U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – OCTOBER 2015 

U.S. import prices declined 0.5 percent in October, after falling 0.6 percent the previous month, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Lower prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the 

October decrease. Prices for U.S. exports fell 0.2 percent in October, following a 0.6-percent drop in 

September. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2014 – October 2015 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2014 – October 2015

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, November 10, 2015 

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

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

USDL-15-2164
2

All Imports: Overall import prices decreased 0.5 percent in October, continuing a downward trend for the 

index in 2015. Prices for U.S. imports previously decreased 0.6 percent in September, 1.8 percent in August, 

and 0.9 percent in July. The price index for overall imports declined 10.5 percent between October 2014 and 

October 2015, after decreasing 2.1 percent for the year ending in October 2014. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices decreased 2.0 percent in October, following a 5.4-percent decline the 

previous month. In October, both a 2.1-percent drop in petroleum prices and a 2.5-percent decrease in 

natural gas prices contributed to the overall drop in import fuel prices. Fuel prices declined 46.6 percent 

over the past 12 months. Prices for petroleum fell 48.0 percent for the year ending in October, while natural 

gas prices decreased 30.3 percent over the same period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices also continued to decline in October, falling 0.3 

percent, after a 0.2-percent drop the previous month. The price index for nonfuel imports has not recorded a 

monthly advance since the index ticked up 0.1 percent in July 2014. In October, lower prices for nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; automotive vehicles; and capital goods all 

contributed to the overall decrease in nonfuel import prices. Nonfuel import prices declined 3.2 percent over 

the past year, the largest 12-month drop for the index since a 4.2-percent decrease between September 2008 

and September 2009. 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2014 – October 2015 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2014 – October 2015 

 Percent change

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports declined 0.2 percent in October, following decreases of 0.6 

percent in September and 1.4 percent in August. Lower prices for both agricultural exports and 

nonagricultural exports factored into the overall decrease in October. Overall export prices also declined 

over the past 12 months, decreasing 6.7 percent after a 0.7-percent decline for the year ending in October 

2014.

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports edged down 0.1 percent in October, after decreasing 

1.3 percent the previous month. A 2.7-percent decline for meat prices led the October decrease, although 

lower prices for vegetables and nuts also contributed. In contrast, prices for wheat and corn rose in October, 

partially offsetting the declines. Agricultural export prices fell 11.8 percent over the past year, driven by 

declining prices for meat, soybeans, and wheat. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices decreased 0.3 percent in October, 

following a 0.5-percent drop in September. In October, the decline was driven by lower prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, consumer goods, and automotive vehicles. The price index 

for nonagricultural exports declined 6.1 percent for the year ending in October. 

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SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent in October, after falling 

0.2 percent in September. Prices for imports from China have not recorded a monthly increase since the 

index ticked up 0.1 percent in December, and the index fell 1.4 percent over the past 12 months. Driven by 

lower fuel prices, the price indexes for imports from Canada and Mexico also declined in October, falling 

1.0 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. In contrast, import prices from the European Union ticked up 0.1 

percent in October, while prices for imports from Japan recorded no change.

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices decreased 1.0 

percent in October, following a 0.9-percent drop in September. The October decline was led by a 5.9-

percent decrease in fertilizer prices and a 2.9-percent fall in the price index for industrial organic chemicals. 

Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices fell 10.4 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month 

decline since the index decreased 11.3 percent in October 2009. 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods categories were mostly down in October. Automotive 

vehicles prices declined 0.3 percent while prices for capital goods decreased 0.1 percent. The drop in 

automotive vehicles prices was driven by a 3.1-percent decline in transport vehicles prices and was the 

largest monthly decrease since the index fell 0.4 percent in February. In contrast, consumer goods prices 

ticked up 0.1 percent in October. 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 1.0 percent in 

October, after a 0.7-percent decline the previous month. The October drop was led by an 8.0-percent 

decrease in meat prices and a 4.3-percent decline in vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 5.2 percent in October, the first monthly advance 

since the index increased 8.9 percent in June. The index decreased 4.5 percent in September, 5.1 percent in 

