Technical Information: Jim Thomas (202) 606-7155 USDL-98-202 Bill Alterman (202) 606-7108 Transmission of this Media contact: Material is Embargoed Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902 Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T. Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Tuesday, May 12, 1998 U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES -APRIL 1998- The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 0.1 percent in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The decrease was attributable to the continued decline in nonpetroleum import prices. The U.S. Export Price Index fell 0.3 percent in April, the same as in the previous two months. Percent changes in import and export price indexes by End Use category - not seasonally adjusted - IMPORTS EXPORTS Month Non- Agri- Nonagri- All Petroleum Petroleum All cultural cultural Imports Imports Imports Exports Exports Exports 1997 April -1.1 -7.3 -0.5 0.0 -0.4 0.0 May 0.0 1.1 -0.1 -0.3 -1.2 0.0 June -0.1 -2.0 0.1 -0.1 -2.0 0.1 July -0.2 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 -1.1 0.0 August -0.1 2.3 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 September -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 October 0.2 5.6 -0.3 -0.4 -1.8 -0.2 November -0.4 -3.5 -0.2 0.0 0.7 -0.1 December -1.0 -6.8 -0.4 -0.4 -0.8 -0.4 1998 January -1.3 -10.0 r -0.6 -0.7 -2.7 -0.4 February -0.8 -6.5 r -0.4 -0.3 -1.5 -0.1 March -1.0 -9.1 r -0.2 -0.3 r -0.6 -0.3 April -0.1 2.5 -0.3 -0.3 -1.3 -0.3 April 1996-97 -3.5 -14.0 -2.5 -1.5 -10.7 -0.2 April 1997-98 -4.9 -25.3 -3.0 -3.1 -11.7 -2.0 r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents. Import Goods The import price index fell for the sixth consecutive month and was down 4.9 percent for the year ended in April. The drop in import prices in April was smaller on average than the monthly declines recorded over the prior five months, as an upturn in petroleum import prices partially offset a decrease in nonpetroleum import prices. Nonpetroleum import prices fell 0.3 percent in April. The decline continued a downward trend for this index, which dropped 3.0 percent over the past 12 months and 2.5 percent over the April 1996-97 period. Petroleum prices, however, posted an upturn of 2.5 percent in April, after falling for five consecutive months. Despite the April increase, the petroleum import index was down 25.3 percent for the year. The index for imported capital goods continued to lead the drop in nonpetroleum import prices. Import prices for capital goods fell 0.5 percent in April, the same as in the previous month. The index fell 6.3 percent for the year ended in April and has steadily declined over the past three years. Import prices for consumer goods also fell last month, declining 0.4 percent after a 0.5 percent fall in March. The indexes for industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum and for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines each edged down 0.1 percent in April. Import prices for industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum dropped 4.1 percent over the previous four months, while the auto index has not moved by more than 0.1 percent over the past six months. Import prices for foods, feeds, and beverages were unchanged in April. The index had decreased in each of the previous three months. Export Goods For the fifth consecutive month, declines for both nonagricultural and agricultural prices contributed to the decline in overall export prices. Export prices have fallen 3.1 percent over the past 12 months and 1.5 percent for the April 1996-97 period. The price index of agricultural exports fell 1.3 percent in April, led by falling prices for grains and oilseeds. For the year ended in April, the index was down 11.7 percent. Prices of nonagricultural exports also fell in April, decreasing 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month. The index for nonagricultural exports, which has declined for eight consecutive months, decreased 2.0 percent for the year ended in April. The export price indexes for capital goods, consumer goods, and nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials each fell 0.3 percent in April. Prices for both capital goods and consumer goods were stable in March, posting monthly movements of 0.1 percent and no change, respectively. The index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, which has decreased for nine consecutive months, was down 1.0 percent in March. Export prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines were unchanged for the fifth consecutive month. The index has posted little or no monthly movement over the past 12 months, edging up 0.1 percent for the year ended in April. Imports by Locality of Origin The index of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries continued to decline, falling 1.0 percent in April. The index has posted declines of 0.5 percent or more in 10 of the past 12 months and was down 7.8 percent during the period. Prices for imports from Japan resumed a three-year downward trend, falling 0.4 percent in April after gaining 0.2 percent the previous month. (See table 7.) For the April 1997-98 period, the index was down 4.3 percent. Import prices from Latin America and the European Union also declined in April, decreasing 1.2 and 0.4 percent, respectively. Both indexes have dropped for four consecutive months. In contrast, the