U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – DECEMBER 2014 

The price index for U.S. imports fell 2.5 percent in December following a 1.8-percent drop in November 

and a 1.4-percent decline in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Each of the 

monthly decreases was driven by lower fuel prices. U.S. export prices declined 1.2 percent in December, 

after decreasing 0.8 percent the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2013 – December 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2013 – December 2014

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, January 14, 2015 

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

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

USDL-15-0016
2

All Imports: U.S. import prices fell 2.5 percent in December, the largest 1-month decline since a 4.6-

percent drop in December 2008. Import prices have not recorded a monthly advance since rising 0.3 percent 

in June and fell 7.3 percent over the second half of 2014. The price index for imports decreased 5.5 percent 

overall in 2014, the largest calendar-year drop since falling 10.1 percent in 2008. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices declined 15.1 percent in December following an 8.7-percent decrease in 

November and a 6.7-percent drop in October. The December decrease was led by a 16.6-percent decline in 

petroleum prices which more than offset a 15.3-percent increase in natural gas prices. Overall fuel prices fell 

28.6 percent in 2014, the largest calendar-year decrease since a 47.0-percent drop in 2008. Petroleum prices 

decreased 30.1 percent for the year ended in December while prices for natural gas declined 1.6 percent 

over the same period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports edged down 0.1 percent in December, 

after falling 0.3 percent the previous month. The December drop was driven by lower prices for consumer 

goods, nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, and capital goods which more than offset rising foods, 

feeds, and beverages prices. Overall nonfuel prices recorded no change in 2014 following a 1.2-percent 

decline the previous year. In 2014, lower prices for capital goods, automotive vehicles, and nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials offset higher foods, feeds, and beverages prices and prices for consumer 

goods. 

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 2013 – December 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2013 – December 2014 

 Percent change

All Exports: Prices for overall exports declined 1.2 percent in December following a 0.8-percent decrease 

in November and a 0.9-percent drop in October. In December, both agricultural and nonagricultural export 

prices contributed to the 1.2-percent decrease, which was the largest monthly decline since the index fell 1.7 

percent in June 2012. The price index for U.S. exports decreased 3.2 percent in 2014, the largest calendaryear drop since the index declined 3.4 percent in 1998. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports decreased 0.7 percent in December, after 

rising 0.4 percent the previous month. The December drop was led by a 4.6-percent decline in meat prices 

and a 3.4-percent decrease in soybean prices. Agricultural export prices fell 4.9 percent in 2014, driven by 

lower prices for soybeans and corn. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices fell 1.2 percent in December following a 1.0-

percent drop in November and a 0.7-percent decline in October. The December drop was led by declining 

prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and consumer goods. The price index for 

nonagricultural exports decreased 2.9 percent in 2014, the largest calendar-year decline since the index was 

first published in March 1985. The 2014 drop was driven by a 24.2-percent decrease in export fuel prices. 

 

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4

SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China recorded no change for the fourth 

consecutive month in December and edged down 0.1 percent over the past 12 months. The decline over the 

past year followed a 0.7-percent decrease in 2013 and a 0.6-percent drop in 2012. Import prices from Japan 

fell 0.5 percent in December, the largest 1-month drop since the index fell 0.8 percent in April 2013. The 

price index for imports from Japan declined 1.4 percent in 2014, after decreasing 3.4 percent in 2013. Prices 

for imports from Canada fell 4.7 percent in December, while import prices from Mexico declined 1.5 

percent. Each index was led by falling fuel prices. The price index for imports from the European Union 

also declined in December, dropping 0.4 percent. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices fell 0.2 

percent in December. The decline was led by lower prices for iron and steel mill products, industrial organic 

chemicals, and aluminum which more than offset a 3.7-percent upturn in gold prices. 

