Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, February 17, 2010 

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

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

USDL-10-0200

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – JANUARY 2010 

The U.S. Import Price Index advanced 1.4 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 

today, as fuel and nonfuel prices each increased. The rise in overall imports followed a 0.2 percent uptick in 

December. Export prices rose 0.8 percent in January after advancing 0.6 percent in December and 0.8 

percent in November. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: January 2009 – January 2010 

 Percent change 

-1.3

0.5

1.1

1.7

2.7

-0.6

1.5

0.2

0.8

1.5

0.2

1.4

0.0

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Jan'09 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'10

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: January 2009 – January 2010 

 Percent change 

-12.5 -12.7

-14.9 -16.4 -17.3 -17.5 -19.1

-15.3

-12.0

-5.6

3.4

8.6

11.5

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Jan'09 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'10
 

All Imports: Import prices continued to increase in January, rising 1.4 percent after a 0.2 percent advance 

in December. Approximately three quarters of the increase was attributable to higher fuel prices. Import 

prices rose for the sixth consecutive month and 11.5 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-

month gain for the index since a 13.1 percent jump for the September 2007-08 period. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices resumed an upward trend in January, rising 5.3 percent following a 0.6 

percent drop in December. A 4.8 percent increase in petroleum prices and an 18.8 percent advance in natural 

gas prices both contributed to the January increase. Despite increasing in each of the past four months, 

natural gas prices fell 2.9 percent for the year ended in January. The price index for petroleum jumped 95.5 

percent over the past year, driving overall fuel prices up 78.6 percent for the same period. The 12-month 

increase in fuel prices followed a 51.4 percent drop for the January 2008-09 period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports rose 0.4 percent for the fifth time in the past six 

months. The increase was led by higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. Rising prices 

for foods, feeds, and beverages and consumer goods also factored into the overall advance. Nonfuel import 

prices increased 1.3 percent over the past year as the index has risen nine of the past ten months. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: January 2009 – January 2010 

 Percent change 

0.7

-0.7

0.5 0.4

1.0

-0.3

0.6

-0.2

0.0

0.8

0.6

0.8

-0.3

-1

0

1

2

Jan'09 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'10

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: January 2009 – January 2010 

 Percent change 

-3.4

-4.5

-6.7 -6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.2 -5.6

-3.6

0.4

3.3 3.4

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Jan'09 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'10

All Exports: Export prices rose 0.8 percent in January following 0.6 percent and 0.8 percent increases the 

previous two months. The 2.3 percent increase for the November-January period was the largest threemonth advance in export prices since a 2.9 percent rise for the three months ended in July 2008. The 

January increase was driven by higher nonagricultural prices which accounted for approximately eighty 

percent of the overall advance. The price index for overall exports rose 3.4 percent over the past 12 months, 

the largest year-over-year increase since a 4.0 percent advance for the year ended October 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports increased 1.4 percent in January and 4.5 

percent over the past year. The increase in January followed a 1.7 percent advance in December and was 

driven by rising nut prices. A 5.7 percent rise in soybean prices for the January 2009-10 period led the 12-

month increase in agricultural prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.7 percent in January, the largest 

monthly increase since a similar 0.7 percent rise in August 2009. Increasing prices for nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and automotive vehicles all contributed to the overall 

advance in January. The price index for nonagricultural export prices has risen each month since April and 

increased 3.3 percent for the year ended in January. 

3
4

 

SELECTED JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

1.5 percent in January after rising 1.8 percent in December. Rising prices for metals and chemicals led the 

advances in each month. 