price index for imports from Canada rose 0.3 percent in April. Despite the upturn, the index was down 2.3 percent over the past 12 months. CONTENTS OF RELEASE This news release includes the following tables: Table 1 Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 Table 2 Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 Table 3 Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7 Table 4 Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 8-9 Table 5 Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 Table 6 Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13 Table 7 Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 14 Table 8 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15 Table 9 U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page 16 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Import and Export Price Index data for May are scheduled for release on June 11 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance April Dec. Jan. Feb. March END Description 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 USE March March April to to to to to 1998 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 1/ 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 93.6 93.5 -4.9 -1.3 -0.8 -1.0 -0.1 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM 93.594 94.7 94.4 -3.0 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES 4.834 96.6 96.6 -3.0 -0.4 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages 3.405 93.4 93.1 -6.0 -0.4 -1.8 -0.2 -0.3 01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages) 1.429 104.9 105.7 4.8 -0.2 0.8 0.2 0.8 1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 25.147 89.8 90.2 -10.2 -4.1 -2.5 -2.6 0.4 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM 18.740 94.5 94.4 -3.2 -1.5 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, DURABLE 9.927 95.8 95.7 -3.8 -1.5 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM 8.814 93.0 92.9 -2.5 -1.5 -1.5 -0.6 -0.1 10 Fuels & lubricants 7.591 81.0 82.5 -22.0 -9.1 -6.4 -7.8 1.9 100 Petroleum & petroleum products 6.407 76.8 78.7 -25.3 -10.0 -6.5 -9.1 2.5 10000 Crude 4.901 74.0 77.0 -26.5 -10.5 -7.6 -9.1 4.1 11 Paper & paper base stocks 1.853 81.6 82.0 2.4 -1.1 -1.3 0.4 0.5 12 Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials 5.987 91.5 91.3 -5.0 -1.2 -0.6 -0.7 -0.2 13 Selected building materials 2.132 104.5 104.6 -8.0 -2.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 14 Unfinished metals associated with durable goods 4.611 94.0 94.1 -1.8 -1.6 -0.2 0.2 0.1 15 Finished metals associated with durable goods 1.473 94.2 93.6 -3.5 -1.3 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6 16 Nonmetals associated with durable goods 1.500 92.6 91.8 -4.4 -0.5 -1.2 0.0 -0.9 2 CAPITAL GOODS 28.575 87.2 86.8 -6.3 -0.9 -0.7 -0.5 -0.5 20 Electric & electrical generating equipment 3.437 95.5 94.7 -3.0 -0.5 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 21 Nonelectrical machinery 23.362 84.5 84.0 -7.4 -0.9 -0.9 -0.5 -0.6 3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES 18.599 101.4 101.3 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1 4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES 22.846 98.6 98.2 -1.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.5 -0.4 40 Nondurables, manufactured 11.352 100.9 100.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 41 Durables, manufactured 10.381 96.3 95.7 -2.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.6 42 Nonmanufactured consumer goods 1.113 98.1 97.5 -1.4 -0.5 7.0 -7.3 -0.6 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance April Dec. Jan. Feb. March END Description 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 USE March March April to to to to to 1998 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 1/ 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 96.9 96.6 -3.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES 10.044 93.6 92.4 -11.7 -2.7 -1.5 -0.6 -1.3 NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES 89.957 97.3 97.0 -2.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES 9.022 94.4 93.2 -11.9 -2.4 -2.0 -0.6 -1.3 00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages 8.327 95.3 94.0 -12.5 -2.4 -1.4 -0.9 -1.4 01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages) 0.695 86.2 85.8 -4.0 -3.4 -7.8 2.9 -0.5 1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 24.857 91.4 91.0 -4.5 -1.5 -0.2 -0.8 -0.4 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, DURABLE 9.661 92.1 92.2 -4.2 -1.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, NONDURABLE 15.196 90.9 90.3 -4.6 -1.8 -0.5 -1.1 -0.7 10 Agricultural industrial supplies & materials 1.717 88.0 87.1 -7.4 -4.7 -1.4 1.0 -1.0 NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 23.140 91.6 91.3 -4.3 -1.2 -0.2 -1.0 -0.3 11 Fuels & lubricants 2.325 103.4 102.1 -7.4 -2.8 -0.8 -2.6 -1.3 12 Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials 19.328 89.7 89.4 -3.7 -1.1 -0.1 -0.7 -0.3 13 Selected building materials 1.487 88.0 87.7 -8.2 -0.2 -0.7 -0.6 -0.3 2 CAPITAL GOODS 44.257 98.7 98.4 -1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 20 Electric & electrical generating Equipment 4.473 101.3 100.8 0.1 -0.5 -0.6 0.2 -0.5 21 Nonelectrical machinery 34.287 95.7 95.4 -2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES 9.833 102.3 102.