Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-09-0033 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- DECEMBER 2008 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index declined 4.2 percent in December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of 

the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, following decreases in each of the previous four months. 

Export prices also fell for the fifth consecutive month, declining 2.3 percent in December after a 3.4 

percent drop the previous month. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices fell 4.2 percent in December and have fallen 21.7 percent overall since July. 

Continued lower prices for both petroleum and nonpetroleum prices in December contributed to the 

decrease. Overall, import prices fell 9.3 percent in 2008, the first year the index declined since a 9.1 

percent drop in 2001. The 2008 decrease was also the largest calendar year decline since the index was 

first published in 1982. 

Petroleum prices fell sharply for the fifth consecutive month, decreasing 21.4 percent in 

December after falling 55.5 percent over the previous four months. Despite increasing 51.6 percent over 

the first seven months of 2008, petroleum prices finished the year down 47.0 percent for the December 

2007-2008 period. That decline was the largest calendar year decrease since the index was first 

published in 1982 and followed a 48.1 percent increase in 2007. 

Nonpetroleum prices also decreased for the fifth consecutive month in December and the index 

declined 4.9 percent overall since July. In December, the index fell 1.1 percent after a 1.8 percent 

decrease in November. 

The December decline in nonpetroleum prices was primarily led by a second consecutive 5.1 

percent decrease in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials. Falling prices for 

unfinished metals and chemicals were the largest contributors to the declines in each of the past two 

months. Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices fell 1.1 percent over the past year, led 

primarily by declining metals prices. 

Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles also contributed to the December 

decrease in nonpetroleum prices, falling 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Despite the declines, 

both indexes rose over the past year. Capital goods prices increased 0.3 percent in 2008, while prices 

for automotive vehicles advanced 0.7 percent. 

In contrast, the price indexes for foods, feeds, and beverages and consumer goods prices both 

rose in December, increasing 2.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. The December advance in 

foods, feeds, and beverages prices was driven by higher prices for vegetables and fruit, which more than 

offset lower meat prices. Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 5.7 percent for the 2008 calendar year, 

while the price index of import consumer goods increased 2.2 percent. 

Export Goods 

Export prices fell 2.3 percent as both agricultural and nonagricultural prices declined in 

December. Prices for exports were down 7.5 percent in the last quarter of 2008, the largest three-month 

decrease since the index was first published in 1983. Export prices declined 3.2 percent in 2008, the 

first calendar year drop since 2001 and the largest since 1998. 

Agricultural products fell for the third consecutive month, decreasing 6.5 percent in December 

after a 7.3 percent drop the previous month. Falling prices for corn, soybeans, meat, and wheat were the 

largest factors leading the December decline. The price index for agricultural exports fell 11.6 percent 

in 2008, the largest calendar year decrease since the index was first published in 1985, following an 

increase of 23.3 percent in 2007 which was the largest calendar year increase since the index was first 

published. 

2
Nonagricultural prices declined 1.9 percent in December and 2.3 percent in 2008. The annual 

decrease was the first calendar year drop for the index since 2001. In December, the decrease was led 

by a 6.0 percent decline in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Lower 

prices for fuels, metals, and chemicals all contributed to the decrease. Nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials prices fell 9.6 percent for the December 2007-2008 period. 

 Prices for each of the major finished goods categories also decreased in December, although the 

indexes all rose overall in 2008. Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles both declined 

0.2 percent in December, while the price index for consumer goods fell 0.3 percent. In 2008, capital 

goods prices rose 0.7 percent, automotive vehicle prices 1.2 percent, and consumer goods prices 1.1 

percent. 

