -1.4 -4.1

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.134 104.4 101.2 -24.2 6.1 -6.4 -5.5 -3.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.706 140.6 137.5 -12.4 1.1 0.4 -1.8 -2.2

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

82

0.360 128.5 127.9 3.9 -0.2 0.7 0.6 -0.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.405 135.1 135.1 3.5 -0.2 1.6 0.2 0.0

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

XVI

24.533 85.9 85.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.370 89.9 89.9 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

85

12.163 82.0 81.8 -1.6 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.125 115.7 115.6 0.8 0.5 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.334 114.8 114.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.0 -0.2

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

88

0.697 118.0 118.0 2.2 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

3.182 104.4 104.4 -0.6 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.932 101.9 101.9 -0.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.190 128.2 128.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.652 112.3 112.8 2.5 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.4

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

94

1.945 116.0 116.4 2.6 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.510 105.3 105.4 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.197 133.3 137.1 3.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 2.9

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: June 2011 to June 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
May
2012(1)
Index Percent change
May
2012
June
2012
Annual Monthly
June
2011
to
June
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.885 202.8 203.4 4.7 -0.9 0.9 -1.0 0.3

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

02

1.099 167.9 166.5 4.5 -0.3 -0.8 0.3 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.409 206.7 208.2 11.1 -1.6 4.3 -0.9 0.7

Vegetable products

II

5.964 254.9 241.1 -5.9 3.8 3.0 1.9 -5.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.855 137.9 138.1 5.0 4.2 2.2 0.4 0.1

Cereals

10

2.148 280.6 264.3 -17.2 2.0 0.6 -2.1 -5.8

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

12

2.327 290.1 267.6 -0.1 7.1 6.1 4.4 -7.8

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

III

0.501 157.8 148.3 -8.0 4.3 2.0 2.0 -6.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.715 158.0 156.5 3.0 2.5 1.2 1.2 -0.9

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

20

0.321 111.0 111.0 3.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

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

22

0.400 110.1 110.2 5.0 2.7 0.3 0.3 0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.818 236.7 232.5 -0.9 4.9 3.8 4.9 -1.8

Mineral products

V

8.692 320.7 295.4 -12.2 2.5 2.1 -4.9 -7.9

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

27

8.070 316.8 290.6 -12.8 2.7 2.3 -5.3 -8.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.179 155.0 154.4 0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.990 183.8 180.9 -7.4 -0.5 0.1 -0.5 -1.6

Organic chemicals

29

3.451 168.8 166.7 -1.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.8 -1.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.138 124.5 124.0 -1.0 0.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.757 136.1 137.1 4.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.7

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

34

0.464 123.2 123.2 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.753 152.9 151.9 0.8 0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.576 152.8 149.0 -1.6 0.8 1.8 -0.5 -2.5

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.458 142.8 139.8 -1.9 0.4 1.6 -0.5 -2.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.118 200.3 192.5 -0.4 2.8 2.6 -0.9 -3.9

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

VIII

0.377 133.8 130.0 -5.4 3.1 2.1 0.9 -2.8

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

IX

0.537 109.3 109.7 0.3 -0.3 2.4 -0.6 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.307 118.1 117.6 -7.5 0.3 0.8 -0.8 -0.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.642 126.9 125.3 -18.0 1.4 0.2 -0.2 -1.3

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

48

1.215 116.6 116.5 -3.2 0.0 1.0 -1.4 -0.1

Printed material

49

0.450 120.4 120.3 1.9 0.0 0.7 0.1 -0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.938 128.9 124.7 -16.1 -1.4 -0.1 -1.7 -3.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.618 148.5 132.0 -42.5 -4.9 -1.2 -5.4 -11.1

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

XIII

0.738 117.7 117.7 1.6 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.398 98.5 98.4 -1.0 0.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

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

XIV

5.249 280.7 277.0 -0.4 1.7 -3.1 -0.9 -1.3

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.640 178.9 172.9 -7.6 0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -3.4

Iron and steel

72

1.772 225.9 211.6 -13.5 -0.8 -0.6 0.7 -6.3

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.357 173.7 172.9 1.4 1.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.677 261.4 242.4 -12.9 2.1 -0.3 -1.7 -7.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.830 127.8 124.5 -10.5 0.2 0.1 -0.9 -2.6

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

82

0.374 129.2 129.2 2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.319 138.0 138.0 1.8 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

