Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

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USDL-10-0645

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

U.S. import prices advanced 0.9 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

following a 0.5 percent increase the previous month. Higher prices for fuel and nonfuel imports contributed 

to the overall advance. Prices for U.S. exports also increased in April, rising 1.2 percent after a 0.7 percent 

advance in March. 

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

 Percent change 

1.1

1.7

2.7

-0.6

1.5

0.2

0.8

1.5

0.2

1.2

-0.1

0.5

0.9

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

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

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

 Percent change 

-16.4 -17.3 -17.5 -19.1

-15.3

-12.0

-5.6

3.4

8.6

11.4 11.3 11.3 11.1

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

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

All Imports: The price index for U.S. imports increased 0.9 percent in April, continuing the upward trend 

of the past year. The April advance followed a 0.5 percent rise in March and approximately 55 percent of 

the increase was attributable to higher fuel prices. Import prices rose 11.1 percent over the past 12 months, 

similar to the 11.3 to 11.4 percent year-over-year increases recorded in each of the three previous months. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices also continued to trend up in April, rising 2.3 percent after increasing 1.7 percent 

in March. The price index for import fuel jumped 54.3 percent for the year ended in April, partially 

reversing the 50.8 percent drop recorded for the April 2008-09 period. Both the April increase and the rise 

over the past 12 months were driven by higher petroleum prices which rose 3.3 percent in April and 58.7 

percent over the past year. A 15.1 percent decline in natural gas prices, which followed a 14.2 percent 

decrease in March, partially offset the higher petroleum prices in April. Despite the downward movement of 

the past two months, natural gas prices advanced 15.0 percent over the past 12 months. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices also contributed to the overall increase in import prices 

in April, rising 0.5 percent. The increase was driven by a 2.6 percent advance in nonfuel industrial supplies 

and materials prices, although higher prices for food and finished goods also contributed to the overall 

advance. The price index for nonfuel prices has not recorded a monthly decline since July 2009 and rose 3.2 

percent for the year ended in April after falling 3.8 percent for the April 2008-09 period. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

0.5

1.0

-0.3

0.6

-0.2

0.0

0.8 0.7 0.8

-0.3

0.7

1.2

0.4

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change 

-6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.2 -5.6

-3.6

0.4

3.4 3.5 3.4

4.9

5.7

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

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

All Exports: Export prices increased 1.2 percent in April after rising 0.7 percent the previous month. The 

April advance was led by higher nonagricultural prices and was the largest monthly increase since a 1.5 

percent rise in July 2008. The price index for U.S. exports rose 5.7 percent for the April 2009-10 period, the 

largest 12-month increase since a 7.0 percent advance between September 2007 and September 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices fell 0.7 percent in April following a 1.9 percent increase in 

March and a 3.9 percent decrease in February. In April, lower corn and wheat prices more than offset higher 

prices for fruits and nuts. Despite declining in two of the past three months, agricultural prices advanced 3.2 

percent over the past year, driven by rising prices for cotton, nuts, fruit and meat. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports rose 1.4 percent in April, the largest 

one-month jump for the index since monthly publication began in December 1988. Higher prices for 

industrial supplies and materials as well as an overall rise in finished goods prices each contributed to the 

advance. Nonagricultural export prices increased 6.0 percent for the year ended in April, following a 5.4 

percent decline for the April 2008-09 period. 

 

3
4

SELECTED APRIL HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials rose 2.6 percent in 

April, the largest one-month increase since a 3.2 percent advance in April 2008. The increase was driven by 

a 6.0 percent jump in unfinished metals prices. Higher prices for iron and steel mill products, steelmaking 

materials, copper, and precious metals all contributed to the increase in metals prices. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were up overall in April, led by a 0.1 percent uptick in the price 

index for capital goods and a 0.2 percent rise in prices for automotive vehicles. The increases were the first 

monthly advances for capital goods prices and automotive vehicle prices since April 2009 and November 

