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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-15-2331
8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, December 10, 2015

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 - NOVEMBER 2015

Prices for U.S. imports fell 0.4 percent in November following a 0.3-percent decline in October, the U.S. 
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A decrease in import fuel prices drove the November decline in 
the price index for overall imports. U.S. export prices declined 0.6 percent in November, after a 0.2-percent 
decrease the previous month. 

Imports

All Imports: Overall import prices decreased 0.4 percent in November, after falling 0.3 percent in October 
and 1.1 percent in September. Import prices have trended down throughout 2015, declining each month with 
the exception of May and June. Prices for imports fell 9.4 percent for the year ended in November, and have 
not increased on a 12-month basis since the index rose 0.9 percent in July 2014.            

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices resumed a downward trend in November, declining 2.5 percent following a 0.1-
percent uptick the previous month. The price index for import fuel decreased 24.9 percent between June and 
September. A 2.5-percent drop in petroleum prices and a 4.6-percent decline in natural gas prices both 
contributed to the November decline in overall import fuel prices. Prices for overall fuel fell 43.2 percent 
over the past 12 months, after decreasing 15.9 percent between November 2013 and November 2014. 
Petroleum prices declined 44.5 percent over the past year, while prices for natural gas fell 32.3 percent.  

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports also decreased in November, falling 0.2 
percent following 0.3-percent declines in each of the previous 4 months. Lower prices for nonfuel industrial 
supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; capital goods; and automotive vehicles all factored into 
the November decline in nonfuel import prices. Prices for nonfuel imports decreased 3.2 percent for the year 
ended in November. Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and 
each of the major finished goods categories all fell over the past 12 months.      

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

2014

November

-1.8 -9.3 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 -1.0

December

-2.5 -15.0 -0.1 -0.9 -0.7 -1.0

2015

January

-3.2 -20.1 -0.7 -1.7 -1.4 -1.8

February

-0.4 -1.9 -0.2 -0.2 -2.2 0.2

March

-0.2 1.5 -0.4 0.0 -1.6 0.2

April

-0.2 1.8 -0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.7

May

1.1 10.8 0.0 0.5 -1.3 0.6

June

0.1 1.5 -0.2 -0.3 -1.6 -0.1

July

-0.9 -6.1 -0.3 -0.4 1.0 -0.6

August

-1.8 -12.7 -0.3 -1.4 -2.5 -1.3

September

(r)-1.1 (r)-8.4 (r)-0.3 -0.6 (r)-1.4 -0.5

October

(r)-0.3 (r)0.1 -0.3 -0.2 (r)0.1 -0.3

November

-0.4 -2.5 -0.2 -0.6 -1.1 -0.6

Nov. 2013 to 2014

-3.1 -15.9 0.0 -1.7 -4.2 -1.4

Nov. 2014 to 2015

-9.4 -43.2 -3.2 -6.3 -12.8 -5.7

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Prices for U.S exports declined 0.6 percent in November, following a 0.2-percent decline in 
October and a 0.6-percent decrease in September. Lower prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural 
exports contributed to the November decline in overall export prices. The price index for overall exports 
only recorded 1 monthly advance over the past year and declined 6.3 percent between November 2014 and 
November 2015.                    

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices decreased 1.1 percent in November, after rising 0.1 percent the 
previous month. In November, the decline was led by a 6.6-percent drop in nut prices and a 2.4-percent 
decrease in soybean prices which more than offset a 4.0-percent advance in fruit prices. Prices for 
agricultural exports fell 12.8 percent over the past year. A 24.5-percent decrease in meat prices was the 
primary factor for the 12-month drop in overall agricultural prices.   

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 0.6 percent in 
November, following a 0.3-percent drop in October. In November, falling prices for nonagricultural 
industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and automotive vehicles more than offset higher consumer 
goods prices. Nonagricultural prices fell 5.7 percent over the past year.         


					SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China declined 0.3 percent in November, matching 
a 0.3-percent decrease in May. Those were the largest monthly drops since the index fell 0.6 percent in May 
2013. Import prices from China decreased 1.5 percent over the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year 
drop since the index declined 1.7 percent for the year ended in January 2010. The price indexes for imports 
from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all fell in November declining 0.5 percent, 0.4 percent, and 
0.3 percent, respectively. All were led by lower fuel prices. Prices for imports from Japan recorded no 
change for the second consecutive month in November.                   