Finished Goods: Import finished goods prices were virtually unchanged in January, with a 0.2 percent 

increase in consumer goods prices offsetting 0.1 percent declines in the price indexes for capital goods and 

automotive vehicles. The increase in consumer goods prices was led by higher prices for medicinal, dental 

and pharmaceutical products. The January decreases for capital goods and automotive vehicles followed 

drops of 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, in December. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.3 percent in January, 

the largest monthly advance since a 1.3 percent rise in August 2009. Rising prices for fruits and vegetables 

were the primary contributors to the January increase. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Higher fuel prices contributed to January increases in import prices from 

Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Import prices from Canada rose 3.6 percent, the largest onemonth increase since a 3.6 percent rise in June 2008. The price indexes for imports from Mexico and the 

European Union rose 1.7 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, in January. In contrast, import prices from 

China fell 0.3 percent, the largest monthly drop since a 0.5 percent decline in April 2009. The January 

decline followed a 0.2 percent increase in December. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 3.2 percent in January after increasing in each of 

the three previous months. Lower European, Asian, and Latin American/Caribbean fares all contributed to 

the decline. The price index for import air freight also decreased in January, falling 7.6 percent. The decline 

was led by a 10.1 percent decrease in Asian air freight prices. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices increased 1.9 percent for the second consecutive month in January. Both advances were driven by 

higher prices for metals, chemicals, and paper. 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods categories were mixed in January following an overall 

decline in December. The price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each rose 0.2 percent, 

while prices for consumer goods fell 0.3 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 4.2 percent in January following a 10.2 

percent increase the previous month. For the second consecutive month, the rise was led by higher Asian 

and Latin American fares. The price index for export air freight rose 0.4 percent in January after advancing 

0.4 percent in November and 0.7 percent in December. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for February 2010 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, March 

16, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 124.3 126.0 11.5 0.8 1.5 0.2 1.4

All imports excluding petroleum................ 81.069 109.6 110.3 1.2 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.6

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 79.431 113.0 113.4 1.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.689 143.7 145.6 2.3 0.4 1.0 0.8 1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.640 160.8 164.0 3.1 0.3 1.4 0.8 2.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.049 104.9 104.0 -0.5 0.8 -0.4 0.4 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.360 195.8 203.2 41.4 2.3 4.2 0.4 3.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.428 145.0 148.8 6.5 2.2 2.9 2.6 2.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.790 158.6 161.0 8.3 1.4 1.3 1.8 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.636 152.3 154.8 12.3 1.0 1.3 2.2 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.154 136.1 141.5 -0.1 3.8 5.1 3.1 4.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 20.570 248.7 261.9 78.6 3.0 6.3 -0.6 5.3

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 18.932 268.4 281.2 95.5 2.4 5.4 -1.4 4.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 13.957 273.7 284.8 95.2 3.8 4.9 -2.5 4.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.388 142.0 161.6 -4.6 14.0 22.1 10.8 13.8

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.051 128.5 152.7 -2.9 17.5 26.9 12.6 18.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.668 103.1 103.6 -6.1 1.4 1.9 0.7 0.5

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.563 141.0 142.9 3.0 2.2 1.2 1.1 1.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.311 120.7 122.0 4.1 -0.3 -0.1 1.9 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.912 221.5 227.0 28.6 2.0 2.5 3.9 2.5

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.786 139.8 141.4 2.7 0.4 0.9 0.6 1.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.550 105.4 106.0 -1.0 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.648 91.8 91.7 -1.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.983 111.3 112.0 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.617 86.3 86.0 -1.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.048 122.5 123.9 2.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 1.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.297 108.8 108.7 0.6 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 25.007 104.3 104.5 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.546 107.8 108.5 -0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.6

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.232 100.8 100.7 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.229 102.1 102.1 -0.6 0.4 -0.5 1.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 119.6 120.6 3.4 0.0 0.8 0.6 0.8

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.993 164.6 166.9 4.5 -0.7 3.9 1.7 1.4