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES 12.032 102.5 102.2 0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3 40 Nondurables, manufactured 6.354 102.3 102.1 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2 41 Durables, manufactured 5.099 101.3 101.0 -1.0 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance April Dec. Jan. Feb. March SITC Description 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 Rev. 3 March March April to to to to to 1998 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 1/ 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 93.6 93.5 -4.9 -1.3 -0.8 -1.0 -0.1 0 FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS 4.142 97.9 98.2 -1.3 -0.4 -1.7 0.4 0.3 01 Meat and meat preparations 0.362 101.2 101.7 -2.9 -2.8 0.0 -0.1 0.5 03 Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof 1.099 107.1 107.5 7.1 -0.2 0.9 0.7 0.4 05 Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried 1.048 95.7 95.9 -5.5 0.4 -8.8 2.0 0.2 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof 0.685 94.0 93.1 -5.1 2.8 2.5 -3.2 -1.0 3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100) 0.947 96.6 97.9 -2.0 -2.4 -0.2 1.0 1.3 1 BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 0.891 109.2 109.2 1.9 0.4 0.5 -0.3 0.0 11 Beverages 0.750 105.8 105.8 2.1 0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.0 2 CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS 2.932 91.1 89.8 -8.0 -2.2 4.0 -4.2 -1.4 23 Crude rubber (including synthetic and reclaimed) 0.220 63.6 59.5 -29.8 -9.7 5.1 -3.0 -6.4 24 Cork and wood 1.051 110.6 110.8 -11.3 -3.0 0.3 0.5 0.2 25 Pulp and waste paper 0.371 64.2 63.7 -0.2 -0.6 -5.6 -0.5 -0.8 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 0.640 100.4 100.6 -5.1 -2.0 -0.3 0.4 0.2 29 Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s. (9612=100) 0.296 110.0 102.0 8.2 1.5 45.7 -30.5 -7.3 3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels (9612=100) 0.353 94.4 92.9 -4.7 -0.9 -0.8 0.0 -1.6 3 MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 7.269 80.2 81.8 -22.3 -9.5 -6.7 -8.0 2.0 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 6.035 76.0 78.1 -25.5 -10.4 -6.7 -9.2 2.8 34 Gas, natural and manufactured 1.105 114.8 112.4 -1.1 -4.5 -7.9 -2.1 -2.1 5 CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S. 5.624 93.1 92.8 -3.9 -1.1 -0.4 -0.7 -0.3 51 Organic chemicals 1.570 91.0 89.2 -7.6 -1.7 -1.4 -1.5 -2.0 52 Inorganic chemicals 0.672 94.5 95.6 -5.4 -3.3 -0.1 0.5 1.2 53 Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials 0.294 94.9 94.6 -2.6 -1.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 0.942 95.8 95.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6 0.0 -0.3 55 Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps 0.324 94.4 94.1 -4.8 -1.3 0.1 -2.0 -0.3 57 Plastics in primary forms 0.392 94.4 94.1 5.0 0.4 4.4 -2.2 -0.3 58 Plastics in nonprimary forms 0.538 81.5 81.9 -5.0 -0.2 0.0 -1.3 0.5 59 Chemical materials and products, n.e.s. 0.672 101.7 101.2 -2.9 -0.2 -1.5 0.3 -0.5 6 MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL 12.837 94.6 94.8 -1.1 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 0.2 62 Rubber manufactures, n.e.s. 0.745 95.1 95.2 -2.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 63 Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture 0.546 93.0 91.7 -8.0 -1.8 -3.0 -1.5 -1.4 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper or paper board 1.662 87.9 88.8 3.7 -1.0 -0.1 0.5 1.0 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s., and related product 1.442 97.8 97.9 -2.8 -0.4 -1.1 0.0 0.1 66 Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. 2.189 100.6 101.2 -1.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.1 0.6 67 Iron and steel 2.092 94.8 94.5 -2.2 -0.3 -0.2 -1.0 -0.3 68 Nonferrous metals 1.964 91.2 91.8 1.3 -1.7 0.1 0.7 0.7 69 Manufactures of metals, n.e.s. 2.033 97.3 96.9 -2.1 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 7 MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 47.835 93.1 92.7 -3.4 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 71 Power generating machinery and equipment (9612=100) 3.129 99.8 97.7 -1.8 0.9 -0.1 0.0 -2.1 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries 2.773 98.1 97.6 -1.6 -0.4 -0.6 0.0 -0.5 73 Metalworking machinery 0.853 97.6 97.0 -0.9 -0.6 -0.7 0.2 -0.6 74 General industrial machinery and equip- ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s 3.520 96.5 96.0 -2.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.0 -0.5 75 Computer equipment and office machines 6.911 73.6 72.8 -12.5 -1.7 -1.5 -1.1 -1.1 76 Telecommunications & sound recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment 4.640 90.7 90.6 -3.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 77 Electrical machinery and equipment 9.644 86.0 85.6 -5.0 -0.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.5 78 Road vehicles 15.275 101.5 101.5 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0 8 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 18.031 99.2 98.7 -1.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 81 Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat & lighting fixtures, n.e.s. 0.399 95.8 94.7 -1.5 -0.3 -0.6 0.4 -1.1 82 Furniture and parts thereof 1.316 102.9 102.8 -0.7 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers 0.516 99.5 99.5 -1.8 1.0 -0.6 -1.3 0.0 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 6.076 102.7 102.6 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 85 Footwear 1.838 100.7 100.