2009, respectively. Consumer goods prices were unchanged in April. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices increased 1.2 percent in April after a 1.5 

percent advance the previous month. Higher prices for meat, fish, coffee, and fruit, up 4.8 percent, 2.3 

percent, 7.6 percent, and 2.6 percent, respectively, more than offset a 2.7 percent decline in vegetable prices. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China rose 0.2 percent in April, the first monthly 

advance for the index since December. The price indexes for imports from Mexico, the European Union, 

and Canada also advanced in April, rising 1.2 percent, 0.2 percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 4.2 percent in April after advancing 5.3 

percent in March. Higher European, Asian, and Latin American/Caribbean fares all contributed to the 

overall increase. The price index for import air freight ticked up 0.1 percent in April. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials increased 3.4 percent in April. The widespread increase was led by a 5.1 percent 

advance in fuel prices, a 3.1 percent rise in chemicals prices, a 12.7 percent increase in steelmaking material 

prices, and a 2.7 percent advance in nonferrous metal prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices increased overall in April, led by a second consecutive 0.4 percent 

increase in capital goods prices and a 0.9 percent advance in consumer goods prices. The increase in capital 

goods prices was the largest since April 2009 and was primarily led by a 5.3 percent increase in the price 

index for computer peripherals, accessories, and parts. The rise in consumer goods prices was the largest 

monthly advance for the index since January 1992. In contrast, automotive vehicles prices edged down 0.1 

percent for the month. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 2.4 percent in April following a 1.7 percent 

advance the previous month. Higher Latin American/Caribbean fares and European fares more than offset 

lower Asian fares. Export air freight prices declined 0.2 percent in April after rising 0.5 percent in each of 

the previous two months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for May 2010 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 15, 

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

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 126.4 127.5 11.1 1.2 -0.1 0.5 0.9

All imports excluding petroleum................ 80.226 110.3 110.6 3.3 0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.594 113.7 114.3 3.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.732 147.4 149.1 7.3 1.3 -0.3 1.5 1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.693 165.8 167.6 8.6 1.9 -0.5 1.7 1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.039 105.6 107.2 3.0 -0.7 0.5 0.9 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.424 205.2 210.1 36.2 3.3 0.0 1.2 2.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.649 149.5 151.2 16.0 2.6 1.1 -0.7 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.017 163.9 168.1 16.4 1.6 1.1 0.6 2.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.827 158.3 164.0 22.6 1.8 1.5 0.4 3.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.190 139.0 136.3 7.9 3.8 0.4 -2.2 -1.9

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.407 263.1 269.1 54.3 4.4 -0.7 1.7 2.3

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 19.775 285.0 294.4 58.7 3.8 -0.8 2.7 3.3

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.634 291.8 301.4 59.6 3.0 -0.8 3.9 3.3

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.388 144.4 127.6 13.4 12.6 0.4 -11.3 -11.6

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.067 132.4 112.4 15.0 17.7 0.5 -14.2 -15.1

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.685 107.5 109.2 4.4 1.2 2.0 1.0 1.6

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.581 143.9 144.8 7.0 1.4 0.2 0.7 0.6

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.360 127.3 129.9 12.8 1.3 1.7 2.2 2.0

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.055 233.4 247.3 44.5 2.8 2.6 -0.1 6.0

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.787 142.2 145.7 10.0 0.9 -0.2 0.6 2.5

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.549 107.1 107.3 2.9 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.157 91.4 91.5 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.929 111.1 111.5 2.2 0.4 0.1 -0.6 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.230 85.9 85.9 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.998 121.5 121.5 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.9 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.027 108.2 108.4 0.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.661 104.5 104.5 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.483 109.0 109.0 0.6 0.6 -0.1 0.6 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.964 100.2 100.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.213 102.5 102.0 -0.7 0.0 0.3 0.1 -0.5

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

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

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 121.2 122.7 5.7 0.8 -0.3 0.7 1.2

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.812 163.4 162.3 3.2 1.3 -3.9 1.9 -0.7

