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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-12-2205
8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, November 9, 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 - OCTOBER 2012

The price index for U.S. imports rose 0.5 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 
today, following increases for each of the previous two months. Higher fuel and nonfuel prices each 
contributed to the October advance. U.S. export prices were unchanged in October after increasing 0.8 
percent in September. 


Imports

All Imports: Import prices rose for the third consecutive month in October, increasing 0.5 percent after a 1.1 
percent advance in September and a 1.2 percent rise in August. This upturn was largely driven by higher fuel 
prices, although nonfuel prices also increased in October and September. Led by the recent advances, overall 
import prices ticked up 0.4 percent for the year ended in October, which was the first 12-month rise in 
import prices since April.     

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices increased 1.2 percent in October following advances of 4.5 percent in September 
and 6.1 percent in August. Prior to August, fuel prices had trended down overall in 2012. The recent 
increases helped drive the price index for import fuel up 1.0 percent over the past 12 months. Both the 
October increase in fuel prices and the advance over the past year were led by higher petroleum prices, 
which rose 1.3 percent for the month and 1.9 percent for the year ended in October. A 4.9 percent increase 
in natural gas prices also contributed to the October advance in fuel prices. Despite the October rise, natural 
gas prices fell 20.5 percent for the October 2011-12 period.           

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports advanced 0.3 percent in October 
following a 0.2 percent rise the previous month. Those were the first monthly increases for the index since 
April, and each of the major finished goods categories contributed to the rise in October. Nonfuel import 
prices also rose over the past 12 months, ticking up 0.1 percent. Rising prices for finished goods over the 
year more than offset lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and 
beverages.   


Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

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 -0.6

June

-2.3 -8.5 -0.3 -1.7 -3.5 -1.5

July

-0.7 -2.0 -0.4 0.4 6.0 -0.2

August

(r)1.2 (r)6.1 -0.2 (r)0.9 (r)4.7 0.4

September

1.1 (r)4.5 0.2 0.8 (r)1.2 0.7

October

0.5 1.2 0.3 0.0 -1.9 0.2

Oct. 2010 to 2011

11.1 34.3 4.8 6.3 11.5 5.8

Oct. 2011 to 2012

0.4 1.0 0.1 1.4 11.6 0.2

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Export prices recorded no change in October as rising nonagricultural prices were offset by a 
downturn in prices for agricultural exports. The price index for overall exports had risen in each of the 
previous three months, advancing 2.1 percent overall for the third quarter of 2012. Prices for overall exports 
increased 1.4 percent over the past year, the first 12-month advance for the index since April.     

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices declined 1.9 percent in October, led by a 10.4 percent drop 
in soybeans prices. The October drop in agricultural prices followed increases of 1.2 percent, 4.7 percent, 
and 6.0 percent in the three previous months and the index advanced 11.6 percent for the year ended in 
October. 12-month advances of 37.1 percent for soybeans prices, 26.0 percent for corn prices, and 20.2 
percent for wheat prices all contributed to the year-over-year rise in agricultural prices.           

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports increased a relatively 
modest 0.2 percent in October after a 0.7 percent advance the previous month that was driven by a 4.5 
percent rise in fuel prices. In contrast, fuel prices in October declined 0.8 percent. Prices for nonagricultural 
exports advanced 0.2 percent over the past year.   
		


                                    SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China fell 0.3 percent in October, the largest monthly 
drop for the index since a 0.4 percent decline in April. The October decrease followed a 0.2 percent decline 
in September and for the second consecutive month was driven by lower prices for computer and electronic 
products, down 0.4 percent in October after declining 0.6 percent the previous month. Prices for imports 
from China decreased 0.4 percent over the past year, the first 12-month decline for the index since August 
2010. In contrast, import prices from the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Japan all rose in October. 
Import prices from the European Union increased 0.6 percent in October, paralleling a recent rise in the Euro 
relative to the U.S. dollar. Prices for imports from Canada rose 0.5 percent in October, while import prices 
from Mexico advanced 0.4 percent. The price index for imports from Japan increased 0.3 percent, the largest 
rise since the index advanced a similar 0.3 percent in August 2011.     

