U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – AUGUST 2016 

U.S. import prices declined 0.2 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

ticking up 0.1 percent in July. The August downturn was driven by lower fuel prices. Prices for U.S. exports 

decreased 0.8 percent in August following a 0.2-percent increase in July. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2015 – August 2016 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2015 – August 2016 

 Percent change 

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, September 14, 2016 

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

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

USDL-16-1826
2

All Imports: Prices for U.S. imports fell 0.2 percent in August, the first monthly decrease since the index 

fell 0.5 percent in February. Over the 5 months previous to August, import prices advanced 3.1 percent. The 

August decline was led by falling fuel prices which decreased for the second consecutive month. The price 

index for U.S. imports decreased 2.2 percent for the year ended in August, after declining 11.4 percent over 

the previous 12-month period. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices declined 2.1 percent in August following a 2.5-percent drop in July. The July 

decrease was the first monthly decline since the index fell 6.8 percent in February. Both the August and July 

decreases were driven by lower petroleum prices which fell 2.8 percent in August and 3.6 percent in July. In 

contrast, prices for natural gas increased 12.1 percent in August and 28.0 percent the previous month. 

Import fuel prices declined 12.2 percent between August 2015 and August 2016, and the price indexes for 

petroleum and natural gas each fell over the same period, 12.9 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel prices recorded no change in August, after rising 0.3 percent in July. 

In August, higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials offset lower prices for automotive 

vehicles; foods, feeds, and beverages; and consumer goods. The price index for nonfuel imports decreased 

0.9 percent over the past year, and falling prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and each of the 

major finished goods categories all contributed to the decline. 

 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories 

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2015 – August 2016 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2015 – August 2016 

 Percent change

All Exports: U.S. export prices decreased 0.8 percent in August, the first monthly drop since the index 

edged down 0.1 percent in March and the largest decline since the index fell 0.9 percent in January. In 

August, lower prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the overall drop in 

export prices. The price index for U.S. exports decreased 2.4 percent over the past year, the smallest 12-

month decline since the index fell 1.7 percent in November 2014. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports decreased 3.4 percent in August, the largest 

monthly drop since the index fell 4.2 percent in August 2013. The August 2016 decline was led by a 9.5-

percent decrease in soybean prices, although falling prices for fruit, vegetables, corn, and meat also 

contributed to the overall drop. Agricultural prices fell 3.5 percent over the past 12 months. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports decreased 0.4 percent in August, 

after rising 0.2 percent the previous month. The August decline in nonagricultural export prices was the first 

monthly drop since the index fell 0.6 percent in February. Lower prices for industrial supplies and materials, 

automotive vehicles, capital goods, and consumer goods all contributed to the August downturn. The price 

index for nonagricultural exports decreased 2.2 percent over the past 12 months, primarily driven by a 5.3-

percent decline in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices. 

 

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4

 SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China declined 0.2 percent in August, led by a 1.0-

percent drop in communications equipment manufacturing. Prices for imports from China have not recorded 

a monthly advance since the index rose 0.1 percent in December 2014; the index fell 1.9 percent over the 

past year. In August, import prices from Canada fell 0.9 percent; import prices from the European Union 

declined 0.3 percent; and import prices from Mexico decreased 0.2 percent. In contrast, the price index for 

imports from Japan increased 0.3 percent in August following a 0.2-percent advance the previous month. 

The August rise was the largest monthly increase since the index advanced 0.3 percent in August 2011, and 

the last time the index recorded a larger 1-month jump was a 0.5-percent increase in February 2011. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials advanced 

0.2 percent in August following a 1.6-percent increase the previous month. In August, a 1.4-percent rise in 

unfinished metals prices more than offset a 0.8-percent drop in chemicals prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in August. Automotive vehicles prices fell 0.2 

percent, driven by a 1.0-percent decline in the price index for engines and engine parts. Prices for consumer 

goods also fell in August, edging down 0.1 percent. Capital goods prices recorded no change in August as a 

0.7-percent decrease in computer prices offset increases for non-computer capital goods prices. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 0.5 percent in 

