U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – OCTOBER 2009 

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.7 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

led by a 1.8 percent increase in fuel prices. The rise followed a 0.2 percent increase in September. U.S. 

export prices advanced 0.3 percent in October after decreasing 0.2 percent the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2008 – October 2009 

 Percent change 

-6.0

-7.4

-4.6

-1.3

0.0 0.5 1.1 1.7

2.7

-0.6

0.2 0.7 1.5

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Oct'08 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'09

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2008 – October 2009 

 Percent change 

4.9

-5.9

-10.1

-12.5 -12.7

-14.9

-16.4 -17.3 -17.5

-19.1

-15.3

-12.0

-5.7

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

Oct'08 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'09

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, November 13, 2009 

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

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

USDL-09-1360
2

All Imports: The increase in U.S. imports in October continued the recent upward trend for the index. 

Import prices have risen in seven of the past eight months and were up 8.1 percent over that period. Despite 

the recent increases, import prices declined 5.7 percent for the year ended in October driven by a 12.8 

percent drop in prices between October 2008 and January 2009. 

Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuel advanced 1.8 percent in October after a 1.5 percent decline the 

previous month. A 24.1 percent increase in natural gas prices led the overall advance in October, while 

petroleum prices were also a contributing factor, advancing 0.9 percent. However, the price indexes for 

natural gas and petroleum both declined over the past year, falling 46.4 percent and 12.2 percent, 

respectively. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices rose 0.4 percent in October as higher prices for 

industrial supplies and materials, finished goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the 

advance. Prices for nonfuel imports rose between 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent in each of the past three 

months, the largest monthly advances since a 0.6 percent increase in July 2008. The index declined 2.9 

percent over the past 12 months as sharp decreases at the end of 2008 more than offset the recent rises. 

Table A. Percent changes 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2008 – October 2009 

 Percent change 

-2.1 -2.2

0.7

-0.3

-0.7

0.5 0.4

1.0

-0.3

0.6

-0.2

0.3

-3.2

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Oct'08 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'09

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2008 – October 2009 

 Percent change 

4.0

-0.3

-2.9 -3.4

-4.5

-6.7 -6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.2 -5.6

-3.4

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Oct'08 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'09

All Exports: Export prices rose 0.3 percent after falling 0.2 percent in September. Rising nonagricultural 

prices more than offset a drop in the price index for agricultural exports. Prices of overall exports decreased 

3.4 percent for the October 2008-2009 period. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices fell for the third time in the past four months in October, 

declining 1.0 percent after recording a 3.0 percent decrease in September. Falling prices for soybeans and 

wheat, down 7.5 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively, continued to drive agricultural prices lower. In 

contrast, a 9.2 percent rise in corn prices partially offset those declines. The price index for overall 

agricultural prices decreased 10.0 percent for the year ended in October. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports increased 0.3 percent in October 

and have risen 2.3 percent since March. Higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

and most of the major finished goods areas contributed to the advance. Despite the recent increases, a 4.6 

percent drop in prices for the final two months of 2008 drove the index down 2.7 percent over the past year. 

 
4

SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

increased 1.6 percent in October after rising 2.8 percent the previous month. Rising prices for metals and 

chemicals were a major factor for the increases in both October and September. 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods areas rose in October. Prices for automotive 

vehicles advanced 0.6 percent, the largest increase since a 0.6 percent rise in December 2007. The October 

increase was partially attributable to year-end model changeovers. The price index for consumer goods 

advanced 0.3 percent, the largest gain for the index since a 0.6 percent increase in April 2008. Capital goods 

prices advanced 0.2 percent, the largest increase since a similar 0.2 percent rise in July 2008. The increase 

was led by higher prices for electrical generating equipment. 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages ticked up 0.1 percent in October. The 

modest advance followed increases of 0.5 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, in September and August. 

