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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-14-2209
8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, December 11, 2014

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 2014

U.S. import prices declined 1.5 percent in November, after falling 1.2 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau 
of Labor Statistics reported today. Both decreases were driven by declining fuel prices. The price index for 
U.S. exports fell 1.0 percent in November following a 0.9-percent drop the previous month.

Imports

All Imports: Prices for U.S. imports fell 1.5 percent in November, the largest monthly drop in import prices 
since a 2.3-percent decrease in June 2012. Led by lower fuel prices, overall import prices declined in each 
of the past 5 months, falling 4.2 percent over that period. The price index for imports fell 2.3 percent over 
the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year decline since a 2.7-percent decrease between April 2012 and 
April 2013.         

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices decreased 6.7 percent in November, after declining 6.0 percent in October. Those 
drops were the largest monthly decreases since the index fell 8.5 percent in June 2012. Both monthly 
declines were driven by lower petroleum prices, which fell 6.9 percent in November and 6.4 percent in 
October. In November, a 4.6-percent decrease in natural gas prices also contributed to the overall drop in 
fuel prices, and followed a 0.4-percent advance the previous month. Fuel prices fell 11.5 percent for the year 
ended November, the largest 12-month drop since the index fell 13.4 percent in July 2012. The November 
2014 decrease was led by a 12.3-percent drop in petroleum prices, which more than offset a 10.6-percent 
increase in natural gas prices over the same period.    

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports decreased 0.2 percent for the third 
consecutive month in November. Prior to the last 3 months, the last time the index fell by more than 0.2 
percent was a 0.4-percent decline in July 2013. Lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; 
foods, feeds, and beverages; and each of the major finished goods categories contributed to the overall 
decline. Nonfuel import prices were unchanged over the past 12 months as higher prices for consumer 
goods and foods, feeds, and beverages offset falling prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, 
automotive vehicles, and capital goods.        

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

2013

November

-0.9 -4.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2 0.1

December

0.1 0.7 -0.1 0.4 0.3 0.4

2014

January

0.4 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.4

February

1.1 5.9 0.0 0.8 1.4 0.6

March

0.5 1.0 0.3 0.9 2.8 0.7

April

-0.6 -2.6 0.0 -1.0 1.5 -1.2

May

0.3 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0

June

0.3 1.6 -0.1 -0.5 -1.9 -0.3

July

-0.3 -1.5 0.1 0.1 -1.8 0.2

August

-0.8 (r)-3.8 0.0 -0.5 -3.1 -0.2

September

(r)-0.5 (r)-2.1 (r)-0.2 (r)-0.5 (r)-1.6 -0.2

October

(r)-1.2 (r)-6.0 -0.2 (r)-0.9 -2.1 (r)-0.8

November

-1.5 -6.7 -0.2 -1.0 0.5 -1.2

Nov. 2012 to 2013

-1.8 -4.1 -1.2 -1.5 -6.6 -0.9

Nov. 2013 to 2014

-2.3 -11.5 0.0 -1.9 -3.8 -1.7

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: Export prices fell 1.0 percent in November, the largest monthly decline since a 1.0-percent 
drop in April. Those were the largest 1-month decreases since the index fell 1.7 percent in June 2012. In 
November, lower prices for nonagricultural exports more than offset higher agricultural prices. The price 
index for overall exports fell 1.9 percent for the November 2013-14 period, the largest 12-month drop since 
a 2.2-percent decline in October 2013.            

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports increased 0.5 percent in November following a 10.0-
percent decline over the previous 5 months. The November increase was the largest monthly advance since 
a 1.5-percent rise in April. A 7.0-percent advance in soybean prices led the overall increase, although higher 
prices for corn and wheat also contributed to the advance. Despite the November rise, agriculture exports 
fell 3.8 percent over the past 12 months. Lower prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat all factored into the 
decline over the past year.                               

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 1.2 percent in 
November, after falling 0.8 percent in October. Falling prices for both nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials and finished goods contributed to the overall decline. Nonagricultural exports decreased 1.7 
percent between November 2013 and November 2014, as lower prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials and consumer goods more than offset higher prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles.     

                                        SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China were unchanged for the third consecutive month 
in November. The price index for imports from China also recorded no change over the past year. Prices for 
imports from Japan edged down 0.1 percent in November, after recording no change the previous month. 
Import prices from Japan fell 1.2 percent over the past year. Led by lower fuel prices, the import price 
indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all decreased in November. Prices for 
imports from Canada declined 2.3 percent, import prices from the European Union dropped 0.6 percent, and 
the price index for imports from Mexico fell 0.7 percent.        

