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

U.S. import prices declined 1.2 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

driven by a drop in fuel prices. The December decrease followed a 0.5-percent fall the previous month. 

Prices for U.S. exports also decreased in December, declining 1.1 percent, after a 0.7-percent drop in 

November. 

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, January 14, 2016 

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

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

USDL-16-0041
2

All Imports: Overall import prices fell 1.2 percent in December, the largest monthly drop for the index 

since a 1.8-percent decline in August. While most of the December decrease was attributable to falling fuel 

prices, nonfuel prices continued to trend down as well. Import prices fell 8.2 percent in 2015, the largest 

calendar-year decline since the index fell 10.1 percent in 2008. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices decreased 9.5 percent in December, following a 3.5-percent drop in November. 

The December decline was the largest 1-month fall in the index since a 12.7-percent decrease in August and 

was led by a 10.0-percent drop in petroleum prices. Natural gas prices also declined in December, falling 

6.8 percent. The price index for import fuel decreased 40.5 percent in 2015, after a 29.1-percent drop the 

previous year. The decline over the past 12 months was the largest calendar-year decrease in fuel prices 

since the index fell 47.0 percent in 2008. For the year ended in December, petroleum prices declined 41.3 

percent and natural gas prices decreased 43.3 percent. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports fell 0.3 percent in December and have not 

recorded a monthly advance since the index rose 0.1 percent in July 2014. Lower prices for nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and each of the major finished goods 

categories all contributed to the overall drop in nonfuel prices. The price index for nonfuel imports declined 

3.4 percent over the past year, the biggest calendar-year drop since the index was first published in 2001. 

 

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

 
3

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports decreased 1.1 percent in December, the largest 1-month drop 

since a 1.4-percent decline in August. In December both agricultural and nonagricultural prices contributed 

to the overall decline. Prices for U.S. exports decreased 6.5 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year drop 

since the index was first published in 1983. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports decreased 1.0 percent in December, following a 0.9-

percent decrease in November. Nut prices, which fell 4.0 percent in December after a 6.1-percent decline 

the previous month, were the largest contributor to both the December and November drops in overall 

agricultural prices. In December, falling prices for wheat, corn, and meat also factored into the decrease. 

Agricultural export prices fell 13.0 percent over the past year, the third consecutive calendar-year decline 

and the largest since the index was first published in 1985. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices fell 1.0 percent in December, after a 0.7-

percent decline the previous month. In December, lower prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials, capital goods, and consumer goods all contributed to the overall drop in nonagricultural prices. 

Prices for nonagricultural exports decreased 5.9 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year decline since the 

index was first published in 1985. 

 

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SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China edged down 0.1 percent in 

December and has not recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.1 percent in December 2014. 

Import prices from China declined 1.7 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year decrease since the index 

fell 1.8 percent in 2009. Prices for imports from Japan declined 0.1 percent in December and 2.9 percent 

over the past year. The drop over the past 12 months followed decreases of 1.4 percent in 2014 and 3.4 

percent in 2013. Import prices from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico also declined in December, 

falling 2.8 percent, 0.4 percent, and 0.7 percent, respectively. All three indexes were impacted by falling 

fuel prices. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices decreased 1.2 

percent in December, following a 0.8-percent decline the previous month. Both drops were driven by lower 

unfinished metals prices which fell 3.3 percent in December and 2.6 percent in November. 

 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods areas declined in December. Prices for capital goods 

declined 0.3 percent, and the price indexes for both consumer goods and automotive vehicles edged down 

0.1 percent. Capital goods prices fell 2.5 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month drop since the 

index declined 2.6 percent in November 2002 and the biggest calendar-year decrease since the index 

declined 2.7 percent in 2001. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Import foods, feeds, and beverages prices edged down 0.1 percent for the 

second consecutive month in December. The December decline was led by lower prices for meat and food 

oils which more than offset rising prices for vegetables and fruits. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 0.6 percent in December, following increases 

of 3.7 percent in November and 5.2 percent in October. The December decrease was driven by an 11.6-

percent drop in European fares. Overall air passenger fares fell 9.9 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year 

drop since the index was first published in 1989. Import air freight prices decreased 2.7 percent in 