For October, higher prices for fruit and coffee more than offset falling meat and fish prices. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Higher fuel prices drove import prices from Canada in October, up 1.2 

percent. The October increase followed advances of 0.9 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, in the 

previous two months. The price indexes of imports from the European Union, Mexico, China, and Japan 

also rose in October—up 0.6 percent, 0.7 percent, 0.1 percent, and 0.2 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares advanced 6.4 percent in October, the first increase 

since a 13.0 percent jump in June. The October advance was led by an 8.6 percent rise in European fares. 

Import air freight prices also increased in October, rising 1.5 percent after advancing 0.7 percent the 

previous month. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials increased 1.0 percent in October after ticking up a modest 0.1 percent in September. 

The October advance was driven by higher prices for metals, chemicals, iron and steel mill products, and 

fuel. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in October. Prices for capital goods and for automotive 

vehicles rose 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. In contrast, consumer goods prices edged down 0.1 

percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 4.9 percent in October following a decline of 9.1 

percent in September and an increase of 9.1 percent in August. Rising prices for European fares and Latin 

American/Caribbean fares contributed to the October advance. In contrast, export air freight prices fell 0.2 

percent in October, the first monthly decline for the index since a 1.2 percent drop in June. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for November 2009 are scheduled for release on Friday, 

December 11, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2008 to

October 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 121.3 122.2 -5.7 -0.6 1.5 0.2 0.7

All imports excluding petroleum................ 82.326 107.9 108.7 -3.8 -0.2 0.3 0.4 0.7

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 81.147 112.0 112.5 -2.9 -0.2 0.4 0.5 0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.689 140.7 140.9 -3.5 -1.1 1.3 0.5 0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.639 156.9 157.4 -3.3 -1.5 1.6 0.8 0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.050 104.1 103.6 -4.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.4 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 32.905 182.8 186.0 -12.9 -1.6 4.6 0.2 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.231 134.7 138.3 -14.5 -0.8 1.2 1.5 2.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.052 152.1 154.5 -10.9 -0.3 1.3 2.8 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.984 146.0 147.9 -8.8 1.8 1.8 3.5 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.068 121.2 126.8 -20.9 -4.1 0.4 -1.2 4.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 18.852 227.8 231.9 -15.4 -2.6 6.9 -1.5 1.8

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 17.674 251.4 253.7 -12.2 -2.4 7.5 -0.9 0.9

Crude.......................................... 10000 12.804 257.2 261.6 -10.6 -2.2 7.1 -0.7 1.7

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.991 91.7 109.4 -40.9 -7.2 0.1 -12.3 19.3

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.790 76.2 94.6 -46.4 -8.5 0.0 -14.7 24.1

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.669 99.2 100.5 -13.7 -2.7 -0.5 0.6 1.3

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.475 135.2 138.0 -13.9 -3.8 0.8 1.4 2.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.658 119.0 118.8 -1.3 1.7 1.1 -0.3 -0.2

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.845 205.3 210.8 -10.9 3.6 3.1 7.7 2.7

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.866 137.0 137.8 -11.6 0.3 0.9 1.6 0.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.539 104.2 104.7 -5.6 -0.2 0.6 0.8 0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.412 91.9 92.1 -1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.016 110.2 110.9 -1.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.294 86.5 86.6 -1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.102 123.3 123.3 2.8 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 13.925 108.7 109.4 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.6

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 25.069 104.0 104.3 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.555 107.8 107.8 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.314 100.5 100.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.4

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.201 101.2 101.6 -4.1 -0.1 -0.5 0.4 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: October 2008 to

October 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 117.9 118.2 -3.4 -0.3 0.6 -0.2 0.3

