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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-10-1279
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, September 15, 2010

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 2010

U.S. import prices increased 0.6 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 
rising 0.1 percent the previous month. Higher fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the overall advance. 
Export prices rose 0.8 percent in August after declining 0.2 percent in July and 0.7 percent in June.


Imports

All Imports: Import prices increased for the second consecutive month in August, rising 0.6 percent 
following a comparatively modest 0.1 percent advance in July. The price index for overall imports rose 4.1 
percent for the year ended in August, the smallest 12-month advance since a 3.4 percent rise for the 
November 2008-09 period.

Fuel Imports: Approximately 58 percent of the overall increase in import prices in August was attributable 
to a 1.7 percent advance in fuel prices. The August increase in fuel prices followed a 1.0 percent rise the 
previous month and was led by a 2.1 percent increase in petroleum prices which more than offset a 3.5 
percent decline in natural gas prices. Prices for fuel rose 9.1 percent over the past 12 months; an 8.5 percent 
increase in petroleum prices and a 25.0 percent jump in natural gas prices each contributed to the overall 
advance.   

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel prices also rose in August, increasing 0.3 percent 
following decreases of 0.2 percent in July and 0.5 percent in June. The August increase was primarily driven 
by higher prices for finished goods and food, feeds, and beverages. Nonfuel prices advanced 2.9 percent 
over the past year. In contrast to the August increase, the annual advance was led by rising nonfuel 
industrial supplies and materials prices, up 13.0 percent for the August 2009-10 period.   


Table A. Percent changes
Month IMPORTS EXPORTS
All
imports
Fuel
imports
Nonfuel
imports
All
exports
Agri-
cultural
exports
Non-
agricultural
exports

2009

August

1.5 7.0 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.7

September

0.2 -1.3 0.4 -0.2 -2.9 0.1

October

0.8 3.0 0.4 0.0 -0.7 0.1

November

1.5 6.3 0.3 0.8 3.9 0.5

December

0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.7 1.8 0.6

2010

January

1.2 4.4 0.4 0.8 1.3 0.7

February

-0.1 -0.7 0.1 -0.3 -4.0 0.1

March

0.4 1.4 0.2 0.7 1.9 0.6

April

1.1 2.6 0.6 1.1 -0.4 1.3

May

(r)-0.6 -5.1 (r)0.6 0.5 1.6 0.3

June

-1.3 (r)-3.9 -0.5 -0.7 0.0 -0.8

July

(r)0.1 (r)1.0 (r)-0.2 -0.2 (r)-0.2 -0.2

August

0.6 1.7 0.3 0.8 4.2 0.5

Aug. 2008 to 2009

-15.3 -41.0 -5.1 -6.2 -14.1 -5.3

Aug. 2009 to 2010

4.1 9.1 2.9 4.1 6.4 3.9

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports

All Exports: Export prices resumed an upward trend in August, increasing 0.8 percent after declining the 
two previous months. The August increase was the largest monthly advance since a 1.1 percent rise in April 
and higher prices for both nonagricultural exports and agricultural exports each contributed to the rise in 
overall export prices. The price index for overall exports increased 4.1 percent over the past 12 months. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices rose 4.2 percent in August, the largest monthly increase since a 
similar 4.2 percent advance in June 2009. The August increase was driven by a 31.1 percent surge in wheat 
prices and a 9.8 percent advance in the price index for soybeans and soybean by-products. The increase in 
agricultural prices in August led the 6.4 percent advance for the index over the past year.

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.5 percent in August 
following declines of 0.2 percent in July and 0.8 percent in June. The increase was led by a 1.6 percent 
advance in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Nonagricultural prices 
increased 3.9 percent for the year ended in August.
 					


                                       SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices ticked up 0.1 
percent in August after falling 1.1 percent in July. An increase in chemicals prices more than offset a decline 
in building materials prices. The price index for unfinished metals, which rose 25.2 percent over the past 
year, was unchanged in August.     