Summary of December-to-December Percent Changes 

 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

All Commodity Imports 7.0 3.2 -9.1 4.2 2.4 6.7 8.0 2.5 10.6 -9.3

 Excluding Petroleum 0.0 1.3 -4.5 0.3 1.2 3.7 2.4 1.9 3.0 0.9

 Petroleum 137.2 17.6 -39.5 56.9 12.8 30.3 42.4 5.3 48.1 -47.0

All Commodity Exports 0.5 1.1 -2.5 1.0 2.2 4.0 2.8 4.5 6.0 -3.2

 Excluding Agricultural 1.2 0.9 -2.5 0.4 1.3 5.0 2.6 3.7 4.5 -2.3

 Agricultural -6.8 3.1 -1.8 8.0 13.4 -5.9 4.9 13.5 23.3 -11.6

Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Prices of imports from China fell 0.4 percent in December after a 0.5 percent decline in 

November. Despite the recent decreases, import prices from China advanced 3.1 percent in 2008 after 

rising 2.4 percent in 2007, the first calendar year increase for the index which was first published in 

2003. 

Import prices from Canada fell for the fifth consecutive month, declining 3.2 percent in 

December following a 7.2 percent drop the previous month. Falling fuel prices continued to lead the 

decrease. The index fell 5.6 percent in 2008, the largest calendar year decline since an 11.7 percent drop 

in 2001. The price index for imports from the European Union also decreased for the fifth consecutive 

month in December, falling 1.7 percent. Despite the recent declines, the index ticked up 0.2 percent 

over the past year. 

In contrast, prices of imports from Japan and from Mexico each rose in December, increasing 0.2 

percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. The price index for imports from Japan increased 1.8 percent in 

2008, the largest calendar year advance since the index rose 2.8 percent in 1995. Import prices from 

Mexico fell 5.0 percent in 2008, led by lower petroleum prices. 

3
Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares edged down 0.3 percent in December after a 5.0 percent decline in 

November. The December decrease was driven by a 10.2 percent drop in European fares which more 

than offset rising prices for Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. The index of import air 

passenger fares increased 16.2 percent overall for the December 2007-2008 period. In contrast, export 

air passenger fares advanced 0.8 percent in December as a 3.8 percent increase in Asian fares and a 3.0 

percent rise in Latin American/Caribbean fares more than offset a 2.5 percent fall in European fares. 

Export air passenger fares rose 2.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

The price index of import air freight declined 1.8 percent in December, led by a 6.8 percent 

decrease in European air freight prices. The drop followed decreases of 4.1 percent, 3.3 percent, and 3.2 

percent, respectively, over the previous three months. Despite those declines, the index advanced 0.8 

percent in 2008. Export air freight prices fell 2.7 percent in December, the fourth consecutive monthly 

decline for the index. However, for the year ended in December, export air freight prices rose 6.8 

percent. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 6 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 8 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 9-10 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 11-12 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 13 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 14 

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

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2009 are scheduled for release on February 18, 2009 at 

8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.). 

4
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to

December 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 120.6 115.5 -9.3 -3.6 -5.9 -7.0 -4.2

All imports excluding petroleum................ 84.795 111.1 109.9 0.9 -1.0 -0.8 -1.8 -1.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 82.767 113.9 112.6 1.1 -0.5 -0.8 -1.7 -1.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.701 138.9 142.1 5.7 -1.7 -1.4 -4.7 2.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.625 153.6 159.0 7.2 -1.7 -1.6 -5.5 3.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.076 105.7 103.8 0.8 -1.6 -1.1 -2.0 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.772 176.9 154.8 -26.7 -8.1 -14.1 -17.3 -12.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 18.567 153.7 145.9 -1.1 -3.1 -3.3 -5.1 -5.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 16.539 164.1 154.7 -0.5 -1.5 -3.3 -5.4 -5.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.506 151.1 141.3 -5.2 -3.0 -4.4 -6.8 -6.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 6.033 156.4 151.3 4.7 -3.3 -1.9 -2.5 -3.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 17.233 202.8 164.4 -43.4 -11.7 -20.7 -26.2 -18.9

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 15.206 207.0 162.6 -47.0 -11.4 -22.0 -28.5 -21.4

Crude.......................................... 10000 10.767 205.6 166.6 -47.0 -13.3 -23.8 -29.8 -19.0

