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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-12-1832
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, September 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 - AUGUST 2012

U.S. import prices rose 0.7 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 
declining 0.7 percent the previous month. The August increase was the first advance in overall import prices 
since a 1.4 percent rise in March. Export prices also increased in August, rising 0.9 percent following a 0.4 
percent advance in July. 

Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices rose 0.7 percent in August, the first monthly increase since March. The August 
advance followed a 4.4 percent decline over the previous four months. In August, higher fuel prices more 
than offset a decrease in the price index for nonfuel imports. Despite the August increase, import prices 
decreased 2.2 percent over the past year. In contrast, import prices had increased 12.9 percent between 
August 2010 and August 2011.  

Fuel Imports: Prices for imported fuel advanced 4.1 percent in August following declines in each of the 
four previous months. Higher prices for petroleum and natural gas, up 4.1 percent and 6.8 percent, 
respectively, each contributed to the August increase in fuel prices. Even with the August increase, fuel 
prices fell 7.4 percent over the past 12 months, led by a 6.4 percent drop in petroleum prices and a 33.2 
percent decrease in natural gas prices.       

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports continued a recent downward trend, 
falling 0.2 percent after declines of 0.4 percent in July, 0.3 percent in June, and 0.1 percent in May. The 
recent decreases left nonfuel import prices 0.5 percent lower for the year ended in August, the first 12-
month drop for the index since a 1.1 percent decline for the November 2008-09 period. The August decrease 
was led by lower prices for consumer goods, nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, foods, feeds, and 
beverages, and capital goods.      

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

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 0.4 0.8 2.4 0.5

April

-0.1 -0.9 0.2 0.4 2.0 0.2

May

-1.5 -5.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.5 (r)-0.6

June

(r)-2.3 (r)-8.3 -0.3 -1.7 (r)-3.5 -1.5

July

(r)-0.7 (r)-1.7 -0.4 (r)0.4 (r)6.3 -0.3

August

0.7 4.1 -0.2 0.9 5.1 0.4

Aug. 2010 to 2011

12.9 40.3 5.4 9.4 23.2 8.0

Aug. 2011 to 2012

-2.2 -7.4 -0.5 -0.9 7.7 -1.9

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Export prices increased 0.9 percent in August following a 0.4 percent advance in July and a 1.7 
percent drop in June. The August increase in overall export prices was the largest monthly rise since the 
index advanced 1.5 percent in March 2011. Higher agricultural and nonagricultural prices each contributed 
to the August increase. For the year ended in August, however, export prices fell 0.9 percent.    

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices rose 5.1 percent in August after a 6.3 percent increase in July. 
Both advances were led by higher prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat. In August, corn prices rose 11.1 
percent, soybeans prices 5.6 percent, and wheat prices 9.0 percent. The price index for agricultural exports 
increased 7.7 percent for the year ended in August, as higher prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat more than 
offset lower cotton prices.          

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports advanced 0.4 percent in August 
following a 0.3 percent decline the previous month. Rising prices for nonagricultural supplies and materials 
drove the August increase, more than compensating for declining capital goods and automotive vehicles 
prices. The price index for nonagricultural exports fell 1.9 percent over the past year.  

					SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China and from Japan recorded no change in 
August. Import prices from Canada advanced 1.6 percent and prices for imports from Mexico ticked up 0.1 
percent in August, led by higher fuel prices. Despite the August increase, prices for imports from Canada fell 
5.0 percent over the past year, while import prices from Mexico declined 2.9 percent. The price index for 
imports from the European Union fell 0.4 percent as a 0.5 percent drop in prices for manufactured articles 
more than offset higher fuel prices.    

Nonfuel Import Highlights: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 0.4 percent in 
August after declining 1.8 percent in July. A 1.0 percent drop in unfinished metals prices and a 0.3 percent 
decline in chemicals prices each contributed to the August decrease. Finished goods prices mostly fell in 
August, with consumer goods prices declining 0.3 percent and capital goods prices edging down 0.1 
percent. Prices for automotive vehicles were unchanged in August. Foods, feeds, and beverages prices 
declined 0.9 percent in August, led by a 2.1 percent drop in fish and shellfish prices and a 2.7 percent 
decline in vegetable prices.    

