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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-16-2164
8:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, November 15, 2016

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 2016                               

U.S. import prices advanced 0.5 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 
a 0.2-percent increase in September. The October increase was driven by higher fuel prices which more than 
offset declining nonfuel prices. The price index for U.S. exports increased 0.2 percent in October following 
a 0.3-percent advance the previous month.  

Imports

All Imports: Prices for U.S. imports rose for the second consecutive month, advancing 0.5 percent in 
October following a 0.2-percent advance the previous month. Import prices fell 0.2 percent in August, the 
only monthly decline since February. Despite trending up over most of 2016, import prices edged down 0.2 
percent for the year ended in October.                          

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel rose 7.2 percent in October, after a 1.5-percent advance in 
September and monthly declines in August and July. Both petroleum and natural gas contributed to the 
overall October rise in fuel prices, increasing 7.5 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. Import fuel prices 
rose 3.8 percent over the past year, the first 12-month advance for the index since a 2.9-percent increase in 
July 2014. The October 12-month increase was led by a 4.5-percent rise in petroleum prices which more 
than offset a 2.8-percent drop in natural gas prices.                  

All Imports Excluding Fuel: In contrast, nonfuel prices fell 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month 
in October. The decline was driven by falling prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; capital 
goods; and foods, feeds, and beverages which more than offset rising prices for automotive vehicles and 
consumer goods. The price index for nonfuel imports fell for the year ended in October, decreasing 0.4 
percent. Prices over the past 12 months declined across all categories except two; foods, feeds, and 
beverages rose 4.0 percent and automotive vehicles recorded no change.                 
  
Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories

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

2015

October

-0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

November

-0.6 -4.0 -0.3 -0.7 -0.9 -0.7

December

-1.2 -10.0 -0.3 -1.1 -0.9 -1.1

2016

January

-1.3 -15.6 -0.1 -0.9 -1.3 -0.9

February

-0.5 -6.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.7 -0.6

March

0.4 8.5 -0.1 -0.1 -2.1 0.2

April

0.7 9.8 0.1 0.5 0.8 0.4

May

1.2 12.7 0.3 1.1 3.0 1.0

June

0.7 10.5 -0.2 0.8 2.5 0.5

July

0.1 -2.1 0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.3

August

-0.2 (r)-3.4 (r)0.1 -0.8 -3.5 (r)-0.5

September

(r)0.2 (r)1.5 (r)-0.1 0.3 (r)-1.1 0.4

October

0.5 7.2 -0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2

Oct. 2014 to 2015

-10.7 -47.4 -3.2 -6.7 -11.8 -6.1

Oct. 2015 to 2016

-0.2 3.8 -0.4 -1.1 -3.0 -0.8

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: U.S. export prices increased 0.2 percent in October following a 0.3-percent advance in 
September. In October, higher agricultural and nonagricultural prices both contributed to the overall 
advance. Despite the recent increases, prices for U.S. exports fell over the past year, declining 1.1 percent. 
The over-the-year drop in export prices was the smallest 12-month decrease since the index fell 0.7 percent 
in October 2014.                           

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports increased 0.4 percent in October, after 
decreasing 4.9 percent over the previous 3 months. The upturn in October was led by increasing prices for 
fruit, nuts, and wheat, which rose 4.4 percent, 5.1 percent, and 4.0 percent, respectively. Those increases 
more than offset a 3.1-percent drop in soybean prices which fell for the third consecutive month. Overall 
agricultural prices declined 3.0 percent for the year ended in October.        

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices increased 0.2 percent in October following a 
0.4-percent rise the previous month. In October, higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials and automotive vehicles more than offset falling prices for consumer goods and capital goods. 
Prices for nonagricultural exports declined 0.8 percent between October 2015 and October 2016.

                                          SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS                                           

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China recorded no change in October and declined 1.6 
percent over the past year. Prices for imports from China have fallen or recorded no change on a monthly 
basis since December 2014 and on a 12-month basis since October 2014. The price index for imports from 
Japan continued a 4-month upward trend in October, rising 0.2 percent. Import prices from Japan rose 1.2 
percent over the past 12 months, the largest over-the-year increase since September 2012. Price indexes rose 
in October for other major trading partners. Prices for imports from Canada rose 1.4 percent, driven by 
higher fuel prices. The price index for imports from the European Union advanced 0.2 percent and import 
prices from Mexico increased 0.1 percent.                                