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices fell 0.9 
percent in November, after declining 1.0 percent in October. Both declines were driven by lower prices for 
unfinished metals and chemicals. Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 10.5 percent over 
the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 11.3 percent between October 2008 and 
October 2009.    

Finished Goods: The price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each edged down 0.1 percent 
in November, following declines of 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, the previous month. Capital 
goods prices fell 2.3 percent on a 12-month basis for the second consecutive month, the largest year-over-
year declines since the index fell 2.4 percent in December 2002.             

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages declined 0.5 percent in November, 
after falling 1.1 percent in October. Both decreases were driven by lower vegetable prices.            

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 3.7 percent in November, following a 5.2-
percent rise the previous month. The November advance was led by a 5.1-percent increase in European fares 
which more than offset a 0.7-percent drop in Asian fares. Overall import air passenger fares fell 2.2 percent 
over the past 12 months despite the recent increases. Import air freight prices rose 0.8 percent in November 
and fell 1.5 percent over the past year.   

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices decreased 1.6 percent in November, following a 0.7-percent drop the previous month. Falling prices 
for fuel, metals, and chemicals drove the November decline.     

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in November. Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 
percent for the fourth consecutive month in November and have not recorded a monthly advance since the 
index rose 0.2 percent in February. Prices for automotive vehicles fell 0.2 percent. The last time the index 
fell more than 0.2 percent was a 0.3-percent drop in August 2012. In contrast, consumer goods prices ticked 
up 0.1 percent in November.              

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares declined 0.8 percent in November, following a 1.4-
percent decrease in October and an 11.5-percent drop in September. The November decline was driven by a 
1.0-percent decrease in Asian fares. Export air passenger fares fell 11.9 percent for the year ended in 
November. Export air freight prices rose 0.4 percent in November and decreased 1.1 percent over the past 
12 months.         

Import and Export Price Index data for December 2015 are scheduled for release on Thursday, January 14, 
2016 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).


Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to November 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

All commodities

  100.000 121.5 121.0 -9.4 -1.8 -1.1 -0.3 -0.4

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

  84.450 98.8 98.6 -3.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  91.227 111.5 111.2 -3.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  90.468 115.5 115.3 -3.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.018 172.7 171.9 -5.0 0.3 -0.7 -1.1 -0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.668 190.6 189.7 -4.7 -0.1 -0.7 -1.5 -0.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.350 132.3 131.4 -6.1 1.8 -0.8 0.4 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials

1

22.773 159.3 156.9 -28.0 -6.9 -4.2 -0.6 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  13.999 141.7 140.3 -11.2 -1.8 -0.8 -1.0 -1.0

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

  13.240 160.4 159.0 -10.5 -1.9 -1.0 -1.0 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.784 147.5 145.9 -11.2 -2.3 -0.8 -0.5 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.456 134.2 133.0 -11.2 -1.1 -0.7 -1.8 -0.9

Fuels & lubricants

10

9.534 157.7 153.8 -43.2 -12.7 -8.4 0.1 -2.5

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

8.775 169.3 165.1 -44.5 -13.5 -9.4 0.4 -2.5

Crude

10000

6.329 171.4 165.2 -46.1 -15.0 -9.8 2.3 -3.6

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

101

0.569 97.6 94.4 -25.8 0.2 4.8 -2.7 -3.3

Gas-natural

10110

0.407 81.2 77.5 -32.3 0.4 6.7 -3.7 -4.6

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.603 109.2 109.4 -3.0 0.1 0.0 -0.6 0.2

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.923 153.4 152.3 -10.1 -1.3 -1.4 -1.9 -0.7

Selected building materials

13

1.202 132.9 134.6 -4.3 -1.5 -1.7 -0.2 1.3

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.099 188.7 183.6 -19.8 -4.4 -0.9 -0.6 -2.7

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.698 147.8 146.9 -6.4 -1.0 -0.7 -0.8 -0.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.715 109.0 108.7 -2.8 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Capital goods

2

28.116 90.2 90.1 -2.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

3.425 117.2 117.1 -2.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

22.190 82.7 82.6 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

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

22

2.501 136.9 137.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

15.695 110.7 110.6 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

27.399 107.2 107.2 -0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

13.097 119.2 119.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

12.796 95.4 95.3 -1.7 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.505 116.9 117.1 -2.8 -0.2 -0.6 0.2 0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