August, after increasing 3.1 percent in July. The August downturn was led by a 15.4-percent drop in 

feedstuff and foodgrain prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 6.0 percent in August, the largest monthly decline 

since the index decreased 6.8 percent in January 2015. The August drop was led by an 8.5-percent decline in 

European fares and a 7.2-percent decrease in Asian fares. The index for import air passenger fares fell 9.1 

percent over the past 12 months. Import air freight prices rose 1.1 percent in August and declined 5.5 

percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials declined 1.3 percent in August, after rising 0.9 percent in July. The August downturn was led by a 

4.3-percent decrease in fuel prices and a 1.1-percent drop in chemicals prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories recorded monthly decreases in August. Prices 

for automotive vehicles fell 0.5 percent in August, the largest 1-month drop since the index was first 

published monthly in December 1988. A 1.2-percent decline in passenger car prices was the largest 

contributor to the August decrease. The price indexes for capital goods and for consumer goods each edged 

down 0.1 percent in August. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger prices advanced 3.6 percent in August following a 4.0-

percent rise in July and a 3.4-percent increase in June. The August advance was driven by a 27.1-percent 

increase in Asian fares which more than offset a 10.2-percent drop in European fares. Despite the recent 

rises, export air passenger fares decreased 8.0 percent over the past year. The price index for export air 

freight ticked up 0.1 percent in August and decreased 2.6 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for September 2016 are scheduled for release on Thursday, October 13, 

2016 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

All commodities................................... 100.000 120.8 120.5 -2.2 1.2 0.7 0.1 -0.2

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 85.349 98.3 98.3 -1.0 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 92.205 111.1 111.1 -0.9 0.4 -0.2 0.5 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 91.611 115.2 115.2 -0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.262 177.7 176.9 0.6 0.3 -0.6 3.1 -0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.857 195.0 193.9 -0.5 -0.1 -0.6 4.0 -0.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.405 138.5 138.7 4.4 1.6 -0.4 0.1 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 21.975 158.2 157.2 -6.0 5.4 3.7 -0.1 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.180 142.0 142.8 -1.0 1.5 -0.4 2.2 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.586 161.8 162.2 -0.9 1.6 -0.3 1.6 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 8.307 151.6 152.7 2.2 2.3 -0.6 2.5 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.279 129.9 130.3 -5.3 0.5 -0.2 1.6 0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 8.389 154.3 151.0 -12.2 12.7 10.4 -2.5 -2.1

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 7.795 166.9 162.2 -12.9 13.9 11.4 -3.6 -2.8

Crude........................................ 10000 5.704 171.1 168.4 -9.4 14.8 11.3 -3.6 -1.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.416 82.7 90.5 -5.4 -1.0 -3.9 20.7 9.4

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.326 66.8 74.9 -5.2 -1.3 -5.3 28.0 12.1

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.573 106.9 107.1 -2.5 -0.2 0.4 -0.5 0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.773 150.3 149.5 -5.8 0.7 0.1 0.3 -0.5

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.303 137.5 137.8 1.7 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.2

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.539 200.7 203.6 6.3 5.1 -1.5 6.0 1.4

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.692 146.0 146.7 -2.3 0.1 0.0 0.7 0.5

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.706 108.0 108.0 -1.0 0.1 0.0 -0.6 0.0

Capital goods................................... 2 28.409 88.9 88.9 -1.8 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.448 115.8 116.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 22.267 81.4 81.4 -1.9 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.694 136.3 136.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 -0.2 0.4

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 16.079 110.4 110.2 -0.8 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 27.275 106.8 106.7 -0.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.029 119.7 119.6 0.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.764 94.2 94.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.483 118.3 118.0 0.5 0.8 -0.3 -0.6 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

All commodities................................... 100.000 121.1 120.1 -2.4 1.1 0.7 0.2 -0.8

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.307 181.4 175.2 -3.5 3.0 2.5 -0.3 -3.4