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.008 116.4 117.2 3.3 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.166 165.0 167.4 1.2 -1.1 3.5 1.9 1.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.600 167.9 170.5 1.7 -1.1 3.5 2.0 1.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.566 140.4 140.2 -5.2 -1.7 3.6 0.4 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 30.317 150.1 152.9 10.0 0.7 1.8 1.8 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.060 157.7 159.7 12.5 1.0 1.2 2.4 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 18.258 146.2 149.6 8.5 0.4 2.3 1.3 2.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.393 152.4 153.0 21.8 1.2 5.5 0.4 0.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 28.925 150.3 153.2 9.5 0.6 1.6 1.9 1.9

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.508 189.6 199.8 20.5 2.1 5.2 2.7 5.4

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.408 147.4 149.1 7.9 0.4 1.0 1.8 1.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.009 113.5 115.1 -0.3 -1.3 0.4 0.4 1.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 39.097 103.2 103.4 1.3 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.666 109.5 110.0 2.5 0.5 0.9 0.6 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.655 94.5 94.3 0.6 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.776 136.3 138.7 3.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 1.8

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.349 108.2 108.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.071 109.4 109.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.951 110.0 110.1 1.2 -0.1 0.5 0.2 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.856 109.2 108.4 -1.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 17.768 123.3 129.6 64.3 3.9 6.0 -0.9 5.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.706 137.7 144.3 4.0 0.2 2.3 1.3 4.8

Crop production................................. 111 1.230 145.4 152.7 -0.3 -0.1 2.6 1.4 5.0

Mining.............................................. 21 16.062 121.6 127.9 75.7 4.3 6.4 -1.1 5.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.515 128.9 127.8 -2.1 1.4 -1.0 -1.0 -0.9

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.741 108.9 109.5 3.9 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.179 107.6 107.9 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.525 121.2 121.9 3.3 0.6 1.0 1.2 0.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.931 108.8 108.6 1.8 0.3 0.5 0.6 -0.2

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.781 100.3 101.3 0.3 1.0 0.0 -0.1 1.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.990 100.7 101.0 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -1.0 0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.540 107.0 106.9 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.775 118.4 121.3 15.0 0.1 1.9 0.9 2.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.767 95.9 97.9 7.1 -0.4 -0.1 2.1 2.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.183 101.0 101.2 -6.4 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.042 123.4 131.0 89.0 -1.5 6.2 1.2 6.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.871 122.1 124.0 3.1 1.0 0.7 0.7 1.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.806 113.3 114.6 0.9 0.1 0.6 0.4 1.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.997 119.4 120.4 1.6 -0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.787 106.2 106.2 1.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.544 145.5 148.7 19.5 1.4 2.3 3.6 2.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.719 116.4 116.4 -2.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.885 113.2 112.1 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.3 -1.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.536 88.7 88.3 -1.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.890 112.9 113.2 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.605 106.2 106.2 1.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.374 108.2 108.2 -1.8 -0.7 -0.4 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.235 112.5 112.3 1.3 0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.664 127.2 131.5 7.5 3.0 3.9 3.5 3.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.755 143.6 148.1 3.5 0.5 6.1 2.6 3.1

Crop production................................. 111 4.412 148.1 152.3 3.4 0.7 6.3 2.7 2.8

Mining.............................................. 21 1.909 90.7 94.1 23.2 12.0 -3.1 7.0 3.7

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.343 93.5 96.9 14.5 3.2 0.2 1.0 3.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.734 109.9 110.5 2.7 -0.1 0.6 0.4 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.632 122.3 122.8 5.0 -0.7 0.8 0.6 0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.494 137.1 137.1 5.9 -1.2 1.0 0.6 0.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.542 107.7 107.7 4.1 0.9 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.380 102.4 102.4 0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.207 113.2 115.0 4.9 -0.5 1.7 0.7 1.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.443 109.0 109.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.929 112.4 113.4 0.6 0.9 0.2 1.3 0.9

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.460 113.2 121.9 27.1 0.7 9.8 0.3 7.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.411 115.0 115.5 3.2 -1.0 1.0 0.9 0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.114 107.4 106.6 -3.0 -0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.850 112.1 116.8 3.3 -0.2 0.2 0.2 4.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 60.896 107.5 107.5 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.827 138.0 139.4 16.4 3.0 2.6 4.3 1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.840 121.8 121.0 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.3 -0.7