August, and 4.1 percent in July. Despite the October upturn, import air passenger fares decreased 4.7 

percent over the past 12 months. Import air freight prices advanced 6.5 percent in October, while the index 

declined 2.6 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

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

materials decreased 0.7 percent in October, following a 1.6-percent decline the previous month. Both 

decreases were led by falling fuel prices, which decreased 1.5 percent in October and 5.0 percent in 

September. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices declined in October. Both the price indexes for consumer goods and 

automotive vehicles edged down 0.1 percent. Capital goods prices recorded no change for the second 

consecutive month in October. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 0.5 percent in October, after decreasing 10.6 

percent in September. The October rise was driven by a 5.6-percent increase in Latin American/Caribbean 

fares. Despite the October increase, export air passenger fares fell 13.1 percent over the past year. The price 

index for export air freight declined 0.3 percent in October and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

Import and Export Price Index data for November 2015 are scheduled for release on Thursday, December 10, 

2015 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2014 to

October 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 122.3 121.7 -10.5 -0.9 -1.8 -0.6 -0.5

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.181 99.1 98.9 -3.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 90.994 111.9 111.5 -3.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 90.225 116.0 115.6 -3.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.044 174.6 172.9 -5.0 -0.1 0.3 -0.7 -1.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.709 193.5 190.8 -4.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.7 -1.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.335 131.7 132.1 -6.6 -0.4 1.8 -0.9 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 23.074 162.5 160.2 -30.6 -3.3 -6.9 -2.9 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.068 143.3 141.8 -11.0 -1.0 -1.8 -0.7 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.299 162.2 160.5 -10.4 -1.0 -1.9 -0.9 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.773 148.2 147.6 -11.2 -1.5 -2.3 -0.8 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.525 136.8 134.3 -10.7 -0.5 -1.1 -0.6 -1.8

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 9.776 162.7 159.4 -46.6 -6.1 -12.7 -5.4 -2.0

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 9.007 174.9 171.3 -48.0 -6.3 -13.6 -6.0 -2.1

Crude........................................ 10000 6.465 176.2 173.7 -49.1 -7.6 -15.1 -5.1 -1.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.577 99.6 97.8 -24.4 -1.2 0.0 4.3 -1.8

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.416 83.5 81.4 -30.3 -1.7 0.0 6.1 -2.5

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.603 109.9 109.3 -3.2 -0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.5

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.992 156.6 153.6 -9.6 -0.2 -1.3 -1.3 -1.9

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.199 133.4 133.1 -5.9 0.7 -1.5 -1.6 -0.2

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.098 189.8 188.8 -19.3 -3.3 -4.4 -0.9 -0.5

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.700 149.0 147.8 -6.6 -0.7 -1.0 -0.7 -0.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.707 109.1 109.0 -2.7 -0.2 -0.5 0.0 -0.1

Capital goods................................... 2 27.976 90.3 90.2 -2.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.418 117.7 117.1 -2.6 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.5

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 22.073 82.8 82.7 -2.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.485 136.9 136.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.658 111.1 110.8 -1.6 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 27.248 107.3 107.4 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.021 119.3 119.3 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.734 95.6 95.6 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.493 116.7 116.9 -3.5 -0.7 -0.2 -0.6 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October 2014 to

October 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 122.3 122.0 -6.7 -0.4 -1.4 -0.6 -0.2

Agricultural commodities....................... 8.744 179.1 178.9 -11.8 1.0 -2.5 -1.3 -0.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.793 99.3 99.2 -2.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 91.256 118.0 117.7 -6.1 -0.6 -1.3 -0.5 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.074 179.7 180.4 -12.2 1.6 -2.9 -1.3 0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.419 180.6 181.1 -12.8 1.5 -2.9 -1.4 0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.655 177.7 181.4 -5.4 2.5 -3.2 -0.1 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 30.042 145.5 144.4 -15.9 -1.5 -3.7 -1.6 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.794 153.0 152.9 -8.9 -1.6 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 19.247 142.3 140.6 -19.6 -1.5 -4.2 -2.4 -1.2

