Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, December 12, 2012 

Technical information: (202) 691-7101 • MXPinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/mxp 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov 

USDL-12-2406

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – NOVEMBER 2012 

U.S. import prices decreased 0.9 percent in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

following increases in each of the three previous months. The decline was primarily led by lower fuel 

prices. The price index for U.S. exports also fell in November, decreasing 0.7 percent after remaining 

unchanged in October. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: November 2011 – November 2012 

 Percent change 

0.7

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.4

-0.1

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.2 1.0

0.3

-0.9

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Nov'11 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'12

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: November 2011 – November 2012

 Percent change

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.8

-0.8

-2.5 -3.3

-1.8

-0.6

0.0

-1.6

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Nov'11 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'12
 

All Imports: Import prices fell for the first time since July after rising 2.5 percent over the previous three 

months. A 3.0 percent decline in fuel prices mainly drove the November decrease in import prices, although 

nonfuel prices also decreased for the month. The price index for overall imports fell 1.6 percent over the 

past 12 months, a contrast to the previous 12-month period ended in November 2011 when import prices 

rose 10.1 percent. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices fell 3.0 percent in November after edging down 0.1 percent the previous 

month. The November decline was the largest downturn since an 8.5 percent drop in June. A 3.6 percent 

decline in petroleum prices in November more than offset an 18.2 percent advance in natural gas prices. 

Fuel prices decreased 7.0 percent for the year ended in November following a 32.4 percent rise for the 

November 2010-11 period. Falling prices for both petroleum and natural gas over the past year, down 7.0 

percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, each contributed to the 12-month drop in overall fuel prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports fell 0.2 percent in November after rising 

0.4 percent in October and 0.2 percent in September. In November, most of the major finished goods 

categories contributed to the decline as prices for capital goods; foods, feeds, and beverages; nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials; and consumer goods all fell. Despite the November decrease, prices for 

nonfuel imports rose 0.2 percent over the past year as higher finished goods prices more than offset lower 

prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: November 2011 – November 2012

 Percent change 

0.1

-0.5

0.3

0.5

0.8

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

0.9 0.8

0.0

-0.7

-2

-1

0

1

2

Nov'11 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'12

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: November 2011 – November 2012 

 Percent change

4.8

3.6

2.6

1.8

1.1 0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3 -0.9 -0.6

1.4

0.7

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Nov'11 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'12

All Exports: Prices for overall exports decreased 0.7 percent in November after recording no change in 

October. The decline was driven by lower nonagricultural prices which more than offset a 0.1 percent uptick 

in agricultural prices. Despite the November decline, the price index for overall exports rose 0.7 percent 

over the past year. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices advanced 0.1 percent in November, led by a 5.9 percent increase 

in fruit prices and a 2.4 percent rise in wheat prices. In contrast, prices for fish, corn, and soybeans all 

declined for the month. Prices for agricultural exports increased 10.0 percent over the past 12 months. That 

advance was driven by a 30.2 percent rise in soybeans prices, a 14.5 percent increase in corn prices, and a 

19.8 percent advance in wheat prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports declined 0.7 percent in 

November following increases over the three previous months. The November drop was led by lower prices 

for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and consumer goods. The decrease in November helped 

drive nonagricultural prices down 0.4 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

3
4

SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China fell for the third consecutive month in 

November, edging down 0.1 percent following 0.2 percent declines in October and September. Import 

prices from China have not recorded a monthly advance since a 0.1 percent rise in February and decreased 

0.7 percent over the past year. The index had previously increased 4.0 percent between November 2010 and 

November 2011. The price index for imports from Mexico also decreased in November falling 1.3 percent. 

In contrast, the price for imports from Canada ticked up 0.1 percent. Import prices from the European Union 

and Japan were unchanged in November. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 

declined 0.4 percent in November after rising 1.2 percent the previous month. Both the November decrease 

and October advance were led by unfinished metals prices which fell 0.7 percent in November following a 

4.5 percent increase the previous month. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in November as capital goods prices decreased 

0.3 percent and consumer goods edged down 0.1 percent. Prices for automotive vehicles were unchanged. 