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories rose in August. The price indexes 
for consumer goods and capital goods rose 0.2 percent while automotive vehicle prices increased 0.3 
percent.  The increase in capital goods prices was led by a 0.4 percent rise in prices for capital goods 
excluding computers which more than offset a 0.2 percent drop in computer prices.  
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 2.2 percent in August, the largest 
one-month advance for the index since a 2.9 percent increase in March 2008. Increasing prices for 
vegetables, meat, and food oils, up 5.2 percent, 4.5 percent, and 6.8 percent, respectively, all contributed to 
the overall August advance.   

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for import prices from Canada and from Mexico each 
advanced 0.7 percent in August while prices for imports from the European Union rose 0.3 percent. Higher 
petroleum prices contributed to the increases. Import prices from Japan rose 0.2 percent in August after 
recording no change in July.  The price index for imports from China remained unchanged in August 
following a 0.1 percent uptick the previous month.

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell for the second consecutive month in August, 
falling 4.1 percent after a 1.3 percent decline in July. A 5.9 percent decrease in European fares and a 4.5 
percent drop in Asian fares each contributed to the overall decline. In contrast, import air freight prices rose 
1.3 percent following decreases of 1.1 percent in July and 0.9 percent in June.


Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials rose 1.6 percent in August after falling 0.6 percent the previous month. The increase was led by a 
5.6 percent advance in fuel prices, while higher prices for metals and chemicals also contributed to the 
increase. The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials increased 12.1 percent over the 
past year. 
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed overall in August. Consumer goods prices fell 0.3 
percent following a 0.3 percent increase in July. Automotive vehicles prices edged up 0.1 percent in August 
while the price index for capital goods was unchanged in August.      

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 0.6 percent in August, driven by a 20.3 
percent jump in Asian fares which more than offset a 6.8 percent drop in European fares and a 3.9 percent 
decline in Latin American/Caribbean fares. The price index for export air freight prices also rose 0.6 percent 
in August after declining 1.3 percent in July. 
		
Import and Export Price Index data for September 2010 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 
October 13, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2009 to August 2010
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

All commodities

  100.000 125.4 126.1 4.1 -0.6 -1.3 0.1 0.6

All imports excluding petroleum

  81.151 110.7 110.9 3.1 0.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  79.646 114.3 114.6 2.9 0.6 -0.5 -0.2 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

4.816 148.8 152.0 8.6 1.4 -1.7 0.1 2.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.719 165.7 169.7 9.0 1.4 -2.2 -0.2 2.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.097 110.6 112.0 7.2 1.3 0.6 1.2 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.746 199.7 201.8 10.6 -2.4 -3.0 0.1 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  15.896 150.5 150.1 13.2 1.2 -1.6 -0.7 -0.3

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

  14.391 167.0 167.2 13.0 1.6 -1.7 -1.1 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  9.027 160.6 160.4 13.8 2.0 -2.1 -1.9 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.364 138.6 138.1 12.6 0.1 -0.7 0.8 -0.4

Fuels & lubricants

10

20.354 248.2 252.4 9.1 -5.1 -3.9 1.0 1.7

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

18.850 269.6 275.2 8.5 -5.3 -4.2 0.9 2.1

Crude

10000

13.910 275.2 280.1 8.1 -6.6 -3.4 1.0 1.8

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

101

1.263 130.3 124.8 19.4 -2.6 -0.2 4.2 -4.2

Gas-natural

10110

0.939 115.5 111.5 25.0 -3.6 -0.2 5.6 -3.5

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.746 116.2 116.0 17.9 2.9 2.5 0.6 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.695 146.3 147.2 10.4 0.4 -1.4 0.0 0.6

Selected building materials

13

1.353 125.7 124.0 4.0 2.8 -1.3 -4.7 -1.4

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

4.180 238.7 238.6 25.2 3.0 -3.6 -2.4 0.0

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.849 145.9 146.4 8.5 1.1 -0.9 -0.4 0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.568 107.6 107.7 4.1 0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.1