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.381 98.5 98.4 -1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.692 116.5 116.0 -2.2 1.0 0.5 0.2 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.726 183.3 176.8 -2.9 3.0 2.6 -0.4 -3.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.046 183.7 176.4 -3.7 3.3 2.7 -0.5 -4.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.680 186.7 189.0 6.3 -1.1 1.6 1.0 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 28.980 142.0 140.3 -5.1 3.0 1.8 0.9 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.689 154.6 154.9 1.2 1.8 -1.2 1.9 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 18.290 136.1 133.4 -8.6 3.7 3.6 0.2 -2.0

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.261 172.7 172.6 -2.2 0.4 1.2 1.6 -0.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 27.718 141.0 139.2 -5.3 3.2 1.7 0.9 -1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 6.892 147.3 140.9 -15.3 11.1 9.7 -0.5 -4.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 19.793 150.0 149.7 -2.0 0.9 -0.6 1.3 -0.2

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.033 115.7 115.9 1.8 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.2

Capital goods................................... 2 38.755 106.8 106.7 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.959 112.6 112.3 -1.5 -0.2 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 26.125 93.9 93.8 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.671 164.1 164.0 1.3 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.682 113.2 112.6 -1.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.5

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.857 110.6 110.5 -1.5 0.2 -0.4 0.5 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.869 107.0 106.6 -1.2 0.4 -0.1 0.9 -0.4

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.368 107.8 107.9 -2.3 -0.1 -0.6 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 8.344 86.4 85.8 -7.0 9.5 7.2 -0.2 -0.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.018 175.0 175.2 0.0 -0.8 -1.9 6.8 0.1

Crop production............................... 111 1.641 188.9 189.3 2.3 -0.4 -2.2 8.8 0.2

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.203 78.2 79.2 -11.3 -4.9 -0.1 -2.6 1.3

Mining............................................ 21 6.326 75.8 75.0 -8.9 13.3 9.9 -2.2 -1.1

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.237 94.6 94.7 -3.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.1

Manufactured articles............................ 91.335 109.1 108.9 -1.6 0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 12.186 123.9 123.7 -0.5 0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.522 154.4 153.4 0.5 1.5 0.5 0.7 -0.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.086 117.8 117.7 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.8 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.405 98.8 97.6 -3.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 -1.2

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.893 108.7 109.5 -2.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.7

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.361 111.2 111.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.918 123.2 123.0 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 16.812 116.1 114.9 -4.7 1.6 1.4 -0.3 -1.0

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.790 115.8 116.3 3.0 1.0 0.7 0.2 0.4

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.073 105.3 105.3 -1.8 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 1.955 73.6 69.2 -23.2 11.6 11.9 -3.7 -6.0

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.480 131.3 130.5 -2.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 -0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.283 117.8 117.9 -0.8 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 1.030 129.4 129.3 -1.1 0.3 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 62.337 103.5 103.5 -1.1 0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.290 132.6 134.7 3.9 4.1 -1.0 5.1 1.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.101 122.2 122.1 -2.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.699 116.5 116.3 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.966 76.3 76.2 -2.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.813 114.3 114.4 -2.1 0.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.266 109.5 109.5 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.662 115.1 114.8 -0.9 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.540 120.1 120.1 0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 7.204 127.7 123.7 -4.7 4.5 5.2 0.8 -3.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.781 159.5 150.3 -6.0 4.0 4.6 -1.6 -5.8

Crop production............................... 111 4.509 167.3 157.2 -5.4 5.0 4.8 -1.6 -6.0

Mining............................................ 21 2.423 69.4 70.8 -2.5 5.5 6.7 5.8 2.0

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.129 78.1 79.9 -4.8 1.8 -0.6 1.4 2.3

Manufactured articles............................ 91.452 111.5 110.9 -2.1 0.7 0.5 0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.802 136.4 136.1 -0.7 1.1 0.9 0.7 -0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.585 153.8 153.1 -0.6 1.5 1.2 0.9 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.638 111.9 113.4 2.7 1.0 1.1 2.0 1.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 23.107 105.9 104.2 -6.5 2.4 2.2 -0.3 -1.6

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.716 120.4 120.7 -1.0 0.2 -0.7 -0.4 0.2

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2015=100)........................... 323 0.267 100.0 100.0 – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 4.400 84.3 79.4 -18.5 13.1 12.1 -3.2 -5.8