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Import prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 
decreased 0.9 percent following a 0.7-percent decline in October. Both drops were driven by falling metals 
prices. Unfinished metals prices decreased 2.1 percent in November, after falling 3.6 percent the previous 
month. Lower prices for gold and other precious metals led the declines in each month.          

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods areas edged down 0.1 percent in November. The 
November declines in the price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles followed decreases of 
0.2 percent in October. Capital goods prices decreased following a 0.1-percent decline the previous month.         

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for import foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 0.4 
percent in November, after advancing 1.1 percent in October. The November downturn was led by a 2.2-
percent drop in fish and shellfish prices and a 4.1-percent decline in coffee prices.     

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 1.0 percent in November following a 2.4-percent 
increase the previous month. Higher European fares, which advanced 2.8 percent in November and 2.3 
percent in October, were the main contributor to both monthly increases. The index for overall import air 
passenger fares increased 1.9 percent over the past 12 months. Prices for import air freight declined 0.5 
percent in November, after falling 1.2 percent in October. Import air freight prices decreased 3.6 percent for 
the year ended in November.         

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 
supplies and materials decreased 3.2 percent in November following a 1.9-percent drop the previous month. 
The November decline was driven by a 7.9-percent fall in fuel prices, although lower prices for nonferrous 
metals and chemicals also factored into the overall decrease. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in November. Consumer goods prices fell 0.3 
percent for the third consecutive month, led by a 0.6-percent decline in medical, dental, and pharmaceutical 
materials prices. Capital goods prices also fell in November, edging down 0.1 percent. The price index for 
automotive vehicles recorded no change.      

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 4.9 percent in November, after a 3.0-percent drop 
in October. The November decline was led by a 5.7-percent decrease in European fares. Overall export air 
passenger fares fell 1.1 percent for the year ended in November. Export air freight prices decreased 0.3 
percent in November following a 0.4-percent decline the previous month. Despite the recent drops, the price 
index for export air freight increased 7.2 percent over the past year.  

Import and Export Price Index data for December 2014 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 
January 14, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).    

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2013 to November 2014
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

All commodities

  100.000 136.6 134.6 -2.3 -0.8 -0.5 -1.2 -1.5

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

  76.332 101.9 101.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum

  82.772 115.4 115.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  81.821 119.3 119.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.489 181.9 181.2 3.5 0.7 0.1 1.1 -0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.190 199.7 199.6 4.7 0.9 -0.4 1.2 -0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.299 141.5 139.3 0.0 0.1 1.4 0.6 -1.6

Industrial supplies & materials

1

31.336 234.2 224.3 -7.2 -2.3 -1.4 -3.8 -4.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.109 159.5 157.8 -0.4 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4 -1.1

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

  13.158 179.1 177.5 -1.0 -0.1 -0.4 -0.7 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.899 166.3 164.3 -2.0 -0.1 -0.4 -1.8 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.259 150.7 149.5 1.4 -1.4 -0.7 1.1 -0.8

Fuels & lubricants

10

18.178 305.4 285.0 -11.5 -3.8 -2.1 -6.0 -6.7

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

17.227 337.6 314.3 -12.3 -3.6 -2.2 -6.4 -6.9

Crude

10000

13.149 350.9 328.7 -10.8 -4.3 -4.2 -4.0 -6.3

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

101

0.779 131.0 126.0 9.3 -10.2 -1.7 0.2 -3.8

Gas-natural

10110

0.633 118.6 113.1 10.6 -12.4 -2.4 0.4 -4.6

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.546 112.9 112.7 -1.4 0.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.783 170.0 169.4 0.5 0.1 -0.5 1.1 -0.4

Selected building materials

13

1.060 141.5 140.4 -1.5 -0.1 0.3 -0.7 -0.8

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.520 233.4 228.6 -4.0 -0.6 -0.5 -3.6 -2.1

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.690 158.9 157.7 1.3 0.5 -0.6 0.3 -0.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.559 111.9 111.7 -0.7 0.4 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Capital goods

2

25.411 92.3 92.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

3.086 120.3 120.3 0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

20.343 84.8 84.7 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

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

22

1.982 136.6 136.6 0.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

13.745 112.4 112.3 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.018 108.1 108.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.672 118.8 118.8 2.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured

41

11.123 97.0 97.0 -1.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.223 121.1 120.5 2.9 -0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.5

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

All commodities

  100.000 130.6 129.3 -1.9 -0.5 -0.5 -0.9 -1.0

Agricultural commodities

  9.478 203.0 204.1 -3.8 -3.1 -1.6 -2.1 0.5

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

  81.952 101.9 101.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.5

Nonagricultural commodities

  90.522 125.3 123.8 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.8 -1.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.771 205.5 206.5 -2.7 -2.8 -1.5 -2.1 0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.128 207.5 208.9 -2.9 -3.2 -1.6 -2.3 0.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.643 191.7 188.2 0.4 1.5 0.1 -0.4 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

32.811 172.0 166.7 -5.4 -0.8 -0.6 -1.9 -3.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  11.148 167.9 165.1 -4.1 -0.4 -0.8 -1.4 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  21.665 175.1 168.5 -6.1 -1.0 -0.6 -2.2 -3.8

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.350 183.1 182.9 -8.4 -2.4 -1.6 -1.3 -0.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  31.461 171.8 166.3 -5.3 -0.8 -0.6 -1.9 -3.2

Fuels & lubricants

11

9.277 239.1 220.3 -13.2 -2.5 -0.6 -4.6 -7.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

21.197 165.1 162.9 -1.6 0.0 -0.6 -0.8 -1.3

Selected building materials

13

0.987 121.3 121.7 -3.4 -1.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.3

Capital goods

2

36.884 107.0 106.9 0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.736 115.3 115.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.5 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

26.033 95.3 95.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

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

22

7.115 156.2 156.2 2.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

9.636 114.2 114.2 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

11.898 114.8 114.5 -0.3 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.481 111.8 111.3 -2.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4

Durables, manufactured

41

5.013 111.2 111.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

Nonmanufactured articles

  16.204 156.2 147.3 -8.2 -4.1 -3.5 -2.7 -5.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.920 185.4 183.2 6.8 0.0 0.1 4.2 -1.2

Crop production

111

1.487 195.7 192.8 9.7 -0.2 0.5 5.7 -1.5

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.123 68.8 67.9 -27.8 -2.9 -5.2 -5.0 -1.3

Mining

21

14.284 152.7 143.0 -10.1 -4.6 -3.9 -3.6 -6.4

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

212

0.243 118.2 118.0 -9.2 -0.2 -0.5 -3.4 -0.2

Manufactured articles

  83.414 115.5 114.8 -0.9 0.0 0.1 -0.9 -0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.812 126.5 126.2 1.6 0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Food manufacturing

311

3.172 161.2 159.8 1.8 1.1 -0.2 -0.6 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.960 117.6 117.6 2.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.368 103.4 103.4 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.7 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.777 114.0 114.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.842 112.0 112.2 1.6 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.694 123.8 123.8 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.478 134.2 131.7 -2.7 -0.1 0.8 -3.2 -1.9

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.636 120.8 119.1 -2.6 -0.2 0.5 -1.1 -1.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.001 110.9 110.9 -0.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.0

Printing and related support activities (Dec. 2013=100)

323

0.191 99.8 99.5 - 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

3.655 142.0 129.9 -17.3 -1.2 4.6 -15.1 -8.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.171 138.0 137.8 3.1 0.2 -0.4 0.9 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.967 121.9 122.1 -1.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.856 130.6 130.9 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

55.124 107.5 107.3 -0.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.177 155.3 152.7 -2.4 -0.2 -0.8 -2.6 -1.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.753 127.8 127.3 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.1 -0.4

Machinery manufacturing

333

6.978 120.5 120.4 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.186 79.5 79.4 -1.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.191 119.1 119.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

14.651 111.3 111.1 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.394 116.7 116.6 1.8 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

4.795 121.5 121.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.559 143.2 144.0 -9.1 -4.4 -1.5 -3.5 0.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.381 168.4 172.1 -10.9 -5.2 -1.9 -4.4 2.2

Crop production

111

4.163 174.3 178.7 -10.2 -5.3 -2.0 -4.6 2.5

Mining

21

2.178 86.7 84.4 -4.8 -2.7 -0.6 -1.8 -2.7

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.315 96.0 95.9 -5.3 0.7 -1.0 -1.6 -0.1

Manufactured articles

  91.520 119.4 118.2 -1.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.7 -1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.264 154.9 154.0 2.2 -0.9 -1.0 -0.6 -0.6

