Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-09-0363 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 until 8:30 A.M. EDT 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Thursday, April 9, 2009 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- MARCH 2009 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.5 percent in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. 

Department of Labor reported today. A 10.5 percent increase in import petroleum prices more than 

offset a 0.7 percent decline in the price index for nonpetroleum imports. In contrast, export prices fell in 

March, decreasing 0.6 percent. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices increased for the first time since July, advancing 0.5 percent in March after edging 

down 0.1 percent in February. The March advance was led by a 10.5 percent rise in petroleum prices. 

The price index for petroleum increased for the second consecutive month after falling 69.2 percent 

from July through January. In contrast, nonpetroleum prices decreased for the eighth consecutive 

month, falling 0.7 percent in March. For the year ended in March, petroleum prices fell 52.0 percent 

and prices for nonpetroleum imports declined 3.7 percent. 

 

The continued decline in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.3 percent drop in nonpetroleum 

industrial supplies and materials prices. That decrease was driven by a sharp fall in natural gas prices, 

although lower prices for some metals also contributed to the decline. The price index for nonpetroleum 

industrial supplies and materials has not recorded an increase since July 2008. 

Lower prices for finished goods also contributed to the drop in nonpetroleum prices in March. 

Prices for consumer goods fell 0.5 percent following a 0.1 percent advance in February. The price index 

for capital goods declined 0.3 percent in March, led by falling prices for industrial and service 

machinery. Import automotive vehicle prices edged down 0.2 percent in March after increasing 0.2 

percent in each of the previous two months. 

Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased 1.0 percent this month primarily because of 

lower fruit prices. The March drop followed a 3.2 percent decline in February. 

Export Goods 

Export prices decreased 0.6 percent in March because of lower prices for both agricultural and 

nonagricultural exports. The index decreased 9.8 percent over the past eight months and 6.7 percent for 

the year ended in March. Agricultural prices fell 3.5 percent in March, led by declines for soybeans, 

corn, and wheat. Agricultural export prices decreased 21.8 percent over the past year, the largest annual 

decrease since the index was first published in March 1985. Nonagricultural prices edged down 0.3 

percent in March and fell 5.0 percent over the past 12 months. 

The drop in nonagricultural prices was led by a 0.9 percent decrease in the index for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Lower prices for fuels and chemicals contributed to 

the decline. Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials decreased 23.2 percent over the past eight 

months and 17.3 percent for the March 2008-2009 period, the largest annual decrease since the index 

was first published in September 1989. 

Prices for the major finished goods categories were mixed in March. Consumer goods prices 

contributed to the decline in overall export prices, falling 0.5 percent. Despite the recent decreases, the 

index increased 0.5 percent for the year ended in March. In contrast, the price index for automotive 

vehicles increased in March, rising 0.2 percent. Automotive vehicle prices advanced 1.1 percent over 

the past year. The price index for capital goods was unchanged this month as lower prices for 

computers offset higher prices for transportation equipment. Prices for capital goods increased 1.0 

percent for the March 2008-2009 period. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Prices for imports from China fell for the seventh consecutive month, decreasing 0.6 percent in 

March. Import prices from China edged down 0.2 percent for the year ended in March. 

 

Import prices from Canada and from Mexico also continued to decline in March, falling 0.7 

percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. Prices for imports from Canada fell for the eighth consecutive 

month, and decreased 18.4 percent over the past year, the largest annual decline since the index was first 

published in December 1990. The price index for imports from Mexico decreased 11.7 percent for the 

March 2008-2009 period, the largest annual decline since the index was first published in December 

2003. 

The price index for imports from Japan also fell, decreasing 0.1 percent in March after 

increasing in each of the previous five months. Despite the downturn this month, the index rose 1.8 

percent over the past year. 

In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union rose in March, advancing 0.1 percent for 

the month. The index, however, decreased 4.0 percent over the past 12 months. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares decreased 4.7 percent in March following a 4.6 percent drop the 

previous month. The March decrease was again led by lower European fares, which fell 7.8 percent 

after decreasing 5.7 percent in February. Despite the recent downward pattern, the index for import air 

passenger fares rose 2.7 percent for the year ended in March. Export air passenger fares also decreased 

in March, falling 5.1 percent as lower fares from Europe, the Latin America/Caribbean region, and Asia 

all contributed to the overall decrease. Fares for export air passengers decreased 10.5 percent over the 

past 12 months, the largest annual decline since the index was first published in September 1986. 