All commodities

  100.000 122.0 121.3 -6.3 -1.4 -0.6 -0.2 -0.6

Agricultural commodities

  8.766 179.1 177.2 -12.8 -2.5 -1.4 0.1 -1.1

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

  84.808 99.1 98.7 -2.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.234 117.7 117.0 -5.7 -1.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.6

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.126 180.5 178.9 -13.0 -2.9 -1.4 0.6 -0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.456 181.1 179.5 -13.7 -2.9 -1.5 0.4 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.670 181.3 180.1 -4.3 -3.2 0.0 2.0 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials

1

29.924 144.6 142.3 -15.0 -3.6 -1.5 -0.8 -1.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.799 152.6 150.5 -8.8 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  19.126 141.0 138.6 -18.2 -4.1 -2.3 -1.1 -1.7

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.310 172.3 168.8 -6.9 -0.4 -1.0 -1.4 -2.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  28.614 143.7 141.4 -15.4 -3.7 -1.6 -0.7 -1.6

Fuels & lubricants

11

7.066 156.1 152.6 -32.0 -8.4 -5.0 -1.2 -2.2

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

20.561 151.3 149.1 -8.4 -2.0 -0.3 -0.6 -1.5

Selected building materials

13

0.987 113.2 113.8 -6.5 -1.5 -0.9 0.3 0.5

Capital goods

2

38.790 107.2 107.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.877 112.9 112.8 -2.3 0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

26.495 94.7 94.7 -0.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.0

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

22

8.417 162.1 162.0 2.5 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.429 113.8 113.6 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.731 111.9 112.0 -2.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.642 107.7 107.7 -3.1 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

5.433 109.9 110.0 -1.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  9.052 87.1 84.6 -39.2 -11.3 -6.6 1.0 -2.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.052 171.4 171.4 -5.5 -0.3 0.3 -2.5 0.0

Crop production

111

1.669 183.8 182.8 -4.0 -0.3 0.8 -1.4 -0.5

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.195 77.5 81.3 - -2.0 -2.5 -11.0 4.9

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.108 61.3 60.3 -11.2 2.0 -0.6 -6.8 -1.6

Mining

21

7.000 76.9 74.1 -44.8 -13.9 -8.5 2.1 -3.6

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

212

0.210 97.0 96.8 -18.0 0.0 -0.9 -0.3 -0.2

Manufactured articles

  90.656 109.7 109.5 -4.7 -0.6 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

12.200 123.4 123.1 -2.5 0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Food manufacturing

311

3.324 149.1 148.3 -7.4 0.5 -1.2 -1.1 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.124 118.3 118.2 0.7 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.413 100.2 99.4 -3.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.8

Textile product mills

314

0.904 111.3 110.9 -2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.479 111.6 111.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.957 124.6 124.6 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.202 116.9 116.8 -11.3 -2.0 -1.8 -1.3 -0.1

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.705 109.4 111.4 -6.9 -2.3 -2.6 -0.5 1.8

Paper manufacturing

322

1.114 106.7 106.6 -3.9 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.298 78.0 78.7 -39.1 -9.7 -8.9 -5.0 0.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.638 131.3 130.8 -5.2 -0.6 -0.7 -0.9 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.236 118.6 118.5 -2.9 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.002 130.2 130.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

61.254 104.2 104.0 -3.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

3.781 127.6 124.6 -18.3 -3.6 -1.1 -0.5 -2.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.073 124.8 124.2 -2.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.7 -0.5

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.392 118.5 118.5 -1.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

18.092 77.6 77.5 -2.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.813 117.1 116.9 -2.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

16.885 109.8 109.8 -1.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.619 115.5 115.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.600 119.1 119.2 -2.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.165 124.9 120.8 -17.3 -3.9 -2.7 -1.1 -3.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.173 158.6 156.0 -9.0 -5.1 -2.5 1.7 -1.6

Crop production

111

3.934 164.6 161.9 -9.0 -5.2 -2.6 1.8 -1.6

Mining

21

1.992 65.7 61.2 -31.2 -1.5 -3.0 -6.7 -6.8

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.117 80.4 79.6 -17.0 -3.1 -2.3 -2.0 -1.0

