Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 13, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-1142

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MAY 2013 

Prices for U.S. imports declined 0.6 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

a 0.7 percent drop the previous month. Falling fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the decreases in both 

months. U.S. export prices fell 0.5 percent in May following declines of 0.7 percent in April and 0.5 percent 

in March. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: May 2012 – May 2013 

 Percent change 

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.2

1.0

0.3

-0.7 -0.6

0.5

0.9

-0.1

-0.7 -0.6

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

May'12 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May'13

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: May 2012 – May 2013

 Percent change

-0.8

-2.5

-3.3

-1.8

-0.6

0.0

-1.4

-2.0

-1.5

-0.6

-2.1

-2.7

-1.9

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

May'12 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May'13
 

All Imports: U.S. import prices decreased for the third consecutive month in May, falling 0.6 percent, after 

declines of 0.7 percent in April and 0.1 percent in March. The 1.4 percent drop in import prices over the past 

three months followed a 1.4 percent increase for the first two months of 2013. Overall import prices fell 1.9 

percent for the year ended in May, and have not recorded a 12-month advance since the index rose 0.8 

percent between April 2011 and April 2012. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices fell 1.9 percent in May; the decline was the largest contributor to the drop 

in import prices and followed a 2.5 percent decrease the previous month. For the year, the price index for 

import fuel decreased 4.4 percent. Both the May decline and the decrease over the past 12 months were led 

by falling petroleum prices, which more than offset rising natural gas prices. Prices for petroleum declined 

2.0 percent in May and 6.2 percent for the May 2012-13 period. In contrast, natural gas prices rose 1.2 

percent in May after advancing 7.9 percent in April. Prices for natural gas increased 97.0 percent over the 

past year, after decreasing 49.0 percent between May 2011 and May 2012. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports also fell in May, declining 0.3 percent 

following drops of 0.2 percent in April and 0.1 percent in March. The decline in nonfuel import prices was 

led by falling prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, although declining finished goods prices 

also contributed to the decrease. In contrast, foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose in May. Nonfuel import 

prices fell 1.1 percent over the past 12 months. 

Table A. Import and export price indexes, selected categories 

 Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: May 2012 – May 2013

 Percent change 

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

0.9 0.8

0.1

-0.6

-0.1

0.4

0.7

-0.5 -0.7

-0.5

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

May'12 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May'13

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: May 2012 – May 2013 

 Percent change

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3

-0.9

-0.6

1.5

0.8

1.1 1.2

1.5

0.2

-0.9 -0.9

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

May'12 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May'13

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports decreased 0.5 percent in May, driven by lower nonagricultural prices 

which more than offset higher agricultural prices. The May decrease in export prices marked the first time 

the index has declined for at least three consecutive months since the end of 2008. The price index for 

exports fell 0.9 percent over the past year, led by falling nonagricultural prices. In contrast, agricultural 

prices rose over the same period. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural exports advanced 1.0 percent in May, after falling 2.3 percent in April. 

The May increase was driven by rising prices for fruit, soybeans, wheat, and corn. Prices for agricultural 

exports rose 4.7 percent from May 2012 to May 2013, resulting from a 12.4 percent increase for the third 

quarter of 2012. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports fell 0.7 percent in May, the largest 

monthly decline for the index since a 0.7 percent decrease in November 2012. The May decline was led by a 

drop in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, although finished goods prices 

also decreased for the month. Nonagricultural export prices fell over the past 12 months, declining 1.6 

percent. 

 

 

3
4

SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from Japan continued a recent downward trend in May, 

falling 0.4 percent. The decline followed decreases of 0.6 percent in April, 0.2 percent in March, and 0.5 

percent in February. Overall, prices for imports from Japan fell 1.4 percent over the past year, the largest 12-

month drop for the index since a 1.5 percent decrease in November 2006. The price index for imports from 

China also declined in May, falling 0.2 percent. Import prices from China have not recorded a monthly 

increase since February 2012 and decreased 1.0 percent for the year ended in May. Prices for imports from 

Canada and the European Union also fell in May, declining 0.9 percent and 0.1 percent respectively, while 

import prices from Mexico ticked up 0.1 percent. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices declined 1.4 

percent in May, driven by a 3.9 percent drop in unfinished metals prices. A 1.1 percent decline in chemical 

prices and a 1.8 percent fall in the price index for selected building materials also contributed to the 

decrease. 