Capital goods

2

23.341 91.4 91.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

2.963 111.5 111.7 1.3 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

18.364 85.9 86.1 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

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

22

2.013 121.5 121.5 -1.4 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

12.316 109.9 110.2 1.7 1.1 -0.1 0.3 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.782 104.2 104.4 0.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.644 109.7 109.8 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

11.922 99.1 99.2 -1.4 0.1 -0.5 -0.7 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.217 101.9 103.1 2.3 1.0 -0.6 -0.5 1.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

All commodities

  100.000 122.0 123.0 4.1 0.5 -0.7 -0.2 0.8

Agricultural commodities

  8.843 165.0 171.9 6.4 1.6 0.0 -0.2 4.2

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.158 118.9 119.5 3.9 0.3 -0.8 -0.2 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

7.959 164.0 171.1 4.0 1.5 -0.4 -0.3 4.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.374 166.1 173.8 3.9 1.7 -0.4 -0.4 4.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.585 147.8 148.5 5.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.4 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

31.481 158.9 161.6 12.5 1.4 -1.5 -0.6 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.357 164.8 165.7 12.0 1.3 -1.3 -0.4 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  19.123 156.2 159.9 12.9 1.4 -1.5 -0.6 2.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.469 163.9 166.8 20.9 1.3 2.1 0.9 1.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  30.012 159.0 161.6 12.1 1.4 -1.6 -0.6 1.6

Fuels & lubricants

11

5.822 204.4 215.9 18.9 2.9 -3.3 -1.7 5.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.162 155.3 156.5 10.9 1.0 -1.3 -0.3 0.8

Selected building materials

13

1.028 118.0 117.4 3.3 0.3 0.5 -0.7 -0.5

Capital goods

2

38.425 103.4 103.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.573 108.9 108.5 1.1 0.3 0.3 -0.5 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery

21

28.028 94.2 94.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

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

22

6.823 139.9 140.1 1.9 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

9.187 108.4 108.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.949 110.5 110.2 1.0 -0.1 -0.5 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.893 111.1 111.7 2.5 -0.1 -0.9 -0.1 0.5

Durables, manufactured

41

5.736 109.1 107.9 -1.6 -0.1 0.2 0.8 -1.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

Nonmanufactured articles

  17.726 124.2 126.3 11.1 -4.8 -3.5 1.0 1.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.800 146.7 152.7 16.4 3.3 -4.0 -1.2 4.1

Crop production

111

1.270 151.6 159.1 15.3 4.3 -4.8 -1.2 4.9

Mining

21

15.926 121.7 123.5 10.6 -5.6 -3.5 1.2 1.5

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

212

0.559 141.0 139.7 8.5 1.3 4.0 1.3 -0.9

Manufactured articles

  81.750 110.0 110.3 2.6 0.4 -0.6 -0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.300 109.9 110.5 3.4 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.5

Food manufacturing

311

2.665 129.2 131.4 12.0 1.8 0.5 1.4 1.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.918 108.3 108.8 1.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.1 0.5

Textile product mills

314

0.798 103.4 103.4 4.0 0.9 0.4 1.3 0.0

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.980 101.4 101.5 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.2 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.535 107.7 107.8 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.7 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.083 121.6 122.4 5.9 -0.2 -1.4 -0.2 0.7

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.804 101.5 99.7 5.2 4.4 -2.4 -8.6 -1.8

Paper manufacturing

322

1.271 109.5 109.3 11.2 1.9 1.8 0.6 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.013 123.7 126.9 5.8 -3.2 -4.5 0.6 2.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.047 125.7 126.1 6.2 0.2 -0.7 -0.3 0.3

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.831 116.0 116.0 3.5 1.1 0.2 0.5 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.008 121.8 121.6 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.7 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