The November drop in capital goods prices was driven by a 0.6 percent decline in the price index for 

computers, peripherals, and semiconductors. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for import foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 1.3 percent in 

November following a 0.2 percent rise in October. The November decline was driven by a 14.5 percent drop 

in coffee prices and a 5.9 percent decrease in vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 0.9 percent in November after rising 2.0 percent 

the previous month. Lower Asian fares more than offset increasing European and Latin American/Caribbean 

fares. Despite the decline, import air passenger fares rose 2.9 percent for the year ended in November. 

Prices for import air freight advanced 0.5 percent in November but decreased 0.5 percent over the past 12 

months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices fell 2.0 percent in November following a 0.5 percent increase in October. The November drop was 

driven by a 6.0 percent decrease in export fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in November; capital goods prices rose 0.2 percent, 

consumer goods prices fell 0.2 percent, and the price index for automotive vehicles remained unchanged. 

The increase in capital goods prices was led by a 3.3 percent advance in the price index for computer 

peripherals. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 0.4 percent in November, led by higher Latin 

American/Caribbean and European fares. The index for export air passenger fares advanced 0.9 percent for 

the November 2011-12 period. Export air freight prices declined 0.3 percent in November. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for December 2012 are scheduled for release on Friday, January 

11, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 141.2 139.9 -1.6 1.2 1.0 0.3 -0.9

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 71.266 103.6 103.5 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum................ 77.353 116.4 116.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.4 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 76.359 120.8 120.5 0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.4 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.093 171.9 169.6 -2.1 -0.5 1.4 0.2 -1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.971 194.7 190.9 -2.1 -0.4 1.9 0.2 -2.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.122 120.3 121.6 -2.0 -0.7 -0.3 0.2 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 36.828 256.6 251.4 -4.9 3.7 2.4 0.4 -2.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.181 165.1 165.9 -1.6 -0.1 0.0 1.3 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.187 189.2 188.5 -1.0 -0.3 0.0 1.2 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.846 179.0 178.1 -1.0 -0.6 0.5 2.3 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.341 149.1 151.4 -2.4 0.5 -0.6 0.0 1.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 23.641 342.8 332.5 -7.0 6.1 3.8 -0.1 -3.0

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 22.648 384.6 370.8 -7.0 6.2 4.0 -0.2 -3.6

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.048 393.9 382.3 -6.2 6.4 4.2 -0.5 -2.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.713 96.9 111.6 -7.1 4.5 0.2 5.7 15.2

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.608 82.8 97.9 -7.4 5.3 -0.5 7.4 18.2

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.583 112.3 112.2 -3.4 -0.7 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.847 175.0 174.6 -0.7 0.2 -0.7 -0.6 -0.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.053 141.6 141.0 8.3 0.6 1.3 0.1 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.662 268.1 266.2 -4.0 -1.2 0.6 4.5 -0.7

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.556 164.2 163.5 0.6 -0.2 0.2 1.4 -0.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.486 114.2 114.4 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.258 93.4 93.1 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.3

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.900 119.8 119.9 1.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.704 86.3 86.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.654 134.0 134.0 4.0 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.647 115.1 115.1 1.6 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.174 107.7 107.6 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.4 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.643 115.2 115.3 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.267 100.0 99.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.264 115.6 115.7 1.0 -2.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.5 133.6 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.0 -0.7

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.760 225.6 225.8 10.0 4.8 1.3 -1.9 0.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.468 102.9 102.7 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.3 -0.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.241 127.9 127.0 -0.4 0.4 0.7 0.2 -0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.895 227.7 228.3 12.4 4.6 1.0 -1.7 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 10.166 231.5 232.7 13.1 4.8 1.2 -1.9 0.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.729 194.4 189.6 3.8 1.3 -0.3 0.7 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.129 184.5 180.8 -2.7 1.4 1.9 0.4 -2.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.218 187.4 186.5 -0.4 -0.5 1.2 2.0 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.913 183.7 178.5 -4.0 2.5 2.3 -0.4 -2.8