 

Import air freight prices fell 2.2 percent in March, as both European and Asian air freight prices 

declined. The price index for import air freight decreased 8.0 percent over the past year. Prices for 

export air freight declined 2.8 percent in March and 7.0 percent for the March 2008-2009 period. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2009 are scheduled for release on May 13, 2009 at 

8:30 A.M. (EDT). 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 113.0 113.6 -14.9 -4.6 -1.2 -0.1 0.5

All imports excluding petroleum................ 88.621 108.3 107.5 -3.7 -1.1 -0.7 -0.7 -0.7

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 86.668 111.4 110.9 -2.6 -1.1 -0.7 -0.4 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.929 137.8 136.4 -3.8 2.0 0.1 -3.2 -1.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.812 153.1 150.6 -4.3 3.2 -0.1 -3.8 -1.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.117 103.2 104.5 -2.2 -1.9 0.6 -1.1 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 27.943 144.7 149.0 -36.5 -13.9 -4.5 0.7 3.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 16.564 136.8 133.7 -16.1 -4.8 -4.2 -2.2 -2.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.611 147.4 146.1 -12.4 -5.4 -4.1 -0.9 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.059 137.2 135.4 -14.8 -6.2 -2.7 -0.6 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.552 136.2 131.5 -17.5 -3.0 -5.8 -4.1 -3.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 13.333 150.1 160.8 -51.1 -22.2 -4.9 2.5 7.1

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 11.380 150.8 166.7 -52.0 -25.2 -4.9 5.2 10.5

Crude.......................................... 10000 8.098 151.5 166.8 -54.2 -23.7 -5.5 4.1 10.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.746 150.6 129.4 -39.7 -0.1 -4.6 -11.6 -14.1

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.549 139.2 117.2 -44.6 -0.1 -5.7 -13.0 -15.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.786 108.5 105.9 -7.2 -1.7 -2.6 -1.6 -2.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.864 136.9 137.4 -7.0 -4.2 -6.5 -1.4 0.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.740 116.4 115.9 1.6 -0.6 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.535 175.8 172.6 -28.5 -11.3 -4.9 -0.5 -1.8

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 2.005 137.1 135.2 -7.3 -4.5 -1.8 -0.8 -1.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.681 106.0 104.8 -0.4 -1.3 -2.0 -0.7 -1.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 25.226 92.3 92.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.3

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.237 110.2 109.8 0.5 -0.4 -0.3 -0.8 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.776 87.1 86.8 -0.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.213 121.0 121.1 5.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.877 108.2 108.0 0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 27.025 104.5 104.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.5

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.545 109.0 108.5 0.9 0.2 0.6 0.1 -0.5

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 13.150 100.0 99.7 -0.7 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.330 104.4 101.3 -2.9 0.4 -0.9 1.7 -3.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 116.2 115.5 -6.7 -2.2 0.6 -0.3 -0.6

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.704 157.4 151.9 -21.8 -6.1 6.1 -1.6 -3.5

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.297 113.2 112.9 -5.0 -1.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.166 162.5 156.9 -20.3 -5.9 6.8 -1.9 -3.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.487 164.6 158.6 -21.7 -6.2 7.2 -2.0 -3.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.679 145.5 143.7 -3.1 -3.2 3.1 -1.6 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 26.869 137.8 136.5 -17.5 -5.8 -0.7 -0.6 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.531 142.7 143.5 -16.9 -5.2 0.4 0.5 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.338 135.5 132.9 -18.0 -6.3 -1.4 -1.2 -1.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.217 126.6 123.5 -22.5 -6.0 -0.4 0.8 -2.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 25.652 138.6 137.4 -17.3 -5.8 -0.7 -0.6 -0.9

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.568 159.1 150.9 -39.5 -13.8 -0.8 -3.9 -5.2

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.023 137.6 137.4 -13.1 -4.7 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.061 115.8 114.8 0.5 -0.4 0.3 0.3 -0.9

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.409 102.2 102.2 1.0 -0.1 0.4 0.3 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.793 107.7 107.8 -0.7 -0.2 -1.1 -0.1 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.699 93.8 93.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.4 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.917 134.8 135.2 5.5 0.4 2.1 0.4 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.494 108.1 108.3 1.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.063 109.0 108.5 0.5 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.5