 

Finished Goods: The major finished goods areas mostly declined in December. Prices for consumer goods 

decreased 0.2 percent, capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent, and prices for automotive vehicles were 

unchanged. Despite recording no change in December, automotive vehicle prices fell 0.8 percent in 2014, 

after declining 1.4 percent the previous year. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices increased 0.9 percent in December, 

driven by a 14.9-percent advance in vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 7.9 percent in December following a 1.0-

percent advance in November and a 2.4-percent rise in October. The December increase was led by a 16.2-

percent rise in Asian fares. Overall import air passenger fares advanced 2.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

In contrast, import air freight prices fell 1.8 percent in December and declined 5.6 percent in 2014. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices fell 3.5 percent in December, after declining 2.6 percent in November. The decrease was primarily 

led by a 10.4-percent drop in export fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices decreased 0.2 percent in December while the price indexes for 

capital goods and for automotive vehicles each recorded no change. In 2014, the major finished goods 

categories were mostly up. Capital goods prices rose 0.7 percent and prices for automotive vehicles 

advanced 0.5 percent. In contrast, consumer goods prices decreased 0.6 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 7.9 percent in December, after declining 5.0 

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

the December advance. Despite the December increase, overall export air passenger prices declined 2.3 

percent in 2014. The price index for export air freight decreased 1.7 percent in December and increased 5.7 

percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2015 are scheduled for release on Friday, February 

13, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2013 to

December 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 133.6 130.2 -5.5 -0.8 -1.4 -1.8 -2.5

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 77.835 101.7 101.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 84.365 115.1 115.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 83.415 119.1 119.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.580 181.0 182.6 3.8 0.2 1.1 -0.5 0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.267 199.1 202.3 5.3 -0.3 1.2 -0.4 1.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.313 139.9 137.8 -0.8 1.4 0.6 -1.1 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 29.924 218.9 200.4 -17.3 -2.3 -4.3 -5.3 -8.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.290 158.0 158.9 -0.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.9 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.340 177.7 177.3 -0.7 -0.3 -0.7 -0.8 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.974 164.3 164.2 -1.6 -0.4 -1.8 -1.2 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.366 150.0 151.9 0.1 -0.6 0.9 -0.3 1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 16.583 272.6 231.5 -28.6 -3.6 -6.7 -8.7 -15.1

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 15.633 299.8 250.0 -30.1 -3.7 -7.1 -9.1 -16.6

Crude........................................ 10000 11.850 309.5 251.9 -30.9 -4.2 -6.6 -9.3 -18.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.773 127.2 142.9 -1.9 -1.7 -1.1 -1.7 12.3

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.625 114.5 132.0 -1.6 -2.4 -1.1 -2.0 15.3

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.557 112.7 112.8 -1.0 -0.6 -0.3 -0.2 0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.880 169.8 169.0 0.6 -0.4 1.1 -0.2 -0.5

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.076 140.6 140.6 -1.3 0.3 -0.7 -0.6 0.0

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.528 229.0 228.7 -2.9 -0.5 -3.5 -2.1 -0.1

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.707 157.1 157.1 0.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.8 0.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.592 111.8 111.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Capital goods................................... 2 25.918 92.1 92.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.151 120.3 120.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 20.741 84.6 84.5 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.026 136.6 136.7 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 14.045 112.4 112.4 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 24.532 108.0 107.8 0.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 11.933 118.9 118.8 2.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 11.355 96.9 96.7 -1.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.244 120.5 119.0 1.6 0.2 0.0 -0.5 -1.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: December 2013 to

December 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 129.6 128.1 -3.2 -0.4 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.589 203.8 202.4 -4.9 -1.6 -2.2 0.4 -0.7

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 82.356 101.6 101.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.410 124.2 122.7 -2.9 -0.2 -0.7 -1.0 -1.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.867 206.2 204.3 -4.2 -1.5 -2.1 0.3 -0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.231 208.5 206.7 -4.4 -1.6 -2.3 0.4 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.636 188.2 186.2 -1.8 0.1 -0.4 -1.8 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 32.226 167.6 162.0 -9.0 -0.7 -1.9 -2.6 -3.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.041 165.1 164.8 -3.5 -0.9 -1.4 -1.6 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 21.185 169.9 161.4 -11.8 -0.6 -2.2 -3.0 -5.0

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.358 182.8 183.6 -8.0 -1.6 -1.3 -0.2 0.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 30.868 167.3 161.4 -9.0 -0.6 -1.9 -2.6 -3.5