Manufactured articles

  92.421 112.5 112.1 -5.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.851 134.8 133.8 -12.8 -0.4 -0.4 -1.2 -0.7

Food manufacturing

311

4.657 151.3 150.0 -15.9 -0.5 -0.5 -1.3 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.574 106.6 106.9 -4.5 -0.5 -1.4 -2.0 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

23.814 109.2 108.2 -13.5 -3.1 -1.5 -0.5 -0.9

Paper manufacturing

322

1.916 123.7 122.7 -2.5 -1.9 1.6 -0.2 -0.8

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.760 90.9 89.2 -35.3 -10.4 -5.5 -1.2 -1.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.239 117.4 116.4 -7.7 -1.2 -0.8 -0.6 -0.9

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.256 116.4 116.5 -1.9 -0.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.839 112.3 112.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

61.756 111.7 111.4 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.675 134.0 131.5 -7.0 -4.0 1.2 0.2 -1.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.083 129.6 130.2 1.8 0.5 0.0 -0.2 0.5

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.775 125.3 125.5 1.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.457 85.2 84.9 -2.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.785 113.3 113.0 -1.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.922 121.8 121.7 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

337

0.392 110.1 110.1 0.8 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.666 122.3 122.4 -2.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.323 178.1 177.8 -11.7 1.4 -1.6 -3.0 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.306 221.2 218.9 -16.8 0.9 -1.0 -6.7 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.703 129.1 127.2 -8.8 3.2 -1.8 0.7 -1.5

Vegetable products

II

2.010 200.7 198.6 -2.7 -1.0 2.0 -1.2 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.609 498.6 479.1 16.0 1.4 11.1 -5.9 -3.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.492 94.7 95.3 -4.3 -2.9 -2.8 3.4 0.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.363 228.6 226.8 -11.7 0.2 -1.5 -0.6 -0.8

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

III

0.272 103.0 102.4 -8.7 1.9 -3.0 -0.1 -0.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.863 159.8 160.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.180 85.0 85.3 -5.3 -5.5 0.1 -0.8 0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.265 114.0 115.9 4.5 -0.2 2.6 -1.7 1.7

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

19

0.288 132.2 132.0 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

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

20

0.332 152.8 155.7 -6.4 0.3 -2.1 -0.2 1.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.089 128.2 128.2 0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Mineral products

V

9.447 158.4 154.4 -43.3 -12.7 -8.4 0.0 -2.5

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

27

9.208 155.5 151.4 -43.8 -12.9 -8.6 0.1 -2.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.860 146.4 146.0 -4.4 -0.4 -0.6 -0.6 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.661 287.4 283.6 -16.7 -0.1 -1.0 -1.4 -1.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.483 120.8 120.2 -10.0 -1.0 -2.4 -0.9 -0.5

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.654 138.3 138.3 3.1 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.327 91.6 92.4 -19.7 -7.1 -1.6 -8.9 0.9

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

32

0.209 97.9 97.9 -7.5 0.0 0.8 -1.5 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.570 90.4 90.4 -2.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.432 138.7 138.3 -5.6 -0.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.227 142.5 142.1 -5.6 -0.9 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.205 133.6 133.1 -5.7 0.0 -0.1 -1.0 -0.4

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

VIII

0.738 127.1 127.0 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1

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

42

0.699 130.0 130.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

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

IX

0.734 133.5 135.9 -6.4 -2.1 -2.3 -0.4 1.8

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

44

0.696 91.5 93.2 - -2.2 -2.4 -0.4 1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.183 110.9 110.9 -1.9 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.0

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

48

0.789 105.2 104.9 -1.8 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.629 114.0 113.9 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.259 103.9 103.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

2.023 119.8 119.8 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.652 105.5 105.1 -2.4 -0.2 0.4 -0.5 -0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.553 123.6 123.6 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.351 122.8 122.8 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

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

XIII

0.927 132.0 132.1 -0.8 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.277 138.3 138.0 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Glass and glassware

70

0.327 130.0 130.0 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

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

XIV

3.038 165.2 163.7 -5.0 -2.9 0.7 0.8 -0.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.166 158.9 156.6 -13.8 -1.5 -1.3 -1.2 -1.4