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials declined 
0.7 percent for the second consecutive month in October. Lower prices for unfinished metals were the 
primary contributor to the monthly decreases in both October and September.           
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in October. Prices for automotive vehicles rose 0.3 
percent, matching the largest 1-month advance since the index rose 0.7 percent in April 2012. Consumer 
goods also increased, ticking up 0.1 percent. In contrast, capital goods prices fell 0.2 percent driven by a 
1.2-percent drop in computer prices.                        

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 0.6 percent in October, led by 
a 3.8-percent decline in vegetable prices and a 2.7-percent drop in meat prices.                  

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 6.3 percent in October following a 4.2-percent 
rise the previous month. Higher European, Asian, and Latin American/Caribbean fares contributed to the 
overall October increase. Import air passenger fares advanced 0.2 percent for the year ended in October. The 
price index for import air freight increased 4.0 percent in October and fell 4.2 percent over the past year. 
The October advance was the largest monthly rise since the index increased 5.0 percent in October 2015.

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials increased 0.9 percent in October, after rising 1.3 percent the previous month. Both increases were 
led by higher fuel prices which increased 5.3 percent in October and 5.9 percent in September.           

Finished Goods: Export consumer goods prices fell 0.7 percent in October, the largest drop since the index 
declined 0.8 percent in January. Capital goods prices also decreased in October, edging down 0.1 percent. 
Automotive vehicle prices advanced 0.2 percent which was largely attributable to year-end model 
changeovers.                   

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 1.9 percent in October following an 11.1-
percent decline the previous month. The index for export air passenger fares fell 3.6 percent over the past 12 
months, driven by a 5.7-percent drop in Asian fares and a 3.6-percent decline in European fares. Prices for 
export air freight rose 0.7 percent in October and decreased 1.1 percent over the past year.              

Import and Export Price Index data for November 2016 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, December 13, 
2016 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).    


Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2015 to October 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

All commodities

  100.000 120.7 121.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.5

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

  85.347 98.2 98.1 -0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum

  92.353 111.1 111.0 -0.4 0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  91.727 115.2 115.1 -0.4 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.380 180.8 179.8 4.0 3.1 1.4 0.4 -0.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.956 198.8 197.1 3.4 3.9 1.7 0.4 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.424 140.2 140.8 6.2 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials

1

21.806 156.9 160.4 0.8 0.3 -1.2 0.2 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.159 141.7 140.9 -0.7 2.2 0.5 -0.6 -0.6

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

  13.533 161.0 159.8 -0.6 1.6 0.3 -0.7 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.294 151.3 149.3 1.2 2.5 0.7 -0.9 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.239 129.6 130.2 -3.3 1.7 0.2 -0.2 0.5

Fuels & lubricants

10

8.273 152.0 162.9 3.8 -2.1 -3.4 1.5 7.2

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

7.647 163.5 175.8 4.5 -3.1 -4.1 1.6 7.5

Crude

10000

5.572 166.9 178.5 4.9 -3.0 -4.0 1.0 7.0

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

101

0.452 89.7 94.3 -3.4 20.7 8.0 0.4 5.1

Gas-natural

10110

0.362 74.1 78.9 -2.8 28.0 10.3 0.5 6.5

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.567 105.7 104.7 -4.1 -0.5 0.1 -1.2 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.738 149.0 149.4 -3.0 0.5 -0.5 -0.1 0.3

Selected building materials

13

1.302 137.4 137.3 3.3 0.1 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.531 200.1 195.7 3.7 6.0 1.5 -1.8 -2.2

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.687 145.4 143.5 -3.0 0.7 0.4 -0.8 -1.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.708 108.0 107.8 -1.1 -0.7 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

Capital goods

2

28.484 89.1 88.9 -1.4 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Electric generating equipment

20

3.455 115.9 115.9 -1.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

22.333 81.6 81.4 -1.6 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.2

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

22

2.696 136.3 136.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

16.093 110.4 110.7 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

27.237 106.6 106.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

13.006 119.3 119.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

12.744 94.0 94.3 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.487 118.5 118.6 0.3 -0.6 -0.3 0.4 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2015 to October 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