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 8.776 224.4 201.1 -24.2 -0.6 -4.6 -6.1 -10.4

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 21.094 163.0 161.7 -1.9 -0.6 -0.8 -1.2 -0.8

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.998 121.7 121.3 -4.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

Capital goods................................... 2 37.241 107.2 107.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.766 115.3 114.9 0.3 0.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 26.223 95.2 95.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 7.252 158.0 158.3 4.1 0.2 0.9 0.0 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 9.707 114.2 114.2 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 11.958 114.5 114.3 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.497 111.3 111.8 -2.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 0.4

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.046 111.1 111.0 -0.7 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: December 2013 to

December 2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 14.874 140.3 120.7 -25.3 -3.5 -5.0 -8.1 -14.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 1.927 182.1 187.4 7.4 0.1 4.1 -1.7 2.9

Crop production............................... 111 1.486 191.4 199.2 10.2 0.6 5.5 -2.1 4.1

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.125 67.9 68.1 -24.9 -5.2 -5.0 -1.3 0.3

Mining............................................ 21 12.947 135.4 113.1 -29.2 -3.9 -6.1 -9.0 -16.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.248 118.0 117.9 -9.6 -0.5 -3.4 -0.2 -0.1

Manufactured articles............................ 84.750 114.8 114.1 -1.4 -0.3 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 11.035 126.3 126.1 1.6 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.219 160.1 159.6 2.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.8 -0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.980 117.4 117.2 2.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.376 103.3 103.2 1.6 0.0 0.7 -0.1 -0.1

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.796 114.2 113.7 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 3.932 112.2 112.2 1.4 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.0

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.733 123.9 124.1 1.9 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.515 131.6 128.7 -5.3 -0.7 -1.8 -1.8 -2.2

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.644 119.7 119.7 -2.0 0.5 -1.1 -0.9 0.0

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.023 110.9 111.3 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.4

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 323 0.195 99.6 99.1 -0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 3.399 129.2 115.5 -27.7 -2.3 -10.0 -8.0 -10.6

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.365 137.9 137.4 2.8 -0.4 0.9 -0.1 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.013 122.0 122.3 -1.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.875 130.7 130.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 56.200 107.3 107.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.198 152.8 152.5 -1.6 -0.7 -2.6 -1.7 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.806 127.6 127.4 0.9 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.118 120.3 120.1 -0.7 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 16.500 79.4 79.2 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.295 119.4 119.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 14.962 111.2 111.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.423 116.6 116.1 1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 4.896 121.4 120.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: December 2013 to

December 2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.751 146.4 147.1 -8.3 -1.5 -3.5 2.2 0.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.501 171.9 172.2 -11.1 -1.9 -4.4 2.1 0.2

Crop production............................... 111 4.289 178.5 178.9 -10.4 -2.0 -4.6 2.4 0.2

Mining............................................ 21 2.250 89.0 90.1 -2.2 -0.6 -1.8 2.7 1.2

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.323 95.9 95.1 -6.0 -1.0 -1.6 -0.1 -0.8

Manufactured articles............................ 91.380 118.4 117.0 -2.8 -0.2 -0.7 -0.9 -1.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 7.271 154.0 152.4 0.7 -0.9 -0.6 -0.6 -1.0

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 5.165 179.1 176.5 1.8 -1.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.510 112.2 115.3 -7.2 -1.5 -2.4 4.0 2.8

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 316 0.293 104.7 102.8 2.8 -1.0 -1.0 -1.0 -1.8

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 25.475 125.4 120.5 -10.1 -0.4 -1.8 -2.5 -3.9

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.478 125.8 125.8 2.1 0.8 -0.3 0.9 0.0

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.886 125.8 126.0 2.6 -0.7 0.4 0.0 0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 6.289 138.0 119.5 -31.0 -0.6 -5.7 -8.1 -13.4