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.187 118.2 119.9 6.0 0.7 0.1 0.7 1.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 7.987 163.5 162.2 -0.4 1.5 -3.9 1.6 -0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.406 165.8 164.1 -0.5 1.6 -4.4 1.7 -1.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.581 145.8 147.8 1.7 0.0 2.8 0.7 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 30.911 155.1 160.2 17.0 1.8 -0.3 1.8 3.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.102 160.4 165.5 16.4 1.3 0.1 0.4 3.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 18.809 152.7 157.8 17.4 2.2 -0.5 2.7 3.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.406 155.9 157.4 27.3 -0.3 -1.1 3.7 1.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 29.505 155.3 160.6 16.5 1.9 -0.2 1.6 3.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.628 196.3 206.3 31.5 5.5 -4.8 3.1 5.1

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.860 152.3 157.0 14.5 1.1 0.9 1.3 3.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.017 116.0 117.8 3.8 1.1 1.0 0.1 1.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 38.860 104.0 104.4 1.6 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.4

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.627 109.8 109.9 2.9 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.410 94.9 95.4 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.5

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.824 139.1 139.8 2.5 1.5 0.1 0.3 0.5

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.262 108.6 108.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.979 110.1 111.1 3.3 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.9

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.971 111.9 112.5 4.9 0.8 0.9 0.0 0.5

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.682 107.4 108.4 0.7 -1.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.9

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: April 2009 to April

2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.611 131.3 133.7 48.2 4.3 -0.6 2.3 1.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.794 147.3 149.9 9.2 4.4 -0.6 3.2 1.8

Crop production................................. 111 1.278 153.6 154.8 4.8 4.5 -1.4 2.5 0.8

Mining.............................................. 21 16.817 129.5 131.8 54.3 4.3 -0.6 2.2 1.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.519 131.9 133.8 3.6 -0.4 1.2 1.5 1.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.876 109.6 110.4 4.9 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.063 108.2 108.5 2.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.517 122.9 124.5 9.4 0.6 -0.2 1.0 1.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.919 109.3 109.2 2.1 0.0 0.5 0.0 -0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.769 100.5 100.7 1.9 0.7 0.0 -0.5 0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.952 101.5 101.5 -1.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.505 106.4 106.3 -1.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.961 121.6 123.3 14.0 2.1 0.1 0.6 1.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.828 105.3 108.3 21.5 2.4 2.8 4.1 2.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.195 103.7 104.9 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.6 1.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.125 128.1 133.8 54.0 5.1 -0.7 -0.5 4.4

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.930 125.0 125.4 5.7 1.3 0.0 1.1 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.788 114.1 113.7 0.7 0.8 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.990 120.5 120.8 1.4 0.8 0.2 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.852 106.1 106.7 2.6 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.6

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.724 153.8 162.0 35.5 2.7 2.3 0.3 5.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.678 116.6 117.3 0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.773 113.3 113.2 1.9 0.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.123 87.8 87.7 -1.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.808 112.3 112.7 0.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.5 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.290 105.5 105.7 0.8 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.321 105.7 105.8 -4.0 -0.8 -0.7 -0.6 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.135 112.2 112.2 1.5 -0.4 0.0 0.1 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

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

2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.500 125.8 126.6 6.6 3.2 -5.7 2.0 0.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.641 141.9 140.7 1.7 3.0 -7.4 3.6 -0.8

Crop production................................. 111 4.283 145.6 144.0 1.1 2.8 -8.0 3.9 -1.1

Mining.............................................. 21 1.859 89.5 93.6 24.1 3.5 -1.6 -1.6 4.6

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.401 98.8 104.9 18.5 3.3 -2.4 4.8 6.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.700 111.4 112.7 5.0 0.5 0.1 0.6 1.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.634 124.0 124.7 6.9 0.7 0.2 0.4 0.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.493 138.9 139.3 7.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.525 105.8 104.8 -0.6 0.1 -1.0 -0.8 -0.9

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.377 102.9 102.9 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.740 117.3 120.4 12.1 1.8 -0.2 2.0 2.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.448 111.8 115.0 8.5 0.8 1.8 -0.1 2.9

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.922 113.4 115.4 3.5 0.6 -0.2 0.4 1.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.623 120.1 127.7 41.3 7.3 -7.6 6.9 6.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.824 119.8 122.7 11.7 1.0 1.6 1.5 2.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.068 106.4 106.0 -2.4 -0.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.855 114.3 114.6 1.3 2.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 60.326 107.9 108.6 2.4 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.6