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.545 156.8 155.3 -10.0 -4.9 0.2 -3.0 -1.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.456 115.1 115.5 -2.7 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 7.830 158.1 156.1 -10.8 -5.7 -0.2 -3.9 -1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.199 160.6 158.7 -11.0 -6.2 -0.2 -4.0 -1.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.631 137.3 134.3 -9.1 0.5 -1.0 -2.5 -2.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 27.659 143.9 145.3 -10.2 0.1 2.1 0.2 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.955 150.7 152.4 -4.7 0.8 2.0 1.8 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.704 140.6 141.7 -13.4 -0.4 2.3 -0.8 0.8

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.346 142.0 142.7 -3.9 3.0 2.2 3.0 0.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 26.313 144.3 145.7 -10.4 -0.1 2.2 0.1 1.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.778 170.9 172.6 -27.8 -5.3 9.4 -5.9 1.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.506 142.8 144.2 -7.3 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.029 114.0 114.6 -1.7 -0.2 0.8 0.3 0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.294 103.5 103.7 2.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.731 107.5 108.0 -1.5 -0.2 0.3 0.2 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.624 94.9 95.1 1.6 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.939 137.1 137.1 4.6 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.321 108.0 108.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.897 109.2 109.1 -0.7 0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.746 109.3 109.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 6.054 109.5 109.6 -0.3 1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: October 2008 to

October 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 16.073 112.5 115.6 -14.2 -2.8 5.5 -1.0 2.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.712 132.8 132.6 -1.3 -3.5 2.0 1.2 -0.2

Crop production................................. 111 1.228 139.9 139.7 2.9 -5.0 1.9 1.4 -0.1

Mining.............................................. 21 14.361 110.3 113.7 -15.6 -2.7 6.0 -1.3 3.1

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.446 129.7 131.8 1.2 -1.6 0.9 0.8 1.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 83.382 107.8 108.2 -3.5 -0.1 0.7 0.4 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.356 107.0 107.2 -1.8 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.441 117.9 118.4 -7.5 -0.1 1.0 0.5 0.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.935 107.4 107.7 1.5 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.446 112.5 112.8 -0.4 0.6 0.3 -0.2 0.3

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.798 99.4 100.5 -1.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 1.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.176 101.9 101.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.560 107.2 107.2 0.9 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.937 115.4 115.4 -7.8 -1.5 2.6 -0.3 0.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.006 94.5 94.3 -1.3 3.7 1.7 -0.4 -0.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.202 99.0 99.4 -11.6 -3.2 -0.6 0.6 0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.110 116.7 114.4 -16.7 -2.9 10.8 -2.8 -2.0

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.515 119.8 121.0 -6.4 -1.6 0.3 0.9 1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.840 112.0 112.0 -1.4 -0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.156 119.6 119.3 1.0 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.090 105.6 106.1 -2.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.363 136.1 138.3 -15.4 2.4 2.6 6.3 1.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.785 115.8 116.7 -4.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.912 112.4 112.9 1.7 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.085 88.9 89.0 -3.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.012 112.6 113.0 -1.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.123 106.1 106.8 1.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.7

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.571 109.3 109.0 -2.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.5 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.238 111.8 112.2 1.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: October 2008 to

October 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 5.787 114.4 117.6 -10.4 -6.7 1.2 -5.5 2.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.529 131.3 131.9 -10.7 -7.7 0.4 -6.5 0.5

Crop production................................. 111 4.185 134.7 135.5 -11.1 -8.1 0.1 -6.9 0.6

Mining.............................................. 21 1.258 76.8 85.5 -9.5 -2.3 4.4 -1.9 11.3

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.985 90.3 91.0 -5.2 -1.8 2.3 1.9 0.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 92.235 109.0 109.2 -2.4 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.639 121.4 120.3 -3.5 0.0 -0.1 0.8 -0.9

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.472 136.5 134.5 -4.3 -0.2 -0.2 1.0 -1.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.517 107.0 107.2 3.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.390 102.7 102.8 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.965 111.2 111.1 -10.1 -0.1 1.5 -0.5 -0.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.459 106.9 107.6 -4.4 1.1 1.2 0.6 0.7