All commodities

  100.000 120.5 120.7 -1.1 0.2 -0.8 0.3 0.2

Agricultural commodities

  8.922 173.0 173.7 -3.0 -0.3 -3.5 -1.1 0.4

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

  84.667 98.4 98.2 -0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.078 116.5 116.7 -0.8 0.3 -0.5 0.4 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.360 174.8 175.4 -2.8 -0.5 -3.7 -0.9 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.654 173.9 174.5 -3.6 -0.6 -4.1 -1.2 0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.706 193.0 193.2 6.2 0.9 0.6 2.9 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

29.095 141.9 143.1 -1.0 0.8 -1.3 1.3 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.750 154.8 153.1 0.3 1.8 0.2 0.0 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  18.345 135.8 138.5 -1.7 0.2 -2.1 2.0 2.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.268 172.8 174.2 1.4 1.6 0.3 -0.3 0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  27.827 140.8 142.0 -1.1 0.8 -1.3 1.3 0.9

Fuels & lubricants

11

6.973 148.3 156.2 0.2 -0.4 -5.0 5.9 5.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

19.805 149.4 148.3 -2.0 1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.7

Selected building materials

13

1.049 116.9 117.2 3.5 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.3

Capital goods

2

38.949 106.9 106.8 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.964 112.2 111.9 -1.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

26.228 93.9 93.8 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

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

22

8.757 164.9 165.1 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.680 112.7 112.9 -0.7 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.916 110.6 109.8 -1.9 0.5 -0.2 0.2 -0.7

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.884 106.7 106.2 -1.4 0.9 -0.5 0.2 -0.5

Durables, manufactured

41

5.404 108.0 106.8 -2.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 -1.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2015 to October 2016 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

Nonmanufacturing

  8.369 86.5 90.6 4.4 0.2 -1.4 1.1 4.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.147 185.9 182.2 5.6 6.8 4.7 1.5 -2.0

Crop production

111

1.776 204.2 200.1 8.0 8.8 5.8 2.3 -2.0

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.198 76.1 70.3 -9.5 -2.7 1.5 -4.2 -7.6

Mining

21

6.222 74.4 79.6 4.2 -1.8 -3.3 0.9 7.0

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

212

0.239 95.3 95.9 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 0.7 0.6

Manufacturing

  91.308 108.9 109.0 -0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Manufacturing, part 1

31

12.192 123.8 123.8 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Food manufacturing

311

3.516 153.9 153.9 3.1 0.5 -0.6 0.5 0.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.088 117.8 118.3 0.0 -0.8 -0.1 0.1 0.4

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.402 97.8 97.7 -2.5 0.2 -1.2 0.1 -0.1

Textile product mills

314

0.902 109.6 109.5 -1.6 0.0 0.7 0.1 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.368 111.2 111.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.918 123.0 122.9 -1.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Manufacturing, part 2

32

16.700 115.2 116.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.9 0.2 0.8

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.790 115.7 115.7 5.8 0.2 0.4 -0.5 0.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.065 104.4 104.0 -2.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.9 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

1.944 73.1 79.2 1.9 -3.3 -4.3 3.4 8.3

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.387 129.9 129.8 -1.2 0.2 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.280 117.6 117.0 -1.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.032 129.4 129.4 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufacturing, part 3

33

62.415 103.5 103.4 -0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.276 132.0 129.8 1.7 5.0 1.6 -1.9 -1.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.104 122.1 121.6 -2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.710 116.5 116.4 -1.7 0.0 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

17.994 76.3 76.3 -1.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.827 114.5 115.0 -1.6 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.305 109.6 109.9 0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.663 115.0 115.0 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.536 119.8 119.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2015 to October 2016 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

Nonmanufacturing

  6.921 122.1 121.4 -2.6 0.7 -4.3 0.0 -0.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.485 149.0 150.6 -4.9 -1.5 -5.7 -1.0 1.1

Crop production

111

4.197 154.7 156.4 -4.9 -1.6 -6.1 -1.6 1.1

Mining

21

2.436 69.5 67.0 2.4 5.5 -1.6 2.1 -3.6

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.167 80.4 85.2 6.6 0.6 2.5 1.3 6.0

Manufacturing

  91.740 111.3 111.5 -0.9 0.2 -0.4 0.3 0.2

Manufacturing, part 1

31

6.780 135.3 134.7 -0.2 0.6 -0.1 -0.6 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

4.548 151.9 151.2 -0.2 0.9 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.647 112.9 112.0 5.1 2.0 1.6 -0.7 -0.8