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices rose 1.1 
percent in October following a 0.2 percent decline the previous month, led by a 4.4 percent advance in 
unfinished metals prices.  

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods indexes advanced in October. Consumer goods 
prices rose 0.2 percent, led by a 0.7 percent increase for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. The 
price index for automotive vehicles advanced 0.3 percent driven by a 0.6 percent increase in prices for 
passenger cars. Prices for capital goods also rose in October, ticking up 0.1 percent.  
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices advanced 0.2 percent in October after 
rising 1.7 percent in September. Despite the recent increases, prices for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.8 
percent over the past 12 months.    

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 2.0 percent in October following declines in each 
of the previous three months. The October advance was led by a 3.7 percent increase in European fares. 
Overall, import air passenger fares advanced 3.1 percent between October 2011 and October 2012. The price 
index for import air freight increased 1.3 percent in October, while decreasing 2.7 percent over the past year.  

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials increased 0.5 percent in October following a 1.8 percent advance the previous month. The 
October increase was led by a 5.4 percent rise in nonferrous metals prices.  
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were flat overall in October. Capital goods prices and prices for 
consumer goods each ticked up 0.1 percent, while the price index for automotive vehicles edged down 0.1 
percent.   

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 2.2 percent in October after decreasing 12.4 
percent in September. Those declines drove the index down 2.5 percent over the past year. Prices for export 
air freight advanced 1.6 percent in October and 2.7 percent over the past 12 months.  
		
Import and Export Price Index data for November 2012 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 
December 12, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

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

All commodities

  100.000 141.0 141.7 0.4 -0.7 1.2 1.1 0.5

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

  71.057 103.2 103.5 0.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum

  77.126 115.9 116.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  76.156 120.3 120.7 0.1 -0.4 -0.2 0.2 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.099 171.8 172.2 -0.8 -1.0 -0.6 1.7 0.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.977 194.7 195.0 0.1 -1.0 -0.6 2.3 0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.122 120.2 120.6 -4.0 -1.3 -0.7 -0.2 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials

1

36.888 256.7 259.8 -0.1 -1.9 3.7 2.8 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.013 162.9 164.8 -3.6 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 1.2

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

  13.043 186.8 188.9 -2.5 -1.8 -0.3 -0.2 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.673 174.8 178.7 -3.2 -1.0 -0.5 0.4 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.370 148.9 148.6 -4.2 -1.6 0.5 -0.7 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants

10

23.846 345.3 349.6 1.0 -2.0 6.1 4.5 1.2

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

22.876 388.0 393.0 1.9 -2.4 6.2 4.7 1.3

Crude

10000

17.195 396.8 402.5 3.2 -3.6 6.4 4.5 1.4

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

101

0.676 91.9 95.3 -18.7 10.2 4.5 0.4 3.7

Gas-natural

10110

0.568 77.3 81.1 -20.5 12.4 5.3 -0.3 4.9

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.587 112.9 112.7 -3.9 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.872 175.6 174.7 -1.0 -3.4 0.2 -1.0 -0.5

Selected building materials

13

1.049 141.0 141.3 8.4 0.5 0.6 0.9 0.2

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.513 256.9 268.1 -8.2 -2.0 -1.0 0.5 4.4

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.534 161.7 163.8 0.9 0.1 -0.4 0.2 1.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.488 114.1 114.1 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Capital goods

2

22.283 93.3 93.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

2.893 119.3 119.5 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.738 86.3 86.3 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

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

22

1.652 133.7 133.8 4.9 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.635 114.8 115.2 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.096 107.2 107.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.601 114.6 114.8 0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Durables, manufactured

41

11.231 99.5 99.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.264 115.5 115.6 0.4 -0.8 -2.5 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 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2011 to October 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2012
Oct.
2012
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2011
to
Oct.
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012
Sept.
2012
to
Oct.
2012

All commodities

  100.000 134.5 134.5 1.4 0.4 0.9 0.8 0.0

Agricultural commodities

  11.974 229.7 225.4 11.6 6.0 4.7 1.2 -1.9

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

  80.205 102.6 102.9 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.025 127.6 127.9 0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.7 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

11.070 231.4 227.3 14.2 6.5 4.5 1.0 -1.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