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.873 109.7 111.0 -4.7 -1.0 -0.1 0.4 1.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.258 102.1 102.8 -34.1 -9.2 13.5 -7.0 0.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.361 114.1 113.7 -7.3 1.6 0.4 0.2 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.163 107.8 107.2 -4.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.851 111.8 111.7 0.4 -1.7 0.1 0.4 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 63.631 106.9 107.3 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.356 125.7 129.5 -5.8 0.5 1.2 3.2 3.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.839 121.7 121.3 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.754 112.6 112.9 1.3 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.526 93.9 94.1 0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.609 107.3 107.1 -0.5 0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.241 110.2 110.3 2.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.951 110.6 110.4 -1.4 0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: October 2008 to

October 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.145 131.7 133.5 -3.7 0.4 0.7 1.0 1.4

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.262 157.5 155.6 -8.3 1.8 1.7 0.9 -1.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.553 99.2 99.6 -5.2 -0.6 0.5 -0.5 0.4

Vegetable products................................ II 1.430 158.6 158.3 0.5 -4.7 1.9 1.3 -0.2

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.426 293.4 294.5 22.6 -3.6 -1.1 5.0 0.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.412 98.9 102.0 -6.4 -7.3 2.5 0.3 3.1

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.258 155.4 157.7 2.6 -8.6 10.3 -4.3 1.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.298 136.4 136.5 -0.5 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.250 112.8 110.8 -1.5 1.3 0.4 0.8 -1.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.279 125.8 125.6 -10.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.939 116.7 116.9 1.6 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 18.995 229.7 234.2 -14.3 -2.7 6.8 -1.5 2.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 18.612 226.5 231.0 -15.1 -2.7 6.9 -1.6 2.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.713 131.0 132.9 -8.0 -1.1 0.5 0.5 1.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.770 216.3 244.6 -16.6 -9.3 -3.9 10.6 13.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.458 126.1 126.4 -5.2 0.6 1.8 -1.2 0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.724 114.2 114.1 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.175 107.3 106.2 0.5 0.6 0.0 2.7 -1.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.426 121.0 121.5 -2.8 1.3 0.2 0.4 0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.423 90.1 90.0 -9.7 -0.8 0.1 0.4 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.900 127.1 127.6 -6.3 -2.9 0.3 0.6 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.877 123.9 124.3 -5.8 -4.4 0.2 0.1 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.023 133.3 134.1 -7.3 -0.1 0.7 1.3 0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.622 113.6 113.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.3 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.560 114.5 114.6 0.4 -0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.032 115.1 114.2 -2.1 3.1 1.7 -0.3 -0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.381 104.5 104.8 -9.5 -3.0 -0.6 0.2 0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.941 101.5 101.1 -11.8 -4.5 -1.3 -0.2 -0.4

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.282 119.4 119.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.6 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.252 102.9 103.0 -0.9 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.981 99.6 99.7 -0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.006 102.8 102.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.539 90.7 91.8 -4.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 1.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.271 107.6 107.5 1.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.071 106.7 106.6 1.0 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2008 to

October 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.030 124.6 124.6 1.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.383 117.7 118.0 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.326 139.4 139.5 5.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.321 116.7 116.1 0.3 -0.9 -0.6 0.1 -0.5

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.651 142.2 146.5 5.1 -0.2 -0.1 1.4 3.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.815 162.5 164.0 -15.4 1.4 1.8 4.2 0.9

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.281 194.0 199.0 -28.7 2.3 3.4 5.0 2.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.722 136.0 137.6 -16.8 -1.9 -1.0 0.3 1.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.689 291.9 295.1 5.2 4.5 7.1 11.1 1.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.798 123.3 121.1 -15.7 3.5 5.1 7.2 -1.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.391 117.2 116.7 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.468 128.6 128.4 -2.8 -0.2 -1.2 0.0 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.917 87.1 87.4 -1.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.078 88.4 88.5 -0.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.839 85.9 86.3 -2.3 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.874 110.3 111.0 1.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.6