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.759 181.2 181.0 -1.3 -16.4 -3.1 -2.1 -0.1

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.557 172.3 172.2 -3.5 -18.6 -3.8 -2.4 -0.1

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.810 115.1 113.4 3.8 0.2 -2.9 -1.1 -1.5

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 5.300 155.7 148.2 9.5 1.8 -1.2 -2.9 -4.8

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.938 119.0 118.2 1.9 0.5 -1.8 -1.2 -0.7

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.656 208.4 183.2 -15.7 -5.5 -7.3 -12.0 -12.1

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 2.080 147.9 141.3 4.7 -1.5 -2.6 -5.1 -4.5

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.755 110.5 109.5 5.5 -0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -0.9

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.787 92.8 92.5 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 -0.3

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.946 111.4 111.0 2.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.043 87.6 87.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.798 120.2 120.2 4.8 0.1 1.4 0.3 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.176 107.7 107.5 0.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.5 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.564 104.8 104.9 2.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.359 108.1 108.2 2.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.025 101.6 101.6 2.3 0.1 0.2 -0.4 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.180 103.2 103.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.7 -2.5 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 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 2007 to

December 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 118.2 115.5 -3.2 -0.8 -2.1 -3.4 -2.3

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.833 160.0 149.6 -11.6 0.1 -8.3 -7.3 -6.5

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.167 115.2 113.0 -2.3 -0.9 -1.4 -2.9 -1.9

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.186 164.7 154.7 -9.6 0.4 -8.1 -5.9 -6.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.456 166.8 156.1 -10.9 0.5 -8.8 -6.4 -6.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.730 148.5 144.2 6.0 -0.1 1.6 0.4 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 28.753 147.7 138.9 -9.9 -2.6 -4.5 -8.7 -6.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.872 149.6 140.8 -11.6 -4.7 -4.2 -6.5 -5.9

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 17.881 147.4 138.5 -8.8 -1.4 -4.7 -9.8 -6.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.377 131.6 122.4 -15.4 -2.2 -5.7 -11.4 -7.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 27.376 148.9 140.0 -9.6 -2.7 -4.5 -8.4 -6.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 4.114 196.3 171.7 -22.9 -3.1 -10.6 -17.9 -12.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.194 144.8 137.6 -7.3 -2.7 -3.4 -6.8 -5.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.068 115.4 114.5 0.7 0.2 1.0 -1.0 -0.8

Capital goods..................................... 2 40.537 101.5 101.3 0.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.863 109.1 108.8 1.2 0.3 0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.500 93.4 93.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.174 131.0 131.3 5.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.076 108.2 108.0 1.2 0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.448 108.8 108.5 1.1 0.3 0.5 -0.9 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.654 106.7 106.1 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 -1.9 -0.6

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.750 109.9 109.9 4.5 1.4 1.1 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 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 2007 to

December 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 14.952 101.6 87.7 -37.9 -12.4 -20.4 -24.7 -13.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.687 124.9 139.6 17.2 -2.4 -4.0 -7.0 11.8

Crop production................................. 111 1.209 128.8 155.4 27.1 -1.8 -5.4 -5.1 20.7

Mining.............................................. 21 13.265 99.2 82.4 -42.5 -13.1 -21.7 -26.5 -16.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.440 127.9 127.7 19.5 2.0 0.8 -1.5 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 84.488 109.0 106.4 -1.8 -0.7 -1.8 -2.8 -2.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.455 107.6 107.2 1.0 -0.6 -0.3 -1.5 -0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.551 120.5 117.8 0.6 -1.8 -1.3 -5.6 -2.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.873 105.7 106.1 1.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.4

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.473 111.8 110.4 1.2 -0.6 -0.5 -1.1 -1.3

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.800 102.3 102.3 1.7 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.215 102.1 102.8 0.6 -0.5 0.2 0.1 0.7

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.543 106.0 105.8 2.4 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.472 116.7 108.9 -6.7 -0.8 -5.1 -6.8 -6.7

