Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, December 14, 2011 

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

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

USDL-11-1746

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – NOVEMBER 2011 

Following declines in each of the previous three months, U.S. import prices rose 0.7 percent in November, 

the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today; an upturn in fuel prices more than offset decreasing 

prices for nonfuel imports. Export prices ticked up 0.1 percent in November, after a 2.1 percent drop in 

October. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: November 2010 – November 2011 

 Percent change 

1.7

1.4 1.5 1.7

3.0

2.6

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.4 -0.1

-0.5

0.7

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Nov'10 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'11

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: November 2010 – November 2011 

 Percent change

4.1

5.3 5.6

7.6

10.3

11.9

12.9

13.6 13.7

12.9 12.7

10.9

9.9

0

4

8

12

16

Nov'10 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'11
 

All Imports: Import prices rose 0.7 percent in November following declines of 0.5 percent, 0.1 percent, and 

0.4 percent the three previous months. The November advance is the largest monthly increase since a 2.6 

percent rise in April. Overall import prices increased 9.9 percent for the year ended in November, due 

primarily to higher prices for the first half of the period. 

Fuel Imports: A 3.6 percent rise in import fuel prices drove the November increase in overall import 

prices. The November increase followed declines in five of the six previous months. Fuel prices rose 31.6 

percent over the past 12 months despite declining 7.2 percent between April and October. Both petroleum 

and natural gas prices, up 3.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, in November contributed to the increase 

in overall fuel prices. Petroleum prices increased 33.4 percent over the past year, while natural gas prices 

advanced 5.8 percent for the same period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports declined 0.2 percent for the second 

consecutive month, the first monthly decreases since a 0.3 percent drop in July 2010. The November 

decrease was led by lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials imports as well as for 

imported foods, feeds, and beverages. In contrast, prices for each of the major finished goods categories 

edged up in November. Despite the recent declines, nonfuel prices advanced 3.8 percent for the year ended 

in November, led by an 8.1 percent increase in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: November 2010 – November 2011 

 Percent change 

1.5

0.7

1.3

1.3 1.5

0.8 0.4

0.1

-0.4

0.4 0.5

-2.1

0.1

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

Nov'10 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'11

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: November 2010 – November 2011 

 Percent change

6.5 6.5 7.0

8.7

9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1

9.8 9.4 9.4

6.3

4.7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Nov'10 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'11

All Exports: Export prices advanced 0.1 percent in November after a 2.1 percent drop the previous month. 

In November, a rise in agricultural prices more than offset falling nonagricultural prices. Overall export 

prices rose 4.7 percent for the November 2010-11 period, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 4.1 

percent increase between August 2009 and August 2010. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices increased 1.5 percent in November after declining 6.5 percent 

the previous month. An upturn in corn and soybeans prices which rose 9.0 percent and 4.7 percent, 

respectively, primarily drove the November advance. The price index for agricultural exports increased 5.3 

percent for the year ended in November. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports edged down 0.1 percent in 

November following a 1.5 percent decrease in October. Falling prices for both nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials and consumer goods contributed to the November decline. Nonagricultural prices 

increased 4.8 percent over the past year, led by a 10.2 percent advance in the price index for nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials. 

 

3
4

SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

fell 1.8 percent in November after a 1.4 percent decline the previous month. Both decreases were driven by 

falling unfinished metals prices which fell 5.0 percent in November and 4.1 percent in October. Despite 

those recent drops, prices for unfinished metals rose 5.7 percent for the November 2010-11 period. 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories recorded increases in November. The price 

indexes for consumer goods and capital goods each ticked up 0.1 percent for the month. Automotive vehicle 

prices rose 0.2 percent in November driven by a 0.3 percent advance in the price index for parts, engines, 

bodies, and chassis. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices edged down 0.1 percent in November, 

following a 0.7 percent decrease the previous month. The November drop was led in part by falling prices 

for fish and shellfish. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China increased 0.3 percent in November 

after rising 0.4 percent the previous month. Import prices from China advanced 3.9 percent for the year 

ended in November. Import prices from Canada also rose in November, up 0.3 percent following declines in 

each of the previous three months. The price indexes for imports from the European Union, Mexico, and 