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.811 139.3 143.1 19.6 1.2 0.3 -0.5 2.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.775 120.6 121.6 0.3 -0.7 0.2 -0.5 0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.764 114.7 115.1 3.0 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.766 92.5 93.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3 0.2 0.8

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.498 109.6 109.9 3.0 0.6 0.2 -0.2 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.327 110.9 111.1 1.1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.022 109.1 110.4 1.3 -1.4 0.0 0.0 1.2

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

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

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.065 136.2 140.5 11.3 -0.4 0.3 3.2 3.2

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.247 174.2 179.3 24.3 1.4 3.3 4.2 2.9

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.547 101.5 104.3 5.0 -0.8 0.2 1.8 2.8

Vegetable products................................ II 1.494 170.3 172.5 3.7 3.6 -0.9 2.5 1.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.441 341.4 328.9 -2.2 6.3 -2.7 14.9 -3.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.403 106.3 112.2 11.0 7.4 0.2 -0.7 5.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.273 160.9 172.7 17.6 -1.2 -1.3 -1.3 7.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.212 103.8 104.4 – 2.4 -2.8 4.3 0.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.273 140.1 140.3 5.0 1.0 0.0 -0.4 0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.208 100.0 100.2 – 3.2 -1.0 -2.2 0.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.237 112.4 114.5 8.3 2.0 -1.3 -0.7 1.9

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.288 130.5 129.7 4.4 3.0 0.2 -0.2 -0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.906 118.8 118.7 2.6 -0.3 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 21.373 264.9 270.8 52.3 4.4 -0.7 1.7 2.2

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.186 100.5 102.2 – 1.0 -0.7 0.2 1.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.970 261.8 267.7 53.6 4.4 -0.7 1.6 2.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.277 139.3 139.4 7.7 1.4 0.4 1.2 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.957 275.6 268.9 36.9 -1.1 5.0 6.2 -2.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.749 133.3 134.0 9.5 1.5 0.0 1.3 0.5

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.825 117.8 117.7 4.2 1.5 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.323 105.0 106.0 – 7.5 -4.8 2.6 1.0

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.173 113.3 113.3 8.9 2.5 2.0 -0.5 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.406 118.9 120.4 2.6 0.5 -0.7 -0.9 1.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.496 93.3 94.2 3.5 1.1 1.5 0.4 1.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.938 133.7 134.5 5.3 1.2 0.7 0.8 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.830 128.0 128.8 2.2 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.108 144.7 145.6 11.2 2.0 1.1 2.1 0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.588 113.9 113.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.3

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

various materials................................ 42 0.552 114.8 114.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.850 127.3 131.4 20.3 2.2 2.9 3.8 3.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.339 107.9 108.7 -0.6 0.1 1.0 0.4 0.7

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.197 111.2 115.0 – 3.2 5.0 2.6 3.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.876 102.0 102.4 -6.7 -0.5 0.5 0.1 0.4

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.266 120.2 120.0 0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.954 102.9 103.1 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.900 98.2 98.4 -1.4 0.6 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.873 103.4 103.4 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.524 92.3 92.3 2.1 0.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.208 106.6 106.5 -1.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.025 105.5 105.4 -1.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.884 124.3 124.3 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.315 118.0 118.0 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.278 139.9 139.9 3.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.292 115.0 115.0 -2.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.696 154.9 158.0 16.5 -0.2 0.3 -0.6 2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.914 174.8 182.1 21.3 2.2 1.9 0.6 4.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.344 220.7 234.8 28.0 2.4 4.2 5.1 6.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.775 143.1 145.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 1.5 1.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.671 324.2 348.3 75.4 3.8 1.2 -2.5 7.4