53.367 106.4 106.6 1.5 0.6 -0.5 -0.4 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.874 157.6 157.9 23.4 2.8 -3.4 -2.2 0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.746 118.7 119.0 2.8 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

6.813 113.1 113.5 1.2 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.4

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.017 86.5 86.5 -2.8 0.1 -0.5 -0.9 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.844 112.6 112.7 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.558 106.8 107.1 1.1 0.9 -0.2 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.334 106.0 106.1 -2.5 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.180 112.4 112.5 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.773 132.0 140.2 15.8 5.3 -0.4 -1.6 6.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.570 140.7 151.3 7.7 1.8 -1.0 -0.7 7.5

Crop production

111

4.258 143.9 155.5 7.5 1.8 -1.2 -0.7 8.1

Mining

21

2.203 106.8 110.5 41.1 13.3 0.6 -3.3 3.5

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.772 125.8 130.6 47.4 17.2 0.7 -1.5 3.8

Manufactured articles

  90.547 112.0 112.5 3.3 0.2 -0.6 0.1 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.764 127.3 128.0 6.3 0.9 0.5 0.4 0.5

Food manufacturing

311

4.583 142.7 143.7 6.4 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.541 109.8 110.2 3.0 2.2 1.9 1.9 0.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.381 104.7 104.7 2.0 0.0 2.4 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

23.662 117.8 120.1 7.5 0.1 -1.7 -0.2 2.0

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.461 115.7 115.0 8.2 1.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.6

Paper manufacturing

322

2.065 122.7 123.5 13.0 2.7 2.2 1.4 0.7

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

3.443 115.0 125.5 14.3 -2.0 -6.8 -1.6 9.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.793 120.4 121.6 6.9 0.2 -1.3 -0.1 1.0

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.064 107.0 107.5 -0.3 1.0 -0.4 0.4 0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.836 112.6 112.7 1.3 -0.6 -0.5 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

60.122 108.3 108.1 1.3 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.065 147.7 146.3 20.1 2.7 0.4 0.3 -0.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.776 121.5 121.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

12.680 114.8 114.8 2.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.495 91.6 91.3 -2.6 -0.4 -0.9 -0.1 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.426 108.1 107.8 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

15.262 111.2 111.3 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.064 110.8 110.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.6 -0.6

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

Live animals; animal products

I

1.128 143.1 145.7 11.7 2.7 -1.0 0.1 1.8

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.257 180.0 183.1 17.3 3.5 -2.0 -1.7 1.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.592 109.1 110.7 11.0 2.7 0.5 1.8 1.5

Vegetable products

II

1.487 168.3 175.6 12.2 2.7 -4.4 -0.5 4.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.391 300.6 322.3 15.4 4.9 -5.4 -7.8 7.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.402 105.5 108.4 9.9 2.7 -7.5 -1.0 2.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.312 182.8 189.6 16.9 -1.9 1.5 7.0 3.7

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

III

0.213 103.6 110.2 - -0.7 -1.9 1.9 6.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.332 142.8 143.7 5.8 0.8 0.0 1.1 0.6

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.204 97.5 96.5 - 4.3 -6.7 0.0 -1.0

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

19

0.265 125.0 124.6 11.4 1.9 1.9 7.0 -0.3

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

20

0.287 129.1 129.8 3.3 0.7 -0.5 -0.6 0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.904 117.7 118.3 1.6 -0.1 -1.0 0.3 0.5

Mineral products

V

20.401 251.0 254.8 9.3 -5.1 -3.5 1.1 1.5

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster materials, lime & cement (Dec. 2009=100)

25

0.191 102.4 102.4 - 0.2 -0.4 0.4 0.0

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

27

19.958 247.4 251.2 9.2 -5.2 -3.7 1.1 1.5

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.300 138.6 139.1 6.7 0.4 -1.1 -0.5 0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.969 276.9 275.3 40.7 3.4 -3.9 -0.3 -0.6