Food manufacturing

311

5.182 180.9 179.2 3.9 -0.9 -1.1 -0.5 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.487 107.9 112.2 -10.2 -2.4 -1.5 -2.4 4.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing (Dec. 2013=100)

316

0.294 105.8 104.9 - -0.7 -1.0 -1.0 -0.9

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

25.961 128.6 125.0 -5.7 -0.6 -0.4 -1.8 -2.8

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.470 124.7 125.8 2.2 -0.1 0.8 -0.3 0.9

Paper manufacturing

322

1.873 125.8 125.2 2.0 0.9 -0.7 0.4 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.796 150.1 136.5 -17.3 -2.6 -0.6 -5.7 -9.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.547 127.5 126.5 -1.8 0.2 -0.4 -0.5 -0.8

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.206 119.1 118.9 -1.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.779 111.9 111.9 -0.1 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

58.296 112.4 112.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.636 144.7 141.5 -5.5 -0.4 -1.2 -2.6 -2.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.761 128.1 128.0 -2.4 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.934 123.8 123.9 0.8 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

13.919 87.0 86.7 -1.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.552 114.9 114.7 1.0 0.0 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

15.956 120.0 120.0 1.5 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

337

0.374 109.3 109.3 1.9 0.9 -0.3 0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.164 124.9 125.2 3.0 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.2

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

Live animals; animal products

I

1.376 203.5 201.2 6.9 1.6 0.4 0.0 -1.1

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.324 266.7 263.1 19.0 4.0 -0.2 -2.9 -1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.716 141.8 139.2 -2.9 -0.7 1.5 1.1 -1.8

Vegetable products

II

1.754 208.1 205.6 4.3 -0.1 0.5 4.3 -1.2

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.483 446.4 423.6 12.5 -2.1 4.5 19.5 -5.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.392 95.3 99.6 -9.5 3.8 -2.1 -4.2 4.5

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.378 263.6 257.3 18.1 1.4 0.4 3.7 -2.4

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

III

0.248 112.7 112.4 -2.9 0.9 -5.5 1.6 -0.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.581 162.8 162.0 1.6 0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.172 90.1 90.2 1.0 1.7 -1.2 -0.6 0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.265 118.5 112.7 11.1 2.3 -0.3 1.5 -4.9

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

19

0.254 133.7 133.6 2.2 0.6 0.3 0.5 -0.1

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

20

0.303 163.7 166.0 0.1 -0.6 0.1 -2.1 1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.975 128.3 128.3 2.5 0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Mineral products

V

18.039 307.0 286.5 -11.5 -3.8 -2.2 -6.2 -6.7

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

27

17.792 304.3 283.8 -11.4 -3.9 -2.2 -6.2 -6.7

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.345 152.7 152.4 2.8 -0.1 -0.3 0.5 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.668 332.0 340.0 9.0 -0.5 1.7 6.1 2.4

Organic chemicals

29

2.421 134.0 133.1 -1.7 -0.2 -0.7 -0.9 -0.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.433 134.1 133.9 6.4 0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.345 116.9 114.9 8.6 -0.8 2.3 7.6 -1.7

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

32

0.186 106.2 106.2 12.5 2.6 0.0 0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.474 93.2 93.0 -3.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.190 146.4 146.4 -1.8 -0.1 -0.6 0.3 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.068 150.4 150.3 1.6 0.0 -0.5 0.7 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.122 140.9 141.2 -7.5 -0.4 -0.8 -0.6 0.2

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

VIII

0.628 127.9 127.8 1.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

42

0.591 130.3 130.2 2.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

IX

0.667 146.4 144.6 -2.6 -0.3 0.4 -1.0 -1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.058 113.0 112.9 -1.3 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1

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

48

0.700 107.0 106.7 -1.2 0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

Printed matter (Dec. 2013=100)

49

0.198 99.6 99.3 - 0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

4.856 115.0 115.2 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.898 103.9 104.1 1.3 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.766 120.2 120.4 1.5 0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.558 107.4 107.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.363 122.5 122.4 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.175 121.8 121.7 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1

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

XIII

0.791 133.2 133.4 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

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

68

0.261 126.2 126.7 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.4

Ceramic products

69

0.244 141.7 141.5 0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.286 129.6 130.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3

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

XIV

2.615 176.1 172.3 -5.2 -0.9 -1.2 -3.2 -2.2

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.464 182.9 182.0 1.1 0.3 0.1 -0.8 -0.5