27.536 97.4 97.3 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.962 110.5 110.6 1.7 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.574 83.1 82.9 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.910 126.9 126.9 2.7 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.217 113.2 113.2 3.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

5.770 106.1 105.8 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.339 110.4 110.5 0.5 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.691 119.9 120.1 0.8 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.516 91.2 91.2 -1.6 0.1 0.0 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: June 2011 to June 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
May
2012
June
2012
Annual Monthly
June
2011
to
June
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

38.296 132.2 130.1 -2.8 0.5 -0.8 0.3 -1.6

Nonmanufactured articles

4.447 214.3 197.7 -21.5 -3.6 -5.2 -1.6 -7.7

Manufactured articles

33.487 125.4 124.4 0.2 1.2 -0.2 0.6 -0.8

Other Countries(3)

61.704 143.2 138.4 -2.0 1.7 0.1 -1.3 -3.4

Nonmanufactured articles

12.907 374.4 336.8 -8.3 5.4 -0.4 -3.6 -10.0

Manufactured articles

48.593 111.9 110.9 0.3 0.4 0.3 -0.5 -0.9

Canada

14.414 150.8 146.4 -8.3 -0.6 -1.4 -0.5 -2.9

Nonmanufactured articles

4.027 201.1 185.7 -23.2 -4.3 -5.4 -2.0 -7.7

Manufactured articles

10.122 141.1 139.8 -1.5 1.0 0.3 0.1 -0.9

European Union(4)

15.813 136.2 135.2 -0.5 1.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles

0.262 403.4 370.4 0.8 2.8 0.0 0.0 -8.2

Manufactured articles

15.467 132.3 131.5 -0.6 0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.736 121.4 120.9 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.265 114.8 114.4 -1.3 0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.397 134.6 132.2 -2.2 1.3 0.0 -1.5 -1.8

Latin America(5)

19.049 182.1 174.9 -3.6 1.8 -0.5 -1.3 -4.0

Nonmanufactured articles

5.633 398.9 363.3 -7.2 4.3 -1.4 -3.4 -8.9

Manufactured articles

13.328 135.0 133.6 -1.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -1.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

12.091 147.6 144.4 -3.1 1.2 -0.3 -0.9 -2.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

2.017 213.8 195.8 -6.5 5.5 -1.4 -4.0 -8.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

10.028 95.3 95.0 -2.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

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

34.659 104.6 104.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.583 105.0 105.0 1.3 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Japan

6.349 102.5 102.6 1.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Asian NICs(7)

5.471 90.7 90.8 -1.7 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.652 106.0 105.1 0.6 0.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.8

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

3.948 301.2 277.2 1.2 4.6 2.0 1.2 -8.0

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: June 2011 to June 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
May
2012(1)
Index Percent change
May
2012
June
2012
Annual Monthly
June
2011
to
June
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 177.5 178.1 -3.4 2.6 1.9 0.3 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.177 165.3 159.9 -5.0 3.0 -1.9 1.2 -3.3

Asia

71.372 157.8 160.3 -3.0 2.6 3.4 0.1 1.6

Export Air Freight

100.000 150.7 148.0 0.4 1.5 0.9 0.3 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.156 136.0 133.5 0.2 1.5 1.1 0.2 -1.8

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 161.5 161.4 -1.8 2.1 1.4 0.2 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.034 150.2 144.6 -5.3 2.7 -0.3 0.7 -3.7

Asia

63.576 145.2 147.3 -0.7 2.2 2.3 0.1 1.4

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 150.2 148.6 4.6 1.2 2.5 0.2 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.489 166.6 163.8 3.3 1.2 0.2 0.5 -1.7

Asia

49.935 143.5 142.5 5.9 1.4 4.6 0.0 -0.7

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 181.1 199.8 8.6 -1.0 0.7 0.6 10.3

Europe

38.496 185.3 222.3 7.9 -2.4 3.8 -1.2 20.0

Asia

27.361 157.8 169.3 5.9 -6.6 0.8 6.1 7.3

Latin America/Caribbean

11.792 171.0 173.9 3.8 0.3 2.1 -6.0 1.7

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 191.8 197.8 6.0 -0.8 0.7 2.9 3.1

Europe

26.914 221.0 253.5 4.8 -4.7 7.7 -1.8 14.7

Asia

29.168 179.2 177.3 8.7 3.0 0.7 6.6 -1.1

Latin America/Caribbean

22.356 207.8 212.3 15.7 -0.9 -7.7 -4.7 2.2

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: July 12, 2012