Organic chemicals

29

2.770 133.3 134.1 5.2 0.2 -0.9 -0.4 0.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.851 118.0 118.2 3.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.309 99.8 100.1 - -2.2 -3.0 -1.3 0.3

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments; varnish & paints; putty

32

0.162 105.3 106.2 1.6 -1.4 -2.3 -1.5 0.9

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.395 114.9 117.4 -2.6 -0.3 -2.0 -1.7 2.2

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.498 93.0 92.9 3.6 -0.7 -1.4 0.4 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.037 137.2 137.7 8.9 0.6 -0.4 0.4 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.897 131.7 132.0 6.6 0.0 -0.5 0.5 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.140 147.8 148.6 12.9 1.4 -0.2 0.2 0.5

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

VIII

0.597 114.7 114.7 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0

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

42

0.541 114.8 114.8 0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

IX

0.837 124.4 121.9 5.6 4.2 -2.0 -7.4 -2.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.413 113.1 112.9 8.3 1.7 1.5 0.5 -0.2

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard (Dec. 2009=100)

47

0.233 130.7 127.4 - 5.6 6.2 1.2 -2.5

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

48

0.909 105.1 105.4 3.7 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.3

Printed matter

49

0.271 121.5 121.7 1.3 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.014 103.4 103.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.928 98.9 98.9 -0.8 -0.5 0.3 0.6 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.872 102.6 102.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.546 95.5 95.5 5.3 1.4 0.2 1.7 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.229 107.7 107.8 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.048 107.1 107.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.9 0.1

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

XIII

0.887 123.9 124.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.1

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

68

0.316 117.9 117.9 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.0

Ceramic products

69

0.277 138.5 137.9 -1.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4 -0.4

Glass and glassware

70

0.294 115.1 115.6 -0.9 0.1 -0.3 0.3 0.4

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

XIV

2.820 160.8 159.8 14.0 2.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

6.061 177.8 179.0 14.7 1.6 -2.7 -1.4 0.7

Iron and steel

72

1.432 233.4 228.2 23.5 2.1 0.2 -2.3 -2.2

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.890 151.2 152.3 12.2 1.8 0.8 0.7 0.7

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.642 307.8 316.4 20.4 -0.6 -9.2 -1.9 2.8

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.180 116.8 118.4 - 13.9 -12.2 -10.4 1.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.797 129.7 133.2 15.8 1.6 -6.3 -2.3 2.7

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

82

0.366 117.8 118.8 1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.8

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.414 127.1 127.1 -1.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.0

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

XVI

25.492 86.1 86.2 -1.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.856 87.8 88.0 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

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

85

12.636 84.6 84.5 -1.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.7 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

11.523 111.3 111.6 1.5 1.1 -0.1 0.3 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

10.420 110.5 110.8 1.7 1.3 -0.2 0.4 0.3

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

88

1.007 113.8 113.8 -1.6 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

3.284 101.1 101.4 -0.9 0.0 -0.3 0.3 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.976 98.8 99.0 -1.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.229 121.6 125.7 1.5 0.0 -0.7 0.0 3.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.882 106.5 106.6 -1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

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

94

1.975 109.4 109.6 -2.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.703 101.0 101.0 -0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.204 119.8 119.8 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

Live animals; animal products

I

1.780 173.2 173.6 11.4 1.7 0.5 0.6 0.2

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

02

1.041 146.4 145.3 14.8 3.9 -1.1 2.1 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.325 153.8 154.5 11.4 -0.7 0.3 1.0 0.5

Vegetable products

II

4.136 176.9 190.4 1.4 2.1 -1.9 -0.3 7.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.732 120.7 119.4 12.6 -3.6 1.9 -7.9 -1.1