10.350 235.8 231.3 15.0 7.0 4.8 1.1 -1.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.720 191.9 192.9 4.4 0.5 1.1 -0.6 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

33.933 183.4 184.2 -1.1 -0.4 1.4 1.8 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  11.953 183.4 187.0 -1.6 -0.5 -0.5 1.0 2.0

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  21.979 184.3 183.5 -0.8 -0.2 2.5 2.2 -0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.624 201.1 197.2 -6.0 -0.1 4.3 1.9 -1.9

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.309 183.0 184.0 -0.8 -0.4 1.2 1.8 0.5

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.724 273.2 270.9 0.7 0.7 4.6 4.5 -0.8

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

22.643 171.3 173.2 -1.5 -0.8 0.1 0.9 1.1

Selected building materials

13

0.942 118.8 117.9 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.8

Capital goods

2

34.185 105.6 105.7 1.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.516 113.9 114.2 0.4 -0.7 0.1 0.3 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.744 94.8 94.9 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

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

22

5.925 149.2 149.2 2.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.169 113.2 113.1 1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.642 116.7 116.8 -0.1 -0.6 0.0 0.3 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.888 115.3 115.8 1.8 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4

Durables, manufactured

41

5.341 114.8 114.3 0.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.3 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


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

Nonmanufactured articles

  20.354 168.1 170.7 1.1 -3.0 5.5 4.4 1.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.851 173.3 175.2 -1.9 -1.5 -1.1 3.5 1.1

Crop production

111

1.336 182.9 183.3 -0.3 -1.5 -0.3 4.5 0.2

Mining

21

18.503 167.2 169.9 1.5 -3.1 6.2 4.5 1.6

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

212

0.329 144.5 140.2 -9.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.8 -3.0

Manufactured articles

  79.185 117.8 118.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.760 123.7 123.4 -0.1 -0.8 -0.2 -0.6 -0.2

Food manufacturing

311

2.951 155.2 154.1 -1.0 -2.9 -0.4 -1.5 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.844 111.8 112.0 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.4 0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.405 102.4 102.4 - 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.868 115.6 115.7 -2.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.046 110.9 110.7 -0.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.646 120.7 120.7 4.6 0.6 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

18.138 140.5 140.6 -0.1 0.0 1.6 1.3 0.1

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.641 119.9 120.1 11.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.2

Paper manufacturing

322

1.085 110.7 110.6 -1.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.865 178.8 179.4 -0.4 2.7 5.6 4.7 0.3

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.727 134.4 134.3 -0.9 -1.3 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.894 127.5 127.7 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.837 130.3 129.7 1.6 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

50.287 109.6 110.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.087 169.4 176.8 -6.5 -1.8 -1.2 0.4 4.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.555 130.0 130.5 1.8 0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.4

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.637 121.3 121.9 2.3 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.5

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.451 82.3 82.3 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.838 118.4 118.4 1.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

12.304 112.0 112.3 2.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.312 113.7 113.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.104 120.9 121.0 -1.0 -0.1 -1.1 -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: October 2011 to October 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2012
Oct.
2012
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2011
to
Oct.
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012
Sept.
2012
to
Oct.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.968 180.4 174.5 5.1 8.0 4.9 0.6 -3.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

7.121 224.9 217.0 16.4 10.1 6.0 1.2 -3.5

Crop production

111

6.670 234.5 225.4 17.7 11.0 5.5 1.7 -3.9

Mining

21

1.847 94.2 91.9 -23.5 1.0 1.3 -2.0 -2.4

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.319 117.4 109.2 -24.2 -0.3 0.1 -1.5 -7.0

Manufactured articles

  88.190 121.4 121.7 1.2 -0.2 0.5 0.8 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.245 150.0 150.4 3.7 -0.1 1.4 0.9 0.3

Food manufacturing

311

5.058 171.9 172.8 4.7 -0.2 1.6 1.1 0.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.604 128.4 127.5 11.7 1.3 3.4 2.2 -0.7

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.425 122.8 122.8 6.2 -0.2 0.0 1.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.542 135.6 135.8 2.2 -0.5 1.7 2.0 0.1

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.399 114.2 113.4 -0.8 -0.4 0.5 0.0 -0.7