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.182 93.7 92.8 -0.5 0.7 -4.3 -1.9 -1.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.378 111.4 110.2 6.6 0.1 -1.6 -0.9 -1.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.579 103.1 75.5 -45.2 -4.9 -17.0 -25.0 -26.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.141 127.7 124.3 7.7 1.2 -0.4 -1.3 -2.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.844 113.4 113.3 7.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.244 118.1 117.8 7.6 -0.2 2.4 -0.1 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.561 106.7 105.3 -0.7 -0.7 -0.8 -1.7 -1.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.532 145.6 129.3 -13.6 -4.8 -6.7 -11.0 -11.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.865 120.7 119.5 7.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.9 -1.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 7.127 110.4 110.3 3.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.479 91.4 91.0 -3.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.038 114.1 113.9 4.9 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.996 104.8 104.6 1.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.605 110.5 110.2 7.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.920 110.4 110.7 2.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.5 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 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 2007 to

December 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.053 123.5 114.9 -18.0 -0.8 -11.0 -5.8 -7.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.828 138.8 128.7 -18.1 0.2 -12.3 -6.0 -7.3

Crop production................................. 111 4.479 142.7 131.8 -19.2 0.3 -13.0 -6.4 -7.6

Mining.............................................. 21 1.225 89.7 84.4 -17.7 -5.0 -5.3 -4.7 -5.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.844 92.6 91.9 -7.6 -2.6 -3.0 -3.5 -0.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 91.950 109.0 107.2 -0.6 -0.6 -1.1 -2.6 -1.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.994 120.5 117.0 2.0 -0.6 -1.3 -3.3 -2.9

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.578 134.0 128.7 3.0 -0.8 -1.7 -4.8 -4.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.502 104.0 105.5 1.6 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 1.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.486 101.5 101.6 1.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 22.682 114.7 109.7 -4.4 -0.9 -2.9 -7.1 -4.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.537 111.2 111.2 1.3 0.3 0.1 -1.2 0.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 2.010 115.3 113.6 1.0 0.2 0.0 -1.0 -1.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.637 119.6 98.2 -30.6 -3.4 -13.1 -23.4 -17.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.338 115.2 111.4 -1.5 -0.8 -1.5 -5.9 -3.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.291 111.7 110.7 4.3 0.8 0.4 -0.5 -0.9

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.869 112.2 112.2 4.6 0.8 1.2 0.7 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 62.274 105.7 105.1 0.4 -0.5 -0.3 -0.8 -0.6

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.294 126.0 118.2 -9.2 -6.4 -5.2 -8.4 -6.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.858 119.0 118.6 4.8 -0.2 0.6 -0.3 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.542 111.4 111.3 4.4 0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.659 92.9 92.5 -4.0 -0.3 -1.1 -0.4 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.726 107.0 106.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.6

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 17.129 107.8 108.0 2.7 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.716 111.9 111.8 5.5 1.3 1.4 -0.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 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 2007 to

December 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.152 130.1 125.8 -0.2 -3.5 -2.9 -6.2 -3.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.272 157.3 149.9 1.8 -1.8 -2.1 -7.3 -4.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.580 102.2 99.5 0.4 -2.3 -1.5 -2.8 -2.6

Vegetable products................................ II 1.404 150.2 176.6 24.8 -1.1 -3.1 -4.6 17.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.406 237.5 354.5 73.7 -1.4 10.8 -1.1 49.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.415 102.8 116.8 24.4 1.5 -6.6 -5.7 13.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.245 147.3 144.8 -5.0 -1.0 -9.9 -4.2 -1.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.298 133.7 134.0 4.3 -1.5 -2.4 -2.3 0.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.187 104.4 102.5 2.5 -1.0 -3.0 -4.9 -1.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.243 133.7 132.1 -1.8 0.1 -0.9 -3.9 -1.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.839 114.7 114.6 1.8 -2.2 -1.9 -0.3 -0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 17.336 204.6 167.9 -41.3 -11.6 -20.2 -25.2 -17.9