Cereals

10

1.593 174.5 197.1 7.3 6.1 -5.5 1.8 13.0

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

12

1.323 199.2 215.2 -5.9 2.0 -0.4 1.5 8.0

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

III

0.309 107.9 108.3 - 4.5 -2.0 -1.4 0.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.479 140.3 141.9 1.4 0.4 1.0 0.8 1.1

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

20

0.351 106.0 106.2 - 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.408 117.5 117.4 -0.3 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

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

22

0.328 101.8 102.5 0.6 0.1 -0.6 -0.5 0.7

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.581 187.4 193.8 -6.0 0.6 4.7 4.1 3.4

Mineral products

V

5.742 242.3 257.4 23.2 3.8 -3.6 -2.3 6.2

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

27

5.048 233.8 248.5 22.2 2.6 -3.9 -2.3 6.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.042 143.9 144.6 5.9 0.3 -1.0 -0.2 0.5

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.101 188.7 188.4 -0.4 4.9 1.6 1.8 -0.2

Organic chemicals

29

3.022 149.7 151.6 8.0 -0.6 -2.2 -1.8 1.3

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.958 122.1 122.8 5.8 -0.4 -1.5 0.9 0.6

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints, varnish, putty, & inks

32

0.545 116.4 116.5 2.0 0.0 -2.1 2.3 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.711 122.5 124.1 -1.4 0.6 -1.0 -1.0 1.3

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

34

0.436 118.2 119.2 3.4 1.0 -0.4 0.4 0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

2.127 144.5 143.6 8.8 0.6 0.6 1.4 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.076 136.9 137.8 3.1 0.5 -1.3 0.1 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.112 130.4 131.4 2.1 0.5 -1.7 0.0 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.964 166.1 166.3 7.2 0.7 -0.1 0.4 0.1

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

VIII

0.379 120.7 122.6 31.0 1.3 -0.7 -0.3 1.6

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

IX

0.567 110.8 110.2 7.5 0.6 0.4 -0.4 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.568 119.8 120.7 12.4 1.8 0.1 1.9 0.8

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.721 133.9 134.6 39.0 5.5 -1.3 2.8 0.5

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

48

1.345 116.5 117.8 6.9 0.7 1.0 2.2 1.1

Printed material

49

0.502 116.0 116.0 -1.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.035 115.8 117.4 14.1 0.3 1.3 0.1 1.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.685 132.4 137.9 45.3 0.9 2.7 0.2 4.2

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

XIII

0.791 115.5 115.5 1.0 -0.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.418 97.1 97.1 -0.5 -0.9 -0.5 -0.2 0.0

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

XIV

5.073 212.5 209.0 20.2 1.9 1.2 0.8 -1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.827 159.6 161.9 8.0 -0.3 -3.7 -0.6 1.4

Iron and steel

72

1.737 190.9 193.0 14.3 0.0 -5.7 -1.7 1.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.526 159.0 158.7 -0.9 0.3 -0.3 0.4 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.556 216.1 233.6 25.1 -5.8 -4.4 -0.4 8.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.851 117.5 120.4 11.2 0.2 -8.8 -0.3 2.5

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

82

0.413 124.1 124.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.318 125.3 124.7 2.5 0.0 0.5 0.2 -0.5

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

XVI

30.217 95.4 95.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.771 106.7 106.7 1.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

12.446 83.0 82.8 -2.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.332 121.5 121.6 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.568 108.4 108.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec. 2009=100)

89

0.293 100.1 100.7 - 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.6

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

XVIII

5.973 106.6 106.5 -1.8 0.0 -0.3 0.4 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.525 108.0 107.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.761 118.7 118.5 1.0 0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.650 92.9 92.3 -1.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.6

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

Industrialized Countries(2)

41.082 124.5 125.0 4.3 -0.5 -1.3 0.4 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

5.687 193.7 194.8 14.6 -7.0 -2.7 3.0 0.6

Manufactured articles

34.943 118.8 119.3 3.2 0.3 -1.1 0.1 0.4

Other Countries(3)