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.812 109.0 108.1 -1.1 -0.2 1.4 0.3 -0.8

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 6.142 109.5 109.4 3.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 12.175 79.5 82.7 -48.8 -16.4 -5.1 0.8 4.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.811 131.0 127.2 -4.1 11.5 -0.6 -5.8 -2.9

Crop production................................. 111 1.339 142.2 134.0 -2.3 19.6 -0.4 -7.3 -5.8

Mining.............................................. 21 10.364 74.2 78.1 -52.5 -20.1 -5.7 1.9 5.3

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.469 127.2 129.4 17.7 -0.8 -1.2 0.6 1.7

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.280 105.2 105.4 -5.2 -2.5 -0.7 -0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 11.120 107.2 107.0 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.575 115.9 115.1 -7.0 -2.1 -0.8 -1.7 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.996 106.7 107.1 2.4 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.4

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.482 113.3 113.0 2.4 -1.2 1.6 0.7 -0.3

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.869 101.0 100.9 -0.7 -0.3 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.517 102.7 102.8 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.681 107.8 107.8 3.8 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.606 105.7 107.6 -13.0 -7.2 -1.9 0.2 1.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.028 90.2 89.8 -1.0 -1.0 -1.8 -1.0 -0.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.388 106.6 104.4 -3.9 -1.3 -1.6 -1.4 -2.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.716 72.0 82.9 -45.1 -30.6 -1.8 4.3 15.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.144 119.9 119.5 -2.9 -2.4 -2.8 -0.5 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.992 113.1 112.6 3.6 -0.1 0.4 -0.4 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.222 117.9 117.7 6.1 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 58.554 104.6 104.2 -3.4 -1.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.257 123.8 121.9 -27.4 -10.8 -4.2 -0.7 -1.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 3.046 118.1 117.0 1.8 -1.2 -0.2 -0.7 -0.9

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 7.344 111.4 111.2 2.3 0.0 0.9 -0.1 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.271 89.4 89.1 -4.7 -0.7 -1.0 -0.4 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.311 112.8 112.5 2.4 -0.1 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 16.082 105.2 105.1 1.0 -0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.701 110.4 110.6 4.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.542 110.3 110.1 0.5 0.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.097 118.4 111.2 -32.3 -6.9 7.3 -3.3 -6.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.845 138.1 129.2 -31.6 -7.2 11.1 -3.5 -6.4

Crop production................................. 111 4.477 141.7 132.0 -33.1 -7.6 11.8 -3.8 -6.8

Mining.............................................. 21 1.252 75.2 71.6 -33.8 -5.6 -5.9 -2.0 -4.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.936 84.4 83.9 -17.8 -0.9 -6.8 -0.2 -0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 92.257 107.2 106.9 -3.3 -1.6 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.547 117.7 117.3 -2.2 -2.8 0.3 0.3 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.356 130.6 129.9 -2.8 -3.7 0.9 0.4 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.510 103.8 104.8 -0.8 0.0 0.1 0.3 1.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.392 101.6 101.6 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.692 107.9 106.5 -11.5 -4.4 -0.5 -1.2 -1.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.475 108.8 108.2 -3.9 -0.5 -1.4 -0.1 -0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.953 112.5 111.9 -1.7 -1.2 -1.4 -0.2 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 1.990 88.4 81.8 -49.7 -18.6 -1.8 -7.5 -7.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.191 110.9 110.1 -6.4 -3.2 -0.5 -0.4 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.218 108.7 107.9 0.5 -1.2 0.5 -1.1 -0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.866 111.8 112.2 3.3 0.3 0.8 -1.1 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 64.018 105.7 105.8 -0.3 -0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.209 119.3 121.7 -17.4 -5.3 0.1 -0.3 2.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.895 121.9 120.6 5.1 0.2 2.4 0.1 -1.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.901 112.0 112.0 3.5 -0.1 0.5 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.574 92.5 92.2 -3.7 -0.2 -0.8 0.3 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.661 107.0 107.1 0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.394 109.2 109.5 3.2 0.1 1.0 0.2 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.041 110.7 110.7 4.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.146 122.7 125.0 -4.8 -3.5 -0.1 -2.2 1.9

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.259 144.9 141.4 -7.2 -5.2 -1.0 -1.2 -2.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.586 97.9 100.4 -3.1 -2.8 0.6 -2.1 2.6