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 5.5 percent in August after falling 3.2 percent 
the previous month. The August drop was the largest monthly decline since a 5.6 percent decrease in January 
2009, and was led by an 8.0 percent fall in European fares. Despite the recent declines, import air passenger 
fares increased 2.5 percent for the year ended in August. The price index for import air freight decreased 1.6 
percent in August and 6.8 percent over the past year.

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Export Highlights: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials led the 
increase in nonagricultural prices in August, rising 1.2 percent. A 4.6 percent advance in fuel prices was the 
main contributor to the overall rise in the price index for nonagricultural supplies and materials. In contrast, 
finished goods prices for the most part decreased. Capital goods prices fell 0.2 percent, driven by a 0.5 
percent decline in computers, peripherals, and semiconductor prices, while automotive vehicles prices 
decreased 0.2 percent, led by a 0.4 percent drop in passenger cars prices. The price index for consumer 
goods recorded no change in August.   
 
Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 2.3 percent in August, driven by a 26.4 percent 
jump in the index for Asian fares. The August increase in overall fares followed a 4.8 percent increase in 
July. Despite not recording a monthly decline since a 0.8 percent drop in March, export air passenger fares 
fell 2.2 percent for the year ended in August. Export air freight prices decreased 1.2 percent in August  and 
1.8 percent over the past 12 months. 

Announcement
Beginning with the July Import-Export Price Indexes data released last month, the import price indexes by 
locality of origin were expanded to include price indexes for select industry areas. These new indexes are 
available at http://www.bls.gov/web/ximpim/ippsloor.htm. In total, 249 indexes were 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 September 2012 are scheduled for release on Thursday, 
October 11, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

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

All commodities

  100.000 137.8 138.8 -2.2 -1.5 -2.3 -0.7 0.7

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

  72.739 103.3 103.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  78.862 115.9 115.7 -0.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  77.902 120.3 120.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.163 170.1 168.5 -3.4 -0.8 -0.7 -1.0 -0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.996 191.3 189.8 -3.2 -0.6 -0.9 -1.1 -0.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.167 122.3 120.5 -3.8 -1.5 0.1 -0.6 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

35.488 241.5 247.3 -6.3 -3.7 -5.8 -1.8 2.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.350 163.1 163.0 -6.5 -0.2 -1.1 -1.3 -0.1

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

  13.390 187.6 186.8 -4.5 0.0 -1.4 -1.8 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.857 175.0 174.2 -7.4 -0.7 -1.8 -1.0 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.534 149.1 149.6 -5.4 0.5 -0.2 -1.7 0.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

22.099 312.9 325.8 -7.4 -5.6 -8.3 -1.7 4.1

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

21.139 350.6 365.1 -6.4 -5.7 -8.7 -2.1 4.1

Crude

10000

16.019 361.4 374.0 -4.2 -4.9 -8.9 -2.5 3.5

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

101

0.660 87.7 92.7 -30.4 -3.1 5.7 10.2 5.7

Gas-natural

10110

0.554 73.7 78.7 -33.2 -3.8 7.9 12.5 6.8

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.606 113.9 113.2 -4.4 1.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.6

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.019 176.9 176.4 0.8 0.9 -0.8 -3.5 -0.3

Selected building materials

13

1.057 138.8 139.8 6.9 1.0 1.2 0.5 0.7

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.609 258.1 255.6 -15.6 -1.5 -3.6 -2.0 -1.0

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.573 162.1 161.4 -1.7 -0.4 -1.0 0.2 -0.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.526 114.5 114.2 -1.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3

Capital goods

2

22.753 93.2 93.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

2.959 119.3 119.3 0.6 -0.1 -0.3 0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

18.101 86.1 86.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

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

22

1.693 134.0 134.0 6.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.893 114.8 114.8 1.4 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.703 107.5 107.2 0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.884 114.8 114.7 1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

11.495 99.6 99.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.324 118.3 115.4 1.2 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 -2.5

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

All commodities

  100.000 132.2 133.4 -0.9 -0.5 -1.7 0.4 0.9

Agricultural commodities

  11.518 217.3 228.3 7.7 0.5 -3.5 6.3 5.1

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

  81.196 102.1 102.1 -1.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.4 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.483 126.1 126.6 -1.9 -0.6 -1.5 -0.3 0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

10.690 219.7 230.3 10.2 0.7 -3.0 6.8 4.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.967 223.2 234.6 10.7 0.8 -3.3 7.3 5.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.723 189.7 192.7 4.3 -1.6 1.0 -0.2 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials

1

33.418 177.6 180.1 -6.1 -1.8 -3.9 -0.4 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.083 182.3 181.2 -5.7 -0.7 -2.5 -0.7 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  21.334 175.9 180.2 -6.3 -2.4 -4.8 -0.2 2.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.551 188.8 198.1 -8.2 -1.7 -4.6 -0.2 4.9

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  31.867 177.4 179.6 -6.0 -1.9 -3.9 -0.4 1.2

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.115 249.9 261.5 -8.0 -4.7 -8.7 0.6 4.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.796 169.6 169.6 -5.6 -0.8 -2.3 -0.8 0.0

Selected building materials

13

0.956 118.5 118.7 2.9 -0.3 0.7 0.3 0.2

Capital goods

2

34.773 105.6 105.4 0.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.558 113.3 113.7 -0.4 0.8 0.2 -0.9 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.187 94.9 94.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

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

22

6.028 149.2 149.1 2.8 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.302 113.1 112.9 1.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.818 116.3 116.3 -0.8 0.5 0.1 -0.6 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.956 114.7 114.8 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.420 114.6 114.5 1.3 1.1 -0.2 -0.3 -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 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2011 to August 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
July
2012(1)
Index Percent change
July
2012
Aug.
2012
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2011
to
Aug.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  19.091 154.2 158.9 -6.4 -4.7 -7.8 -2.1 3.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.846 169.1 166.2 -5.9 -1.0 -1.9 -1.5 -1.7

Crop production

111

1.311 175.6 174.2 -4.2 -0.8 -2.4 -1.5 -0.8

Mining

21

17.245 152.4 157.8 -6.5 -5.1 -8.4 -2.1 3.5

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

212

0.334 143.5 143.6 -8.9 -0.2 -1.0 -0.3 0.1

Manufactured articles

  80.458 117.1 117.3 -1.0 -0.6 -0.7 -0.3 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.086 124.7 124.3 0.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Food manufacturing

311

3.083 158.6 157.5 0.1 -0.5 -0.5 -2.7 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.859 111.3 111.3 -0.3 0.4 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.410 101.4 101.4 - 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.888 115.8 115.8 -1.8 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.180 112.1 111.7 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.665 119.5 119.6 4.5 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.921 135.8 138.1 -2.4 -1.9 -2.3 -0.7 1.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.643 117.5 118.7 9.4 1.4 1.5 1.0 1.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.114 111.2 110.7 -1.9 0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.404 158.3 168.6 -10.7 -8.0 -7.3 -0.1 6.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.881 133.8 133.9 0.5 0.4 -0.8 -1.3 0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.934 127.4 127.3 1.9 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.855 130.2 130.1 1.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

51.450 109.7 109.4 -0.9 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.211 170.8 168.8 -13.3 -1.6 -3.3 -1.8 -1.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.607 129.7 129.5 1.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.745 120.9 120.8 1.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.769 82.2 82.1 -1.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.928 118.6 118.6 2.0 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.575 111.9 112.0 2.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.340 113.6 113.3 1.4 0.1 0.7 -0.4 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.276 122.2 121.1 -0.8 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.9

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

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.637 171.0 179.9 -0.1 0.1 -5.6 8.0 5.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.747 209.7 222.5 8.9 0.6 -5.8 10.1 6.1

Crop production

111

6.321 218.6 230.8 9.1 1.1 -6.3 11.0 5.6

Mining

21

1.890 94.9 96.7 -23.4 -1.5 -4.8 1.0 1.9

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.360 119.0 118.9 -20.3 -2.7 -2.0 -0.4 -0.1

Manufactured articles

  88.442 119.8 120.3 -0.6 -0.5 -1.2 -0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.213 147.0 150.0 3.7 0.3 -0.3 0.1 2.0

Food manufacturing

311

5.036 168.4 172.3 5.7 0.4 -0.4 0.3 2.3

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.580 121.2 126.2 10.1 0.4 0.3 1.0 4.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.428 121.7 121.7 6.6 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.003 130.7 132.8 -2.4 -1.8 -3.2 -0.6 1.6

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.404 113.6 114.2 0.4 -0.4 -0.4 -0.4 0.5

Paper manufacturing

322

1.852 119.4 119.7 -4.8 -1.2 0.5 0.4 0.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

5.943 159.0 167.4 -3.5 -5.3 -9.1 0.4 5.3

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.842 129.0 129.9 -2.6 -0.8 -1.7 -1.2 0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.197 117.3 117.3 2.0 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.765 112.5 112.4 2.0 0.0 0.8 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