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 11.681 109.2 110.0 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.7

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.079 115.9 115.9 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.211 102.4 102.5 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.882 100.1 100.1 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.250 124.0 124.5 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.245 107.9 107.7 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.310 112.3 111.9 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.721 101.4 101.2 1.5 0.6 0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.214 116.0 116.2 3.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: October 2008 to

October 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.477 153.3 149.5 -16.3 -1.6 -0.9 -1.6 -2.5

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.772 123.9 119.9 -18.4 -3.1 -0.9 -2.1 -3.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.366 134.2 130.5 -15.6 0.1 -1.5 -3.2 -2.8

Vegetable products................................ II 4.363 176.9 175.7 -11.4 -8.7 0.2 -5.8 -0.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.605 107.4 111.2 -0.6 1.5 3.2 1.3 3.5

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.666 168.3 172.1 -24.4 -17.4 0.2 -8.4 2.3

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.461 211.4 198.7 -2.1 -3.9 0.0 -7.5 -6.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.517 140.6 140.4 4.6 -0.7 -0.1 0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.366 118.1 119.7 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.284 101.9 102.3 – -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.4

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.554 206.0 191.2 5.3 -3.5 -2.6 0.0 -7.2

Mineral products.................................... V 3.707 199.7 206.1 -28.3 -7.1 10.3 -4.4 3.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.170 191.8 198.5 -29.9 -7.9 11.4 -5.7 3.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.731 136.2 136.0 -5.9 0.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.167 176.6 165.7 -21.2 3.8 -1.0 -6.6 -6.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.347 141.3 143.1 -10.7 0.9 0.9 0.3 1.3

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.689 116.5 116.4 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 0.3 -0.1

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.542 114.4 114.6 -0.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.742 126.1 126.2 2.3 -0.2 0.9 0.2 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.414 116.1 114.4 -6.8 0.5 0.0 0.7 -1.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.820 133.0 133.1 2.0 0.5 -0.1 0.8 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.403 134.9 133.3 -9.9 2.5 0.5 1.0 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.377 129.4 127.7 -9.3 2.6 0.2 0.5 -1.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.026 158.7 158.1 -12.5 2.2 1.7 2.5 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.328 97.9 97.4 -14.0 8.7 8.6 4.8 -0.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.566 102.7 103.1 -7.9 -1.5 1.5 0.2 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.382 107.8 108.0 -7.1 -0.4 0.4 0.5 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.544 99.5 102.8 -15.4 1.4 2.4 2.8 3.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.299 109.6 110.1 -4.1 -1.5 -0.3 -0.5 0.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.538 117.5 113.0 -3.9 0.8 0.1 0.3 -3.8

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.983 103.3 105.2 -1.9 1.3 -0.4 0.5 1.8

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.564 96.1 101.9 -0.8 4.6 -0.6 1.3 6.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.829 114.4 114.6 1.0 -1.3 0.0 0.0 0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.434 97.5 97.6 -1.9 -2.6 0.0 0.0 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.925 176.8 181.7 3.9 1.6 -0.1 1.7 2.8

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2008 to

October 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.309 152.2 152.2 -8.1 0.9 3.5 1.5 0.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.384 174.5 175.0 -14.8 3.8 8.5 3.3 0.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.449 157.8 157.1 -1.6 -2.2 0.1 -1.4 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.532 195.9 196.8 -13.0 0.9 7.6 4.9 0.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.775 112.9 112.5 -10.8 3.5 4.1 4.2 -0.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.405 123.1 123.1 1.2 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.338 121.7 122.0 -6.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.339 95.7 95.9 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.087 105.8 106.1 1.6 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.252 84.7 84.8 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.798 120.3 120.5 2.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.059 107.5 107.8 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.309 108.6 108.5 1.6 0.1 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.583 108.2 108.4 -0.2 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.779 118.8 119.2 1.3 0.5 0.5 1.3 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.680 93.3 93.3 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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: October 2008 to October 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June 2009

to July

2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug. 2009

to Sept.