 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices declined 0.3 percent in May, offsetting a 0.3 percent advance the 

previous month. The May drop was the largest monthly decrease since the index fell 0.5 percent in October 

2010 and was led by lower prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products. Prices for automotive 

vehicles also fell in May, declining 0.2 percent after drops of 0.3 percent in April and 0.2 percent in March. 

The price index for capital goods recorded no change in May. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages increased 0.4 percent in 

May, after a 0.5 percent decline in April. The May advance was led by a 4.1 percent rise in vegetable prices 

which had dropped 8.3 percent the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 2.0 percent in May, led by a 3.2 percent advance 

in Asian fares. The May increase in import air passenger fares followed a 0.3 percent rise in April. The 

index for import air passenger fares rose 2.6 percent over the past year, driven by a 12.4 percent advance in 

European fares. Import air freight prices fell 0.3 percent in May and 2.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices declined 1.8 percent in May following a 1.0 percent drop the previous month. A 5.5 percent fall in 

nonferrous metals prices and a 2.3 percent decline in fuel prices drove the May decrease. 

 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles edged down 0.1 percent in May, 

while consumer goods prices were unchanged. The decrease in capital goods prices was led by a 0.5 percent 

drop in the price index for computers, peripherals, and semiconductors, while the decline in automotive 

vehicles prices was driven by a 0.3 percent decrease in passenger car prices. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 5.9 percent in May after declining 2.6 percent the 

previous month. The May increase was led by a 9.1 percent advance in Asian fares and a 4.5 percent rise in 

European fares. Despite the May advance, export air passenger fares fell 3.7 percent over the past 12 

months. Export air freight prices declined 1.1 percent in May and 2.0 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, July 11, 

2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2012 to May

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 140.2 139.3 -1.9 0.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 73.781 103.2 102.8 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.798 116.4 116.0 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.799 120.3 119.9 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.018 172.8 173.5 0.2 1.2 1.6 -0.5 0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.859 192.0 192.7 -1.3 1.1 1.4 -1.3 0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.159 129.1 130.1 5.8 1.5 2.7 2.1 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.645 253.3 249.0 -4.6 2.3 -0.1 -1.8 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.443 166.5 164.3 -1.7 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.444 187.2 184.5 -4.8 0.1 -0.4 -0.7 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.990 176.2 172.4 -4.2 -0.1 -0.1 -1.0 -2.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.455 154.6 154.3 1.5 -0.1 -0.7 0.5 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.201 338.3 332.0 -4.4 3.6 0.2 -2.5 -1.9

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.202 375.3 367.9 -6.2 3.9 0.2 -2.8 -2.0

Crude.......................................... 10000 15.321 385.2 383.1 -5.8 4.2 -0.3 -3.1 -0.5

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.790 131.7 132.5 76.0 -2.1 0.2 6.3 0.6

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.662 118.2 119.6 97.0 -2.1 -0.2 7.9 1.2

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.557 112.7 113.5 -0.8 1.0 -0.3 0.0 0.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.976 174.3 173.5 -6.1 0.2 -1.0 -0.3 -0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.063 151.0 148.3 8.6 0.5 0.9 1.4 -1.8

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.733 258.1 248.0 -9.3 0.1 -0.4 -2.1 -3.9

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.585 159.5 158.9 -2.8 -0.8 -0.2 -0.6 -0.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.530 114.2 113.8 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.939 92.8 92.8 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.986 119.4 119.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.098 85.5 85.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.855 135.8 135.8 1.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.165 114.4 114.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.233 108.0 107.7 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.828 116.6 116.1 1.0 0.3 -0.3 0.7 -0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.088 99.1 99.0 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.318 116.6 116.9 -2.3 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to May