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.2007=100)... 25 0.225 102.4 102.3 2.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 16.665 201.9 164.3 -42.7 -11.8 -20.7 -26.0 -18.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.213 140.6 135.1 5.2 1.8 -0.2 -2.9 -3.9

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.204 291.0 252.3 19.0 7.2 -0.5 -0.7 -13.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.510 125.2 119.3 -6.0 0.1 -0.3 -6.6 -4.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.428 113.1 112.9 2.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.174 105.1 104.8 2.1 2.2 -3.6 -0.5 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.429 122.3 120.9 5.8 -1.5 0.7 -2.2 -1.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.433 98.4 97.5 -1.1 -1.9 -0.8 -1.3 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.097 133.3 130.9 4.3 0.1 -1.2 -2.1 -1.8

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 2.046 130.8 130.0 5.8 0.1 -2.4 -0.8 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.051 138.2 132.6 1.5 0.1 0.8 -4.6 -4.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.620 112.8 112.2 1.5 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 -0.5

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

various materials................................ 42 0.569 113.2 112.8 1.6 -0.8 0.6 -0.4 -0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.220 114.5 113.4 -0.8 0.7 -4.5 -1.9 -1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.534 114.9 113.8 5.6 0.0 -1.5 -0.8 -1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.089 114.0 113.7 12.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.5 -0.3

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.271 119.3 119.3 1.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.318 103.7 103.8 0.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.919 100.6 99.4 -1.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -1.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.102 102.7 104.6 1.9 -0.5 0.5 0.0 1.9

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.541 95.7 95.7 3.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.287 106.8 106.8 2.8 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.080 105.9 105.9 3.3 -0.1 0.2 0.4 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to

December 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.074 122.7 122.3 7.6 -0.3 3.6 -0.3 -0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.400 119.5 119.6 13.0 0.2 3.3 -0.1 0.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.346 132.0 131.9 8.9 -0.5 7.7 -0.2 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.328 115.1 113.9 0.4 -0.7 0.0 -0.6 -1.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.569 130.6 128.5 -9.8 -7.6 -2.1 -6.3 -1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 7.165 178.3 164.8 -3.7 -2.3 -4.8 -8.1 -7.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 2.324 257.9 221.3 5.4 -1.7 -8.6 -7.8 -14.2

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.986 162.8 158.9 18.7 -0.1 -0.7 -1.5 -2.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.641 215.4 187.8 -36.4 -6.2 -8.0 -23.2 -12.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.916 126.4 118.4 -16.0 -4.1 -5.4 -12.0 -6.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.392 116.4 115.7 4.1 0.2 0.4 -0.5 -0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.492 132.2 132.0 4.0 0.2 1.0 0.0 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.388 88.1 87.9 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.004 88.0 87.6 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.8 -0.5

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.384 88.2 88.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.047 109.2 108.9 0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 12.063 108.0 107.8 0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.7 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.887 115.6 115.5 4.6 0.1 2.8 0.2 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.042 101.3 101.0 1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.723 99.2 99.0 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.239 121.6 120.4 2.3 -0.2 0.9 -1.1 -1.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.011 107.4 107.2 5.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.333 112.8 112.5 6.7 0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.465 99.8 99.8 3.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.213 112.4 112.3 4.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 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 2007 to

December 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.596 160.3 155.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.9 -10.4 -2.9

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.807 124.0 119.7 -4.2 -1.6 -2.6 -16.0 -3.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.462 153.9 151.4 11.0 0.5 3.1 -0.6 -1.6

Vegetable products................................ II 4.642 187.6 171.5 -15.2 1.1 -11.5 -5.4 -8.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.643 109.8 107.0 -11.8 -3.9 -6.1 -1.9 -2.6

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.883 203.9 177.7 -25.8 8.6 -15.0 -10.4 -12.8