Vegetable products................................ II 1.555 160.5 152.2 0.7 16.3 -1.5 -6.8 -5.2

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.402 257.8 271.6 27.6 49.3 -2.3 -25.6 5.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.492 110.1 101.1 6.5 10.5 -0.8 -2.3 -8.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.266 149.2 139.5 -20.0 -1.7 4.0 -1.0 -6.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.432 134.5 133.8 -1.0 0.2 0.3 -0.4 -0.5

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.253 106.1 106.8 1.6 -1.7 0.1 -0.8 0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.312 131.3 128.0 -9.0 -1.7 -0.8 -0.5 -2.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.996 115.2 115.8 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 13.632 153.5 164.2 -49.4 -21.2 -4.8 2.4 7.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 13.218 149.8 160.5 -50.8 -22.0 -4.8 2.5 7.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.291 131.1 129.9 -5.5 -3.3 -3.5 -0.4 -0.9

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.717 187.5 185.7 -29.2 -9.7 -25.3 -2.7 -1.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.531 121.0 121.2 -9.8 -4.4 -1.3 0.7 0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.958 115.5 113.1 0.7 0.1 1.7 0.3 -2.1

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.184 105.1 104.1 0.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -1.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.457 120.9 119.3 -2.5 -1.3 1.2 -0.9 -1.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.471 93.3 92.6 -6.7 -1.6 -1.7 -2.1 -0.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.114 127.1 127.5 -1.4 -1.8 -1.2 -1.3 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 2.019 124.2 124.9 -1.3 -0.9 -1.8 -1.4 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.095 132.7 132.7 -1.3 -3.6 0.1 -1.1 0.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.670 114.0 113.9 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.622 114.8 114.7 2.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.063 110.4 109.9 -1.3 -0.9 -1.8 -1.0 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.583 111.5 109.6 -3.2 -1.0 -0.8 -1.2 -1.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.122 112.8 110.7 2.4 -0.4 0.3 -1.1 -1.9

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.304 119.8 119.8 1.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.671 103.4 103.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.138 100.1 100.1 -0.7 -0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.179 104.0 104.2 1.3 1.1 -0.2 0.6 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.585 91.8 90.9 -4.6 -0.3 -3.4 -0.1 -1.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.371 108.1 108.1 3.3 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.158 107.5 107.5 4.2 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.086 122.4 122.3 6.3 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.416 119.1 119.1 11.7 -0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.332 132.3 131.9 6.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.338 114.2 114.2 0.5 -1.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.649 132.3 134.9 -13.8 -1.2 1.1 0.1 2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.977 155.5 152.1 -16.9 -7.7 -3.6 -1.5 -2.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.440 203.1 193.3 -19.8 -14.1 -4.2 -3.2 -4.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 2.061 151.6 148.9 3.0 -2.7 -2.2 -1.2 -1.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.454 179.1 181.9 -40.8 -12.7 -7.5 3.0 1.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.717 103.2 100.7 -32.7 -6.3 -8.4 -4.8 -2.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.427 119.2 119.0 4.8 -0.3 2.5 -0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.505 129.3 129.2 1.7 -0.4 0.3 -1.9 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.808 87.1 86.7 -1.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.5

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.966 87.9 87.6 -1.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 13.842 86.3 85.9 -2.4 -0.5 -1.0 -0.3 -0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.722 109.5 109.3 0.5 -0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 12.442 108.3 108.1 0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.161 116.1 116.2 5.0 -0.1 0.8 -0.3 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.421 101.6 101.6 1.7 -0.2 0.3 0.2 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.073 99.4 99.3 1.3 -0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.266 123.1 123.6 3.2 -0.4 0.9 0.7 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.557 107.9 107.7 3.4 0.0 0.6 0.1 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.499 113.1 113.0 4.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.835 100.7 100.4 2.2 0.0 0.9 0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.223 112.9 111.7 2.7 -0.1 0.4 0.1 -1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.523 155.6 154.7 -4.9 -3.8 1.2 -0.9 -0.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.765 121.0 122.0 -7.1 -4.8 1.7 -0.2 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.411 148.3 144.8 -5.4 -2.3 1.1 -2.3 -2.4