Iron and steel

72

1.029 166.8 159.9 -27.2 -1.2 -1.6 -3.6 -4.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.684 144.4 143.6 -7.2 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.428 259.4 258.7 -18.0 -4.9 -4.8 1.3 -0.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.718 124.0 122.2 -15.1 -2.3 -1.3 -0.9 -1.5

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

82

0.455 127.1 126.2 -2.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.7

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.534 137.4 137.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.4

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

XVI

30.411 82.0 81.9 -2.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.449 87.1 87.0 -2.5 -0.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

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

85

14.962 77.2 77.1 -2.4 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.167 114.3 114.3 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.798 112.9 112.9 -1.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0

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

88

1.273 119.7 119.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

4.000 103.3 103.3 -0.9 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.670 100.1 100.2 -0.7 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.266 140.3 141.0 -1.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.9 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.136 112.4 112.4 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

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

94

2.495 117.1 117.1 -1.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.375 103.9 103.9 -1.8 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.265 134.0 134.0 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.789 183.9 182.6 -24.8 -1.5 0.6 -2.0 -0.7

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

02

1.041 141.7 140.3 -28.3 -1.6 1.1 -2.8 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.397 201.3 199.1 -3.6 -3.7 0.0 1.2 -1.1

Vegetable products

II

3.921 201.7 200.2 -10.1 -4.7 -2.6 2.0 -0.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

1.148 174.6 176.0 -2.1 1.0 -1.3 2.4 0.8

Cereals

10

1.014 195.9 193.3 -12.3 -12.7 -1.3 7.9 -1.3

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

12

1.334 193.8 188.1 -17.6 -4.1 -7.2 0.1 -2.9

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

III

0.197 91.4 93.0 -10.5 -5.2 -1.7 -0.9 1.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.928 149.9 149.6 -7.3 0.1 -1.3 -0.7 -0.2

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

20

0.412 118.2 118.3 0.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

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

22

0.521 109.2 109.8 -2.1 1.7 -1.7 0.8 0.5

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.695 203.5 201.3 -13.2 0.2 -3.6 -3.4 -1.1

Mineral products

V

6.851 177.1 171.5 -33.7 -8.0 -4.7 -2.2 -3.2

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

26

0.421 73.5 72.1 -24.4 -2.7 -2.4 -3.8 -1.9

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

27

6.244 170.5 164.9 -35.0 -8.5 -5.0 -2.2 -3.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.912 140.2 139.7 -5.3 -1.0 -0.8 -0.3 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.912 183.5 182.9 6.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.832 136.9 136.4 -15.1 -1.3 -3.4 -1.0 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.615 110.1 110.3 -3.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.804 135.4 135.5 1.9 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

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

34

0.485 112.4 112.7 -3.8 -2.2 0.3 -0.5 0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.940 151.7 151.0 -1.3 -1.8 1.8 0.1 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.151 139.0 137.2 -8.2 -0.7 -0.2 -1.3 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.205 134.8 132.8 -8.4 -0.8 -0.1 -1.4 -1.5

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.946 156.6 155.6 -7.7 -0.3 -0.8 -0.7 -0.6

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

VIII

0.379 123.4 117.2 -25.7 -0.7 0.7 -4.0 -5.0

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

41

0.210 71.5 66.6 - -1.2 1.9 -6.9 -6.9

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

IX

0.615 94.6 95.6 - -1.3 -0.9 0.7 1.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.294 123.5 122.6 -2.4 -1.6 0.8 0.1 -0.7

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.651 126.5 123.0 -4.7 -4.9 3.3 -0.3 -2.8

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

48

1.227 122.4 122.6 -1.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.416 98.9 98.9 - -0.3 0.0 0.5 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.813 121.3 120.5 -4.1 0.1 -0.6 -0.5 -0.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.466 118.7 116.6 -6.2 -0.2 -1.3 -0.3 -1.8

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

XIII

0.840 122.2 122.3 1.8 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.433 98.8 98.8 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XIV

4.726 226.8 223.7 -5.1 -3.3 1.3 0.4 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.086 145.8 143.8 -10.7 -1.5 -0.8 -0.6 -1.4

Iron and steel

72

1.125 147.5 142.2 -22.5 -3.5 -1.4 -1.9 -3.6

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.464 167.0 161.4 -21.8 -7.1 -0.8 -0.3 -3.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.825 106.5 103.0 -17.3 -2.0 -2.8 -0.7 -3.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.342 148.6 148.6 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