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.594 197.5 192.6 -6.9 4.3 2.0 -1.8 -2.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.536 184.2 180.6 -2.5 1.3 1.9 0.5 -2.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.638 270.4 254.3 -8.6 4.6 4.3 -0.9 -6.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.963 173.7 172.8 -0.3 0.2 1.1 1.2 -0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.935 117.8 117.8 1.3 0.2 0.1 -0.8 0.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.210 105.6 105.8 1.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.522 114.1 114.0 1.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.760 94.8 95.0 0.8 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.927 149.2 149.2 2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.118 112.4 112.4 0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.648 116.7 116.5 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.914 115.8 115.7 1.8 0.2 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.315 114.3 113.9 0.5 0.0 0.3 -0.4 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 20.273 167.6 164.1 -6.1 5.5 4.2 -0.1 -2.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.859 174.3 165.4 -5.8 -0.7 2.7 1.0 -5.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.336 183.1 171.0 -5.7 -0.3 3.5 1.0 -6.6

Mining.............................................. 21 18.414 166.6 163.6 -6.1 6.2 4.3 -0.1 -1.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.319 140.2 139.0 -7.8 -0.1 0.8 -3.0 -0.9

Manufactured articles.............................. 79.267 118.1 117.4 -0.5 0.2 0.3 0.3 -0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.716 123.4 123.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.6 -0.2 0.0

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.917 153.6 153.6 -1.9 -0.4 -1.6 -0.9 0.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.844 112.0 112.1 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.405 102.3 102.3 – 0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.867 115.7 115.8 -2.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.038 110.8 111.0 -0.4 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.645 120.8 120.8 3.8 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.053 140.1 137.3 -2.6 1.5 0.9 0.2 -2.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.642 120.1 120.3 12.3 1.0 1.0 0.2 0.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.081 110.4 110.5 -1.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.768 175.4 162.3 -10.9 5.6 2.6 0.2 -7.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.750 134.9 135.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.892 127.6 127.5 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.832 129.6 129.4 1.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 50.498 110.2 109.9 0.2 -0.3 0.2 0.5 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.260 176.8 175.0 -3.4 -1.2 0.5 4.3 -1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.566 130.7 130.4 1.2 -0.2 0.5 0.4 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.656 121.9 121.8 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.411 82.2 81.7 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.6

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.849 118.9 119.5 2.0 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.330 112.3 112.5 2.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.311 113.8 113.8 0.7 -0.1 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.115 121.3 121.3 -1.1 -1.1 -0.1 0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.693 174.9 175.2 3.0 5.0 0.8 -3.3 0.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.895 217.9 217.3 12.8 6.1 1.5 -3.5 -0.3

Crop production................................. 111 6.440 226.4 226.5 13.4 5.5 2.0 -3.8 0.0

Mining.............................................. 21 1.798 91.7 93.4 -22.1 1.3 -2.0 -2.7 1.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.223 108.8 107.3 -24.9 0.1 -1.5 -7.3 -1.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.399 121.7 120.8 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.2 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.280 150.8 150.4 4.2 1.5 0.9 0.4 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.092 173.1 172.8 5.2 1.6 1.1 0.6 -0.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.601 127.7 125.3 8.3 3.4 2.2 -0.5 -1.9

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.425 122.8 122.8 5.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.609 136.0 133.0 -0.4 1.8 2.1 0.1 -2.2

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.396 113.4 113.9 -0.2 0.5 0.0 -0.7 0.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.825 119.6 119.1 -2.1 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.520 177.3 163.6 -3.7 5.5 5.7 -0.1 -7.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.893 131.6 130.8 0.2 0.8 0.9 0.2 -0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.229 121.0 121.8 4.9 -0.1 2.6 0.6 0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.745 111.4 111.5 0.5 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.510 113.3 113.2 0.6 -0.2 0.2 0.4 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.857 175.5 173.5 -2.3 -1.3 1.8 3.9 -1.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.648 132.1 132.1 2.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.039 121.0 121.2 2.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.137 89.0 89.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.189 112.6 112.7 1.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.255 116.5 116.5 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.300 104.5 104.6 – 0.0 0.1 1.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.086 121.8 121.9 -1.9 -0.1 0.6 -0.5 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.127 161.4 164.2 -1.5 -1.0 0.3 -0.2 1.7