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.325 174.7 171.6 -5.7 -1.8 -0.4 -1.0 -1.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 28.717 144.5 143.5 -16.4 -1.5 -3.7 -1.6 -0.7

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 7.133 158.0 155.7 -34.9 -2.5 -8.4 -5.0 -1.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.599 151.9 151.1 -8.4 -1.2 -2.1 -0.5 -0.5

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.985 113.3 113.4 -6.5 -0.2 -1.3 -0.7 0.1

Capital goods................................... 2 38.762 107.4 107.4 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.878 113.2 112.8 -2.3 -0.3 0.1 -0.7 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 26.477 94.9 94.7 -0.6 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.407 162.3 163.4 3.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.7

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.409 113.8 113.7 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.713 112.0 111.9 -2.4 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.629 107.7 107.5 -3.7 -0.3 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.432 110.1 110.0 -1.2 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October 2014 to

October 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 9.222 89.3 88.0 -42.3 -6.1 -11.3 -3.1 -1.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.091 175.8 171.7 -7.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.3 -2.3

Crop production............................... 111 1.682 186.4 184.2 -5.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.8 -1.2

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.218 87.0 77.3 – -3.0 -2.2 -2.4 -11.1

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.115 65.8 61.3 -10.9 1.7 2.0 -0.6 -6.8

Mining............................................ 21 7.131 78.8 77.8 -47.6 -7.3 -14.0 -4.1 -1.3

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.211 98.1 97.7 -17.3 -4.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.4

Manufactured articles............................ 90.482 110.2 109.8 -4.9 -0.4 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 12.169 123.9 123.4 -2.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.341 150.8 149.2 -7.6 -0.3 0.5 -1.2 -1.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.116 118.3 118.3 0.8 0.5 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.410 100.3 100.1 -3.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.903 111.8 111.3 -2.4 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.454 111.7 111.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.945 124.6 124.6 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.329 118.5 117.1 -12.5 -0.6 -2.0 -1.7 -1.2

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.704 110.0 109.4 -9.4 1.2 -2.3 -2.6 -0.5

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.111 107.1 106.7 -3.8 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.401 82.0 78.5 -44.1 -2.6 -9.7 -9.0 -4.3

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.685 132.8 131.5 -4.7 -0.1 -0.5 -0.5 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.223 118.7 118.6 -2.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.996 130.3 130.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 60.984 104.4 104.3 -3.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 3.776 128.3 127.7 -17.8 -2.9 -3.6 -1.0 -0.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.078 125.8 124.9 -2.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.7

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.355 118.7 118.6 -1.6 -0.3 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.973 77.6 77.5 -2.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.786 117.2 117.0 -1.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.4 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.830 110.2 110.0 -1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.611 115.6 115.6 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.575 119.3 119.3 -1.8 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October 2014 to

October 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.216 126.3 124.7 -12.8 2.8 -3.9 -2.7 -1.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.088 155.9 158.5 -5.7 3.8 -5.1 -2.5 1.7

Crop production............................... 111 3.853 161.7 164.4 -5.5 3.7 -5.2 -2.6 1.7

Mining............................................ 21 2.128 70.4 65.4 -24.6 1.0 -1.5 -3.0 -7.1

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.136 82.0 79.8 -16.9 -2.3 -3.1 -2.3 -2.7

Manufactured articles............................ 92.369 112.8 112.5 -5.9 -0.4 -1.2 -0.4 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.927 136.7 134.8 -13.0 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3 -1.4

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.715 153.6 151.2 -16.5 -1.3 -0.5 -0.3 -1.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.585 108.8 106.6 -1.2 -0.6 -0.5 -1.4 -2.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 23.831 109.6 108.9 -15.2 -1.2 -3.3 -1.5 -0.6

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.913 123.9 123.5 -1.8 0.2 -1.9 1.6 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 4.799 92.0 90.8 -39.4 -3.2 -10.4 -5.5 -1.3