55.225 112.9 112.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.719 167.8 165.5 -9.2 -1.4 -3.0 -0.6 -1.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.682 131.6 131.9 3.1 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.175 120.5 120.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.440 89.5 89.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.4 -0.6

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.221 111.9 112.1 -1.1 0.4 0.1 -0.8 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.520 116.9 116.8 2.0 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

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

337

0.300 103.0 102.9 - 0.0 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.167 121.7 121.5 -2.2 1.0 0.2 -1.0 -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 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2011 to August 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
July
2012(1)
Index Percent change
July
2012
Aug.
2012
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2011
to
Aug.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.172 163.9 159.7 -4.8 -1.9 0.1 -0.6 -2.6

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.277 216.4 218.2 1.6 0.0 0.7 1.1 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.605 117.2 113.5 -9.8 -2.5 -0.3 -1.3 -3.2

Vegetable products

II

1.716 213.4 211.3 0.5 -1.0 -2.0 -3.4 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.310 302.5 296.8 -5.7 0.2 0.9 -6.1 -1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.473 116.8 114.2 -11.7 -4.2 -3.8 -0.8 -2.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.428 273.0 270.3 0.8 -1.5 -1.8 2.2 -1.0

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

III

0.254 127.3 127.3 -11.4 0.9 -4.7 -2.6 0.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.415 156.5 156.7 -0.8 0.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.177 80.4 83.2 -16.2 -1.2 -1.3 -4.9 3.5

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

19

0.234 127.7 128.0 0.3 0.2 -0.2 1.2 0.2

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

20

0.352 170.5 170.1 4.7 -0.6 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.810 121.5 121.4 -0.3 0.5 -0.2 -0.6 -0.1

Mineral products

V

21.840 315.4 328.0 -7.2 -5.4 -8.1 -1.7 4.0

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

27

21.525 311.6 324.3 -7.1 -5.5 -8.2 -1.7 4.1

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.447 149.8 150.1 1.8 0.8 -0.3 -0.7 0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.993 390.5 395.1 5.9 5.2 3.6 1.8 1.2

Organic chemicals

29

2.486 138.2 138.7 0.5 -0.2 -1.4 0.2 0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.085 116.9 116.9 4.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.442 136.2 136.4 -8.5 6.7 -2.6 -12.6 0.1

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

32

0.183 103.1 102.8 - -0.7 -0.8 -2.1 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.424 124.9 124.9 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.481 102.1 102.0 -5.3 -0.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.142 151.2 150.5 -1.2 -0.1 -0.5 -1.0 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.903 142.3 141.5 0.1 0.0 -0.3 -1.1 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.239 168.3 167.9 -3.2 -0.3 -0.8 -0.8 -0.2

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

VIII

0.600 126.3 126.3 3.5 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

42

0.551 127.1 127.1 3.9 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

IX

0.677 142.4 143.8 9.7 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.216 113.7 113.4 -1.6 0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

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

47

0.189 103.9 101.9 - 4.3 0.4 -0.1 -1.9

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

48

0.811 108.1 108.0 -1.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.331 115.4 115.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.067 106.3 105.7 -0.9 -0.6 -0.2 0.3 -0.6

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.964 118.1 117.8 1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.642 108.4 108.4 -3.0 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.365 119.0 119.1 4.7 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.161 118.0 118.2 4.6 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2

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

XIII

0.774 132.2 132.1 1.9 0.4 0.2 0.1 -0.1

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

68

0.249 125.8 125.7 2.8 0.2 0.6 0.3 -0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.232 142.1 142.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.293 127.1 126.8 2.0 0.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

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

XIV

3.300 198.6 195.5 -4.4 -1.4 -2.6 -0.3 -1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.892 186.0 185.3 -8.2 -0.6 -1.6 -1.4 -0.4

Iron and steel

72

1.117 235.8 232.5 -11.4 0.3 -2.4 -2.4 -1.4

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.447 161.2 160.6 0.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.2 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.438 334.6 340.1 -18.9 -1.3 -4.0 -4.2 1.6

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.130 98.6 97.4 -26.7 -5.6 -3.3 -2.3 -1.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.698 134.9 133.4 -13.7 -1.8 -2.1 -2.0 -1.1

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

82

0.370 128.2 128.4 4.0 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.420 135.5 137.0 3.9 0.1 0.3 0.0 1.1