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.730 112.9 113.3 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.043 92.9 92.6 -0.2 -0.9 0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.529 109.1 109.9 3.2 -0.2 1.0 0.9 0.7

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.406 110.0 110.6 1.6 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.5

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.155 110.5 108.8 -2.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -1.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.050 132.0 131.2 4.6 0.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.6

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.229 159.1 160.5 9.3 -1.3 1.7 0.8 0.9

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.549 100.2 99.1 -1.0 1.5 -0.4 -0.1 -1.1

Vegetable products................................ II 1.445 161.9 168.2 -2.1 -0.2 0.9 1.4 3.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.377 287.1 305.3 -11.8 0.4 1.4 -3.9 6.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.383 99.4 106.8 -4.7 2.9 -3.4 1.1 7.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.288 167.2 167.2 11.5 1.4 2.4 3.9 0.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.208 100.0 102.5 – – – – 2.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.298 139.3 140.5 4.1 0.3 1.0 0.8 0.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.212 100.0 103.2 – – – – 3.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.241 112.4 114.9 7.4 -1.9 1.0 0.5 2.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.285 126.8 130.6 -1.0 0.2 0.5 0.2 3.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.921 118.7 118.1 2.6 0.3 0.9 0.5 -0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 20.562 250.5 263.8 75.5 3.0 6.1 -0.6 5.3

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.188 100.0 100.7 – – – – 0.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.168 247.5 260.9 78.0 3.1 6.3 -0.6 5.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.191 135.5 137.0 4.3 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.883 250.0 247.4 28.3 10.9 2.8 2.0 -1.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.725 129.8 131.3 9.1 0.6 1.0 0.9 1.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.837 116.3 118.3 2.8 -0.1 1.0 1.0 1.7

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.322 100.0 104.7 – – – – 4.7

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.167 107.2 107.7 2.3 -0.5 -0.3 1.4 0.5

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.418 120.2 121.1 -0.7 0.9 -1.8 0.3 0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.489 90.5 91.5 -4.0 -0.1 0.2 0.3 1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.913 130.3 132.2 2.6 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.841 126.6 127.4 1.0 0.5 0.6 1.0 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.072 137.6 141.6 5.5 1.0 1.0 1.3 2.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.597 113.6 113.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.546 114.6 114.8 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.792 116.6 119.2 6.7 -0.6 -0.3 2.4 2.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.341 106.3 106.0 -6.0 0.3 0.9 0.5 -0.3

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.180 100.0 102.5 – – – – 2.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.889 101.9 100.9 -11.4 -0.3 0.2 0.6 -1.0

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.271 120.6 120.5 0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.5 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.010 102.3 102.8 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.8 0.5

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.915 97.3 98.1 -1.9 0.0 -0.2 -2.1 0.8

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.891 102.7 102.6 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.531 91.9 93.1 1.3 1.2 -0.1 0.2 1.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.238 107.4 107.2 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.052 106.4 106.2 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.901 124.6 124.6 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.320 117.9 118.0 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.282 139.9 139.9 5.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.299 115.9 115.6 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.759 155.8 155.5 17.7 3.0 2.1 4.1 -0.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.727 166.4 169.8 7.7 0.5 1.1 1.0 2.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.219 196.8 200.3 -4.4 1.1 1.7 -0.3 1.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.747 138.4 138.2 -9.9 1.0 0.4 0.2 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.667 316.8 332.7 91.3 1.1 2.5 4.7 5.0

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.156 100.0 99.2 – – – – -0.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.781 125.8 133.4 23.1 -1.8 1.6 2.3 6.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.368 117.6 118.1 -0.7 -0.3 0.1 0.6 0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.420 127.5 127.5 -3.3 -0.5 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.070 87.2 87.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.075 88.4 88.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.995 86.1 86.2 -0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.531 110.3 110.1 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.404 109.2 109.0 0.6 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.032 115.4 115.6 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.362 102.5 101.7 0.3 0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.8