29.513 96.5 96.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.811 113.2 113.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.702 78.5 78.3 -2.0 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.952 131.1 131.1 0.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.272 115.0 115.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

6.341 107.2 107.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.527 111.6 110.9 0.2 -0.7 0.4 0.5 -0.6

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.874 124.6 123.9 1.2 -0.2 0.2 0.6 -0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.492 89.8 89.8 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 117.1 116.6 -9.1 -2.1 -1.4 0.1 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

7.252 121.4 118.1 -41.6 -16.4 -7.7 5.5 -2.7

Manufactured articles

92.362 116.4 116.2 -4.9 -0.8 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2

Other Countries(3)

100.000 119.7 119.2 -9.4 -1.6 -1.0 -0.3 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

10.231 181.8 176.0 -37.5 -9.7 -5.9 0.7 -3.2

Manufactured articles

89.547 103.9 103.7 -4.3 -0.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Canada

100.000 118.0 117.4 -18.0 -5.1 -3.0 0.2 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

20.805 115.8 112.7 -42.3 -17.0 -7.9 5.9 -2.7

Manufactured articles

78.563 122.8 122.9 -7.8 -1.2 -1.7 -1.2 0.1

European Union(4)

100.000 132.8 132.3 -3.9 -0.5 -1.1 0.2 -0.4

Manufactured articles

99.407 129.3 128.9 -3.7 -0.5 -1.1 0.1 -0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 121.5 121.3 -1.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 116.9 116.8 -1.4 -0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 121.0 120.8 -5.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Latin America(5)

100.000 142.0 140.8 -12.7 -2.6 -1.2 -0.4 -0.8

Nonmanufactured articles

17.457 203.5 196.7 -34.1 -10.6 -3.4 2.1 -3.3

Manufactured articles

82.142 121.1 120.8 -6.1 -0.7 -0.8 -1.0 -0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 127.7 127.3 -7.3 -1.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

9.359 111.2 107.0 -35.1 -11.1 -6.3 2.6 -3.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

90.325 89.6 89.6 -3.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.7 0.0

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

100.000 99.6 99.4 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 102.3 102.0 -1.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Japan

100.000 95.2 95.2 -3.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 85.9 85.4 -3.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.6

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 98.1 98.0 -3.6 0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1

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

100.000 150.0 146.3 -35.7 -7.7 -7.3 -1.1 -2.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: November 2014 to November 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2015
Nov.
2015
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2014
to
Nov.
2015
July
2015
to
Aug.
2015
Aug.
2015
to
Sept.
2015
Sept.
2015
to
Oct.
2015
Oct.
2015
to
Nov.
2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 166.1 167.4 -1.5 -1.7 -2.2 5.1 0.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.083 147.1 144.4 -15.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.4 -1.8

Asia

65.567 150.5 153.6 4.1 -2.3 -3.3 8.0 2.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 156.1 156.7 -1.1 -0.5 -0.6 -0.3 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

33.074 148.9 149.4 4.5 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5 0.3

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 155.2 156.0 -3.6 -1.7 -0.9 2.7 0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.473 137.8 137.3 -10.4 -1.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.4

Asia

60.600 140.9 142.5 -1.8 -2.4 -2.1 4.8 1.1

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 145.0 145.0 -5.1 -1.0 -0.6 -2.3 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

31.960 158.4 157.7 -8.4 0.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4

Asia

43.728 136.0 136.5 -5.6 -1.9 -0.6 -4.6 0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 188.6 195.6 -2.2 -5.1 -4.5 5.2 3.7

Europe

44.082 221.3 232.6 2.6 -8.9 3.9 3.8 5.1

Asia

22.848 142.2 141.2 -4.8 -4.6 -7.7 5.1 -0.7

Latin America/Caribbean

8.506 149.0 149.3 -11.3 -0.4 -9.2 0.1 0.2

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 154.6 153.3 -11.9 1.5 -11.5 -1.4 -0.8

Europe

31.610 206.4 211.7 -2.3 -10.1 -0.3 -3.4 2.6

Asia

27.835 134.1 132.7 -12.9 20.6 -23.0 0.4 -1.0

Latin America/Caribbean

21.870 152.3 154.5 -14.5 -1.8 -13.5 2.4 1.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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 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). 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: December 10, 2015