December and 2.6 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

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

materials declined 3.1 percent in December, led by an 8.6-percent drop in export fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in December. Capital goods prices declined 0.2 

percent in December. Prices for consumer goods fell 0.4 percent for the month, and 2.4 percent over the past 

12 months. The decrease in 2015 was the largest calendar-year decline since the index was first published in 

1983. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 4.1 percent in December, the largest 

increase since the index rose 8.3 percent in December 2014. Despite the advance, export air passenger fares 

declined 15.0 percent in 2015, the largest calendar-year drop since the index was first published in 1987. 

The price index for export air freight edged down 0.1 percent in December and increased 0.4 percent over 

the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2016 are scheduled for release on Friday, February 12, 2016 

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

December 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 120.8 119.4 -8.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.5 -1.2

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.750 98.6 98.3 -3.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 91.547 111.2 110.8 -3.7 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 90.803 115.3 114.9 -3.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.053 172.8 172.7 -5.2 -0.7 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.702 190.9 190.5 -5.5 -0.7 -1.4 0.1 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.351 131.7 132.4 -4.0 -0.6 0.4 -0.7 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 22.414 155.9 148.8 -25.4 -4.2 -0.7 -1.9 -4.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 13.961 140.4 138.5 -12.5 -0.8 -1.0 -0.9 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.217 159.2 157.3 -11.1 -1.0 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.747 146.0 143.5 -12.6 -0.8 -0.5 -1.0 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.469 133.3 132.0 -12.3 -0.7 -1.8 -0.7 -1.0

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 9.198 151.3 136.9 -40.5 -8.4 -0.4 -3.5 -9.5

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 8.454 162.2 146.0 -41.3 -9.4 -0.2 -3.6 -10.0

Crude........................................ 10000 5.972 160.8 142.0 -42.9 -9.8 1.6 -5.5 -11.7

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.553 94.3 89.8 -35.2 4.7 -2.6 -3.4 -4.8

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.390 77.4 72.1 -43.3 6.6 -3.6 -4.7 -6.8

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.608 109.5 108.5 -3.8 0.0 -0.6 0.3 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.932 152.8 152.0 -9.5 -1.4 -1.8 -0.5 -0.5

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.224 134.6 134.1 -4.6 -1.7 -0.2 1.3 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.035 183.7 177.6 -22.4 -0.9 -0.6 -2.6 -3.3

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.697 147.0 145.2 -7.5 -0.7 -0.7 -0.6 -1.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.721 108.7 108.5 -2.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Capital goods................................... 2 28.223 90.1 89.8 -2.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.436 116.9 116.6 -2.9 0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 22.270 82.6 82.3 -2.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.516 137.0 136.9 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.783 110.6 110.5 -1.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 27.527 107.1 107.0 -0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.155 119.1 119.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.855 95.3 95.0 -1.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.517 117.1 118.5 -0.5 -0.6 0.2 0.2 1.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to

December 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 121.2 119.9 -6.5 -0.6 -0.2 -0.7 -1.1

Agricultural commodities....................... 8.735 177.3 175.6 -13.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.9 -1.0

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 85.030 98.7 98.3 -3.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 91.265 116.9 115.7 -5.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.7 -1.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.111 178.9 177.0 -13.3 -1.4 0.5 -0.9 -1.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.441 179.5 177.4 -13.9 -1.5 0.4 -0.9 -1.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.670 180.1 179.4 -5.6 0.0 2.0 -0.7 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 29.535 141.7 137.6 -15.4 -1.5 -0.8 -2.0 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.709 150.4 147.6 -10.5 -0.1 -0.1 -1.4 -1.9

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 18.825 137.9 133.1 -17.9 -2.3 -1.1 -2.3 -3.5

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.294 169.0 169.9 -6.9 -1.0 -1.7 -1.6 0.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 28.241 140.9 136.5 -15.7 -1.5 -0.8 -1.9 -3.1

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 6.859 150.5 137.6 -32.6 -5.1 -1.2 -3.5 -8.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.384 149.0 146.9 -9.1 -0.3 -0.6 -1.6 -1.4