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.043 100.1 99.3 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.8

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.238 125.0 124.7 2.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.946 107.1 107.3 -0.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.027 111.1 111.0 -1.7 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.718 100.9 101.0 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.201 117.1 119.7 6.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 2.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.607 153.2 154.5 -1.6 -2.0 0.7 1.3 0.8

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.894 123.2 122.2 0.8 -2.7 0.2 2.0 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.295 136.6 139.1 -8.4 -2.2 3.2 0.8 1.8

Vegetable products................................ II 4.453 186.6 191.7 0.3 -0.7 4.9 1.2 2.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.694 112.2 124.9 18.5 3.5 -3.0 4.0 11.3

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.800 193.1 196.4 -6.9 2.3 8.8 3.2 1.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.420 209.6 209.6 3.9 -6.0 5.4 0.0 0.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.291 100.0 103.0 – – – – 3.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.557 141.8 141.9 5.4 -0.7 1.0 0.9 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.338 100.0 100.8 – – – – 0.8

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.423 119.5 120.1 0.5 1.4 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.341 103.8 104.4 3.7 1.6 0.3 0.0 0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.629 198.8 196.9 8.1 -7.4 2.7 1.4 -1.0

Mineral products.................................... V 5.444 225.1 238.6 23.3 5.1 4.2 2.6 6.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.833 219.3 232.3 23.0 5.2 5.1 2.9 5.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.754 137.6 137.5 1.3 -0.9 1.1 1.0 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.004 168.6 164.2 -20.2 -5.9 0.4 0.7 -2.6

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.982 144.8 144.8 11.6 -1.4 3.0 1.5 0.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.905 117.5 118.7 2.2 -0.1 0.6 0.3 1.0

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.548 114.8 112.6 -0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.3 -1.9

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.752 127.0 123.8 -3.7 0.1 0.6 0.0 -2.5

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.442 117.5 117.1 -0.9 0.4 0.6 0.2 -0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 2.019 134.4 134.7 1.8 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.073 134.1 134.8 0.6 -1.0 0.1 0.3 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.121 128.1 128.0 0.5 -1.3 0.0 0.3 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.952 160.8 165.6 1.0 0.3 0.5 0.2 3.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.340 106.2 108.2 29.0 0.4 2.6 4.9 1.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.547 104.8 108.0 1.4 0.4 0.6 1.0 3.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.416 110.5 112.5 6.2 0.5 0.6 1.3 1.8

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.608 110.7 117.4 36.0 3.3 2.5 5.0 6.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.294 109.8 110.5 -2.1 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.6

Printed material.................................... 49 0.514 116.3 116.1 0.5 -1.8 0.6 0.0 -0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.960 109.2 109.9 5.8 2.0 3.4 0.1 0.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.603 114.3 115.6 25.0 6.6 11.1 0.4 1.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2009 to

January 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.801 114.5 118.2 2.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 3.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.429 97.6 100.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.797 196.9 196.8 19.9 2.8 2.7 5.4 -0.1

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.733 153.9 157.6 8.8 0.1 0.3 0.9 2.4

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.604 172.7 179.4 4.7 0.1 -1.3 0.2 3.9

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.543 157.6 157.8 -4.7 -0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.561 213.6 226.2 93.2 0.5 4.4 4.8 5.9

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.858 116.1 122.8 26.7 -0.4 1.2 2.1 5.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.421 123.8 123.9 1.8 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.316 122.3 122.4 -4.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 30.872 95.5 95.6 0.7 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.005 105.9 105.9 1.0 0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.867 84.1 84.5 0.6 -1.1 0.4 -0.1 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.443 120.0 120.6 1.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.5

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.693 107.8 107.9 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.299 100.0 100.1 – – – – 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.209 108.6 107.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -1.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.552 107.7 108.5 2.1 0.1 0.1 -0.6 0.7

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.769 117.6 117.3 1.5 0.3 0.2 -1.4 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.667 93.3 95.3 2.5 -0.2 0.1 0.1 2.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: January 2009 to January 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Sept. 2009

to Oct.