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.221 117.6 116.9 -8.1 -0.7 -1.4 -0.9 -0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.263 117.1 116.9 -1.8 -0.4 -0.5 0.0 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.836 112.2 112.3 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 61.611 111.8 111.8 -0.7 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.648 133.6 134.1 -7.3 -1.3 -3.9 1.1 0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.076 129.8 129.7 1.2 0.1 0.5 0.0 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.742 125.4 125.4 1.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.440 85.3 85.2 -2.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.771 113.3 113.3 -1.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.874 121.8 122.2 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.391 110.0 109.9 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.669 122.7 122.3 -2.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October 2014 to

October 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.356 183.8 178.1 -12.5 -0.5 1.4 -1.6 -3.1

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.326 237.2 221.2 -17.1 1.2 0.9 -1.0 -6.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.694 128.3 129.1 -9.0 -0.6 3.2 -1.7 0.6

Vegetable products............................... II 2.022 203.2 201.0 -3.4 -0.3 -1.0 2.0 -1.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.642 529.6 498.6 11.9 2.2 1.4 11.1 -5.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.473 91.6 94.7 -0.6 1.6 -2.9 -2.8 3.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.363 230.1 230.7 -12.6 -3.9 0.2 -1.5 0.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.270 103.1 105.3 -6.4 -1.5 1.9 -3.0 2.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.855 160.4 159.7 -2.0 0.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.180 85.7 84.9 -5.8 0.1 -5.5 0.1 -0.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.268 116.0 114.0 -4.0 1.8 -0.2 2.6 -1.7

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.286 132.2 132.2 -1.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.330 153.0 152.9 -7.4 0.2 0.3 -2.2 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.081 128.2 128.2 0.2 0.5 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Mineral products.................................. V 9.696 163.7 160.2 -46.6 -6.1 -12.7 -5.3 -2.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 9.457 160.7 157.3 -47.0 -6.2 -13.0 -5.4 -2.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.871 147.5 146.7 -4.0 0.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.667 291.8 288.2 -13.2 -1.1 -0.1 -0.8 -1.2

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.490 122.0 120.8 -10.1 1.9 -0.9 -2.4 -1.0

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.627 138.2 138.7 3.5 0.1 0.4 0.6 0.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.356 100.5 91.5 -21.7 -1.0 -7.1 -1.6 -9.0

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.211 99.6 99.4 -6.2 -0.9 0.0 1.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.565 90.2 90.4 -2.6 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.435 139.7 138.7 -5.2 -0.9 -0.6 -0.2 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.225 143.3 142.6 -5.1 -1.0 -0.9 -0.2 -0.5

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.210 135.0 133.4 -5.3 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 -1.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.737 127.7 127.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.4

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.698 130.7 130.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.732 134.1 133.5 -8.9 1.2 -2.1 -2.3 -0.4

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.694 91.9 91.5 – 1.3 -2.2 -2.4 -0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.178 111.2 110.9 -1.9 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.783 105.1 105.2 -1.7 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.596 114.1 114.0 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2014 to

October 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.246 104.0 103.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 2.008 119.6 119.7 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.651 106.0 105.5 -1.9 -0.8 -0.2 0.4 -0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.543 123.6 123.6 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.342 122.9 122.8 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.922 132.1 132.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.276 138.6 138.3 -2.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.324 129.8 129.9 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.994 163.9 165.2 -6.2 -1.8 -2.9 0.7 0.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.200 160.9 159.1 -13.1 -1.6 -1.4 -1.3 -1.1

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.062 173.4 167.3 -24.9 -1.9 -1.2 -1.5 -3.5

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.690 145.9 144.6 -7.1 -0.6 -0.3 -0.6 -0.9

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.420 256.1 259.7 -19.0 -5.7 -4.9 -4.8 1.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.720 125.1 124.0 -12.9 -1.4 -2.3 -1.3 -0.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.454 127.6 127.3 -1.3 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.533 138.2 138.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 30.262 82.2 82.0 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.399 87.4 87.1 -2.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.2 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 14.863 77.1 77.1 -2.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.122 114.7 114.5 -1.0 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.762 113.3 113.1 -1.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.265 119.7 119.7 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.976 103.3 103.3 -0.7 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.646 100.1 100.2 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.266 141.6 140.3 -0.6 0.4 -0.5 -0.1 -0.9