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.998 113.8 114.7 -5.4 -0.9 0.3 0.5 0.8

Capital goods................................... 2 39.045 107.2 107.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.911 113.1 112.9 -2.2 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 26.666 94.7 94.5 -0.9 0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.467 162.0 161.9 2.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.487 113.6 113.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.822 112.0 111.6 -2.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.682 107.7 107.2 -3.9 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.5

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.473 110.0 109.6 -1.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to

December 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 8.707 83.3 76.7 -35.6 -6.5 0.5 -3.9 -7.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.081 172.9 175.7 -5.2 0.4 -2.6 0.9 1.6

Crop production............................... 111 1.686 184.8 190.2 -3.3 0.8 -1.4 0.5 2.9

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.206 81.2 75.9 -24.1 -1.8 -11.4 4.5 -6.5

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.107 60.3 58.6 -14.0 -0.6 -6.8 -1.6 -2.8

Mining............................................ 21 6.626 72.3 64.4 -42.2 -8.5 1.5 -5.4 -10.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.211 96.8 96.6 -18.1 -0.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured articles............................ 91.015 109.5 108.9 -4.7 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 12.254 123.3 122.8 -2.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.337 148.8 147.4 -7.6 -1.2 -1.1 -0.3 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.128 118.1 118.0 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.412 99.7 99.5 -3.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.906 111.0 110.8 -2.6 0.0 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.502 111.6 111.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.968 124.5 124.4 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.319 117.0 115.8 -10.4 -1.8 -1.4 0.2 -1.0

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.722 111.4 110.7 -7.6 -2.6 -0.5 1.8 -0.6

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.120 106.6 106.1 -4.7 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.338 78.9 74.2 -37.1 -8.9 -5.4 1.5 -6.0

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.673 131.0 130.6 -5.0 -0.7 -0.9 -0.2 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.248 118.6 118.4 -2.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 1.008 130.2 130.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 61.442 104.0 103.5 -3.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 3.717 124.7 120.6 -20.8 -1.1 -0.5 -2.3 -3.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.077 124.2 123.9 -2.7 0.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.419 118.3 117.8 -2.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 18.168 77.5 77.3 -2.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.829 116.8 116.2 -2.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.972 109.8 109.6 -1.5 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.628 115.5 115.0 -0.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.632 119.1 118.8 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to

December 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.001 120.7 119.6 -18.7 -2.7 -1.2 -3.3 -0.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.132 155.9 153.9 -10.6 -2.5 1.7 -1.6 -1.3

Crop production............................... 111 3.895 161.8 159.5 -10.8 -2.6 1.7 -1.6 -1.4

Mining............................................ 21 1.869 61.1 61.2 -32.0 -3.2 -6.7 -6.9 0.2

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.113 79.4 76.8 -19.2 -2.4 -2.1 -1.0 -3.3

Manufactured articles............................ 92.646 111.9 110.8 -5.4 -0.4 -0.4 -0.5 -1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.867 134.1 133.5 -12.0 -0.4 -1.2 -0.6 -0.4

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.661 150.3 149.2 -15.0 -0.5 -1.3 -0.7 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.580 106.9 108.0 -4.7 -1.4 -2.0 0.3 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 23.682 107.8 104.8 -13.2 -1.5 -0.5 -1.3 -2.8

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.914 122.6 122.3 -2.9 1.6 -0.2 -0.9 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 4.634 87.9 77.9 -35.9 -5.6 -1.1 -3.3 -11.4

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.196 116.2 115.2 -7.6 -0.7 -0.6 -1.1 -0.9

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.277 116.6 116.3 -1.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.848 112.6 112.7 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 62.097 111.4 111.0 -1.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.613 131.2 127.2 -10.8 1.2 0.2 -2.1 -3.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.113 129.9 129.8 1.2 0.0 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.875 125.5 125.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.532 85.0 84.7 -2.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.808 113.1 112.8 -1.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 18.045 121.7 121.7 0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.395 110.1 110.2 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.715 122.4 122.0 -1.7 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to

December 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.343 179.9 177.0 -10.7 -1.2 -2.9 0.4 -1.6