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. 1.625 95.0 94.6 -2.5 -0.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 88 Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.; 1.365 91.7 91.6 -4.2 -0.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. 4.896 97.5 96.2 -3.5 -0.3 -0.5 0.2 -1.3 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available. 1995 trade values. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly ance April Dec. Jan. Feb. March SITC Description 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 Rev. 3 March March April to to to to to 1998 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 1/ 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 ALL COMMODITIES 100.000 96.9 96.6 -3.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0 FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS 7.292 92.5 91.2 -11.5 -1.9 -2.5 0.0 -1.4 01 Meat and meat preparations 1.116 92.1 92.3 -4.6 -3.4 -0.5 1.3 0.2 03 Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof 0.512 83.0 82.8 -5.4 -3.8 -9.9 2.9 -0.2 04 Cereals and cereal preparations 2.714 90.4 86.2 -17.5 -5.8 2.9 -1.2 -4.6 05 Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried 1.322 91.7 94.8 -5.3 8.5 -11.2 3.5 3.4 08 Feeding stuff for animals (not including unmilled cereals) 0.718 101.1 97.5 -22.7 -4.9 -2.8 -3.6 -3.6 09 Miscellaneous edible products and preparations 0.395 104.8 104.9 1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100) 0.514 95.5 96.7 -6.2 1.5 -4.3 -2.9 1.3 1 BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 1.513 100.2 100.0 -0.2 -0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.2 12 Tobacco and tobacco manufactures 1.248 100.2 99.9 -0.1 -0.7 0.2 0.3 -0.3 2 CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS 5.530 84.2 83.4 -9.9 -3.5 0.5 -1.1 -1.0 21 Hides, skins and furskins, raw 0.298 90.1 87.9 -22.8 -21.2 3.0 8.2 -2.4 22 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits 1.195 108.4 105.4 -21.3 -4.9 2.1 -4.2 -2.8 24 Cork and wood 0.887 84.1 84.0 -10.8 0.2 -0.7 -1.3 -0.1 25 Pulp and waste paper 0.764 65.3 64.6 9.7 -4.5 1.9 0.5 -1.1 26 Textile fibers and their waste 0.780 77.6 76.4 -8.5 -2.2 -0.3 -0.5 -1.5 27 Crude fertilizers and crude minerals 0.336 97.1 97.1 0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 28 Metalliferous ores and metal scrap 0.834 79.7 80.9 -9.5 -2.1 -0.9 -2.1 1.5 3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels (9612=100) 0.435 101.7 100.5 -0.5 0.8 -1.4 1.1 -1.2 3 MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 2.085 106.5 104.6 -5.5 -3.0 -0.7 -1.9 -1.8 32 Coal, coke and briquettes 0.698 101.3 100.0 -2.4 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -1.3 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 1.222 110.5 108.6 -9.4 -2.5 -1.5 -3.3 -1.7 4 ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND WAXES 0.480 100.8 101.4 8.6 -1.9 -3.1 -0.5 0.6 5 CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S. 10.721 93.5 93.2 -3.5 0.0 -0.4 -1.1 -0.3 51 Organic chemicals 2.424 79.1 77.8 -8.6 -1.7 -1.1 -2.6 -1.6 52 Inorganic chemicals 0.868 102.0 102.0 2.4 3.4 0.8 -1.4 0.0 53 Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials 0.500 102.1 102.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 54 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 1.253 102.3 101.6 0.0 1.0 -0.3 0.7 -0.7 55 Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps 0.755 101.5 101.2 -1.0 -0.6 0.7 -0.5 -0.3 56 Fertilizers (9612=100) 0.547 92.0 94.0 -0.3 -0.5 -3.0 1.2 2.2 57 Plastics in primary forms 1.809 91.6 90.6 -7.4 -0.2 -0.5 -0.9 -1.1 58 Plastics in nonprimary forms 0.842 99.7 99.8 1.3 1.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 59 Chemical materials and products, n.e.s. 1.724 100.6 101.7 -2.2 0.0 0.0 -1.3 1.1 6 MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL 9.828 98.4 98.3 0.5 -0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 62 Rubber manufactures, n.e.s. 0.673 102.1 102.0 -1.0 -0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.1 63 Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture 0.296 92.2 91.0 0.3 -1.0 0.1 1.2 -1.3 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard 1.544 84.7 84.6 2.8 -0.5 0.4 -0.4 -0.1 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s., and related product 1.432 103.6 103.7 0.0 0.5 -0.2 0.2 0.1 66 Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. 1.343 107.0 107.1 3.0 -0.4 0.6 -0.3 0.1 67 Iron and steel 1.093 100.8 100.7 -2.4 -0.7 0.0 -1.6 -0.1 68 Nonferrous metals 1.283 91.3 91.6 -0.4 -1.6 2.0 0.0 0.3 69 Manufactures of metals, n.e.s. 2.008 105.0 104.8 0.8 0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 7 MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 50.531 99.4 99.2 -1.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 71 Power generating machinery and equipment 4.324 106.8 106.9 0.9 0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.1 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries 4.735 105.0 104.8 1.0 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 73 Metalworking machinery 0.994 107.8 107.8 3.1 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.0 74 General industrial machinery and equip- ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s 5.077 105.8 105.8 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 75 Computer equipment and office machines 6.339 79.8 79.2 -8.2 -1.0 -0.4 -0.9 -0.8 76 Telecommunications & sound recording & reproducing apparatus & equipment 3.799 98.7 98.4 -1.