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.170 111.2 130.4 – -0.8 8.5 3.3 17.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.812 133.1 139.6 38.6 6.0 2.2 -2.3 4.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.363 117.8 118.0 0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.411 127.2 127.2 -2.3 0.0 0.5 -0.7 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.498 86.8 86.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.815 88.1 88.2 0.7 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.683 85.5 85.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.253 109.5 109.7 0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.159 108.5 108.8 0.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.001 113.8 113.9 -1.5 0.2 0.0 -1.6 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.267 101.3 101.3 -0.2 -1.0 0.2 -0.3 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.960 99.0 99.0 -0.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.228 122.3 122.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -1.9 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.853 106.4 106.3 -1.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.959 109.3 109.3 -3.2 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.694 101.2 100.7 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.200 118.7 118.7 2.7 1.6 -0.2 0.1 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

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

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.692 163.5 164.1 5.1 1.6 3.0 1.7 0.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.953 133.1 133.4 8.4 0.8 4.3 2.8 0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.319 150.1 152.9 3.4 2.5 4.7 1.6 1.9

Vegetable products................................ II 4.268 181.2 177.3 -5.0 2.8 -8.4 3.0 -2.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.763 124.9 133.3 31.7 11.8 -1.0 0.4 6.7

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.686 183.3 170.9 -15.7 1.9 -9.7 3.0 -6.8

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.306 195.3 192.6 -4.0 0.0 -9.7 3.2 -1.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.297 102.8 108.5 – 2.7 -2.7 2.9 5.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.469 138.8 138.1 1.5 0.1 -1.1 -1.1 -0.5

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.342 102.5 103.4 – 0.9 1.3 0.3 0.9

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.416 119.0 119.1 0.4 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.340 104.8 104.9 5.1 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.554 177.2 172.2 -8.6 -0.8 -5.0 -5.3 -2.8

Mineral products.................................... V 5.542 232.2 245.1 35.1 5.8 -5.0 2.9 5.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.919 226.2 238.7 37.3 6.0 -5.4 3.2 5.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.073 143.2 146.3 8.8 0.9 1.7 1.3 2.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.001 170.3 174.1 -9.9 -1.1 0.8 0.6 2.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.062 150.6 157.8 17.6 0.9 1.2 1.8 4.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.994 122.7 123.9 8.2 2.7 1.5 0.2 1.0

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.537 113.9 116.2 3.8 -1.8 1.1 0.0 2.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.721 123.3 124.0 1.8 -2.2 0.6 -1.3 0.6

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.429 115.3 116.5 2.6 -1.4 0.3 -0.8 1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 2.068 139.4 140.8 8.4 1.8 0.7 1.5 1.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.055 135.4 138.7 7.5 -0.7 0.8 0.8 2.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.091 128.8 132.8 7.4 -1.6 1.3 0.9 3.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.964 165.1 164.9 8.6 2.9 -0.8 0.5 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.370 117.0 120.7 55.7 2.3 3.9 3.4 3.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.557 108.2 110.1 6.3 2.2 1.6 -0.6 1.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.461 114.0 115.5 8.7 1.6 0.3 1.2 1.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.674 124.2 126.5 41.2 6.0 2.0 3.8 1.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.281 110.2 111.8 -0.6 0.4 -0.5 0.5 1.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.506 116.1 116.6 1.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.4

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.990 112.4 114.2 13.0 0.4 -0.3 2.8 1.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.645 123.8 127.9 43.5 0.4 -0.7 8.6 3.3

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Mar.

2010 to

Apr. 2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.808 117.1 117.4 1.5 2.6 -0.3 -0.1 0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.432 99.7 99.7 -0.4 2.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.754 197.7 203.4 20.8 0.4 0.1 -0.2 2.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.913 160.8 167.2 18.2 2.5 0.6 1.3 4.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.744 190.2 206.4 32.2 4.6 2.8 2.4 8.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.515 156.7 158.2 -3.5 -0.3 0.3 -0.4 1.0

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.596 230.1 241.0 71.7 4.9 -3.7 6.6 4.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.899 123.2 128.8 36.9 6.3 0.0 -0.2 4.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.416 124.2 124.2 1.9 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.318 124.4 124.5 2.0 0.1 0.9 0.7 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 30.702 96.2 96.5 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.005 107.3 108.2 2.9 0.4 0.2 0.7 0.8

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.697 84.1 83.9 -1.1 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.377 121.0 121.4 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.613 108.2 108.4 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.295 100.1 100.1 – 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.988 106.1 105.9 -0.7 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.534 107.9 108.1 1.2 0.8 -0.1 -0.6 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.762 118.1 118.6 1.9 -0.2 0.0 0.6 0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.657 93.2 93.2 0.3 2.0 0.0 -2.1 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

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

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Jan. 2010

to Feb.