Manufacturing, part 2

32

23.171 105.7 107.1 -1.8 -0.4 -1.5 1.4 1.3

Paper manufacturing

322

1.720 120.2 118.9 -3.9 -0.4 0.1 -0.2 -1.1

Printing and related support activities (Dec. 2015=100)

323

0.268 100.0 100.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.495 85.7 92.5 1.8 -3.2 -5.5 7.5 7.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

12.922 113.8 113.8 -3.0 0.7 -0.9 0.0 0.0

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.364 114.3 113.8 -2.5 -0.8 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.867 112.9 112.7 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.2 -0.2

Manufacturing, part 3

33

61.789 111.2 111.0 -0.6 0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.358 137.6 134.5 0.4 4.9 0.1 -0.4 -2.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.300 130.4 130.3 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.604 126.0 126.0 0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.366 83.2 82.8 -2.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.830 112.3 112.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.2 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.323 122.1 122.3 0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2

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

337

0.417 117.9 118.0 7.2 1.4 0.9 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.590 119.7 119.6 -2.2 -0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2015 to October 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

Live animals; animal products

I

1.494 191.6 189.8 5.9 0.2 0.8 0.2 -0.9

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.389 238.8 236.3 6.2 0.2 1.3 -0.3 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.802 145.0 145.8 12.0 1.2 0.8 1.7 0.6

Vegetable products

II

2.257 224.1 221.9 9.6 9.7 6.5 3.2 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.579 525.8 503.3 0.9 1.1 5.3 21.5 -4.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.772 127.1 127.3 34.4 36.2 18.4 -4.0 0.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.372 235.4 234.5 2.6 2.4 -0.6 0.9 -0.4

Oilseeds & misc grains, seeds, plants, straw & fodder (Dec. 2015=100)

12

0.155 95.1 97.1 - -0.8 -2.9 -7.9 2.1

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

III

0.290 110.8 109.9 6.8 0.2 0.4 3.3 -0.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.783 160.8 160.9 0.8 -0.1 -1.6 -0.1 0.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.192 86.8 87.2 2.2 0.0 0.5 -0.2 0.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.246 114.5 111.1 -2.5 0.1 -2.0 1.4 -3.0

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

19

0.286 133.0 133.0 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

20

0.332 159.5 163.4 7.1 1.9 -0.2 0.9 2.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.026 127.7 128.0 -0.2 -0.8 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Mineral products

V

8.302 151.4 162.3 3.0 -2.2 -3.4 1.4 7.2

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

27

8.139 149.0 159.9 3.4 -2.1 -3.5 1.4 7.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.809 146.0 145.5 -0.8 0.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.546 254.5 249.3 -13.3 -1.5 0.0 -1.2 -2.0

Organic chemicals

29

2.393 121.2 120.7 -0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.815 140.7 140.4 1.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.258 70.2 69.8 -23.8 3.5 -8.3 -4.4 -0.6

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

32

0.195 101.6 102.6 4.7 2.8 0.1 0.3 1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.671 102.1 102.1 9.5 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.503 136.9 137.0 -1.2 0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.243 140.1 139.9 -1.8 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.260 132.6 133.2 -0.1 1.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.5

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

VIII

0.704 123.3 123.3 -3.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

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

42

0.671 128.6 128.6 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

IX

0.827 141.0 140.9 5.5 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.1

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (Dec. 2014=100)

44

0.788 96.9 96.9 5.9 0.3 0.4 -0.4 0.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.143 108.9 108.3 -2.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.6 -0.6

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

48

0.779 104.2 103.2 -1.9 0.1 0.0 -0.4 -1.0

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)

49

0.212 100.9 100.7 - 0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.490 113.4 113.3 -0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.267 103.6 103.7 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.893 119.5 119.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.640 104.1 104.0 -1.3 -0.1 1.2 0.1 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artificial flowers, etc.