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

XVI

25.255 85.7 85.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.727 89.7 89.6 1.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

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

85

12.528 81.9 81.9 -1.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.485 116.2 116.3 1.5 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.666 115.3 115.3 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0

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

88

0.723 118.7 118.7 2.4 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.0

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

XVIII

3.287 104.5 103.9 -1.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.6

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.026 102.0 101.3 -1.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.7

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.199 130.4 130.4 1.5 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.775 112.6 112.5 1.7 0.1 0.4 -0.2 -0.1

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

94

2.013 116.4 116.1 1.6 0.0 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.554 105.0 105.1 1.7 0.3 0.1 -0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.208 136.5 136.5 2.6 -0.1 2.7 -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: August 2011 to August 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
July
2012(1)
Index Percent change
July
2012
Aug.
2012
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2011
to
Aug.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.918 203.5 212.1 3.7 -1.0 0.0 0.3 4.2

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

02

1.147 166.9 166.3 1.6 0.3 -1.4 0.8 -0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.431 207.6 211.5 5.8 -1.0 0.7 -0.1 1.9

Vegetable products

II

6.359 268.2 282.5 13.8 1.8 -5.3 11.1 5.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.855 136.1 133.5 0.6 -0.3 1.8 -2.4 -1.9

Cereals

10

2.407 310.2 339.4 12.6 -2.1 -5.8 17.4 9.4

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

12

2.479 305.0 321.4 21.9 4.4 -7.8 14.0 5.4

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

III

0.473 147.1 147.2 -8.1 1.6 -5.5 -0.7 0.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.776 159.3 167.3 10.9 0.6 0.5 1.0 5.0

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

20

0.327 111.5 112.3 2.7 0.4 -0.1 0.5 0.7

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

22

0.404 109.7 109.7 3.8 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.867 247.6 282.4 28.9 2.8 3.0 3.6 14.1

Mineral products

V

8.098 294.8 307.5 -8.8 -5.0 -8.0 -0.1 4.3

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

27

7.498 290.4 304.2 -8.8 -5.2 -8.4 -0.1 4.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.201 153.2 154.1 -1.0 -0.3 -0.4 -0.6 0.6

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.014 185.6 185.7 -5.6 -0.4 -0.4 1.3 0.1

Organic chemicals

29

3.348 161.6 164.4 -3.2 -1.3 -1.7 -2.1 1.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.161 123.7 123.9 -1.7 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.765 135.8 136.0 1.6 -0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.1

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

34

0.470 123.1 123.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.778 153.0 152.8 1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.385 145.5 146.5 -4.6 -0.5 -3.1 -1.8 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.311 136.3 137.4 -4.2 -0.4 -3.0 -1.7 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.074 189.7 189.6 -6.1 -0.7 -3.6 -2.1 -0.1

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

VIII

0.371 130.0 132.1 -2.8 0.9 -2.8 -0.1 1.6

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

IX

0.547 110.0 110.0 1.3 -0.6 0.9 -0.3 0.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.330 117.7 115.9 -9.5 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -1.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.638 124.4 116.4 -25.2 -0.9 0.0 -1.3 -6.4

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

48

1.232 116.6 117.2 -2.5 -1.4 -0.1 0.1 0.5

Printed material

49

0.460 121.6 121.6 2.1 0.1 -0.1 1.1 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.894 124.2 125.2 -10.4 -1.7 -3.1 -0.6 0.8

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.523 129.4 133.5 -32.2 -5.4 -11.1 -2.0 3.2

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

XIII

0.749 117.9 117.8 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.403 98.5 98.5 -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

XIV

5.213 275.0 271.4 -5.8 -0.8 -1.5 -0.9 -1.3

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.489 171.8 171.6 -6.9 -0.3 -3.5 -0.6 -0.1

Iron and steel

72

1.611 202.0 203.3 -11.8 0.2 -6.9 -3.5 0.6

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.379 173.6 173.2 1.7 -0.2 -0.5 0.6 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.647 246.0 242.1 -16.9 -1.7 -7.3 1.5 -1.6

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.817 123.7 123.2 -10.7 -1.0 -2.2 -1.0 -0.4

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

82

0.396 134.3 134.4 5.5 0.0 0.0 3.9 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.342 145.8 145.8 7.4 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

27.787 97.0 96.7 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

16.180 110.6 110.4 1.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.607 82.2 81.9 -1.7 0.2 -0.4 -0.7 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