Japan all ticked up 0.1 percent in November. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 0.7 percent in November following a 1.9 

percent increase the previous month. The November decline was driven by a 3.5 percent drop in European 

fares which more than offset a 2.5 percent advance in Asian fares. Import air freight prices declined 1.7 

percent in November after a 2.3 percent drop the previous month. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices edged down 0.2 percent in November following a 3.5 percent decline the previous month. Falling 

prices for gold, steelmaking materials, paper, and plastics all contributed to the November decline. The 

November decrease for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices was partially mitigated by a 

3.5 percent rise in fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Export finished goods prices recorded little movement overall in November. Consumer 

goods prices fell 0.2 percent, led by a 1.3 percent drop in home entertainment products. The price indexes 

for capital goods and automotive vehicles were each unchanged in November. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell for the third consecutive month, declining 3.3 

percent in November following decreases of 2.5 percent in October and 13.4 percent in September. The 

November drop was led by a 7.9 percent seasonal decline in European fares. Export air freight prices also 

decreased in November, falling 0.9 percent. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for December 2011 are scheduled for release on Friday, January 

13, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2010 to

November 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 141.0 142.0 9.9 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5 0.7

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 68.066 103.5 103.2 – 0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 75.086 116.6 116.4 3.7 0.3 0.2 -0.3 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 73.769 120.7 120.4 3.8 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.703 173.5 173.4 8.0 -0.8 0.2 -0.7 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.428 194.6 195.0 8.2 -0.8 0.2 -1.0 0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.275 125.9 124.5 7.3 -0.7 0.0 0.5 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 39.501 258.7 263.3 22.8 -1.1 -0.5 -1.4 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.587 171.0 168.9 7.6 1.0 0.2 -2.1 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.270 193.8 190.4 8.1 0.9 0.6 -1.4 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.044 184.7 180.0 5.9 1.5 0.7 -2.5 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.226 155.0 155.5 9.7 0.5 -0.4 -1.6 0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 26.231 343.2 355.4 31.6 -2.1 -1.0 -1.5 3.6

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 24.914 382.1 395.8 33.4 -2.3 -0.9 -1.1 3.6

Crude.......................................... 10000 18.446 388.8 404.8 33.9 -3.9 -0.1 -0.3 4.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.990 117.0 122.1 4.1 2.6 -3.8 -8.7 4.4

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.867 101.8 107.2 5.8 3.0 -4.2 -9.8 5.3

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.631 117.3 116.2 -1.1 -1.7 -1.0 0.1 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.679 176.3 175.7 14.0 0.3 0.6 0.2 -0.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.050 130.3 129.8 2.5 0.2 0.3 -0.7 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.896 292.6 277.9 5.7 2.2 0.7 -4.1 -5.0

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.582 162.3 162.5 6.9 1.4 1.0 -2.1 0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.432 116.3 115.7 6.6 0.4 0.7 0.0 -0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 20.884 92.6 92.7 0.9 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.699 119.0 119.0 4.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.358 86.0 86.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.827 126.4 126.4 3.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.284 113.2 113.4 3.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.628 107.4 107.5 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.183 114.5 114.6 4.2 0.4 0.2 1.5 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.399 100.0 100.1 1.6 0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.047 115.1 114.6 10.6 -0.3 0.7 0.3 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

November 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.5 132.6 4.7 0.4 0.5 -2.1 0.1

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.206 201.9 205.0 5.3 1.6 1.9 -6.5 1.5

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.184 102.9 102.3 – 0.3 0.2 -0.9 -0.6

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.794 127.6 127.5 4.8 0.3 0.3 -1.5 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.160 199.0 202.8 7.1 2.8 2.4 -7.0 1.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.408 201.2 205.5 6.3 3.0 2.5 -7.5 2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.752 184.0 181.9 18.7 0.6 -0.2 -0.3 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.667 186.2 185.8 9.6 0.2 0.6 -3.4 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.558 190.0 187.0 8.5 1.5 2.3 -3.4 -1.6