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 12.983 114.9 113.8 -4.4 0.3 0.2 0.8 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.355 114.4 114.2 -2.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.8 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.859 112.3 112.8 0.4 0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 61.543 111.3 111.2 -0.4 0.2 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.355 138.1 138.6 4.9 2.4 -2.3 5.0 0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.280 130.3 130.5 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.549 126.0 125.9 0.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.348 83.5 83.3 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.818 112.5 112.2 -1.5 0.0 0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 18.231 122.1 121.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.411 116.6 117.7 7.5 0.2 1.1 1.4 0.9

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.552 119.4 119.4 -2.8 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.479 189.8 192.0 2.8 1.8 -0.8 0.3 1.2

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.386 237.7 244.3 2.0 5.5 -2.9 0.7 2.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.780 141.2 142.3 9.0 1.7 -0.7 1.2 0.8

Vegetable products............................... II 2.054 204.0 205.6 3.2 -0.5 -3.7 9.7 0.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.453 411.9 433.5 -9.0 -7.7 -0.9 1.1 5.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.679 111.8 113.2 20.2 -0.4 -10.9 36.2 1.3

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.371 234.9 233.4 -0.1 0.8 0.5 2.4 -0.6

Oilseeds & misc grains, seeds, plants, straw

& fodder (Dec. 2015=100)................... 12 0.173 106.4 103.3 – 3.5 0.3 -0.8 -2.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.280 106.9 107.0 0.7 -1.9 -0.3 0.2 0.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.831 163.6 160.9 -0.1 0.6 1.9 0.0 -1.7

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.192 86.6 87.0 1.6 -0.1 0.6 0.2 0.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.248 115.2 112.9 -0.2 2.9 0.4 0.1 -2.0

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.286 133.1 133.0 0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.330 158.3 157.9 1.0 -0.6 0.5 1.9 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.024 127.6 127.6 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.9 0.0

Mineral products.................................. V 8.425 153.7 150.4 -13.0 12.6 10.2 -2.7 -2.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 8.264 151.3 148.0 -12.9 13.1 10.7 -2.7 -2.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.874 147.1 146.6 -1.1 0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.552 257.5 257.8 -12.4 0.7 -1.2 -1.6 0.1

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.386 120.9 121.2 -3.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.851 142.1 141.8 3.3 0.8 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.291 79.1 71.9 -29.6 -0.8 1.2 1.3 -9.1

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.195 101.6 101.6 3.0 0.5 0.5 3.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.666 101.5 101.8 12.9 -0.1 -0.4 0.7 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.508 137.1 137.1 -2.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.244 140.2 140.3 -2.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.264 133.1 132.8 -1.8 0.5 0.1 1.1 -0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.705 123.5 123.3 -3.6 -0.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.2

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.672 128.8 128.7 -1.5 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.827 141.0 141.6 3.1 0.9 0.6 0.3 0.4

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.788 96.9 97.3 3.3 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.150 109.6 109.6 -1.4 0.0 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.782 104.6 104.7 -0.6 0.0 -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: August 2015 to

August 2016 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)............... 49 0.211 100.5 100.4 – -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.480 113.2 113.3 -0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.268 103.5 103.3 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.900 119.6 119.8 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.633 102.8 104.0 -1.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 1.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.529 122.7 122.5 -0.7 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.305 121.8 121.6 -0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.958 131.1 130.8 -1.2 0.4 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.329 98.2 97.9 – 0.7 -1.0 -1.3 -0.3

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.281 137.1 136.9 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.347 129.9 129.6 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 3.195 177.3 179.2 10.1 2.9 -2.7 5.8 1.1

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.484 156.7 157.4 -3.4 1.5 0.2 1.0 0.4

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.362 173.5 174.4 -0.9 5.7 3.1 2.4 0.5

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.716 138.1 138.4 -5.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.360 241.7 242.6 -9.8 -0.8 -2.2 0.2 0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.724 120.9 120.7 -4.7 1.3 -1.1 0.0 -0.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.445 122.3 122.3 -4.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.528 137.0 136.7 -0.9 0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 30.568 80.7 80.6 -1.9 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.537 85.8 85.5 -1.9 0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 15.031 75.9 75.9 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.352 113.9 113.9 -0.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.860 112.5 112.4 -0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.417 118.9 119.8 -0.1 0.0 -1.0 -0.1 0.8