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.527 126.5 125.2 -2.6 -0.4 -0.5 -0.8 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.218 119.0 118.7 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.785 112.0 112.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 58.634 112.3 112.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.552 141.2 142.2 -3.3 -1.3 -2.6 -2.3 0.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.776 127.9 128.3 -2.6 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 12.057 124.3 124.4 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 13.957 86.7 86.6 -1.6 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.569 114.7 114.2 0.5 -0.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.140 120.6 120.6 2.0 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.377 109.3 109.7 2.2 -0.3 0.6 0.0 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.206 125.1 124.1 1.7 0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: December 2013 to

December 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.390 201.3 197.9 5.3 0.4 0.0 -1.1 -1.7

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.326 262.8 253.1 13.6 -0.2 -2.9 -1.5 -3.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.719 139.4 137.1 -3.8 1.5 1.1 -1.7 -1.6

Vegetable products............................... II 1.761 204.5 215.2 6.3 0.5 4.3 -1.7 5.2

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.459 414.7 498.1 26.8 4.5 19.5 -7.1 20.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.418 99.6 97.8 -12.8 -2.1 -4.2 4.5 -1.8

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.377 257.3 261.2 15.6 0.3 3.7 -2.4 1.5

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.252 112.2 109.3 -5.1 -5.5 1.4 -0.3 -2.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.621 161.8 162.2 2.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.6 0.2

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.176 90.2 92.3 5.6 -1.2 -0.6 0.1 2.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.253 110.9 109.5 9.0 -0.1 1.5 -6.6 -1.3

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.259 133.6 133.6 2.2 0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.314 166.2 167.3 3.5 0.8 -2.0 0.7 0.7

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.993 127.9 127.7 1.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 16.456 274.1 232.6 -28.6 -3.6 -6.9 -8.6 -15.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 16.204 271.2 229.5 -28.8 -3.6 -7.0 -8.8 -15.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.518 152.6 151.7 2.2 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.700 340.4 338.6 9.3 1.7 6.1 2.5 -0.5

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.456 133.1 131.4 -3.8 -0.7 -0.9 -0.7 -1.3

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.504 133.9 133.5 6.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.347 115.1 116.8 10.9 2.3 7.6 -1.5 1.5

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.189 106.1 105.7 12.3 0.0 0.9 -0.1 -0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.484 93.1 93.2 -2.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.265 146.6 146.6 -1.3 -0.6 0.3 0.1 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.117 150.6 150.3 1.9 -0.5 0.7 0.1 -0.2

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.148 141.2 141.8 -6.5 -0.8 -0.6 0.2 0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.642 127.8 128.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.598 130.2 130.4 2.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.675 145.1 145.2 -2.0 0.4 -1.0 -0.9 0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.081 113.0 113.2 -1.0 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 0.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.714 106.8 106.9 -0.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Printed matter (Dec. 2013=100)............... 49 0.202 99.6 100.6 0.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 1.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 4.970 115.2 115.0 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 1.943 104.1 104.0 1.2 1.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2013 to

December 2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.809 120.5 120.5 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.572 107.7 107.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.395 122.7 122.8 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.203 122.0 122.1 1.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.809 133.3 132.8 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.4

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 68 0.268 126.7 127.2 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.4

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.249 141.5 139.3 -1.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 -1.6

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.292 129.5 129.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.614 172.3 172.9 -3.0 -1.2 -3.2 -2.2 0.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.559 182.1 181.0 0.5 0.2 -0.9 -0.5 -0.6

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.309 219.5 216.5 -0.7 0.6 -0.6 -1.5 -1.4

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.772 155.8 155.4 1.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.439 315.7 312.2 -6.5 -1.7 -2.2 -1.5 -1.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.774 144.0 142.0 5.7 0.6 -1.7 1.1 -1.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.410 129.0 129.0 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.467 137.9 137.9 1.6 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 28.099 83.9 83.7 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 14.629 89.1 88.9 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 13.470 79.0 78.8 -1.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 12.525 115.3 115.2 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 11.464 114.0 113.8 -0.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 0.956 120.2 120.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.560 103.9 103.9 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.248 100.7 100.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.252 143.4 143.1 1.0 -0.2 -1.5 1.7 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 3.724 114.0 114.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.175 118.7 118.8 1.5 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.307 105.7 105.8 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.242 134.9 134.6 -3.0 -0.1 0.7 -0.7 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: December 2013 to