Vegetable products................................ II 4.611 184.1 174.6 -28.8 -8.6 11.4 -3.7 -5.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.594 103.8 100.4 -17.2 -2.2 -1.8 -1.5 -3.3

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.980 197.0 186.7 -40.4 -12.8 18.7 -6.6 -5.2

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.393 198.5 183.7 -29.9 -8.4 13.1 -1.6 -7.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.485 136.8 135.1 0.4 -0.8 2.4 1.0 -1.2

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.393 124.8 124.9 4.3 0.1 2.1 0.3 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.283 100.1 99.6 – – 0.7 -0.6 -0.5

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.517 189.6 174.9 -11.6 -4.2 7.6 4.2 -7.8

Mineral products.................................... V 3.481 184.7 173.0 -43.2 -13.7 -4.5 -4.4 -6.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.011 179.5 166.6 -44.3 -15.4 -2.1 -4.7 -7.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.742 134.3 134.0 -4.4 -2.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.382 205.5 205.5 11.6 -2.3 1.8 -0.1 0.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.046 126.3 127.0 -18.8 -5.4 -3.5 -0.9 0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.776 118.1 116.7 -1.7 -0.5 2.2 1.5 -1.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.545 113.0 113.0 -3.0 0.2 -1.1 0.1 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.721 120.3 119.5 -0.5 1.1 1.9 -5.4 -0.7

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.424 116.7 116.4 0.7 -0.1 -3.1 -1.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.808 129.8 129.2 5.1 -1.1 2.2 -1.9 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.382 132.3 130.2 -5.3 -4.0 -1.3 -1.2 -1.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.337 126.3 123.7 -7.2 -4.1 -1.2 -0.7 -2.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.045 159.3 159.6 2.9 -3.9 -1.7 -2.9 0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.284 83.6 81.2 -30.6 -14.4 -11.2 -0.4 -2.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.598 106.9 105.3 -6.1 -0.7 -2.2 0.4 -1.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.396 106.8 106.5 -8.7 -2.5 -1.3 0.8 -0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.491 88.5 89.6 -30.6 -8.4 -4.8 2.3 1.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.368 113.6 113.0 2.0 -0.8 -0.5 0.6 -0.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.537 115.6 114.3 -5.6 -0.3 0.1 0.1 -1.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.019 103.6 102.4 -6.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.3 -1.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.543 91.1 86.1 -24.9 -2.8 0.2 -1.5 -5.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.862 117.2 117.2 5.2 0.4 1.7 0.8 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.455 100.7 100.7 1.5 0.2 1.0 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.776 167.5 174.9 -7.6 -2.8 1.9 2.1 4.4

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2008 to March

2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2008 to

Mar.

2009

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.119 144.5 142.1 -19.2 -5.6 -0.3 -0.3 -1.7

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.381 171.5 165.7 -28.5 -8.1 0.9 0.2 -3.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.536 164.8 164.5 9.2 0.5 3.6 -0.7 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.331 119.8 119.4 -54.8 -29.1 -8.3 2.3 -0.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.670 96.1 95.6 -36.4 -6.4 -4.8 -0.8 -0.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.407 121.8 121.8 3.0 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.360 127.7 116.8 -8.8 -0.8 0.3 -0.6 -8.5

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.579 95.0 94.8 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.236 105.1 104.9 1.3 -0.2 0.7 0.1 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.343 84.0 83.8 -2.6 -0.2 -0.7 0.6 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.862 118.9 119.3 3.3 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.197 107.5 107.7 1.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.319 107.1 107.0 0.8 0.1 0.9 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.572 105.8 105.8 -1.6 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.762 114.4 114.4 -1.9 -1.5 -0.3 -0.6 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.688 93.0 93.1 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2008 to March 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2008

to Mar.

2009

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Dec. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Jan. 2009

to Feb.

2009

Feb. 2009

to Mar.