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.107 185.0 186.0 10.3 -0.5 -0.3 -3.5 0.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.798 209.4 206.4 0.0 -4.9 -1.5 -1.4 -1.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.868 185.5 185.2 10.2 0.5 0.7 -3.5 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.656 269.1 278.6 22.5 -0.6 0.2 -5.5 3.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.344 175.9 173.2 6.6 1.0 0.9 -2.9 -1.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.868 116.1 116.3 -0.8 -0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.776 104.6 104.6 0.9 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.405 113.7 113.1 3.0 0.0 0.0 -0.4 -0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.266 94.3 94.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.105 145.1 145.2 3.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.818 111.6 111.6 2.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.580 116.8 116.6 3.3 0.3 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.738 113.7 113.4 -0.7 0.2 -0.2 -0.9 -0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.438 113.3 113.3 2.0 0.2 0.5 -0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

November 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 22.599 168.3 174.0 29.1 -3.2 -0.1 -0.8 3.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.119 178.7 175.3 8.8 -2.5 1.5 -0.3 -1.9

Crop production................................. 111 1.529 183.8 180.9 8.1 -3.3 2.0 -0.9 -1.6

Mining.............................................. 21 20.480 167.0 173.5 31.4 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8 3.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.383 157.6 156.6 11.6 1.5 -0.3 0.2 -0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 76.914 117.9 117.9 5.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 11.003 123.4 123.9 9.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.286 155.4 156.9 12.2 0.4 -0.4 -0.8 1.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.894 111.9 111.9 1.5 -0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.877 118.9 118.8 13.1 0.3 0.7 0.2 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.088 111.6 111.8 9.0 1.0 0.1 0.4 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.480 115.3 115.7 6.6 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 19.026 139.9 140.4 11.8 0.9 -0.9 -0.2 0.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.641 107.8 107.1 2.7 0.3 0.7 -1.4 -0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.165 112.7 112.5 1.6 -0.9 -0.5 0.4 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.316 175.4 179.8 33.6 2.7 -3.7 -3.5 2.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.281 135.8 135.1 5.2 0.2 0.3 1.6 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.758 125.9 126.1 8.6 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.772 127.1 127.1 3.1 0.2 0.1 -0.7 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 46.884 110.0 109.6 2.0 0.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.620 189.3 181.5 5.7 2.0 0.9 -3.7 -4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.513 128.3 128.8 6.9 0.8 1.2 -0.7 0.4

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.367 119.2 119.3 4.0 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.297 82.6 82.5 -3.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.493 117.2 117.3 3.5 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.358 109.7 109.8 3.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.218 113.0 113.2 6.1 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.018 122.3 122.7 7.6 0.2 0.5 -0.3 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

November 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.711 166.2 169.9 4.0 1.9 1.3 -8.9 2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.296 186.5 192.1 4.2 2.6 2.0 -10.6 3.0

Crop production................................. 111 5.825 191.2 198.7 3.3 2.5 2.2 -11.6 3.9

Mining.............................................. 21 2.415 120.4 120.4 3.5 0.2 -0.6 -4.1 0.0

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.653 144.5 143.7 4.9 1.4 -0.9 -2.3 -0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.699 120.2 120.1 4.9 0.2 0.2 -0.9 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.441 145.1 144.5 8.3 0.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.232 165.4 164.7 9.9 0.7 1.5 -0.1 -0.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.541 114.1 116.2 0.9 -0.8 1.0 -1.4 1.8

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.412 114.2 114.2 8.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.532 132.8 133.6 8.3 0.1 0.0 -2.4 0.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.384 114.2 114.2 -4.1 -0.4 0.9 -0.5 0.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.954 123.7 121.6 -1.5 0.6 -0.8 -0.8 -1.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.801 162.9 169.9 27.1 -1.3 0.6 -6.6 4.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.652 131.0 130.5 4.6 0.5 -0.2 -1.5 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.045 116.3 116.2 8.1 0.7 0.2 1.0 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.696 111.3 111.2 -1.6 -0.1 0.7 0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.726 112.8 112.6 3.0 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.306 182.8 178.0 13.2 1.6 3.1 -2.7 -2.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.499 128.2 128.8 5.7 0.1 -0.2 0.5 0.5