December 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 2.267 244.6 232.2 2.7 -1.2 0.1 -1.5 -5.1

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.388 195.8 185.6 10.3 -2.2 1.2 -1.2 -5.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.369 206.6 203.7 -0.2 0.6 -1.5 -1.5 -1.4

Vegetable products............................... II 4.269 222.8 225.6 -7.8 -1.5 -3.4 2.1 1.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.191 180.1 188.9 7.5 4.5 10.0 -5.3 4.9

Cereals............................................ 10 1.031 220.3 227.7 -6.9 -2.7 -5.6 6.3 3.4

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.623 228.3 221.8 -18.1 -5.0 -12.3 6.0 -2.8

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.233 103.9 104.6 -10.2 -4.5 -1.7 -1.5 0.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.879 161.4 163.0 -1.7 -0.5 -1.2 0.0 1.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.356 117.5 117.5 3.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.501 112.1 110.8 -1.6 -0.2 -0.7 2.0 -1.2

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.649 231.9 245.8 -7.5 -1.5 -4.0 -0.3 6.0

Mineral products.................................. V 8.549 259.0 233.5 -24.7 -0.6 -4.7 -5.6 -9.8

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.455 95.4 93.4 2.6 -1.4 -2.4 -0.1 -2.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 7.910 253.7 226.8 -26.5 -0.5 -4.9 -6.0 -10.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.944 148.0 147.0 -2.6 -0.4 -0.5 -0.7 -0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.892 170.7 174.8 -0.7 -0.1 1.0 -1.1 2.4

Organic chemicals............................... 29 3.195 163.0 157.0 -2.5 -1.2 -1.3 -1.2 -3.7

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.590 113.6 114.5 -5.3 -0.5 -0.9 -0.7 0.8

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100).................... 31 0.306 83.4 83.4 10.3 -0.2 -2.5 -0.8 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.721 133.0 133.0 -2.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.461 116.9 116.8 -3.8 0.4 0.3 -1.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.790 152.8 153.7 -1.3 0.9 0.1 -0.2 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.288 149.5 148.2 -0.8 -0.1 0.0 -1.0 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.311 144.8 143.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.9 -0.9

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.977 168.8 167.9 -3.5 -0.7 0.0 -1.6 -0.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.457 158.2 154.0 3.0 -0.3 -0.7 -1.2 -2.7

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.348 125.6 125.9 2.9 -1.0 0.4 -0.2 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.697 129.0 129.6 2.5 -1.6 -0.5 -0.2 0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.206 124.7 124.9 3.5 -1.3 0.9 -0.2 0.2

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.853 126.5 125.0 -5.0 -0.7 -0.7 -1.1 -1.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.531 127.2 122.1 -15.0 -2.3 -1.0 -2.3 -4.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.762 120.1 120.3 1.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.390 98.5 98.9 1.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2013 to

December 2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct.

2014

Oct.

2014 to

Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.288 235.8 236.7 -1.7 -1.3 -2.6 -2.4 0.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.324 160.9 159.5 -3.6 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0 -0.9

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.395 182.8 178.0 -5.0 -1.2 2.4 -3.4 -2.6

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.558 206.5 200.4 -14.3 -2.0 -8.4 0.2 -3.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.884 124.6 124.7 3.9 -0.1 -1.2 0.1 0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.417 140.6 141.5 3.1 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.319 147.1 147.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 28.428 97.2 97.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.303 113.3 113.1 1.3 0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.125 79.8 79.8 -1.5 -0.2 -0.6 -0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.797 130.1 130.2 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.980 115.3 115.2 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.154 107.6 107.6 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.452 110.8 110.8 0.9 -0.4 0.5 -0.4 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.807 122.5 122.5 1.0 -0.7 1.1 -0.7 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.488 89.6 89.5 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: December 2013 to December 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2013

to Dec.

2014

Aug. 2014

to Sept.

2014

Sept. 2014

to Oct.

2014

Oct. 2014

to Nov.

2014

Nov. 2014

to Dec.