XII

1.527 122.4 122.4 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.303 121.5 121.5 -1.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

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

XIII

0.958 131.0 130.9 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.328 97.8 97.8 - -1.0 -0.3 -0.4 0.0

Ceramic products

69

0.282 137.5 137.4 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.348 129.9 129.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.0

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

XIV

3.186 176.7 172.7 4.5 5.7 1.1 -1.3 -2.3

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.474 156.4 155.2 -2.3 1.0 0.4 -0.6 -0.8

Iron and steel

72

1.352 172.1 167.7 0.5 2.3 0.7 -1.5 -2.6

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.709 137.5 136.6 -5.5 0.0 0.1 -0.4 -0.7

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.360 241.9 239.1 -8.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 -1.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.713 119.1 120.3 -3.0 0.0 -0.2 -1.3 1.0

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

82

0.445 122.4 122.3 -3.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.526 136.5 136.5 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

30.583 80.8 80.8 -1.5 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.560 85.9 85.7 -1.6 0.1 -0.3 0.4 -0.2

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

85

15.023 75.8 76.1 -1.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.365 113.9 114.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.874 112.6 113.0 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.1 0.4

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

88

1.417 118.8 118.9 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

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

XVIII

4.027 103.5 103.2 0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.695 100.3 100.0 0.0 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.268 142.3 142.2 1.1 0.1 -0.1 0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.191 111.8 111.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

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

94

2.567 116.5 116.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.347 103.2 103.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.277 133.8 130.9 -2.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.8 -2.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2015 to October 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

Live animals; animal products

I

1.777 191.2 191.8 4.2 1.2 -0.2 1.5 0.3

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

02

1.020 146.4 146.7 3.6 0.2 -1.3 -0.9 0.2

Vegetable products

II

4.169 187.7 190.2 -5.7 -1.5 -6.7 -1.7 1.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.845 142.0 152.0 -12.9 -1.7 -6.7 -2.1 7.0

Cereals

10

1.143 164.3 168.9 -13.8 -8.6 -2.9 -3.7 2.8

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

12

1.637 204.8 199.0 2.7 3.4 -8.2 -2.0 -2.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.966 148.9 147.9 -1.2 0.5 -0.1 -1.1 -0.7

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

20

0.374 117.6 116.5 -1.8 -1.2 0.1 0.0 -0.9

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

22

0.546 110.6 111.9 3.3 0.8 -1.6 0.4 1.2

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.684 206.9 204.0 0.4 2.9 0.0 -3.9 -1.4

Mineral products

V

6.998 172.1 179.1 1.2 0.7 -3.9 6.0 4.1

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)

26

0.514 81.2 81.5 10.9 2.1 1.3 3.4 0.4

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

27

6.280 163.9 171.4 0.6 0.6 -4.3 6.4 4.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.745 135.9 135.3 -3.4 0.4 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.905 172.6 167.6 -8.6 0.9 -0.4 -1.0 -2.9

Organic chemicals

29

2.453 132.4 132.6 -3.4 -0.2 -0.5 0.2 0.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.968 108.9 108.7 -1.4 1.9 -0.7 0.4 -0.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100)

32

0.539 97.7 97.5 - -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.833 134.6 131.1 -3.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 -2.6

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

34

0.514 115.8 116.4 3.6 -0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.848 146.6 146.1 -3.2 0.1 -0.9 -0.2 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.101 136.5 136.6 -1.7 0.5 -0.7 0.3 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.116 131.9 132.2 -1.9 0.8 -0.8 0.2 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.985 156.3 155.5 -1.0 -0.3 0.0 0.6 -0.5

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

VIII

0.330 120.0 120.4 -3.5 0.2 -0.3 0.7 0.3

Raw hides and skins other than furskins and leather (Dec.2014=100)

41

0.180 69.0 69.5 -4.8 0.1 -1.3 0.3 0.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)

IX

0.660 96.7 97.1 2.8 -0.4 0.5 1.2 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.151 122.9 122.7 -0.6 1.0 1.3 -0.9 -0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.645 130.0 129.6 2.5 4.1 5.1 -3.0 -0.3

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

48

1.125 118.9 118.6 -3.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.1 -0.3

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.381 100.4 100.6 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.716 120.0 119.7 -1.1 0.9 -0.7 0.2 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.410 122.1 122.3 4.1 5.9 -2.9 0.7 0.2

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

XIII

0.871 123.1 123.1 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.295 101.2 101.2 - 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.440 99.7 99.7 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XIV

4.566 240.4 235.4 3.8 4.7 0.3 -0.3 -2.1

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.954 142.8 142.5 -2.3 -0.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Iron and steel

72

1.009 142.7 140.7 -4.6 -2.8 2.1 -0.6 -1.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.416 149.6 152.9 -8.4 2.8 -0.1 -3.0 2.2

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.766 103.2 102.9 -3.4 0.1 -1.5 0.0 -0.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100)

82

0.392 100.0 100.0 - 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.355 147.8 147.8 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