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.3 77 Electrical machinery and equipment 11.623 93.5 92.9 -4.1 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.6 78 Road vehicles 9.148 101.9 101.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0 8 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 11.285 101.4 101.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 82 Furniture and parts thereof 0.643 104.4 104.5 1.9 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 1.291 103.8 103.8 2.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 87 Professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. 3.737 103.6 103.6 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 88 Photographic apparatus, equipment and supplies and optical goods, n.e.s. 0.923 95.5 95.3 -2.3 -3.9 -0.1 1.5 -0.2 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. 4.227 99.4 99.1 -1.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured articles (9612=100) 0.465 102.1 102.6 1.8 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.5 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available. 1995 trade values. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly Harmo- ance April Dec. Jan. Feb. March nized Description 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 System March March April to to to to to 1998 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 1/ 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS 1.657 103.6 104.3 4.1 -0.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 02 Meat and edible meat offal 0.284 97.6 99.3 -0.7 -2.9 -0.2 0.1 1.7 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0.966 107.7 107.0 6.0 0.7 0.7 0.0 -0.6 3/ Other live animals and animal products (9612=100) 0.407 101.2 104.2 3.1 -0.8 0.2 3.4 3.0 II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS 1.581 88.4 87.6 -4.1 -0.1 -0.9 -3.7 -0.9 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 0.276 98.3 97.4 -0.4 -4.7 -26.5 9.3 -0.9 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 0.449 96.2 96.1 -8.0 2.5 0.6 -0.3 -0.1 09 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 0.442 87.6 88.8 0.9 1.2 -0.2 0.1 1.4 3/ Other vegetable products 0.414 91.9 88.2 -7.0 -0.2 17.9 -16.9 -4.0 IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND TOBACCO 2.133 100.7 101.1 -0.2 -0.6 -0.2 -0.3 0.4 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants 0.272 87.3 88.0 -5.4 0.3 -1.0 -1.2 0.8 22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar 0.776 104.1 103.6 0.3 0.0 0.4 -0.4 -0.5 3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100) 1.085 99.8 100.6 0.7 -1.3 -0.3 0.0 0.8 V MINERAL PRODUCTS 7.938 81.9 83.3 -20.7 -8.8 -6.3 -7.4 1.7 26 Ores, slag and ash 0.305 102.1 102.4 -1.3 -0.5 0.0 0.2 0.3 27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral wax 7.395 80.6 82.1 -21.9 -9.2 -6.7 -7.9 1.9 VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED INDUSTRIES 5.283 96.1 95.9 -4.2 -1.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2 28 Inorganic chemicals 0.850 98.8 99.5 -5.7 -3.3 -0.6 0.8 0.7 29 Organic chemicals 2.010 92.5 91.5 -5.1 -1.5 -1.0 -0.8 -1.1 30 Pharmaceutical products 0.571 101.2 101.0 -0.7 -0.4 -1.9 0.1 -0.2 32 Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments; varnish & paints; putty 0.291 93.1 92.7 -3.5 -2.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.4 37 Photographic or cinematographic goods 0.361 96.2 96.2 -4.5 -1.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 38 Miscellaneous chemical products (9612=100) 0.422 95.9 95.3 -3.8 0.1 -2.1 -0.6 -0.6 3/ Other products of the chemical or allied industries (9612=100) 0.777 95.6 96.7 -3.5 0.0 0.3 -0.6 1.2 VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 2.822 89.3 88.7 -4.8 -0.6 0.7 -1.2 -0.7 39 Plastics and articles thereof 1.770 92.8 92.5 -1.9 0.0 0.4 -1.1 -0.3 40 Rubber and articles thereof 1.052 84.1 82.9 -9.5 -1.3 0.9 -1.4 -1.4 VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, TRAVEL GOODS, ETC 1.026 101.3 101.1 -2.2 0.4 -0.5 -1.4 -0.2 42 Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc. of various materials 0.829 99.9 99.9 -1.6 0.5 -0.5 -0.9 0.0 IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET AND WICKER 1.649 102.9 102.9 -9.3 -2.8 -0.4 0.0 0.0 X WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 2.424 84.1 84.2 1.7 -0.8 -1.1 0.6 0.1 47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; waste paper/paperboard 0.372 64.8 64.0 -0.9 -0.7 -5.7 -0.5 -1.2 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard 1.679 88.7 89.5 3.0 -0.9 -0.1 0.5 0.9 49 Printed matter 0.373 101.4 99.7 -1.0 -1.1 -0.4 2.5 -1.7 XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES 7.153 101.2 101.0 -0.7 0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 2.129 101.9 101.9 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 3.450 103.4 103.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 63 Made-up or worn textile articles and clothing; needlecraft sets; rags 0.341 93.5 94.0 -4.2 -0.3 -0.6 -0.3 0.5 3/ Other textile & textile articles (9612=100) 1.232 98.7 98.2 -2.9 -0.5 -1.3 -0.1 -0.5 XII FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS, ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC. 2.150 100.9 100.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 1.849 100.4 100.3 -0.