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.272 217.7 219.3 1.5 0.9 0.4 -0.8 0.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.567 112.5 114.8 -6.3 -1.6 -1.2 -0.1 2.0

Vegetable products................................ II 1.671 212.8 203.6 -2.0 -0.5 0.9 -0.7 -4.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.375 375.3 369.3 15.6 -1.9 25.8 0.5 -1.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.445 112.5 107.8 -5.3 -0.4 -0.6 -2.6 -4.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.402 262.8 233.0 -18.9 -1.0 -6.5 4.0 -11.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.242 123.9 121.2 -8.2 -1.4 1.2 -2.5 -2.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.375 157.6 157.5 -0.5 0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.186 86.9 88.3 -8.5 3.9 1.1 2.8 1.6

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.231 129.3 129.4 3.1 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.338 167.9 168.9 -0.7 -0.5 -0.1 -1.0 0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.797 122.3 122.4 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 23.347 345.2 334.1 -7.0 6.0 3.9 -0.1 -3.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 23.053 341.7 330.6 -7.0 6.1 4.0 0.0 -3.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.328 151.2 151.6 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.977 393.4 393.6 0.3 1.1 0.5 -0.9 0.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.438 138.8 140.3 2.0 0.4 -0.3 0.3 1.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.081 119.6 119.7 2.9 0.0 0.1 2.2 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.426 134.3 131.8 -12.8 0.1 -0.2 -1.3 -1.9

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.162 93.2 93.2 – -0.3 0.0 -10.0 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.417 125.9 126.0 0.5 0.4 -0.2 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.463 100.7 100.8 -3.4 -0.4 0.0 -1.1 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.087 152.1 151.8 -0.6 0.0 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.886 144.4 144.8 2.0 0.1 0.9 0.4 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.201 167.1 165.6 -4.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.1 -0.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.585 126.2 126.2 2.4 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.538 126.9 127.0 2.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.677 146.0 145.7 12.4 1.0 1.1 0.4 -0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.185 113.4 113.4 -1.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.175 98.6 97.6 – -1.9 -2.1 -1.2 -1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.794 108.5 108.6 -1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.165 114.5 114.6 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.985 104.5 104.8 -1.5 -0.6 -0.8 -0.4 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.906 117.3 117.3 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.628 108.5 108.6 -3.7 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.346 120.1 120.1 3.2 0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.150 119.7 119.7 3.8 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.754 132.0 131.8 0.8 -0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.241 124.8 125.3 1.0 -0.2 0.6 -1.0 0.4

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.226 142.2 140.8 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 -1.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.286 127.2 127.4 1.7 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.385 208.6 207.0 2.6 -1.6 2.0 4.6 -0.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.766 185.6 184.7 -2.8 -0.5 -0.6 0.9 -0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.020 220.5 220.2 -11.1 -2.0 -1.7 -3.0 -0.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.400 159.8 158.8 -1.7 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.466 365.0 359.1 6.1 1.5 0.9 6.5 -1.6

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.131 101.6 104.1 -4.7 -1.2 -2.5 6.9 2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.699 138.2 136.8 -4.7 -0.7 -0.9 4.1 -1.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.361 127.9 128.1 3.6 0.0 0.2 -0.5 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.412 136.4 136.3 3.4 0.3 0.7 -0.3 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.729 85.9 85.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.487 90.1 89.8 1.1 -0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.242 81.9 81.7 -1.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.278 116.6 116.8 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.475 115.7 115.6 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.4 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.705 118.4 118.4 2.2 0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.207 104.4 104.5 -0.9 -0.6 0.1 0.4 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.950 101.8 101.8 -1.3 -0.6 0.1 0.3 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.197 131.7 132.4 3.6 -0.1 0.2 1.2 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.689 112.6 112.7 1.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.969 116.6 116.6 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.517 105.0 105.1 0.6 0.0 -0.5 0.5 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.202 135.9 135.9 2.0 0.1 -0.8 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.977 213.0 212.5 2.2 5.2 -1.8 2.7 -0.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.145 169.2 169.0 -1.2 1.2 0.8 1.6 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.435 212.6 207.4 5.3 1.9 -0.1 0.9 -2.4