Paper manufacturing

322

1.826 119.6 119.3 -3.6 0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.548 178.0 178.2 9.4 0.5 5.5 6.0 0.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.838 131.1 131.4 0.2 -1.1 0.7 0.8 0.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.183 118.5 118.3 1.8 -0.3 -0.1 1.0 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.747 111.7 111.9 0.7 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.404 113.0 113.4 0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.675 168.9 175.6 -3.7 -0.5 -1.3 1.9 4.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.645 131.9 132.3 3.2 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.026 120.8 120.9 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.147 89.1 89.2 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.186 112.5 112.7 0.7 -0.6 0.1 0.3 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.313 117.0 117.0 1.9 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

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

337

0.296 103.1 104.5 - 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.115 122.5 121.8 -2.2 -0.9 -0.1 0.7 -0.6

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: October 2011 to October 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2012
Oct.
2012
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2011
to
Oct.
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012
Sept.
2012
to
Oct.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.125 160.9 161.4 -3.8 -1.2 -1.7 0.5 0.3

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.274 219.4 217.7 3.8 1.2 0.9 0.4 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.568 112.6 112.8 -10.1 -2.4 -1.6 -1.2 0.2

Vegetable products

II

1.695 215.6 212.9 1.3 -3.4 -0.5 1.5 -1.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.374 373.5 380.5 19.7 -6.1 -1.9 25.8 1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.456 115.2 112.2 -2.0 -0.8 -0.4 -0.9 -2.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.398 260.0 261.7 -9.9 2.2 -1.0 -3.8 0.7

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

III

0.250 127.8 126.4 -2.2 -2.5 -1.4 1.8 -1.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.380 157.6 158.0 0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.182 84.5 86.9 -7.9 -4.8 3.9 1.1 2.8

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

19

0.231 128.8 129.8 3.3 1.2 0.3 0.5 0.8

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

20

0.343 169.9 167.6 2.7 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 -1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.796 122.0 122.4 -0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.4 0.3

Mineral products

V

23.540 347.6 352.0 1.2 -2.0 6.0 4.5 1.3

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

27

23.234 343.9 348.5 1.4 -2.0 6.1 4.6 1.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.302 150.5 150.7 0.5 -0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.988 397.4 393.3 2.9 1.8 1.2 0.6 -1.0

Organic chemicals

29

2.435 138.5 139.1 0.8 0.1 0.5 -0.3 0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.019 117.0 118.3 1.7 -0.4 0.0 0.1 1.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.433 136.4 134.7 -10.3 -12.6 0.1 0.0 -1.2

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

32

0.180 103.5 93.2 - -1.5 -0.3 0.0 -10.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.416 125.4 126.1 -0.1 0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.6

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.469 101.8 100.7 -5.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.070 151.1 151.9 -1.0 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.868 142.8 142.9 0.3 -1.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.202 167.1 169.0 -3.1 -0.7 -0.2 -0.5 1.1

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

VIII

0.586 126.2 126.2 2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

42

0.539 126.9 126.9 3.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

IX

0.675 145.4 146.0 12.1 1.2 1.0 1.1 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.189 113.7 113.7 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

47

0.178 99.8 98.6 - -0.1 -1.9 -2.1 -1.2

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

48

0.795 108.5 108.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.4

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.175 114.5 114.3 -1.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.993 104.8 104.4 -2.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.908 117.3 117.2 0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.629 108.5 108.6 -3.9 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.348 120.1 120.0 4.3 0.7 0.6 -0.1 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.150 119.6 119.5 4.6 0.8 0.8 0.0 -0.1

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

XIII

0.758 132.4 132.1 1.4 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

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

68

0.245 126.5 125.3 1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.8 -0.9

Ceramic products

69

0.227 142.1 142.2 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.287 127.1 127.1 2.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.0

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

XIV

3.240 199.4 208.1 1.0 -0.2 -1.6 2.0 4.4

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.729 183.9 185.5 -4.5 -1.4 -0.5 -0.6 0.9

Iron and steel

72

1.055 227.7 220.5 -13.6 -2.4 -1.4 -2.1 -3.2

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.402 159.7 159.7 -1.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.438 342.7 365.1 1.9 -4.2 1.5 0.9 6.5

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.123 95.0 101.6 -13.9 -2.3 -1.2 -2.5 6.9