58.918 123.3 124.0 3.2 -1.0 -1.1 0.0 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

15.714 249.9 255.0 9.5 -4.2 -3.8 0.3 2.0

Manufactured articles

43.010 105.4 105.6 1.2 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.2

Canada

15.923 139.3 140.3 8.2 -1.5 -2.1 0.1 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles

5.257 187.4 188.3 15.7 -7.7 -2.7 3.4 0.5

Manufactured articles

10.335 130.5 131.4 6.0 0.9 -1.9 -1.0 0.7

European Union(4)

16.799 127.4 127.8 2.3 0.0 -0.9 -0.2 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

0.211 250.0 252.1 5.0 -4.7 0.8 -0.2 0.8

Manufactured articles

16.491 124.9 125.3 2.3 0.1 -0.9 -0.2 0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.948 121.1 121.3 -0.6 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.572 110.8 111.3 1.5 -0.3 -1.2 -0.4 0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.566 125.0 125.6 3.3 0.1 -0.6 -0.2 0.5

Latin America(5)

17.999 154.6 156.1 5.3 -2.2 -1.3 0.1 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles

6.186 274.9 281.4 8.6 -6.1 -2.2 1.9 2.4

Manufactured articles

11.730 129.4 129.8 3.1 -0.3 -1.0 -0.7 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

10.275 136.0 137.0 2.9 -1.4 -0.7 -0.7 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

2.141 146.1 150.2 10.6 -5.7 -4.3 0.9 2.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

8.085 96.1 96.3 0.6 0.0 0.3 -1.1 0.2

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

31.500 101.6 101.6 1.8 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)

16.449 100.5 100.5 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Japan

6.678 98.6 98.8 1.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

5.003 89.3 89.2 3.8 1.8 0.1 0.4 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.274 96.3 96.7 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.4 0.4

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

5.380 201.2 204.5 6.2 -2.1 -2.2 -1.8 1.6

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2008 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 2009 to August 2010
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
July
2010(1)
Index Percent change
July
2010
Aug.
2010
Annual Monthly
Aug.
2009
to
Aug.
2010
Apr.
2010
to
May
2010
May
2010
to
June
2010
June
2010
to
July
2010
July
2010
to
Aug.
2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 160.7 162.8 21.9 2.2 -0.9 -1.1 1.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

19.688 124.8 130.3 -1.1 0.8 -5.5 -1.3 4.4

Asia

72.292 150.7 151.6 31.8 1.5 0.3 -0.3 0.6

Export Air Freight

100.000 124.6 125.3 4.4 0.6 1.5 -1.3 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

38.516 114.8 114.9 6.1 -0.5 3.0 -1.7 0.1

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 145.0 146.7 16.5 1.6 -0.1 -1.4 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

21.588 118.2 122.7 -0.6 0.9 -3.9 -1.3 3.8

Asia

68.104 136.2 137.0 26.0 1.6 0.5 -0.6 0.6

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 121.6 121.7 9.6 1.4 1.2 -0.7 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

41.371 141.4 141.6 10.6 0.4 1.9 -0.6 0.1

Asia

41.808 110.1 110.2 7.8 1.9 0.8 -0.7 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 173.1 166.0 19.0 2.9 9.2 -1.3 -4.1

Europe

43.728 193.9 182.4 27.6 3.7 13.7 -3.9 -5.9

Asia

29.299 156.8 149.7 15.2 6.6 11.5 0.8 -4.5

Latin America/Caribbean

12.062 145.4 146.9 14.5 -4.9 1.6 3.5 1.0

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 185.8 187.0 20.3 0.6 7.8 5.4 0.6

Europe

35.852 248.3 231.5 24.7 0.6 16.5 3.1 -6.8

Asia

29.602 163.7 197.0 42.9 6.1 2.4 5.5 20.3

Latin America/Caribbean

19.707 173.0 166.3 6.9 -3.9 5.6 2.1 -3.9

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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 15, 2010