XVI

29.708 95.5 95.2 -1.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.757 112.3 112.2 -0.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.951 77.3 76.9 -2.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

15.184 131.6 131.9 0.6 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.201 114.4 114.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.3

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

XVIII

6.195 106.0 105.9 -1.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.562 112.4 112.5 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.941 128.5 128.7 3.3 1.1 0.5 0.2 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.472 89.2 89.2 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: October 2015 to October 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 117.0 117.5 0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.4

Nonmanufacturing

7.414 120.1 126.1 3.0 -2.6 -2.8 0.3 5.0

Manufacturing

92.130 116.3 116.4 0.0 0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Other Countries(3)

100.000 117.8 118.5 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.6

Nonmanufacturing

8.737 174.5 183.2 2.1 1.2 -3.1 1.6 5.0

Manufacturing

91.011 102.6 102.7 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Canada

100.000 118.5 120.2 1.5 -0.1 -1.3 0.1 1.4

Nonmanufacturing

21.225 114.2 120.5 3.1 -2.8 -2.8 0.2 5.5

Manufacturing

77.974 123.7 124.2 1.0 0.6 -1.0 0.2 0.4

European Union(4)

100.000 131.2 131.5 -1.1 -0.4 -0.4 0.1 0.2

Manufacturing

99.526 127.9 128.1 -1.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.2 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 122.4 122.4 0.7 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 112.9 112.2 -4.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.2 -0.6

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 117.7 117.4 -3.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.9 -0.3

Latin America(5)

100.000 139.6 140.6 -0.8 0.5 -0.5 0.1 0.7

Nonmanufacturing

16.754 199.4 207.6 3.1 2.0 -3.8 3.2 4.1

Manufacturing

82.748 119.2 119.2 -1.6 0.1 0.3 -0.5 0.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 125.9 126.0 -1.1 0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.1

Nonmanufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)

9.086 114.8 114.9 5.3 13.3 -6.5 1.3 0.1

Manufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)

90.453 88.1 88.1 -1.7 -1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

100.000 98.6 98.6 -1.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 100.7 100.7 -1.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Japan

100.000 96.1 96.3 1.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 84.4 84.3 -1.9 -0.4 0.1 0.4 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 96.9 97.0 -1.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.2 0.1

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

100.000 143.4 149.5 1.2 0.3 -0.7 -0.4 4.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.
(2) Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) European Union countries.
(5) Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries - Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) 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 3 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 2015 to October 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Sept.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Sept.
2016
Oct.
2016
Annual Monthly
Oct.
2015
to
Oct.
2016
June
2016
to
July
2016
July
2016
to
Aug.
2016
Aug.
2016
to
Sept.
2016
Sept.
2016
to
Oct.
2016

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 153.0 159.1 -4.2 0.9 1.6 1.2 4.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.483 137.0 137.4 -6.6 -0.3 -1.3 0.9 0.3

Asia

62.647 136.3 144.9 -3.7 1.7 3.1 1.5 6.3

Export Air Freight

100.000 153.4 154.4 -1.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

37.847 145.5 145.5 -2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 146.3 152.7 -1.4 0.6 1.3 1.2 4.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

28.155 134.5 135.0 -2.0 -0.4 -0.5 0.2 0.4

Asia

57.420 129.8 139.5 -0.6 1.5 2.5 2.0 7.5

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 136.9 135.6 -6.9 -0.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

33.102 142.9 143.0 -9.7 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.1

Asia

42.890 128.2 125.3 -8.8 -1.4 -1.0 -0.2 -2.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 177.8 189.0 0.2 -3.9 -6.0 4.2 6.3

Europe

44.436 206.5 220.7 -0.3 -8.4 -8.5 10.0 6.9

Asia

22.222 125.3 131.3 -7.7 -3.1 -7.2 -5.6 4.8

Latin America/Caribbean

9.277 148.3 154.5 3.7 3.0 0.2 -5.7 4.2

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 146.3 149.1 -3.6 2.8 4.6 -11.1 1.9

Europe

30.999 193.9 199.0 -3.6 -3.3 -6.2 0.5 2.6

Asia

27.770 125.0 126.5 -5.7 1.3 22.4 -24.7 1.2

Latin America/Caribbean

23.523 153.9 160.0 5.1 8.6 -1.9 -5.8 4.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 
the export air passenger fares indexes. 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 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 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 
revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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.

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 
email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 
 
Additional Information - More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 
page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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 15, 2016