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 4.016 103.2 103.5 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.685 100.0 100.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.266 141.5 141.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.198 112.0 111.9 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.568 116.6 116.4 -0.8 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.349 103.4 103.4 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.281 135.8 136.1 1.5 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.747 188.9 189.1 1.4 0.8 0.9 1.3 0.1

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.039 149.8 147.8 2.5 2.3 0.3 0.2 -1.3

Vegetable products............................... II 4.529 204.8 191.7 -5.5 4.7 4.2 -1.5 -6.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.921 155.5 147.9 -14.4 1.7 1.2 -1.7 -4.9

Cereals............................................ 10 1.217 175.8 170.7 -7.2 3.9 4.2 -8.6 -2.9

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.813 227.9 209.0 0.2 9.2 7.6 3.4 -8.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.994 151.0 150.3 -1.8 1.4 1.1 0.7 -0.5

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.374 118.2 117.6 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.553 112.3 110.2 0.0 2.9 1.8 0.9 -1.9

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.708 215.1 214.6 -1.8 3.7 4.6 2.9 -0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 6.838 168.9 164.6 -13.4 9.3 9.1 0.8 -2.5

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.492 78.1 79.4 1.4 1.1 1.7 2.9 1.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 6.143 161.1 156.3 -14.8 10.4 10.1 0.6 -3.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.762 136.8 136.0 -4.1 0.4 0.1 0.4 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.914 175.0 173.8 -5.9 0.3 0.2 0.8 -0.7

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.445 132.5 131.6 -8.0 0.5 0.2 -0.3 -0.7

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.965 109.3 108.7 -1.9 0.8 0.0 1.9 -0.5

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints

varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100). . .. 32 0.540 98.2 98.0 – -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.829 134.6 134.6 -1.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.511 115.7 115.6 2.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.862 148.4 147.3 -1.0 0.3 0.5 0.2 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.097 137.0 135.8 -3.8 0.1 -0.2 0.5 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.122 132.7 131.3 -4.0 -0.1 0.0 0.8 -1.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.975 155.4 154.9 -2.6 0.8 -1.1 -0.3 -0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.327 119.5 119.2 -6.7 0.1 0.6 0.2 -0.3

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.181 69.7 68.8 -8.8 0.3 0.3 0.1 -1.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.650 95.8 96.1 1.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.132 122.4 124.1 1.4 0.3 -0.3 1.0 1.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.630 127.5 134.0 9.0 0.9 -0.9 4.1 5.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.123 119.2 119.1 -2.8 0.0 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.379 100.4 100.4 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.718 120.6 120.1 -2.0 0.1 0.1 0.9 -0.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.418 124.9 121.3 0.5 2.3 2.3 5.9 -2.9

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2015 to

August 2016 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr.

2016 to

May

2016

May

2016 to

June

2016

June

2016 to

July

2016

July

2016 to

Aug.

2016

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.866 122.8 123.1 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.292 100.5 101.3 – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.438 99.7 99.7 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.546 240.4 241.1 8.1 1.6 -2.1 4.7 0.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 4.949 143.3 143.7 -2.8 2.1 -1.0 0.0 0.3

Iron and steel.................................... 72 0.992 140.6 143.6 -5.8 7.0 -2.9 -2.8 2.1

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.428 154.3 154.5 -8.5 -0.7 -0.2 2.8 0.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.776 104.8 103.2 -6.4 2.8 -0.9 0.1 -1.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100). . . .. 82 0.392 100.1 100.1 – 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.354 147.7 147.7 -0.5 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.643 95.7 95.5 -1.3 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.731 112.7 112.4 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.912 77.4 77.3 -2.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 15.105 131.5 131.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.194 114.8 114.3 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.4

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.166 106.0 105.8 -1.5 -0.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.551 112.2 112.3 1.4 -0.7 0.7 0.5 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.930 127.6 128.3 3.8 -0.4 1.0 1.1 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.470 89.2 89.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: August 2015 to August 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2015

to Aug.