2014

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 128.5 126.1 -2.9 -1.0 -1.0 -1.1 -1.9

Nonmanufactured articles................... 11.019 206.0 178.7 -16.8 -1.9 -4.1 -6.2 -13.3

Manufactured articles........................ 88.444 122.2 121.6 -1.1 -1.0 -0.5 -0.3 -0.5

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 131.8 127.9 -7.0 -0.9 -1.5 -1.9 -3.0

Nonmanufactured articles................... 17.183 284.1 242.6 -28.2 -3.8 -5.7 -8.2 -14.6

Manufactured articles........................ 82.578 108.4 107.8 -1.8 -0.1 -0.5 -0.5 -0.6

Canada.......................................... 100.000 144.2 137.4 -6.7 -1.0 -1.5 -2.6 -4.7

Nonmanufactured articles................... 29.384 199.1 171.8 -16.6 -1.9 -4.2 -6.1 -13.7

Manufactured articles........................ 69.776 133.6 132.3 -2.3 -0.6 -0.4 -1.0 -1.0

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 137.4 136.8 0.3 -1.6 -0.5 0.5 -0.4

Manufactured articles........................ 99.385 133.7 133.2 0.4 -1.5 -0.4 0.5 -0.4

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 123.2 122.8 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 118.5 118.1 0.7 -0.5 0.5 -0.4 -0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 127.0 126.8 -1.8 -0.2 -0.9 -2.8 -0.2

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 161.7 155.8 -9.2 -1.2 -1.7 -2.4 -3.6

Nonmanufactured articles................... 25.363 301.2 263.8 -26.5 -3.6 -4.5 -8.0 -12.4

Manufactured articles........................ 74.248 128.6 127.8 -2.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 137.5 135.4 -4.0 -0.6 -1.1 -1.0 -1.5

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 14.693 166.5 150.1 -21.1 -2.7 -3.9 -6.9 -9.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 85.057 92.4 92.3 -0.6 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 102.0 101.8 -1.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.7 103.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Japan............................................ 100.000 98.4 97.9 -1.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.5

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 88.6 88.4 -1.6 0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 101.9 101.6 -3.1 -1.4 0.2 -0.3 -0.3

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 228.6 197.8 -21.9 -2.8 -6.4 -6.2 -13.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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 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: December

2013 to December 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20141

Index Percent change

Nov.

2014

Dec.

2014

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2013 to

Dec.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Sept.

2014 to

Oct. 2014

Oct. 2014

to Nov.

2014

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 170.2 167.2 -5.6 -0.6 -1.3 -1.3 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.687 169.1 165.2 -7.9 -1.6 -2.7 -1.5 -2.3

Asia.................................................. 69.046 148.4 146.0 -4.9 -0.3 -0.8 -1.3 -1.6

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 158.5 155.8 5.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 35.888 142.9 141.1 6.7 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -1.3

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 161.8 158.8 -3.6 -0.6 -0.8 -0.8 -1.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 26.812 152.6 149.5 -4.7 -1.3 -1.8 -1.4 -2.0

Asia.................................................. 63.409 145.5 142.4 -3.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.7 -2.1

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 152.7 152.2 3.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 33.589 172.1 172.1 5.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Asia.................................................. 47.068 144.6 143.8 3.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 199.9 215.7 2.7 -0.3 2.4 1.0 7.9

Europe............................................... 47.681 226.6 228.3 4.5 3.5 2.3 2.8 0.8

Asia.................................................. 24.791 148.3 172.3 -0.2 -7.2 1.4 -0.9 16.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.318 168.4 186.2 -0.7 -5.5 4.5 -1.6 10.6

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 174.1 187.8 -2.3 -12.0 -3.0 -5.0 7.9

Europe............................................... 28.039 216.6 228.4 5.7 -2.1 -1.1 -6.4 5.4

Asia.................................................. 29.888 152.3 163.0 0.1 -23.6 -3.3 0.8 7.0

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 18.961 180.8 199.4 -5.0 -4.6 0.2 -1.8 10.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three 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 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."
16 

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

data may be revised in each of the 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). 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.