2009

Sept. 2009

to Oct.

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 120.3 121.4 -6.5 -0.2 0.7 0.3 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 167.6 178.4 -20.7 -1.3 0.8 -1.3 6.4

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 116.1 116.6 -4.7 -0.1 0.7 0.4 0.4

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 120.6 121.5 -5.3 -0.8 2.2 0.2 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 232.6 236.3 -10.6 -3.4 6.8 0.0 1.6

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 104.8 105.2 -3.3 -0.1 1.0 0.4 0.4

Canada............................................ 15.963 130.9 132.5 -11.3 -0.6 1.2 0.9 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 160.2 171.3 -23.3 -1.3 0.8 -1.4 6.9

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 125.9 125.5 -7.7 -0.4 1.2 1.5 -0.3

European Union4

............................... 17.447 125.6 126.3 -2.5 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 235.8 239.1 -4.3 -0.4 4.9 -1.8 1.4

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 123.2 123.9 -2.4 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 122.3 123.0 1.7 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.6

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 110.1 110.9 0.1 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.7

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 121.8 122.5 -4.7 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.6

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 150.0 152.1 -6.3 -1.5 2.7 1.1 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 260.0 264.9 -2.5 -4.4 6.6 0.3 1.9

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 127.7 129.1 -7.5 -0.2 1.0 1.3 1.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 133.9 134.8 -3.3 -1.7 1.7 0.6 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.947 136.3 139.5 – -6.5 7.1 0.4 2.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.788 96.4 96.5 – -0.3 0.1 0.7 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 99.9 100.0 -2.3 -0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 100.4 100.5 -3.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Japan.............................................. 7.488 97.2 97.4 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 86.1 86.1 -6.9 -0.2 0.5 0.2 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.729 97.2 96.6 -3.6 -0.3 0.4 0.0 -0.6

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 192.7 194.7 -10.7 -2.6 5.6 0.0 1.0

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 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: October

2008 to October 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20091

Index Percent change

Sept.

2009

Oct.

2009

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2008

to Oct.

2009

June 2009

to July

2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Aug. 2009

to Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 134.4 136.4 -10.2 0.5 0.1 0.7 1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.348 133.1 136.0 -13.9 3.3 1.1 1.1 2.2

Asia.................................................... 66.936 115.8 117.5 -7.4 -0.8 -0.3 0.7 1.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 121.6 121.4 -14.3 1.7 0.5 1.3 -0.2

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.875 111.0 111.0 -17.5 2.5 0.0 2.5 0.0

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 126.4 128.0 -13.3 0.2 0.5 0.4 1.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.278 124.7 126.4 -18.0 2.7 0.6 1.1 1.4

Asia.................................................... 62.770 109.2 110.7 -9.6 -1.1 0.6 0.4 1.4

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 112.0 111.7 -21.5 0.3 -1.2 0.9 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.092 129.4 129.4 -19.9 0.0 0.3 1.1 0.0

Asia.................................................... 41.422 102.8 102.8 -19.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.6 0.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 137.9 146.7 -11.6 -3.1 -2.2 -1.1 6.4

Europe................................................. 44.588 147.0 159.6 -9.4 -6.0 -5.3 2.8 8.6

Asia.................................................... 28.099 124.4 129.5 -5.0 -0.4 -4.0 -4.3 4.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.609 117.6 120.3 -7.2 7.8 4.5 -8.3 2.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 141.3 148.2 -8.6 3.0 9.1 -9.1 4.9

Europe................................................. 31.472 166.9 172.2 -16.0 6.7 -0.3 -10.1 3.2

Asia.................................................... 34.877 122.2 122.7 -6.5 2.9 22.7 -11.4 0.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.729 144.2 151.5 -8.7 4.1 3.9 -7.3 5.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 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