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.382 194.8 178.4 -14.5 -4.4 -15.7 -4.0 -8.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.426 132.9 131.1 1.9 0.4 -2.1 -0.7 -1.4

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.463 121.4 121.6 3.8 0.2 1.0 -0.6 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.550 176.8 164.4 -6.6 1.9 -10.4 -2.6 -7.0

Mineral products.................................... V 4.148 236.5 207.4 -23.2 -3.5 -11.2 -17.7 -12.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.614 229.2 196.8 -24.9 -3.6 -12.3 -18.9 -14.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.780 136.9 133.7 -0.3 -0.9 -1.3 -5.2 -2.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.327 206.4 203.8 18.7 2.0 0.2 -1.9 -1.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.305 138.6 131.8 -11.5 -2.0 -3.3 -13.6 -4.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.540 113.9 112.9 -3.3 -0.7 -0.5 -2.6 -0.9

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.553 113.9 114.1 -2.5 -0.3 -0.3 -1.0 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.679 119.6 118.7 0.3 -0.8 -0.6 -2.1 -0.8

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.432 121.9 121.8 7.8 1.3 -0.2 -0.7 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.758 130.9 127.0 4.7 0.2 0.5 0.3 -3.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.565 141.9 136.7 0.9 0.3 -1.0 -4.2 -3.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.430 135.0 129.9 -1.4 0.1 -1.7 -4.2 -3.8

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.135 173.3 167.2 10.3 1.3 1.6 -4.0 -3.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.392 111.0 94.2 -19.8 -0.9 -1.6 -2.0 -15.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.648 109.5 108.6 -1.8 -0.4 -0.2 -2.2 -0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.413 107.6 105.5 -8.3 -0.3 -1.4 -7.4 -2.0

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.524 91.9 86.5 -29.7 -0.6 -6.6 -24.4 -5.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.378 114.4 113.5 2.9 0.3 0.9 -0.3 -0.8

Printed material.................................... 49 0.511 113.1 112.1 -7.9 -1.3 -0.1 -3.6 -0.9

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.237 104.4 103.9 -1.3 -0.4 -2.0 -2.6 -0.5

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.630 95.0 92.3 -10.7 -2.0 -7.1 -7.5 -2.8

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.840 113.5 113.5 2.1 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.446 99.5 99.5 0.2 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.758 165.7 161.1 -6.2 -6.2 -1.7 -5.3 -2.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.377 154.0 144.1 -11.2 -3.5 -6.0 -7.1 -6.4

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2007 to

December 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2007 to

Dec.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.295 184.3 169.2 -13.5 -6.9 -11.3 -10.3 -8.2

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.524 159.4 158.7 7.7 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.505 180.1 117.5 -49.7 -3.6 -9.3 -20.4 -34.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.763 108.8 101.8 -27.9 -7.0 -9.0 -13.7 -6.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.408 121.8 121.9 5.5 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.379 129.1 128.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -1.1 -0.8

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.430 94.7 94.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.676 104.4 104.2 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.754 84.1 83.8 -2.2 -0.1 -1.1 -0.2 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 14.636 117.8 118.0 2.6 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.615 107.7 107.6 1.4 0.1 0.5 0.1 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.236 106.0 105.8 0.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.8 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.483 108.3 108.1 1.3 0.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.794 117.4 117.4 2.4 0.5 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.540 95.1 95.1 2.4 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 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 2007 to December 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2007

to Dec.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Sept. 2008

to Oct.