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas, whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100) 0.301 101.8 101.9 0.6 -0.6 0.0 0.3 0.1 XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC GLASS ETC. 1.176 101.1 101.5 -1.7 -0.2 -0.8 0.3 0.4 69 Ceramic products 0.445 98.0 97.9 -3.1 0.0 -1.4 0.3 -0.1 70 Glass and glassware 0.454 100.8 102.3 -2.4 -0.2 -0.3 0.2 1.5 XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS 2.296 99.0 100.2 3.0 -0.7 1.1 2.1 1.2 XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL 5.887 91.5 91.2 -4.2 -1.4 -0.5 -0.9 -0.3 72 Iron and steel 1.800 94.0 93.7 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -1.1 -0.3 73 Articles of iron or steel 1.313 95.2 95.1 -3.3 -0.6 -0.3 -0.9 -0.1 74 Copper and articles thereof 0.405 72.1 71.5 -16.8 -3.6 -1.1 -1.8 -0.8 76 Aluminum and articles thereof 0.973 89.4 88.7 -4.0 -2.4 -1.4 -1.0 -0.8 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 0.431 101.9 100.3 -2.9 -1.8 0.0 1.1 -1.6 3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and articles, including scrap (9612=100) 0.505 96.8 98.4 -8.4 -4.2 -1.1 -1.6 1.7 XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC. 30.550 87.0 86.4 -6.5 -0.9 -0.6 -0.3 -0.7 84 Specialized machinery & computer equipment 15.918 87.4 86.6 -7.7 -1.2 -0.9 -0.3 -0.9 85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV recorders & reproducers, parts 14.632 86.5 86.1 -5.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 16.538 101.5 101.5 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 87 Motor vehicles and their parts 15.618 101.2 101.2 0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES 3.639 92.7 92.5 -2.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 90 Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments 3.105 92.5 92.3 -2.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof 0.387 93.3 93.0 -1.8 -0.3 0.3 -0.7 -0.3 XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 3.845 99.3 98.5 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.8 94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nes; 1.661 100.1 99.7 -0.9 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof 1.890 99.7 98.3 -2.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -1.4 96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 0.294 93.2 93.2 -1.8 -0.7 -0.3 0.1 0.0 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Relative Import- Annual Monthly Harmo- ance April Dec. Jan. Feb. March nized Description 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 System March March April to to to to to 1998 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 1/ 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS 1.819 89.8 89.8 -6.0 -3.2 -4.1 1.5 0.0 02 Meat & edible meat offal 1.031 89.5 89.3 -5.7 -3.9 0.0 1.4 -0.2 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0.452 80.5 80.1 -6.1 -4.9 -12.2 4.8 -0.5 3/ Other live animals and animal products (9612=100) 0.337 91.2 92.7 -6.7 1.1 -4.8 -2.6 1.6 II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS 5.154 95.0 92.4 -14.9 -2.5 -0.6 -0.8 -2.7 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 0.306 95.7 103.5 9.3 31.1 -29.3 7.0 8.2 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 0.676 90.9 91.8 -6.2 -0.5 -3.0 0.6 1.0 10 Cereals 2.487 89.2 84.6 -18.8 -6.2 3.2 -1.4 -5.2 12 Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits, plants, straw and fodder 1.409 111.2 108.6 -17.5 -3.8 1.6 -2.8 -2.3 III ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS 0.524 102.4 103.4 10.6 -1.9 -3.0 -0.5 1.0 IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND TOBACCO 3.439 99.1 98.6 -6.6 -1.0 -0.8 -0.5 -0.5 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants 0.343 94.9 95.2 -12.9 2.4 -1.0 3.5 0.3 21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 0.368 105.9 105.9 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar 0.329 98.0 98.2 -1.8 0.0 0.0 -1.6 0.2 23 Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed 0.630 95.8 93.3 -24.3 -4.9 -3.9 -3.8 -2.6 24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 1.257 100.2 100.0 0.0 -0.6 0.2 0.2 -0.2 3/ Other prepared foods 0.512 101.8 102.0 1.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2 V MINERAL PRODUCTS 2.655 103.1 102.1 -6.0 -2.3 -0.9 -1.9 -1.0 27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral wax 2.131 107.1 105.4 -6.5 -2.7 -0.9 -2.2 -1.6 VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED INDUSTRIES 8.656 93.7 93.4 -3.7 -0.9 -0.4 -1.0 -0.3 28 Inorganic chemicals 0.921 99.7 99.7 -2.0 -0.4 1.1 -3.0 0.0 29 Organic chemicals 2.720 82.3 80.9 -8.9 -1.8 -1.2 -2.3 -1.7 30 Pharmaceutical products 0.929 104.7 103.9 3.1 2.8 0.0 1.5 -0.8 31 Fertilizers (9612=100) 0.608 92.0 94.0 -0.3 -0.5 -3.0 1.2 2.2 32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink 0.509 101.7 101.7 0.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet 0.537 103.2 102.9 0.1 -1.0 1.4 -0.2 -0.3 34 Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring products; candles, pastes 0.317 103.0 102.4 1.4 1.0 -1.0 -0.1 -0.6 37 Photographic or cinematographic goods 0.396 87.0 86.6 -8.6 -8.6 -0.2 0.7 -0.5 38 Miscellaneous chemical products 1.495 99.6 100.6 -3.1 -0.6 0.2 -1.0 1.0 VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 4.313 95.3 94.9 -3.