2010

Feb. 2010

to Mar.

2010

Mar. 2010

to Apr.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 125.7 126.1 7.9 1.3 0.3 -0.2 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 210.2 206.7 40.9 5.5 2.1 -1.8 -1.7

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 118.9 119.6 4.8 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.6

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 124.3 125.7 11.9 1.3 -0.4 0.9 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 260.6 268.7 47.7 3.6 -1.6 3.2 3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 105.2 105.7 3.7 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.5

Canada............................................ 15.923 143.3 143.4 16.1 3.6 0.8 -0.4 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 205.2 201.3 43.4 6.1 2.2 -1.7 -1.9

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 131.0 132.0 8.7 2.6 0.3 0.0 0.8

European Union4

............................... 16.799 128.1 128.4 3.7 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 248.9 254.0 26.9 -1.2 0.7 0.0 2.0

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 125.6 125.9 3.5 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 121.1 121.2 1.2 0.0 -2.0 -0.4 0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 112.8 112.8 4.2 0.8 -0.5 -0.6 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 125.5 125.5 5.8 0.2 -0.2 0.6 0.0

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 158.0 160.7 17.7 2.2 -0.8 1.2 1.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 287.6 295.9 41.0 4.3 -2.2 2.9 2.9

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 130.8 132.3 8.2 1.0 -0.2 0.3 1.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 138.0 139.6 9.2 1.7 -1.1 1.2 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 154.4 159.8 41.4 5.9 -4.2 5.1 3.5

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 96.5 96.9 1.3 0.4 -0.3 0.3 0.4

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 100.2 100.5 1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 100.1 100.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Japan.............................................. 6.678 98.1 97.8 1.7 0.1 -0.1 0.3 -0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 87.0 87.2 2.7 0.9 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 95.7 96.2 0.7 -0.5 -0.1 -1.0 0.5

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 206.6 211.6 31.1 2.3 1.4 0.0 2.4

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: April 2009

to April 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Mar.

20101

Index Percent change

Mar.

2010

Apr.

2010

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2009

to Apr.

2010

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Jan. 2010

to Feb.

2010

Feb. 2010

to Mar.

2010

Mar. 2010

to Apr.

2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 156.6 156.8 19.6 -4.4 -0.3 0.3 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.540 132.0 132.0 8.5 -1.6 -1.0 -3.6 0.0

Asia.................................................... 71.441 144.0 144.3 23.7 -5.6 -0.6 1.8 0.2

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 124.3 124.0 1.2 0.2 0.5 0.5 -0.2

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.591 114.7 114.5 1.1 0.0 0.2 1.1 -0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 143.6 143.4 14.3 -2.2 -0.6 0.3 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.797 123.6 123.1 4.3 -0.5 -1.1 -3.0 -0.4

Asia.................................................... 66.771 132.2 132.2 19.5 -3.1 -0.6 0.9 0.0

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 117.8 118.1 2.3 0.8 0.9 1.1 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.956 135.5 137.2 2.3 1.7 0.6 0.5 1.3

Asia.................................................... 42.564 108.6 107.8 4.0 0.7 1.3 1.3 -0.7

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 149.8 156.1 17.3 -3.2 -3.5 5.3 4.2

Europe................................................. 42.354 162.6 171.0 28.7 -1.6 -3.6 9.9 5.2

Asia.................................................... 27.272 126.4 130.9 6.6 -5.3 -7.6 2.9 3.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.024 135.9 145.8 20.9 -10.8 1.1 2.7 7.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 160.1 164.0 20.4 1.0 -0.2 1.7 2.4

Europe................................................. 33.479 199.8 204.5 32.7 -0.6 5.8 1.4 2.4

Asia.................................................... 30.990 147.7 146.6 24.7 6.0 3.6 5.7 -0.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.378 161.8 168.4 10.7 2.7 -9.6 1.4 4.1

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

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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