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.487 117.6 117.8 2.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.775 89.6 89.5 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.065 111.9 111.6 1.7 0.2 0.1 -1.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.062 114.7 114.8 2.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.236 124.4 124.3 10.2 0.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

November 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.331 167.6 167.2 9.4 -0.9 -0.7 0.7 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.309 208.3 217.4 16.8 2.3 -2.4 -0.6 4.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.708 126.0 123.1 4.7 -1.8 -0.6 0.7 -2.3

Vegetable products................................ II 1.830 210.2 207.5 11.3 -1.6 1.5 -1.5 -1.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.323 318.2 316.9 3.0 5.6 -0.2 1.4 -0.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.491 114.4 113.6 -0.1 0.4 -4.5 -7.4 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.495 290.1 287.2 31.7 -9.8 9.8 -1.4 -1.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.278 126.6 131.5 4.5 -0.7 -3.5 -8.7 3.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.597 157.8 158.2 6.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.205 94.3 96.3 0.6 0.6 -0.7 -4.4 2.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.256 125.7 125.4 -9.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.378 163.3 170.2 17.0 0.7 -1.5 2.1 4.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.869 122.4 122.5 1.8 -0.7 0.2 0.3 0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 25.836 345.0 357.3 31.7 -2.0 -1.0 -1.4 3.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 25.475 340.9 353.2 31.8 -2.1 -1.0 -1.4 3.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.895 150.1 150.2 5.4 0.2 0.3 1.6 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.130 381.3 391.8 21.5 -0.3 1.2 1.0 2.8

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.799 137.0 135.9 0.5 0.7 0.1 -0.9 -0.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.240 117.4 117.4 1.8 0.0 0.3 4.9 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.305 150.2 151.0 40.3 0.9 1.1 -0.3 0.5

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.426 127.4 127.4 2.7 -0.3 0.2 0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.487 106.0 104.5 5.7 -1.0 -0.8 -0.7 -1.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.955 153.6 152.9 9.1 0.1 0.5 0.3 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.815 142.5 142.1 6.8 0.1 0.6 0.1 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.140 174.9 173.7 13.2 0.0 0.2 0.6 -0.7

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.536 122.5 123.4 7.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.7

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

various materials................................ 42 0.491 122.9 123.9 7.5 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.8

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.674 130.2 129.6 3.0 0.2 0.5 -1.2 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.269 115.1 115.0 0.6 -1.0 -0.5 0.3 -0.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.853 109.4 109.9 3.0 -0.2 -0.4 0.6 0.5

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.263 115.8 115.9 10.3 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.014 106.9 107.1 6.9 -0.5 0.0 0.2 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.969 116.9 117.1 12.7 3.5 0.3 0.6 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.657 113.2 113.2 15.4 0.1 1.3 0.0 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.227 114.6 114.8 5.5 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2010 to

November 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.049 113.9 114.1 5.7 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.710 130.3 130.3 3.3 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.245 123.7 123.7 4.4 0.3 -0.2 1.4 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.204 141.1 141.1 2.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.261 124.6 124.6 3.3 0.6 0.5 -0.2 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.200 206.6 202.4 17.5 3.1 5.2 -4.0 -2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.002 194.4 190.3 1.5 0.6 -1.5 -2.2 -2.1

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.941 256.1 248.7 8.4 -0.8 -0.2 -2.1 -2.9

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.559 161.7 161.8 6.0 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.526 358.2 338.4 -9.2 3.5 -5.7 -9.5 -5.5