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.8 -0.4 39 Plastics and articles thereof 3.413 94.6 94.2 -3.9 0.1 -0.2 -1.0 -0.4 40 Rubber and articles thereof 0.900 98.2 97.6 -2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.6 VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, TRAVEL GOODS, ETC. 0.526 89.1 88.6 -14.9 -11.7 -0.1 3.2 -0.6 41 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 0.382 86.8 85.3 -16.4 -15.9 0.0 6.6 -1.7 IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET AND WICKER 1.207 86.5 86.1 -8.5 0.0 -0.6 -0.7 -0.5 X WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER AND ARTICLES THEREOF 3.016 78.6 78.3 4.8 -1.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; waste paper/paperboard 0.699 62.1 61.4 8.9 -3.8 -0.6 -0.2 -1.1 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard 1.513 85.4 85.3 4.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.4 -0.1 49 Printed material 0.804 107.0 107.0 2.9 -0.3 0.6 -0.3 0.0 XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES 3.244 92.5 92.1 -1.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 52 Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof 0.673 77.4 76.2 -8.4 -2.0 -0.6 -0.3 -1.6 XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, CERAMIC, GLASS ETC. 0.865 104.0 104.0 0.8 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.0 70 Glass and glassware 0.495 101.9 101.9 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS 1.897 96.8 97.3 -0.5 -1.9 2.3 1.7 0.5 XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS 4.552 93.7 93.7 -3.3 -0.7 0.2 -0.8 0.0 72 Iron and steel 0.932 88.7 88.4 -6.5 -1.4 -0.4 -1.6 -0.3 73 Articles of iron or steel 1.283 109.0 108.6 2.0 0.8 0.2 -0.1 -0.4 74 Copper and articles thereof 0.364 69.0 71.0 -19.6 -4.7 -0.6 -2.0 2.9 76 Aluminum and articles thereof 0.877 87.5 87.0 -2.4 -1.3 0.9 -1.6 -0.6 82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof 0.419 104.1 104.1 0.9 0.7 -0.2 0.2 0.0 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 0.377 100.3 100.5 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC 36.814 95.5 95.1 -3.0 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 84 Specialized machinery & computer equipment 20.459 96.3 96.0 -2.3 -0.4 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound & tv recorders & reproducers, parts 16.355 94.5 94.0 -3.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 13.852 105.0 105.1 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 87 Motor vehicles and their parts 9.581 102.0 102.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1 XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES 5.448 102.5 102.5 0.4 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 1.797 102.6 102.7 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi; 0.886 104.6 104.7 1.7 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof 0.737 100.7 100.7 0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0 1 Relative importance figures are based on n.a. Not available 1995 trade values. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication. 3 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations. NOTE: Published categories may include price data not shown separately Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin, April 1997-April 1998 1995=100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Percentage of Annual Monthly US Imports April Dec. Jan. Feb. March Description 1/ 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1995 March April to to to to to 1998 1998 April Jan. Feb. March April 2/ 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 3/ Developed Countries 55.6 95.5 95.6 -1.9 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.1 Manufactured Goods 52.2 96.0 96.0 -1.3 -0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.0 Nonmanufactured Goods 3.1 90.5 92.6 -11.0 -6.7 -5.5 -1.5 2.3 3/ Developing Countries 42.7 94.6 94.1 -7.7 -1.8 -1.0 -1.7 -0.5 Manufactured Goods 35.4 95.7 95.1 -5.0 -0.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.6 Nonmanufactured Goods 7.1 84.2 84.0 -19.9 -7.4 -3.9 -6.8 -0.2 Canada 18.9 96.4 96.7 -2.3 -0.7 -1.1 -0.2 0.3 Manufactured Goods 16.5 97.3 97.5 -1.1 0.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.2 Nonmanufactured Goods 2.2 92.8 94.1 -10.9 -5.6 -5.4 -1.3 1.4 4/ European Union 17.0 100.1 99.7 -1.3 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 Manufactured Goods 16.4 100.4 99.9 -1.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 Nonmanufactured Goods 0.5 92.0 94.1 -12.7 -10.7 -3.7 -1.6 2.3 5/ Latin America (9712=100) 14.1 94.5 93.4 n.a. -2.5 -0.8 -2.3 -1.2 Manufactured Goods (9712=100) 10.4 97.6 96.8 n.a. -0.9 -0.9 -0.6 -0.8 Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100) 3.5 85.4 83.7 n.a. -7.0 -0.9 -7.4 -2.0 Japan 16.6 89.9 89.5 -4.3 -1.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.4 6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries 10.9 89.8 88.9 -7.8 -1.1 -0.5 -0.8 -1.0 1 Regions are not mutually exclusive. 2 Data for January, February and March 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. 3 Defined according to the Standard Census Definition. 4 Includes EU 15 countries. 5 Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. 6 Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Table 8 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services. March 1997-March 1998 1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted Index Percent Change Annual Quarterly Trade March March June Sept. Dec. Description (Mil. 