Vegetable products................................ II 6.467 276.9 278.6 17.1 5.3 1.7 -3.7 0.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.891 143.9 150.3 15.6 -1.9 3.5 4.1 4.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.541 332.5 334.6 14.7 9.4 -1.1 -1.0 0.6

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.438 304.5 302.7 26.6 5.4 4.4 -9.2 -0.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.454 143.4 133.8 -9.7 -0.3 1.7 -2.6 -6.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.872 167.4 168.0 11.6 3.0 1.6 0.4 0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.319 110.9 110.9 0.6 0.7 0.3 -1.4 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.400 110.7 110.7 5.3 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.0

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.978 285.0 287.0 36.1 8.2 5.0 1.2 0.7

Mineral products.................................... V 8.575 316.9 298.9 -8.6 4.4 3.9 -0.9 -5.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.982 313.9 294.7 -9.0 4.8 4.2 -1.1 -6.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.163 155.1 154.9 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.991 184.2 185.9 -5.0 0.0 0.6 -0.9 0.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.401 166.6 166.5 0.7 1.7 1.0 0.4 -0.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.147 125.1 124.9 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.757 136.3 136.5 2.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.463 123.0 123.0 -1.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.759 153.6 152.6 1.5 0.0 0.3 -0.1 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.452 149.6 148.7 0.9 0.8 2.0 -0.1 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.400 141.2 140.2 1.7 1.0 2.5 0.1 -0.7

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.052 188.8 188.6 -2.4 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.374 133.0 135.0 9.0 1.6 -0.2 0.8 1.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.539 110.0 110.0 0.5 0.0 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.261 115.9 116.9 -2.5 -1.5 -0.9 1.0 0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.578 114.5 118.0 -9.7 -6.4 -3.7 2.0 3.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.221 117.4 117.4 -0.6 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0

Printed material.................................... 49 0.462 123.8 123.8 3.8 0.0 0.2 2.1 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.880 125.3 124.9 -7.4 0.8 0.6 -0.8 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.541 130.6 129.7 -27.4 2.8 1.1 -2.8 -0.7

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.741 118.4 118.5 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.399 98.9 98.9 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2011 to

November 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2011 to

Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.411 289.9 285.7 -1.9 -1.2 3.1 3.5 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.397 171.5 171.3 -1.7 -0.1 -0.5 0.4 -0.1

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.531 195.5 199.5 -6.3 0.6 -2.5 -1.7 2.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.350 173.1 172.7 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.667 258.4 247.3 -0.1 -1.5 2.0 4.5 -4.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.824 127.1 125.6 -2.3 -0.2 0.6 2.3 -1.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.385 133.1 133.1 3.7 0.1 0.0 1.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.336 146.0 146.0 7.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.331 96.8 97.0 0.7 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.925 110.5 110.9 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.406 82.1 82.0 -1.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.850 126.4 126.4 1.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.156 112.5 112.5 1.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.769 106.3 106.3 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.341 110.7 110.7 2.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.695 120.8 120.9 1.4 -0.1 0.1 0.7 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.514 90.9 90.9 1.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: November 2011 to November 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2011

to Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Sept. 2012

to Oct.