Iron and steel

72

1.293 221.4 218.2 1.0 -0.4 0.4 -0.9 -1.4

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.733 155.7 155.8 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.442 325.0 320.1 -4.0 2.7 -1.8 -0.8 -1.5

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.749 142.4 144.0 5.9 1.6 0.6 -1.7 1.1

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

82

0.401 129.0 129.0 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.457 137.9 138.0 1.8 1.0 0.1 -0.4 0.1

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

XVI

27.550 84.1 84.0 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

14.323 89.2 89.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

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

85

13.227 79.2 79.1 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

12.268 115.4 115.3 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

11.229 114.1 113.9 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

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

88

0.936 120.2 120.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

3.485 104.0 104.0 -0.4 0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.184 100.9 100.8 -0.4 0.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.242 141.0 143.0 0.6 0.1 -0.2 -1.5 1.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.640 113.9 113.9 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

94

2.126 118.5 118.4 1.0 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.277 105.6 105.7 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.237 135.1 135.1 -2.5 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

Live animals; animal products

I

2.285 248.3 245.4 9.4 -0.2 -1.3 0.1 -1.2

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

02

1.393 197.9 196.7 17.5 0.6 -2.3 1.2 -0.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.372 209.7 206.6 3.5 2.4 0.6 -1.5 -1.5

Vegetable products

II

4.154 218.3 223.6 -8.6 -5.4 -1.5 -3.4 2.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

1.248 190.1 182.2 3.1 -1.5 4.5 10.0 -4.2

Cereals

10

0.965 207.6 220.9 -10.3 -4.8 -2.7 -5.5 6.4

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

12

1.520 215.4 228.3 -12.5 -7.9 -5.0 -12.3 6.0

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

III

0.236 106.1 105.1 -9.5 -2.0 -4.5 -1.1 -0.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.854 161.2 161.1 -2.4 -1.8 -0.5 -1.3 -0.1

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

20

0.355 117.7 117.5 4.6 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2

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

22

0.488 109.9 112.1 -0.8 0.1 -0.2 -0.7 2.0

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.643 231.3 229.7 -12.0 -6.9 -1.6 -4.4 -0.7

Mineral products

V

8.987 274.3 254.6 -14.4 -2.5 -0.6 -4.7 -7.2

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

26

0.453 95.5 95.4 3.5 2.7 -1.4 -2.4 -0.1

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

27

8.354 269.9 249.0 -15.5 -2.8 -0.5 -4.9 -7.7

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.954 149.2 148.2 -1.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.7

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.908 175.0 174.8 -1.3 0.2 0.6 1.7 -0.1

Organic chemicals

29

3.207 164.9 163.0 1.4 -0.2 -1.2 -1.3 -1.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.592 114.5 113.6 -6.3 0.0 -0.4 -0.9 -0.8

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)

31

0.304 83.5 82.7 4.9 0.7 -0.2 -3.2 -1.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.716 133.1 132.9 -1.9 0.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

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

34

0.462 118.1 116.9 -3.7 0.5 0.4 0.3 -1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.782 153.2 152.8 -0.8 -0.9 0.9 0.2 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.302 151.0 149.3 -0.2 0.6 -0.1 0.0 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.316 146.1 145.0 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.986 171.5 167.2 -3.8 0.2 -0.7 0.0 -2.5

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

VIII

0.460 160.2 158.6 7.4 0.1 -0.3 -0.7 -1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.336 125.9 125.2 1.8 0.9 -1.0 0.5 -0.6

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.693 129.2 127.5 -0.7 1.4 -1.6 -0.5 -1.3

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

48

1.200 125.0 124.7 3.2 0.6 -1.3 0.9 -0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.860 127.9 126.3 -4.0 -1.2 -0.7 -0.7 -1.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.539 130.2 127.2 -12.2 -4.0 -2.3 -1.0 -2.3

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

XIII

0.756 120.0 120.0 1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.387 98.4 98.4 0.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

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

XIV

4.362 241.6 235.8 -3.8 -0.4 -1.3 -2.6 -2.4

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.329 162.2 160.5 -2.8 -0.5 -0.5 -0.6 -1.0

Iron and steel

72

1.434 189.2 182.8 -1.6 -1.7 -1.2 2.4 -3.4

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.553 206.2 206.8 -12.7 -0.9 -2.0 -8.4 0.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.877 124.5 124.6 2.9 1.7 -0.1 -1.2 0.1

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

82

0.402 136.4 136.3 0.2 -1.0 -1.2 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.317 147.1 147.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