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.147 118.0 109.3 -18.3 5.2 -4.8 -6.7 -7.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.860 147.4 143.6 -0.5 -0.8 -2.5 -2.2 -2.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.316 123.7 123.6 3.6 0.0 0.6 -0.4 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.363 131.9 132.0 3.4 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 23.013 85.5 85.5 -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.434 88.4 88.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.579 82.7 82.6 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 8.660 114.6 114.7 3.6 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.700 113.8 113.9 3.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.872 115.8 115.8 1.8 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.120 105.1 105.1 3.4 0.0 0.2 -0.4 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.880 102.8 102.7 3.5 0.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.178 127.7 127.4 2.7 0.2 0.6 -1.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.522 111.6 111.7 4.4 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.735 115.4 115.5 5.0 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.582 104.4 104.5 3.5 0.1 0.2 0.9 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.205 133.2 133.2 7.0 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

November 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.084 208.6 208.7 17.2 2.6 0.4 1.6 0.0

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.281 170.6 171.2 17.7 1.5 2.4 1.7 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.431 197.3 195.5 20.7 0.5 -0.7 -0.7 -0.9

Vegetable products................................ II 5.559 226.9 236.8 6.2 3.7 3.4 -11.6 4.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.910 123.6 127.8 1.1 2.2 -7.5 0.7 3.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.193 274.3 291.7 12.5 8.0 8.0 -15.7 6.3

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.886 229.6 239.1 -0.9 2.1 3.1 -15.6 4.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.511 149.9 147.9 18.5 0.0 0.6 -7.0 -1.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.701 152.8 150.8 3.1 0.1 1.3 0.1 -1.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.352 110.6 110.9 7.3 0.7 -0.1 1.3 0.3

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.437 117.4 117.8 -1.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.334 105.4 104.6 -0.8 0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.707 220.7 210.3 -3.1 -2.1 3.2 -2.3 -4.7

Mineral products.................................... V 8.576 318.1 327.5 20.4 -0.7 0.1 -5.7 3.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.981 314.2 324.5 23.2 -0.8 0.2 -6.0 3.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.953 154.2 154.8 4.7 0.4 -0.1 -0.8 0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.012 195.2 196.0 2.1 -0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.306 164.7 165.9 7.9 0.6 -0.7 -2.3 0.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.871 124.4 124.1 -1.8 0.0 -0.2 -1.2 -0.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.653 145.3 151.7 24.0 4.8 4.4 4.6 4.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.770 133.7 133.3 5.5 0.5 0.3 -0.4 -0.3

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.473 123.2 125.4 3.7 0.9 0.1 0.2 1.8

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.842 150.2 149.8 4.5 -0.9 0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.296 150.9 147.6 5.8 0.6 -0.1 -1.6 -2.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.203 140.6 138.1 3.8 0.4 0.0 -2.0 -1.8

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.093 200.6 192.6 14.4 1.3 -0.4 -0.2 -4.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.415 130.3 122.4 0.3 0.2 -1.9 -2.3 -6.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.506 109.2 109.5 -1.0 0.0 0.7 -0.2 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.664 124.7 119.7 -3.3 0.3 -0.9 -1.7 -4.0

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.903 145.7 130.2 -10.8 0.5 -2.3 -4.1 -10.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.271 119.0 118.1 0.3 0.4 -0.3 -0.7 -0.8

Printed material.................................... 49 0.490 119.3 119.3 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.108 135.4 134.1 -2.4 -3.4 -1.5 -1.7 -1.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.817 182.5 177.8 -13.0 -8.5 -3.3 -4.2 -2.6

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2010 to

November 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2010 to

Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.687 116.9 116.8 0.3 -0.1 0.6 0.3 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.383 99.5 99.4 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.760 295.9 291.4 25.8 3.0 5.8 -3.0 -1.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.629 176.0 173.9 5.1 0.2 -0.4 -4.1 -1.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.827 223.7 211.2 10.7 0.5 1.0 -3.9 -5.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.279 171.3 172.8 8.2 -0.1 0.1 0.5 0.9

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.618 233.6 247.5 -2.0 0.4 -3.3 -17.1 6.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.906 129.5 128.2 -1.1 0.0 -1.8 -4.4 -1.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.341 128.4 128.4 2.4 0.0 -0.1 0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.309 135.7 135.7 9.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.464 96.3 96.2 0.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.533 108.4 108.4 1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 10.931 83.2 82.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.751 124.3 124.4 2.0 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 6.051 111.1 111.2 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.809 105.7 105.7 -1.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.378 108.4 108.3 0.7 0.6 0.0 -0.6 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.656 119.0 118.8 0.3 0.8 -0.2 -1.1 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.595 90.0 90.0 -2.4 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to November 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2010

to Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug. 2011

to Sept.