2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 132.2 132.2 -0.8 0.3 1.2 0.7 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.858 233.3 233.3 -5.3 5.9 6.8 4.0 0.0

Manufactured articles......................... 86.549 124.0 123.9 -0.1 -0.5 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 140.4 138.7 -2.3 1.5 0.7 -0.2 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 25.376 354.4 343.4 -5.7 5.5 3.5 -0.4 -3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 74.268 111.1 110.5 -1.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5

Canada............................................ 100.000 152.3 152.5 -1.6 1.7 2.2 1.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 29.699 219.1 219.7 -6.8 5.1 6.9 4.2 0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 69.363 138.7 138.8 1.0 0.4 0.6 -0.1 0.1

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.1 135.1 -1.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.6 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 2.352 380.2 371.3 -0.1 11.2 0.1 0.7 -2.3

Manufactured articles......................... 96.840 131.4 131.4 -1.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.7 0.0

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 119.8 120.0 -0.5 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 114.7 115.1 -0.3 -0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 135.0 134.3 1.1 1.5 0.4 0.4 -0.5

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 177.6 174.5 -3.8 1.9 1.2 -0.4 -1.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 35.113 377.7 365.0 -8.2 5.4 3.1 -1.5 -3.4

Manufactured articles......................... 64.422 133.9 132.8 -1.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 -0.8

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 145.4 143.5 -3.0 1.0 0.8 -0.2 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 21.621 205.4 198.1 -6.9 6.5 3.7 -0.8 -3.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 78.379 94.6 93.9 -2.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.7

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 104.4 104.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.5 104.4 -0.7 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 100.000 103.1 103.1 1.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 91.2 90.5 -0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 -0.8

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 104.6 104.0 -1.0 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.6

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 274.3 268.9 -2.6 3.2 2.5 1.1 -2.0

1 Relative figures are based on 2010 trade values.

2 Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

3 Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.

4 Includes European Union countries.

5 Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

6 Includes China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized

Countries.

7 Asian Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

8 Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and

Vietnam.

9 Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: November

2011 to November 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20121

Index Percent change

Oct.

2012

Nov.

2012

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2011

to Nov.

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 176.2 177.0 -0.5 -1.6 0.3 1.3 0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.217 164.4 166.5 -1.4 -0.9 1.0 4.2 1.3

Asia.................................................... 71.296 156.5 156.8 -0.2 -2.0 0.1 0.5 0.2

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 148.5 148.1 2.8 -1.0 2.4 1.2 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.200 130.5 130.0 -0.3 -1.0 1.7 -1.3 -0.4

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 165.3 168.0 3.6 -0.3 1.4 1.3 1.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.481 150.3 151.4 1.3 -1.0 1.4 3.5 0.7

Asia.................................................... 64.434 150.6 154.0 4.8 -0.1 1.4 0.6 2.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 147.5 149.2 3.9 0.0 1.4 0.5 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.235 162.2 162.7 -0.4 0.1 0.7 -1.3 0.3

Asia.................................................... 49.672 140.1 143.1 7.0 -0.1 1.8 1.0 2.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 183.4 181.8 2.9 -5.5 -1.6 2.0 -0.9

Europe................................................. 40.661 198.2 202.9 12.7 -8.0 0.6 3.7 2.4

Asia.................................................... 26.052 152.1 147.5 -5.0 -3.5 -5.4 -0.3 -3.0

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 10.839 159.2 169.2 -2.3 -2.0 -9.1 1.5 6.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 185.0 185.7 0.9 0.8 -12.4 -1.5 0.4

Europe................................................. 26.856 212.6 216.2 1.6 -5.3 -9.8 -3.0 1.7

Asia.................................................... 28.163 166.9 161.5 -7.3 24.4 -25.9 -1.9 -3.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.164 216.6 226.7 18.8 -6.6 -0.3 -2.1 4.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

14
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."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

for the Import Price Indexes. Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 

using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). 

Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 

NAICS 31-33. 

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly 

data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication. After three months, no 

further data revisions take place. So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to 

revision in the releases for February, March, and April. 

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 

sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce. 

Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis. For trade in international services, 

Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 

International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also 

can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 

indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis. 

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 

page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp). Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access 

to either a large volume of time series data or other related documentation. The FTP site can be accessed 

at ftp://ftp.bls.gov. For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. 

Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339. 

16