2016

Apr. 2016

to May

2016

May 2016

to June

2016

June 2016

to July

2016

July 2016

to Aug.

2016

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 117.5 117.1 -1.3 1.4 0.7 0.1 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles................... 7.602 123.6 122.9 -1.4 8.4 8.0 -2.2 -0.6

Manufactured articles........................ 91.963 116.5 116.2 -1.4 0.9 0.2 0.2 -0.3

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 118.1 117.8 -2.9 1.3 0.8 -0.3 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles................... 8.884 177.8 175.4 -8.6 10.1 7.2 1.6 -1.3

Manufactured articles........................ 90.862 102.7 102.6 -2.1 0.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Canada.......................................... 100.000 120.1 119.0 -2.1 3.1 2.4 -0.1 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles................... 21.612 117.8 117.3 -1.3 8.7 8.6 -2.4 -0.4

Manufactured articles........................ 77.631 124.7 123.4 -2.5 1.7 0.6 0.6 -1.0

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 131.6 131.2 -2.2 0.6 0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Manufactured articles........................ 99.522 128.3 127.8 -2.2 0.5 0.1 -0.3 -0.4

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 122.6 122.6 0.7 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 113.1 112.7 -3.4 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 118.7 118.8 -1.9 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 140.3 140.3 -2.8 1.7 1.0 0.6 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles................... 16.973 203.0 200.2 -3.0 9.1 6.4 3.0 -1.4

Manufactured articles........................ 82.523 119.5 119.8 -2.8 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 126.5 126.3 -2.2 0.9 0.6 0.2 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 9.594 121.7 120.3 4.0 10.0 7.2 13.7 -1.2

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 89.946 87.9 87.9 -2.8 0.2 -0.1 -1.0 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 98.5 98.4 -1.5 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 100.9 100.7 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.4 95.7 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 84.1 84.2 -2.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 96.8 96.8 -2.0 0.1 0.4 -0.4 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 144.4 143.2 -12.4 6.3 4.9 -1.0 -0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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: August

2015 to August 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20161

Index Percent change

July

2016

Aug.

2016

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2015 to

Aug.

2016

Apr. 2016

to May

2016

May 2016

to June

2016

June

2016 to

July 2016

July 2016

to Aug.

2016

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 151.0 152.7 -5.5 -1.3 -2.0 2.4 1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 23.900 137.6 135.8 -8.4 1.4 0.2 -0.3 -1.3

Asia.................................................. 62.104 133.4 136.5 -5.3 -2.9 -3.1 4.1 2.3

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 153.2 153.4 -2.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 37.891 145.5 145.5 -3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 143.9 144.9 -4.9 -1.8 -1.4 1.5 0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 28.704 134.9 134.2 -3.5 0.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.5

Asia.................................................. 56.670 126.0 127.8 -7.0 -3.6 -2.4 2.9 1.4

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 137.2 135.2 -9.4 0.1 -0.3 -0.6 -1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 32.729 141.6 142.1 -11.0 0.0 -1.0 0.4 0.4

Asia.................................................. 43.366 129.8 124.9 -12.9 0.0 0.0 -1.4 -3.8

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 181.4 170.6 -9.1 1.5 0.3 -3.9 -6.0

Europe............................................... 43.275 205.2 187.8 -8.4 0.5 1.1 -8.4 -8.5

Asia.................................................. 24.886 143.1 132.8 -9.4 3.0 5.9 -3.1 -7.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.624 156.9 157.2 -4.1 -0.7 5.7 3.0 0.2

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 157.5 163.1 -8.0 -0.5 3.4 4.0 3.6

Europe............................................... 31.235 200.4 179.9 -16.1 -3.4 9.0 -3.8 -10.2

Asia.................................................. 30.860 142.5 181.1 4.4 7.8 0.8 5.9 27.1

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 25.231 169.4 163.7 -4.9 0.1 2.0 10.9 -3.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

14
15 

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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 

the export air passenger fares indexes. 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 www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP Publications."
16 

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 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 

revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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. 

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 

email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 

 

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

page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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.