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 117.9 117.7 -10.1 -2.9 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 141.2 137.5 -50.1 -15.7 -5.3 -3.5 -2.6

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 115.3 115.5 -3.8 -1.7 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 109.2 110.3 -17.3 -5.2 -1.9 0.1 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 156.3 166.3 -47.1 -15.4 -3.9 1.5 6.4

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 101.7 101.7 -5.7 -2.8 -1.5 -0.2 0.0

Canada............................................ 15.963 124.9 124.0 -18.4 -4.4 -1.8 -2.0 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 137.4 133.0 -51.4 -15.8 -4.9 -4.2 -3.2

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 123.8 123.6 -4.0 -1.5 -0.8 -1.6 -0.2

European Union4

............................... 17.447 124.4 124.5 -4.0 -1.5 0.1 0.0 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 223.4 237.5 -26.6 3.4 -3.8 0.6 6.3

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 121.9 122.1 -3.5 -1.6 0.1 0.0 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 118.6 119.0 3.0 -0.8 1.6 -1.1 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 109.3 108.5 -2.8 -0.8 1.1 -0.1 -0.7

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 119.3 121.1 -11.1 -2.5 -0.1 0.8 1.5

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 133.0 133.8 -22.0 -6.2 -1.0 -0.8 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 183.7 193.4 -39.7 -7.2 2.5 -1.2 5.3

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 124.0 122.7 -11.9 -5.9 -2.2 -0.7 -1.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 125.8 125.7 -11.7 0.5 -1.5 -1.4 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.947 92.4 99.0 – – -1.6 -6.1 7.1

Manufactured articles......................... 8.788 97.8 96.3 – – -1.8 -0.4 -1.5

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 99.8 99.3 -1.7 -0.9 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 101.5 100.9 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4 -0.5 -0.6

Japan.............................................. 7.488 96.4 96.3 1.8 0.3 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 86.5 85.5 -4.1 -3.0 -2.7 -0.3 -1.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 5.729 95.3 95.1 -5.6 -1.3 -1.4 -0.6 -0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 131.7 139.2 -46.2 -16.1 -7.7 0.8 5.7

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2008

to March 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20091

Index Percent change

Feb.

2009

Mar.

2009

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2008

to Mar.

2009

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Dec. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Jan. 2009

to Feb.

2009

Feb. 2009

to Mar.

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 135.8 132.8 -8.0 -4.9 -0.9 -1.1 -2.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.410 129.0 124.4 -17.2 -6.8 0.2 -2.3 -3.6

Asia.................................................... 68.863 120.4 118.4 -4.4 -3.4 -0.8 -0.1 -1.7

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 126.3 122.8 -7.0 -3.1 -3.3 -3.3 -2.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.626 120.8 117.5 -4.9 -4.1 0.2 -3.4 -2.7

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 130.5 125.6 -10.7 -4.2 -2.8 -1.9 -3.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.961 127.0 121.3 -17.1 -6.6 -1.4 -2.3 -4.5

Asia.................................................... 63.529 114.0 111.1 -6.2 -2.5 -1.9 -2.2 -2.5

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 121.8 118.8 -7.8 -6.0 -3.8 -2.9 -2.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.077 144.2 141.3 -3.2 -3.7 -2.8 -2.4 -2.0

Asia.................................................... 40.031 108.0 105.4 -8.9 -8.1 -4.8 -0.4 -2.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 141.6 134.9 2.7 -0.2 -5.6 -4.6 -4.7

Europe................................................. 43.120 146.0 134.6 8.1 -10.2 5.3 -5.7 -7.8

Asia.................................................... 28.239 128.3 123.1 5.2 10.1 -11.7 -4.6 -4.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.719 121.9 118.2 -9.1 22.1 -19.7 -3.9 -3.0

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 147.5 140.0 -10.5 3.1 0.2 -10.6 -5.1

Europe................................................. 29.511 165.4 152.2 -14.5 -3.5 -1.7 -9.9 -8.0

Asia.................................................... 34.572 128.0 126.3 -5.2 6.5 2.4 -13.9 -1.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.023 161.9 154.1 -0.7 9.2 0.9 -10.3 -4.8

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2007 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres 

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, 

with a two-year lag in the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More 

detailed index series and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by 

calling (202) 691-7101. 

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using 

three classification systems. Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 

Analysis Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS). While 

classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for 

classifying items by industry. In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output 

industry, not input industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products 

manufacturing) include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum. The 

NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price 

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 

States Annotated (TSUSA). Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer. 

The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 

(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry. The index for 

crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 

system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 

(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 

industry. Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture. 

Services Price Indexes -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 

changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 

calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service. These data include tickets sold by 

travel agencies and travel websites. Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 

flyer tickets generally. Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 

changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 

calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both 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 http://www.bls.gov/mxp under 

"MXP Publications".

14
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at 

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For IPP data requests, send e-mail to (mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

15