11.066 127.0 126.8 2.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.315 113.2 113.0 2.4 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

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

XVIII

5.838 105.9 105.9 0.3 0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.358 110.4 110.3 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.701 120.0 119.8 -0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.523 91.2 91.1 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 -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 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: August 2011 to August 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
July
2012(1)
Index Percent change
July
2012
Aug.
2012
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2011
to
Aug.
2012
Apr.
2012
to
May
2012
May
2012
to
June
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 130.1 130.8 -1.9 -0.1 -1.2 0.0 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

11.689 208.9 216.0 -8.3 -2.4 -4.4 3.1 3.4

Manufactured articles

87.693 123.7 123.8 -1.0 0.2 -0.7 -0.3 0.1

Other Countries(3)

100.000 136.9 138.0 -2.2 -1.8 -2.7 -1.2 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles

23.780 324.0 333.5 -6.2 -5.2 -8.4 -3.9 2.9

Manufactured articles

75.875 110.7 110.8 -1.0 -0.5 -0.7 -0.4 0.1

Canada

100.000 146.9 149.2 -5.0 -0.7 -1.9 -0.3 1.6

Nonmanufactured articles

27.716 197.3 204.1 -9.0 -2.8 -3.6 2.8 3.4

Manufactured articles

71.249 137.5 138.5 -3.5 0.1 -1.3 -1.3 0.7

European Union(4)

100.000 134.7 134.2 -1.7 -0.2 -0.7 -0.2 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

2.118 339.3 348.3 -5.3 -5.5 -10.7 -0.4 2.7

Manufactured articles

97.675 131.3 130.7 -1.7 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.5

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 120.6 120.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 114.5 114.0 -1.7 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 131.6 131.9 -1.6 -1.2 -2.1 -0.5 0.2

Latin America(5)

100.000 172.1 173.5 -3.3 -1.8 -4.2 -0.7 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles

33.434 348.4 355.9 -4.9 -4.9 -9.8 -1.6 2.2

Manufactured articles

66.126 133.2 133.4 -3.0 -0.1 -1.0 -0.3 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 142.6 142.8 -2.9 -1.3 -2.6 -0.5 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

19.730 183.9 187.7 -6.8 -5.4 -10.5 -2.5 2.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

80.270 95.0 94.7 -2.1 0.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.3

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

100.000 104.5 104.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.9 104.9 0.8 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Japan

100.000 102.7 102.7 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 90.9 90.8 -1.2 -0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 104.9 104.4 -1.1 -0.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.5

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

100.000 256.7 262.0 -3.8 -1.4 -7.9 -5.0 2.1

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

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 176.1 173.3 -6.8 0.3 0.6 -1.4 -1.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.232 157.6 156.2 -13.5 1.3 -2.1 -2.7 -0.9

Asia

72.310 158.6 155.5 -4.8 0.1 1.6 -1.1 -2.0

Export Air Freight

100.000 145.0 143.3 -1.8 0.3 -1.7 -2.1 -1.2

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.284 131.3 130.0 -1.4 0.2 -1.8 -1.6 -1.0

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 158.8 156.6 -4.6 0.2 0.0 -1.7 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.881 140.9 139.3 -11.4 0.7 -3.1 -3.3 -1.1

Asia

64.757 145.4 142.9 -2.5 0.1 1.4 -1.3 -1.7

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 145.0 144.9 0.9 0.2 -0.9 -2.7 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.907 163.0 163.2 1.2 0.7 -1.1 -1.2 0.1

Asia

49.201 136.5 136.3 0.2 0.0 -0.7 -4.2 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 193.4 182.7 2.5 0.6 10.3 -3.2 -5.5

Europe

40.191 206.6 190.1 3.9 -1.2 20.0 -7.1 -8.0

Asia

27.149 167.2 161.3 2.5 6.1 7.3 -1.2 -3.5

Latin America/Caribbean

11.370 176.1 172.5 -5.2 -6.0 1.7 1.3 -2.0

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 212.6 217.5 -2.2 6.6 2.1 4.8 2.3

Europe

28.222 256.8 243.5 -7.3 -0.7 13.7 1.1 -5.2

Asia

27.112 184.6 233.3 6.9 6.7 -0.2 3.2 26.4

Latin America/Caribbean

23.056 237.5 227.8 15.3 5.3 -2.5 6.0 -4.1

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


                                          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: September 12, 2012