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.121 112.7 112.7 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.481 117.2 117.1 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.377 104.7 104.7 -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.264 134.1 134.0 -1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October 2014 to

October 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.820 187.6 184.0 -25.9 -2.2 -1.5 0.6 -1.9

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.067 145.8 141.7 -28.5 -2.9 -1.6 1.1 -2.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.391 198.9 201.3 -4.0 1.3 -3.7 -0.1 1.2

Vegetable products............................... II 3.832 197.7 201.6 -7.7 3.3 -4.7 -2.6 2.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.118 170.5 174.2 -8.3 -2.3 1.0 -1.3 2.2

Cereals............................................ 10 0.938 181.6 195.9 -5.5 8.4 -12.7 -1.3 7.9

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.329 193.6 193.8 -10.0 6.3 -4.1 -7.2 0.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.197 91.8 90.2 -14.5 0.2 -5.5 -1.8 -1.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.952 151.5 150.4 -6.8 -0.2 0.1 -1.0 -0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.412 118.3 118.2 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.515 108.3 109.8 -0.1 -3.4 1.7 -1.7 1.4

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.717 210.5 201.9 -13.2 1.7 0.2 -3.7 -4.1

Mineral products.................................. V 6.987 181.1 176.9 -35.5 -2.3 -8.0 -4.7 -2.3

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.437 76.4 73.1 -23.5 -4.2 -2.7 -2.4 -4.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 6.365 174.3 170.4 -36.8 -2.2 -8.5 -5.0 -2.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.886 140.2 139.3 -6.3 -0.5 -1.2 -0.9 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.910 183.6 182.7 6.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.5

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.826 137.0 134.7 -17.6 -1.6 -1.6 -4.0 -1.7

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.615 110.4 110.1 -3.8 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.803 135.6 135.4 1.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.486 113.0 112.2 -5.0 0.9 -2.2 0.3 -0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.927 151.1 150.6 -1.7 -0.3 -2.4 2.2 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.208 140.9 139.3 -7.7 -0.6 -0.7 -0.1 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.257 136.8 135.2 -7.5 -0.4 -0.8 0.0 -1.2

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.951 157.7 156.6 -8.6 -1.5 -0.3 -0.8 -0.7

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.394 128.6 123.4 -22.8 -8.1 -0.7 0.7 -4.0

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.225 76.8 71.5 – -13.1 -1.2 1.9 -6.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.616 95.0 95.2 – -1.0 -0.8 -0.2 0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.287 123.4 123.4 -1.9 0.6 -1.6 0.8 0.0

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.651 126.9 126.2 -2.3 2.3 -4.9 3.3 -0.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.223 122.4 122.4 -2.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.413 98.4 98.9 – -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.5

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.817 121.9 121.0 -4.9 0.2 0.1 -0.6 -0.7

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2014 to

October 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct.

2014 to

Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.466 119.1 117.5 -8.3 1.8 -0.2 -1.3 -1.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.837 122.1 122.2 1.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.431 98.8 98.8 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.696 226.0 226.8 -6.1 -1.3 -3.3 1.3 0.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.109 146.9 146.2 -10.0 -1.9 -1.4 -0.8 -0.5

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.144 150.4 148.4 -21.6 -4.5 -3.5 -1.4 -1.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.464 167.5 167.5 -18.7 -5.0 -7.1 -0.8 0.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.828 107.2 106.5 -14.5 -2.5 -2.0 -2.8 -0.7

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.341 148.6 148.6 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.458 96.6 96.7 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.760 113.2 113.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.698 78.7 78.5 -1.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.924 131.3 131.2 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.247 115.0 115.0 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.330 107.3 107.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.517 111.1 111.6 0.4 0.2 -0.7 0.4 0.5

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.867 123.9 124.5 1.0 0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.489 89.5 89.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October 2014 to October 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2014

to Oct.

2015

June 2015

to July

2015

July 2015

to Aug.