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.312 224.9 218.3 -14.4 -0.6 -6.4 0.9 -2.9

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.703 128.4 129.6 -5.3 -1.1 0.9 -1.4 0.9

Vegetable products............................... II 2.023 200.8 207.5 -2.6 2.0 -1.2 0.0 3.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.612 498.6 527.8 9.1 11.1 -5.9 0.0 5.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.497 95.0 97.5 0.0 -2.8 3.4 0.3 2.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.362 226.6 230.8 -11.3 -1.5 -0.7 -0.9 1.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.272 102.5 97.7 -10.4 -3.3 0.1 -0.4 -4.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.882 159.9 159.3 -1.9 -0.4 -0.4 0.1 -0.4

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.181 85.3 84.6 -7.7 0.1 -0.8 0.4 -0.8

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.271 115.9 115.6 5.1 2.6 -1.7 1.7 -0.3

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.289 132.1 132.0 -1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.339 154.8 154.8 -7.5 -2.1 -0.3 1.4 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.094 128.1 128.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Mineral products.................................. V 9.102 151.8 137.4 -40.5 -8.4 -0.5 -3.7 -9.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 8.863 148.8 134.3 -41.1 -8.6 -0.5 -3.8 -9.7

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.890 146.1 145.7 -4.3 -0.6 -0.7 -0.1 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.656 283.8 277.9 -18.0 -1.0 -1.4 -1.3 -2.1

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.493 120.6 120.5 -8.4 -2.4 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.669 138.1 138.0 2.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.328 91.6 92.4 -19.9 -1.6 -8.9 0.0 0.9

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.210 98.0 97.8 -7.1 0.9 -1.5 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.573 90.4 89.8 -2.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.442 138.3 137.8 -5.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.4

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.235 142.2 142.0 -4.9 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.207 133.0 132.0 -6.8 -0.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.742 127.0 127.0 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.702 130.0 130.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.751 135.9 135.3 -6.9 -2.3 -0.4 1.8 -0.4

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.712 93.2 92.8 -7.2 -2.4 -0.4 1.9 -0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.190 111.0 110.5 -2.5 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.791 104.9 104.9 -1.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.653 113.9 113.7 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

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

December 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.279 104.0 104.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 2.039 119.7 119.5 -0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.655 105.1 104.9 -2.5 0.4 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.561 123.6 123.4 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.357 122.7 122.5 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.933 132.1 131.5 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.1 -0.5

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.278 138.0 137.8 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.328 130.0 128.9 -0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.8

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 3.027 163.7 159.5 -7.8 0.7 0.8 -0.9 -2.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.125 156.7 155.0 -14.1 -1.3 -1.2 -1.4 -1.1

Iron and steel.................................... 72 0.994 160.3 157.6 -27.4 -1.6 -3.6 -3.9 -1.7

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.686 143.8 143.1 -6.8 -0.6 -1.0 -0.5 -0.5

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.428 257.7 251.4 -19.6 -4.8 1.3 -0.7 -2.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.711 122.2 121.4 -14.5 -1.3 -0.9 -1.5 -0.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.454 126.2 125.9 -2.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.7 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.539 137.9 137.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 30.533 81.9 81.7 -2.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.516 87.0 86.7 -2.6 0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 15.017 77.0 76.9 -2.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.246 114.3 114.2 -1.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.869 112.9 112.8 -1.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.281 119.7 119.7 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 4.017 103.1 102.9 -1.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.684 99.9 99.7 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.268 141.0 140.0 -2.3 -0.1 -0.6 0.3 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.157 112.4 112.1 -1.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.508 117.1 116.6 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.382 103.8 103.8 -1.9 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.267 134.0 134.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2014 to

December 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.793 183.1 180.8 -21.9 0.6 -2.0 -0.4 -1.3

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.042 141.0 139.2 -25.0 1.1 -2.9 -0.4 -1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.395 199.1 198.5 -6.2 0.0 1.2 -1.1 -0.3

Vegetable products............................... II 3.917 200.1 196.2 -12.9 -2.6 2.0 -0.8 -1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.162 175.6 169.5 -9.6 -1.2 2.3 0.6 -3.5