28.161 97.0 96.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.104 112.8 112.7 0.9 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.057 79.9 79.7 -1.7 0.0 -0.2 -0.6 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.700 130.1 130.1 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.917 115.3 115.3 0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

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

XVIII

6.123 107.9 107.7 0.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.448 111.2 110.8 0.9 0.5 -0.4 0.5 -0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.808 123.4 122.5 1.0 0.9 -0.7 1.1 -0.7

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.485 89.6 89.6 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 130.4 128.8 -1.1 -0.8 -0.8 -0.8 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles

11.966 227.0 214.2 -0.6 -7.7 -1.9 -1.0 -5.6

Manufactured articles

87.470 122.6 121.8 -1.1 0.2 -0.7 -0.7 -0.7

Other Countries(3)

100.000 134.9 133.0 -3.2 -0.7 -0.9 -1.0 -1.4

Nonmanufactured articles

18.700 316.4 298.5 -11.2 -2.8 -4.0 -3.4 -5.7

Manufactured articles

81.061 108.9 108.5 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4

Canada

100.000 149.6 146.1 -0.8 -2.4 -0.9 -0.6 -2.3

Nonmanufactured articles

31.197 219.4 207.1 0.4 -7.8 -1.8 -1.0 -5.6

Manufactured articles

67.940 134.9 133.9 -1.2 0.4 -0.6 -0.4 -0.7

European Union(4)

100.000 136.8 136.0 -0.5 0.2 -0.9 -1.1 -0.6

Manufactured articles

99.341 133.1 132.3 -0.5 0.1 -0.9 -1.0 -0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 123.3 123.2 0.6 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 119.0 118.5 0.9 0.0 -0.5 0.5 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 130.6 130.4 0.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.9 -0.2

Latin America(5)

100.000 167.3 164.4 -3.7 -1.0 -1.3 -0.7 -1.7

Nonmanufactured articles

27.605 339.1 321.0 -8.9 -3.7 -3.8 -0.8 -5.3

Manufactured articles

72.005 129.1 128.6 -1.7 0.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 139.1 138.1 -1.9 -0.2 -0.6 -0.9 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

15.700 180.0 170.8 -8.1 -2.3 -2.6 -3.3 -5.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

84.054 92.4 92.4 -0.9 0.2 -0.2 -0.4 0.0

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

100.000 102.2 102.1 -1.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 103.7 103.7 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Japan

100.000 98.5 98.4 -1.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 88.9 88.6 -2.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 102.3 102.1 -2.8 -0.2 -1.4 0.3 -0.2

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

100.000 243.4 230.6 -9.6 -1.3 -2.9 -6.5 -5.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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 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: November 2013 to November 2014
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2014(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2014
Nov.
2014
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2013
to
Nov.
2014
July
2014
to
Aug.
2014
Aug.
2014
to
Sept.
2014
Sept.
2014
to
Oct.
2014
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 172.5 171.6 -3.6 0.3 -0.7 -1.2 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

27.718 171.6 169.1 -6.5 -0.3 -1.6 -2.7 -1.5

Asia

69.059 150.4 150.1 -2.7 0.6 -0.4 -0.7 -0.2

Export Air Freight

100.000 158.8 158.4 7.2 0.1 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

35.826 143.0 142.9 7.8 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 163.1 162.3 -1.9 0.1 -0.6 -0.8 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

26.967 154.7 152.6 -3.3 -0.2 -1.3 -1.8 -1.4

Asia

63.327 146.5 146.2 -1.6 0.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 152.9 152.7 4.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

33.508 171.9 171.9 4.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Asia

47.126 144.9 144.6 4.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 197.9 199.9 1.9 -4.3 -0.3 2.4 1.0

Europe

46.855 220.5 226.6 1.2 -6.9 3.5 2.3 2.8

Asia

25.286 149.7 148.3 -0.7 -3.2 -7.2 1.4 -0.9

Latin America/Caribbean

9.568 171.2 168.4 -1.3 0.8 -5.5 4.5 -1.6

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 184.4 175.4 -1.1 5.5 -11.4 -3.0 -4.9

Europe

28.201 230.7 217.6 -1.7 -8.8 -2.3 -1.1 -5.7

Asia

28.195 152.1 153.2 3.0 19.2 -23.0 -3.4 0.7

Latin America/Caribbean

18.813 190.0 184.9 -3.6 2.8 -1.5 0.1 -2.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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). 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 11, 2014