2015

Aug. 2015

to Sept.

2015

Sept. 2015

to Oct.

2015

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 117.3 116.9 -10.0 -1.0 -2.1 -1.2 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles................... 7.090 118.9 118.0 -46.1 -7.8 -16.4 -4.7 -0.8

Manufactured articles........................ 92.503 116.8 116.5 -5.1 -0.3 -0.8 -0.9 -0.3

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 120.2 119.6 -11.0 -1.0 -1.6 -0.9 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles................... 10.237 182.6 180.6 -41.7 -5.3 -9.8 -4.6 -1.1

Manufactured articles........................ 89.546 104.3 103.8 -4.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5

Canada.......................................... 100.000 118.8 117.6 -20.5 -2.2 -5.1 -2.2 -1.0

Nonmanufactured articles................... 20.197 113.1 112.5 -46.8 -8.0 -17.0 -4.8 -0.5

Manufactured articles........................ 79.133 124.5 123.2 -8.7 -0.3 -1.2 -1.6 -1.0

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 132.9 133.0 -2.9 -0.1 -0.5 -0.9 0.1

Manufactured articles........................ 99.408 129.4 129.6 -2.7 -0.1 -0.5 -1.0 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 121.7 121.5 -1.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 116.8 116.9 -1.8 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 121.2 121.2 -7.3 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 142.6 141.2 -14.7 -1.5 -2.7 -1.1 -1.0

Nonmanufactured articles................... 17.087 200.0 198.6 -39.3 -5.6 -10.9 -2.8 -0.7

Manufactured articles........................ 82.524 122.2 121.0 -6.2 -0.4 -0.8 -0.8 -1.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 127.9 127.2 -8.4 -0.8 -1.5 -0.8 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 9.143 108.8 109.5 -38.7 -4.6 -11.5 -5.6 0.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 90.541 90.0 89.4 -3.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.7

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 99.8 99.7 -2.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 102.4 102.3 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.2 95.2 -3.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 86.0 85.9 -3.3 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 98.2 98.3 -3.8 -0.2 0.5 -0.6 0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 154.9 152.4 -37.5 -4.0 -7.7 -5.3 -1.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: October

2014 to October 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20151

Index Percent change

Sept.

2015

Oct.

2015

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2014

to Oct.

2015

June

2015 to

July 2015

July 2015

to Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct. 2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 157.5 167.8 -2.6 -3.4 -2.0 -2.2 6.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 24.038 145.3 144.6 -16.4 -0.8 -1.7 -0.5 -0.5

Asia.................................................. 63.996 139.3 153.8 2.7 -4.8 -2.3 -3.3 10.4

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 156.6 156.1 -1.7 0.3 -0.5 -0.6 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 33.138 149.7 148.9 4.1 0.5 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 150.8 156.3 -4.1 -2.0 -1.9 -0.9 3.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 26.180 137.7 136.7 -12.0 0.1 -1.6 -0.4 -0.7

Asia.................................................. 59.498 134.5 143.0 -2.1 -3.2 -2.4 -2.1 6.3

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 148.6 145.3 -5.0 1.4 -1.0 -0.5 -2.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 31.133 158.1 157.6 -8.4 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Asia.................................................. 44.775 142.6 136.0 -6.1 3.0 -1.9 -0.6 -4.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 179.3 188.6 -4.7 -4.1 -5.1 -4.5 5.2

Europe............................................... 44.671 213.1 221.3 0.4 -6.9 -8.9 3.9 3.8

Asia.................................................. 22.877 135.3 142.2 -5.0 -3.2 -4.6 -7.7 5.1

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.945 148.9 149.0 -13.0 3.1 -0.4 -9.2 0.1

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 158.4 159.2 -13.1 3.6 1.5 -10.6 0.5

Europe............................................... 32.070 214.7 209.7 -9.4 4.0 -10.1 0.2 -2.3

Asia.................................................. 26.974 133.2 134.2 -11.2 0.4 20.6 -23.2 0.8

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 21.973 156.8 165.6 -10.1 2.1 -1.8 -8.9 5.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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.