Cereals............................................ 10 1.008 193.3 185.4 -18.6 -1.3 7.9 -1.3 -4.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.304 188.1 188.8 -14.9 -7.2 0.1 -2.9 0.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.197 90.9 91.3 -12.7 -1.6 -1.2 -0.3 0.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.935 149.3 148.9 -8.4 -1.3 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.415 118.3 118.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.518 107.9 107.2 -3.2 -1.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.692 201.2 199.8 -17.9 -3.6 -3.4 -1.1 -0.7

Mineral products.................................. V 6.626 170.1 155.8 -34.0 -4.7 -2.2 -3.9 -8.4

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.416 72.1 70.2 -24.8 -2.4 -3.8 -1.9 -2.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 6.026 163.4 148.7 -35.3 -5.0 -2.2 -4.2 -9.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.944 139.6 138.7 -5.4 -0.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.916 183.0 183.4 5.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.2

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.839 136.3 135.7 -12.5 -3.1 -0.9 -0.9 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.639 110.3 109.2 -4.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.2 -1.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.810 135.5 135.5 1.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.490 112.7 112.2 -4.3 0.3 -0.5 0.3 -0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.939 150.6 148.6 -3.6 1.8 0.1 -0.7 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.115 137.1 135.9 -8.4 -0.1 -1.3 -1.4 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.165 132.6 131.3 -8.7 -0.1 -1.4 -1.6 -1.0

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.950 156.1 155.0 -7.4 -0.7 -0.6 -0.5 -0.7

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.369 119.3 119.3 -22.0 0.6 -2.9 -4.4 0.0

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.204 68.8 68.8 -31.2 1.7 -4.8 -5.8 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.625 95.5 96.5 -3.5 -0.9 0.6 1.1 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.295 122.6 122.0 -3.2 0.9 0.0 -0.7 -0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.637 122.9 121.5 -6.3 3.3 -0.3 -2.8 -1.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.238 122.6 121.6 -2.6 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.8

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.420 99.2 100.4 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 1.2

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.808 120.1 120.5 -3.5 -0.6 -0.7 -0.7 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

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

December 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.460 116.2 115.9 -5.3 -1.3 -1.3 -1.2 -0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.848 122.5 122.6 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.437 99.2 99.4 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.694 223.7 218.2 -7.9 1.3 0.4 -1.4 -2.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.044 143.6 141.7 -11.3 -0.7 -0.7 -1.5 -1.3

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.085 141.4 137.4 -23.2 -1.4 -1.9 -4.1 -2.8

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.452 161.3 150.2 -25.6 -0.8 -0.3 -3.4 -6.9

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.809 103.6 103.6 -16.9 -2.8 -0.7 -2.7 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.344 148.6 148.3 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.694 96.5 96.3 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.920 113.1 112.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.774 78.4 78.3 -2.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 15.044 131.0 131.0 0.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.333 115.0 114.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.389 107.3 107.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.528 110.9 111.1 0.3 0.4 0.5 -0.6 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.875 123.9 124.2 1.4 0.2 0.6 -0.6 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.495 89.8 90.1 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: December 2014 to December 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2014

to Dec.

2015

Aug. 2015

to Sept.

2015

Sept. 2015

to Oct.

2015

Oct. 2015

to Nov.

2015

Nov. 2015

to Dec.

2015

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 116.9 115.5 -8.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.2 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles................... 7.253 121.3 110.1 -33.9 -7.6 6.2 -0.8 -9.2

Manufactured articles........................ 92.371 116.2 115.6 -5.1 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 118.8 117.4 -8.5 -1.0 -0.4 -0.7 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles................... 9.679 170.7 157.7 -35.5 -5.9 -0.7 -4.8 -7.6

Manufactured articles........................ 90.103 103.7 103.2 -4.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.5

Canada.......................................... 100.000 118.1 114.8 -14.8 -3.0 0.3 -0.1 -2.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 20.813 115.9 104.6 -34.5 -7.7 6.6 -0.8 -9.7

Manufactured articles........................ 78.591 123.0 121.7 -7.9 -1.7 -1.1 0.1 -1.1