2011

Sept. 2011

to Oct.

2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 132.4 132.9 4.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.5 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 231.0 238.8 17.6 -5.7 -1.1 -0.9 3.4

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 124.4 124.3 3.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 140.7 142.3 11.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.4 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 354.6 366.6 33.0 -2.6 0.2 -0.4 3.4

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 111.6 111.8 5.1 0.4 0.1 -0.4 0.2

Canada............................................ 14.271 153.8 154.3 6.9 -1.4 -0.8 -1.3 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 221.2 229.1 16.8 -6.0 -0.5 -0.9 3.6

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 140.3 138.6 2.9 1.0 -0.9 -1.3 -1.2

European Union4

............................... 17.186 136.8 137.0 6.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 322.7 332.9 26.9 -3.0 -4.7 -7.9 3.2

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 133.5 133.6 5.6 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 120.6 120.8 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 115.6 115.4 2.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 130.7 131.0 2.9 -0.2 -0.4 -2.2 0.2

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 177.4 178.9 11.0 -1.2 0.2 -1.3 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 372.6 384.1 27.9 -3.7 1.2 -1.7 3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 135.2 134.5 2.1 0.4 -0.6 -1.1 -0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 146.0 146.1 5.3 -1.1 0.0 -0.7 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 200.2 205.9 29.6 -4.7 0.5 -1.2 2.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 95.9 95.2 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.6 -0.7

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 104.5 104.8 3.4 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.3

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 104.7 105.0 3.9 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.3

Japan.............................................. 6.198 101.9 102.0 2.5 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.555 91.2 91.1 4.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.7 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 104.9 105.3 6.9 0.7 0.2 -0.9 0.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.795 280.3 289.4 35.4 -0.8 1.9 1.0 3.2

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 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

2010 to November 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20111

Index Percent change

Oct.

2011

Nov.

2011

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2010

to Nov.

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug. 2011

to Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 181.3 178.3 5.1 1.1 -0.3 -2.3 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.868 174.6 168.8 18.8 6.7 -0.4 -2.9 -3.3

Asia.................................................... 72.127 159.4 157.6 1.0 -0.7 -0.3 -2.1 -1.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 145.3 144.0 13.2 -0.4 0.3 -0.8 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.871 131.8 130.4 13.2 -0.5 0.3 -0.3 -1.1

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 163.5 162.1 6.1 0.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.835 153.1 149.4 13.2 2.7 0.2 -2.9 -2.4

Asia.................................................... 64.946 147.1 146.8 4.3 -0.5 -0.1 0.5 -0.2

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 144.5 143.5 15.1 1.3 0.2 0.4 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 36.630 163.8 163.3 13.2 1.8 -0.5 2.1 -0.3

Asia.................................................... 44.784 135.0 133.4 17.7 1.4 0.9 -1.6 -1.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 177.9 176.7 6.2 -3.0 -2.1 1.9 -0.7

Europe................................................. 38.258 186.5 180.0 -0.7 -6.6 0.0 2.0 -3.5

Asia.................................................... 25.639 151.4 155.2 8.7 -2.2 -3.4 -0.3 2.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 14.423 171.0 173.1 10.5 2.3 -7.9 2.0 1.2

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 187.7 181.5 11.4 8.5 -13.4 -2.5 -3.3

Europe................................................. 31.405 229.4 211.2 14.0 -1.8 -12.1 -0.6 -7.9

Asia.................................................... 30.109 170.9 173.6 9.0 23.4 -17.1 -5.5 1.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 19.050 184.5 183.9 6.9 -1.1 -3.1 -3.6 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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. 

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