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 of Dec. March to to to to to Dollars) 1997 1998 March June Sept. Dec. March 1998 1997 1997 1997 1998 IMPORT Air Freight 3188 86.6 80.5 -10.7 0.3 -2.0 -2.3 -7.0 Atlantic 1278 90.2 85.8 -5.9 -1.0 -4.3 4.4 -4.9 Pacific 1674 84.7 76.3 -15.7 1.4 -0.3 -7.4 -9.9 Air Passenger Fares 11127 104.3 103.3 2.8 12.6 -1.5 -6.5 -1.0 1/ Atlantic 4922 100.4 98.9 -1.4 20.8 0.7 -17.8 -1.5 1/ Pacific 2340 106.2 98.3 0.2 13.6 -9.8 5.7 -7.4 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 3021 105.2 106.9 1.7 1.0 -0.2 -0.7 1.6 1/ Crude Oil Tanker Freight 1346 95.6 n.a. n.a. 2.2 -9.7 3.9 n.a. Ocean Liner Freight 9868 93.5 93.4 -4.7 -0.9 -1.9 -1.9 -0.1 U.S. East Coast 4271 96.7 96.5 -4.0 0.1 -2.3 -1.6 -0.2 from Atlantic 1952 96.7 97.2 -3.2 -0.5 -1.6 -1.6 0.5 from Pacific 1774 94.8 94.8 -5.4 0.6 -3.8 -2.3 0.0 1/ U.S. West Coast 5596 90.6 90.5 -5.1 -1.6 -1.6 -1.9 -0.1 EXPORT Air Freight (9612 = 100) 2562 93.3 94.9 -3.7 -0.7 -1.2 -3.4 1.7 Air Passenger Fares 17272 92.1 94.3 5.0 14.7 -2.9 -7.9 2.4 1/ Atlantic 4120 101.4 101.7 3.1 11.3 -0.2 -7.4 0.3 1/ Pacific 10700 78.1 79.6 5.4 20.7 -5.2 -9.6 1.9 Latin American / Caribbean 1392 106.5 107.3 5.4 5.0 0.6 -0.9 0.8 Canadian 1006 147.0 166.1 7.2 1.3 0.3 -6.7 13.0 1 Detailed data available upon reque n.a. Not available. Table 9 U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services. March 1997-March 1998 1995 = 100 Index Percent Change Annual Quarterly Trade March March June Sept. Dec. Description (Mil. 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 of Dec. March to to to to to Dollars) 1997 1998 March June Sept. Dec. March 1998 1997 1997 1997 1998 Air Freight (Inbound) 5495 86.5 82.9 -7.4 0.4 -1.6 -2.3 -4.2 Atlantic 1880 89.6 85.4 -4.8 -0.9 -3.7 4.7 -4.7 Pacific 3151 84.9 81.3 -9.5 1.4 -0.1 -6.7 -4.2 Air Freight (Outbound) 5835 97.7 97.2 -2.6 -0.6 0.4 -1.9 -0.5 Atlantic 2080 101.1 101.0 1.1 -0.5 1.7 0.0 -0.1 Pacific 3222 96.3 95.5 -4.8 -0.3 -0.3 -3.4 -0.8 Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier) 30673 99.5 99.3 2.3 15.4 -2.6 -8.9 -0.2 1/ Atlantic 8811 97.8 94.2 -3.4 21.3 0.6 -17.8 -3.7 1/ Pacific 15900 90.2 89.9 4.1 18.2 -6.1 -5.9 -0.3 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 4542 109.2 110.8 3.7 2.6 0.8 -1.2 1.5 Canadian 1367 154.1 173.6 11.5 3.5 0.6 -5.0 12.7 Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier) 31694 99.7 97.7 -0.8 7.7 -1.4 -4.7 -2.0 1/ Atlantic 13572 100.5 98.8 1.8 13.5 1.3 -9.9 -1.7 1/ Pacific 12570 89.2 84.9 -8.0 4.4 -5.6 -2.0 -4.8 1/ Latin American / Caribbean 4224 104.8 105.3 0.8 0.3 -0.4 0.4 0.5 1/ Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound) 1949 103.2 n.a. n.a. 0.8 -9.6 5.5 n.a. Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound) 12253 92.9 92.7 -5.0 -0.8 -2.0 -2.1 -0.2 U.S. East Coast 5410 95.7 95.4 -4.4 -0.2 -2.6 -1.3 -0.3 from Atlantic 2647 94.8 95.2 -4.2 -0.7 -2.7 -1.3 0.4 from Pacific 1874 93.1 93.1 -5.4 0.5 -3.7 -2.2 0.0 1/ U.S. West Coast 6844 90.2 90.2 -5.5 -1.4 -1.4 -2.8 0.0 1 Detailed data available upon reque n.a. Not available. TECHNICAL NOTE Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights. The merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications: the Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System, and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3. Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality). Published series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible. Net transaction price data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000 companies and secondary sources. Indexes are not seasonally adjusted. More detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155. Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 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 1995 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. Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes. Prior to January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured goods were defined as SITC 5-8. Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC-based). Nonmanufactured goods are defined as SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3. The indexes use 1995 weights and a base of 1995=100. Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated on a quarterly basis. The figures for services indexes will not sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables. Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter. Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics. For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts. Indexes published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general market analysis. For trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful for terms of trade analysis. The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the two-digit level of detail. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form below and mail or fax it to the following address: Division of International Prices Bureau of Labor Statistics PSB Building, Rm. 3955 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20212 Phone Number: (202) 606-7155 Fax Number: (202) 606-7179 IPP Order Form Please add my name to the mailing list for the following publications. 1. Monthly News Release ______ 2. Harmonized System Indexes ______ 3. SITC Indexes ______ 4. BEA End-Use Indexes ______ 5. Locality of Origin Indexes ------ 6. Services Indexes ------ Name______________________________________________ Address___________________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone Number ( ) ______________________