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 132.3 131.8 -3.9 -1.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.4

Manufactured articles........................ 99.424 128.9 128.4 -3.7 -1.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.4

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 121.3 121.1 -1.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 116.8 116.2 -1.6 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 120.8 120.1 -5.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 139.9 137.8 -11.2 -1.2 -0.7 -1.3 -1.5

Nonmanufactured articles................... 16.519 189.7 179.3 -30.7 -3.4 1.1 -5.9 -5.5

Manufactured articles........................ 83.087 120.7 119.9 -6.2 -0.7 -1.1 -0.3 -0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 127.1 126.2 -6.3 -0.8 -0.4 -0.4 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 8.902 105.2 99.8 -30.9 -6.3 1.8 -4.6 -5.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 90.781 89.7 89.4 -3.1 -0.2 -0.7 0.1 -0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 99.5 99.3 -2.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 102.0 101.9 -1.7 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.2 95.1 -2.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 85.4 85.1 -3.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.4

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 98.1 97.8 -3.6 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 145.0 135.5 -32.6 -7.2 -2.7 -1.8 -6.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2014 to December 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20151

Index Percent change

Nov.

2015

Dec.

2015

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2014 to

Dec.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct. 2015

Oct. 2015

to Nov.

2015

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 167.3 162.8 -2.6 -2.2 5.0 0.8 -2.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 22.635 145.4 140.4 -15.7 -0.3 -0.4 -1.2 -3.4

Asia.................................................. 66.343 153.4 148.9 2.5 -3.3 8.0 2.0 -2.9

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 156.7 156.5 0.4 -0.6 -0.3 0.4 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 33.037 149.4 149.8 6.2 -0.7 -0.5 0.3 0.3

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 155.8 153.0 -3.6 -0.9 2.6 0.6 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 25.363 137.8 135.0 -10.1 -0.3 -0.6 0.0 -2.0

Asia.................................................. 60.921 142.2 139.2 -2.0 -2.3 4.6 1.3 -2.1

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 145.1 144.6 -5.1 -0.6 -2.3 0.1 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 31.639 157.0 157.8 -8.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.9 0.5

Asia.................................................. 43.857 136.5 134.9 -6.2 -0.6 -4.6 0.4 -1.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 195.6 194.4 -9.9 -4.5 5.2 3.7 -0.6

Europe............................................... 44.683 232.6 205.6 -9.9 3.9 3.8 5.1 -11.6

Asia.................................................. 21.884 141.2 159.9 -7.2 -7.7 5.1 -0.7 13.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.225 149.3 170.5 -8.4 -9.2 0.1 0.2 14.2

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 154.0 160.3 -15.0 -11.5 -1.4 -0.4 4.1

Europe............................................... 32.543 211.7 199.3 -11.7 -0.3 -3.4 2.6 -5.9

Asia.................................................. 27.664 132.7 139.4 -14.6 -23.0 0.4 -1.0 5.0

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 22.287 154.5 164.2 -17.8 -13.5 2.4 1.4 6.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a 2-year lag in the 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

industry. In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output industry, not input 

industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products manufacturing) include 

outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum. The NAICS classification 

structure also matches the classification system used by the Producer Price Index (PPI) to produce the 

NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry. The index for crude 

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

Services Price Indexes - Starting in September 2008, the import air passenger fares indexes represent 

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

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

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

flyer tickets generally. Starting in January 2008, the export air passenger fares indexes represent changes 

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

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

consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the import air passenger fares indexes and excluded from 

the export air passenger fares indexes. The air freight indexes are calculated from data collected directly 

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

the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground transportation or 

port service. The air freight indexes are presented using two definitions: balance of payments (which 

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

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

each services industry are available at www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP Publications."
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Import Indexes by Locality of Origin - Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

for the import price indexes. Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 

revisions take place. For example, data first published in the January release will be subject to revision 

in the releases for February, March, and April. 

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

sector of the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) constructed by the Department of 

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

services, balance of payments indexes are used for deflating NIPA, while international indexes are more 

appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also can be used to study U.S. 

competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or 

region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis. 

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

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

 

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

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

mxpinfo@bls.gov. 

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

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