2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.888 123.4 120.5 -3.0 -3.2 -3.8 -5.0 -2.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.201 188.2 168.4 -26.2 -13.9 -18.9 -16.8 -10.5

Manufactured articles......................... 38.251 118.2 116.3 0.0 -1.1 -1.4 -3.4 -1.6

Other Countries3

............................... 57.112 118.4 112.7 -11.6 -3.9 -7.7 -7.7 -4.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.058 198.0 171.4 -38.6 -11.5 -21.3 -25.1 -13.4

Manufactured articles......................... 44.837 106.6 103.6 -2.3 -0.5 -2.2 -2.0 -2.8

Canada............................................ 16.032 138.9 134.4 -5.6 -5.1 -6.6 -7.2 -3.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.711 185.0 165.7 -25.5 -14.5 -17.7 -17.7 -10.4

Manufactured articles......................... 12.028 131.3 129.5 1.5 -0.6 -1.9 -3.5 -1.4

European Union4

............................... 17.355 126.4 124.3 0.2 -1.4 -1.4 -2.5 -1.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.249 249.0 221.4 -27.4 -14.5 -24.4 -0.9 -11.1

Manufactured articles......................... 16.987 123.8 121.8 0.6 -1.2 -0.9 -2.5 -1.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.844 118.8 118.0 6.2 -0.6 0.4 -1.8 -0.7

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.732 109.1 108.0 -1.2 -1.1 -0.9 -1.6 -1.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.684 122.8 117.7 -7.0 -4.2 -3.9 -4.6 -4.2

Latin America5

.................................. 18.032 145.9 137.1 -15.1 -4.9 -10.7 -10.1 -6.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.151 200.4 190.3 -34.3 -10.4 -22.0 -26.2 -5.0

Manufactured articles......................... 12.786 136.5 127.7 -4.9 -1.3 -4.0 -2.2 -6.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.710 129.9 130.6 -5.0 -2.7 -7.1 -6.8 0.5

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 33.822 101.7 101.2 1.3 -1.1 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 15.926 103.1 102.7 3.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4

Japan.............................................. 8.032 95.7 95.9 1.8 -0.6 0.5 0.3 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.887 92.0 91.1 2.5 -0.7 -0.8 -0.5 -1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 6.041 98.7 97.6 -1.1 -1.2 -1.2 -1.6 -1.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 3.928 173.9 150.7 -34.0 -10.2 -16.9 -20.2 -13.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2007 to December 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20081

Index Percent change

Nov.

2008

Dec.

2008

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2007

to Dec.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 145.6 143.0 0.8 -3.2 -3.3 -4.1 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 26.640 141.4 131.8 -11.1 -7.7 -6.4 -10.4 -6.8

Asia.................................................... 61.936 125.8 126.3 4.4 -0.6 -1.4 -0.9 0.4

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 139.5 135.7 6.8 -1.4 -1.9 -1.5 -2.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 42.188 130.2 125.0 9.8 -1.6 -3.9 -3.1 -4.0

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 142.8 139.3 0.9 -2.5 -2.6 -3.3 -2.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 29.194 141.2 131.8 -8.4 -6.0 -4.8 -8.4 -6.7

Asia.................................................... 58.228 122.0 121.6 4.8 -0.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 138.7 133.9 7.7 -1.7 -3.3 -2.5 -3.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.611 157.8 151.4 7.1 -2.3 -4.3 -2.0 -4.1

Asia.................................................... 40.735 123.9 121.5 9.6 -1.1 -3.0 -3.0 -1.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 157.6 157.2 16.2 -6.9 2.9 -5.0 -0.3

Europe................................................. 45.226 163.7 147.0 18.5 -10.1 4.1 -7.0 -10.2

Asia.................................................... 25.280 138.3 152.3 14.1 -7.8 0.9 1.5 10.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.256 129.4 157.6 22.8 -13.0 -3.3 -0.2 21.8

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 158.6 159.9 2.7 -11.0 -5.6 -2.2 0.8

Europe................................................. 29.947 190.1 185.3 1.5 -10.9 -3.3 -7.2 -2.5

Asia.................................................... 35.648 136.3 141.5 11.9 -14.9 -10.3 4.0 3.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.582 163.2 168.1 -1.1 -8.3 -1.2 -2.2 3.0

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2006 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2005 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 

calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. 

The scope of the service being priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does 

not include any ground transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two 

definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 

International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets 

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

"Publications and Other Documentation."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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