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.671 132.6 138.1 -6.3 -2.0 -1.1 -0.6 4.1

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

82

0.363 128.6 128.1 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 -0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.412 136.2 135.3 2.7 0.0 0.4 0.1 -0.7

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

XVI

24.747 85.9 85.9 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.509 90.1 90.1 1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.0

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

85

12.238 81.8 81.9 -1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.249 116.2 116.6 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.452 115.2 115.7 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.4

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

88

0.703 118.0 118.1 2.0 0.4 0.0 -0.6 0.1

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

XVIII

3.199 104.0 104.3 -0.9 0.2 -0.6 0.1 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.944 101.4 101.7 -1.3 0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.195 130.1 130.9 2.3 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.685 112.4 112.8 1.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.4

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

94

1.972 116.6 116.8 1.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.512 104.5 105.0 0.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.202 135.5 135.7 1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.9 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 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2011 to October 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2012
Oct.
2012
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2011
to
Oct.
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012
Sept.
2012
to
Oct.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.921 207.0 212.0 1.8 -0.9 5.1 -1.9 2.4

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

02

1.128 166.6 168.6 -1.2 -1.3 1.2 0.8 1.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.427 208.6 209.9 5.5 -0.5 1.5 -0.7 0.6

Vegetable products

II

6.701 287.0 276.7 21.9 11.2 5.3 1.6 -3.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.846 136.7 143.0 15.3 -2.4 -2.4 2.9 4.6

Cereals

10

2.566 335.8 332.5 21.2 17.4 9.4 -1.1 -1.0

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

12

2.685 335.4 304.5 32.6 14.0 5.4 4.4 -9.2

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

III

0.466 147.2 143.4 -5.0 -2.1 -0.3 1.7 -2.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.860 166.7 167.4 9.8 0.9 3.0 1.6 0.4

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

20

0.310 112.5 110.8 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.3 -1.5

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

22

0.381 109.9 110.9 5.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.9

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.927 281.6 285.1 28.8 3.8 8.2 5.0 1.2

Mineral products

V

8.667 320.4 317.8 0.0 -0.1 4.4 4.1 -0.8

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

27

8.079 317.8 314.8 0.3 0.0 4.8 4.4 -0.9

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.126 154.6 155.0 0.5 -0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.996 185.2 183.3 -6.1 0.8 -0.1 0.4 -1.0

Organic chemicals

29

3.376 165.5 166.5 1.2 -2.1 1.6 0.8 0.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.134 124.6 125.1 0.6 -0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.759 136.8 136.3 2.0 0.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.4

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

34

0.463 123.0 123.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.760 153.8 153.5 2.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.418 148.7 148.7 -1.5 -1.7 0.8 1.4 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.362 140.0 139.9 -0.5 -1.7 1.0 1.7 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.056 189.6 189.5 -5.6 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

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

VIII

0.370 131.8 133.1 2.1 -0.1 1.6 -0.2 1.0

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

IX

0.543 110.9 110.6 1.2 -0.3 0.0 0.8 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.234 114.5 115.8 -7.1 -0.2 -1.5 -1.1 1.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.562 111.2 113.6 -22.0 -1.3 -6.4 -4.5 2.2

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

48

1.219 117.2 117.4 -1.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2

Printed material

49

0.453 121.3 124.3 4.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 2.5

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.894 126.2 124.6 -8.3 -0.3 0.8 0.6 -1.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.533 134.4 130.1 -29.0 -2.0 2.8 1.1 -3.2

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

XIII

0.737 117.8 119.0 1.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.397 98.5 98.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.4

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

XIV

5.229 280.2 289.9 -2.0 -0.9 -1.2 3.1 3.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.372 170.8 171.5 -2.7 -0.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.4

Iron and steel

72

1.558 199.0 195.5 -12.8 -3.1 0.6 -2.5 -1.8

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.350 173.1 173.1 1.1 0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.638 247.2 257.9 10.4 1.5 -1.5 2.0 4.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.805 124.2 127.1 -2.0 -1.0 -0.2 0.6 2.3

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

82

0.381 131.7 133.1 3.7 1.9 0.1 0.0 1.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.336 146.0 146.0 7.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