2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 124.0 125.6 6.1 1.0 1.3 0.6 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 199.0 212.3 45.1 6.6 8.6 1.7 6.7

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 118.0 118.7 2.8 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 122.1 124.0 13.7 0.7 1.1 0.0 1.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 248.2 258.9 68.7 3.3 5.3 -1.3 4.3

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 104.5 105.1 3.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.5 0.6

Canada............................................ 15.923 137.7 142.6 11.8 1.2 2.8 1.0 3.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 191.8 205.4 43.2 6.4 9.8 1.5 7.1

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 127.4 130.1 3.4 -0.2 0.7 0.7 2.1

European Union4

............................... 16.799 127.4 127.6 2.6 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 251.6 258.5 16.4 3.9 1.6 1.2 2.7

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 124.9 125.1 2.5 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 124.1 124.7 4.0 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.5

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 113.2 114.0 4.3 0.7 1.1 1.0 0.7

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 124.7 125.4 5.9 1.0 0.6 0.8 0.6

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 153.9 157.1 17.2 1.8 2.2 -0.4 2.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 273.2 285.5 54.2 3.3 5.4 -2.4 4.5

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 129.4 130.2 4.2 1.0 0.6 0.6 0.6

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 135.1 137.4 7.6 1.1 1.0 -1.1 1.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 142.8 150.8 53.3 4.6 5.1 -4.4 5.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 96.1 96.6 -1.7 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.5

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 100.3 100.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 100.6 100.3 -1.7 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.3

Japan.............................................. 6.678 97.8 97.8 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 86.4 87.3 0.6 -0.3 0.0 0.7 1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 97.5 97.1 1.1 -0.6 0.4 0.6 -0.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 198.7 205.4 57.2 3.4 1.3 -1.7 3.4

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: January

2009 to January 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Dec.

20091

Index Percent change

Dec.

2009

Jan.

2010

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 163.9 151.5 10.3 8.4 4.4 7.5 -7.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.974 140.7 138.4 4.8 2.1 1.4 2.1 -1.6

Asia.................................................... 71.679 150.9 135.7 12.6 11.7 5.5 10.1 -10.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 122.7 123.2 -5.9 -0.2 0.4 0.7 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 33.239 112.9 112.9 -9.1 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.0

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 147.3 141.0 5.2 5.8 4.1 5.0 -4.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.483 129.5 128.8 -0.8 1.4 1.0 1.4 -0.5

Asia.................................................... 67.506 136.0 127.5 9.0 8.7 5.7 7.1 -6.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 114.5 114.8 -8.3 0.4 0.8 1.1 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.908 131.6 132.0 -10.3 0.0 0.2 1.5 0.3

Asia.................................................... 42.381 105.1 105.7 -2.3 0.2 1.1 1.0 0.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 152.3 147.4 -0.7 6.4 0.5 3.3 -3.2

Europe................................................. 39.965 156.0 153.5 -0.8 8.6 0.0 -2.3 -1.6

Asia.................................................... 29.801 140.4 132.9 -1.2 4.1 -2.3 11.0 -5.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.816 146.6 130.8 3.1 2.3 8.2 12.6 -10.8

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 156.1 162.7 -1.3 -1.7 1.9 10.2 4.2

Europe................................................. 34.293 187.5 185.2 0.9 3.9 2.7 5.3 -1.2

Asia.................................................... 29.161 127.3 137.1 -7.7 -6.5 0.4 10.9 7.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.780 171.7 184.5 2.2 -1.0 3.6 16.1 7.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 

the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More detailed index series 

and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 

from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 

priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 

Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 

represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP 

Publications."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

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

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16