27.335 96.9 96.9 0.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.932 110.6 110.6 1.9 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.403 82.1 82.1 -1.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.885 126.9 126.8 2.0 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.192 113.0 113.0 1.7 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

5.761 106.2 106.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.336 110.3 110.7 1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.691 120.0 120.9 1.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.8

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.514 90.9 90.9 1.1 0.0 -0.3 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: October 2011 to October 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2012
Oct.
2012
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2011
to
Oct.
2012
June
2012
to
July
2012
July
2012
to
Aug.
2012
Aug.
2012
to
Sept.
2012
Sept.
2012
to
Oct.
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 131.5 132.1 -0.4 -0.6 0.3 1.3 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

12.583 227.2 229.6 -1.9 -2.2 6.0 8.1 1.1

Manufactured articles

86.791 123.7 124.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.5 0.4

Other Countries(3)

100.000 140.9 141.4 0.5 -0.7 1.5 0.9 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

25.329 355.1 361.3 2.3 -3.3 5.5 3.3 1.7

Manufactured articles

74.323 111.6 111.4 -0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2

Canada

100.000 151.1 151.8 -1.0 -1.7 1.7 2.6 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

29.113 213.1 215.7 -3.1 -2.6 5.2 8.2 1.2

Manufactured articles

69.865 138.6 139.0 -0.1 -1.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

European Union(4)

100.000 134.3 135.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

2.364 377.5 382.1 3.3 -0.4 11.2 0.1 1.2

Manufactured articles

97.423 130.5 131.3 -1.6 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 119.8 119.7 -0.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 114.3 114.7 -0.8 0.1 -0.4 0.3 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 134.5 135.3 1.7 -0.2 1.5 0.4 0.6

Latin America(5)

100.000 179.0 180.3 1.3 -0.3 1.9 1.6 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles

35.716 387.0 393.7 4.8 -0.3 5.4 4.1 1.7

Manufactured articles

63.837 133.7 134.0 -0.9 -0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 145.7 146.3 -0.2 -0.1 1.0 0.8 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

21.618 206.5 210.9 4.7 -0.5 6.5 3.4 2.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

78.045 94.7 94.6 -1.7 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

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

100.000 104.3 104.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 104.7 104.4 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Japan

100.000 102.8 103.1 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 91.0 91.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 104.6 104.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

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

100.000 262.6 265.7 -4.0 -5.1 3.2 -0.8 1.2

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

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 173.9 176.2 -2.7 -1.4 -1.6 0.3 1.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.546 157.7 164.4 -5.8 -2.7 -0.9 1.0 4.2

Asia

71.907 155.7 156.5 -1.7 -1.1 -2.0 0.1 0.5

Export Air Freight

100.000 146.8 149.2 2.7 -2.2 -1.0 2.5 1.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.080 132.2 130.5 -1.0 -1.6 -1.0 1.7 -1.3

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 163.2 165.3 1.2 -1.0 -0.3 1.4 1.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.946 145.2 150.3 -1.8 -1.4 -1.0 1.4 3.5

Asia

64.860 149.7 150.6 2.4 -0.9 -0.1 1.4 0.6

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 146.8 147.8 2.3 -2.8 0.0 1.4 0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

30.754 164.3 162.5 -0.8 -1.2 0.1 0.7 -1.1

Asia

49.359 138.7 140.1 3.8 -4.2 -0.1 1.8 1.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 179.8 183.4 3.1 -3.2 -5.5 -1.6 2.0

Europe

40.000 191.2 198.2 6.3 -7.1 -8.0 0.6 3.7

Asia

26.651 152.6 152.1 0.5 -1.2 -3.5 -5.4 -0.3

Latin America/Caribbean

10.891 156.8 159.2 -6.9 1.3 -2.0 -9.1 1.5

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 187.9 183.7 -2.5 4.8 0.8 -12.4 -2.2

Europe

27.261 219.2 212.6 -7.4 1.1 -5.3 -9.8 -3.0

Asia

28.280 170.2 166.9 -2.7 3.2 24.4 -25.9 -1.9

Latin America/Caribbean

24.300 221.2 216.8 15.6 6.0 -6.6 -0.3 -2.0

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


                                          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: November 09, 2012