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 133.5 132.8 -0.9 0.7 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.349 219.7 222.0 4.7 2.0 -1.8 -2.3 1.0

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.129 102.9 102.4 -0.9 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.651 127.2 126.3 -1.6 0.6 -0.3 -0.5 -0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.613 219.9 221.7 4.5 1.8 -1.9 -2.5 0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.924 223.3 226.1 5.1 1.9 -2.1 -2.7 1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.689 190.4 182.1 -3.3 -0.1 0.6 -0.4 -4.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.276 181.2 178.1 -4.1 1.4 -0.7 -1.0 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.190 182.0 177.4 -5.8 0.4 -1.5 -0.4 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.088 181.6 179.3 -3.1 2.0 -0.2 -1.3 -1.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.425 204.8 204.4 3.1 2.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.851 180.5 177.3 -4.4 1.4 -0.7 -1.0 -1.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.258 256.9 250.9 -7.7 3.7 -0.5 -2.8 -2.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.570 171.7 168.8 -3.5 0.5 -0.9 -0.4 -1.7

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.023 122.1 122.9 4.8 0.6 1.0 1.2 0.7

Capital goods..................................... 2 35.287 106.5 106.4 0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.485 114.9 115.1 0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.644 95.4 95.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.159 151.6 151.6 1.7 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.919 113.5 113.4 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.905 115.4 115.4 -1.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.419 114.3 114.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.6 0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.091 112.3 111.8 -2.9 -0.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to May

2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.445 166.8 166.2 -2.7 3.8 0.3 -2.6 -0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.819 172.8 175.0 -0.1 3.4 4.2 -2.3 1.3

Crop production................................. 111 1.265 176.3 180.6 -1.1 4.4 5.0 -3.5 2.4

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100). . . . .. 113 0.200 103.3 105.4 – 0.6 -1.3 -1.7 2.0

Mining.............................................. 21 16.626 165.8 164.9 -3.0 3.9 -0.2 -2.6 -0.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.321 133.5 134.0 -7.8 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4 0.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.088 117.3 116.5 -1.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.463 123.6 123.8 -1.7 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.846 154.2 155.5 -5.1 -0.3 -0.8 0.3 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.870 113.3 113.4 1.3 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.389 101.9 101.8 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.784 115.4 115.5 -0.5 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.920 110.5 110.4 -1.4 0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.653 121.6 121.5 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.103 139.6 136.5 -2.4 1.0 0.1 -0.2 -2.2

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.652 133.1 129.3 12.8 0.9 1.2 2.3 -2.9

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.026 110.1 110.6 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.324 167.2 156.1 -8.7 2.7 1.4 -2.1 -6.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.253 136.9 135.5 -0.8 0.6 -0.3 0.4 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.935 126.3 126.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.830 129.0 129.0 -0.7 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.521 109.2 108.8 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.349 168.9 163.0 -9.4 -0.2 -0.5 -2.2 -3.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.667 129.2 128.2 -1.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.575 121.3 121.8 0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.953 81.1 81.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.997 119.4 119.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.913 112.3 112.1 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.249 114.4 114.4 1.0 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.817 120.8 120.6 -1.4 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to May

2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.756 168.8 171.2 2.1 2.6 -1.6 -3.0 1.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.643 206.7 210.3 4.1 3.2 -2.0 -4.0 1.7

Crop production................................. 111 5.172 213.3 218.8 4.0 3.0 -2.1 -4.8 2.6

Mining.............................................. 21 2.113 93.4 93.8 -5.0 0.8 -0.4 0.0 0.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.425 106.2 105.4 -13.6 0.7 -1.1 -0.7 -0.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.764 121.1 120.3 -1.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.5 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.010 151.5 150.8 2.4 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.929 173.8 172.5 2.3 0.2 -0.5 -0.5 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.570 127.3 126.6 5.9 0.7 -0.3 -0.7 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.443 133.6 132.4 -2.5 1.5 -0.2 -1.1 -0.9

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.418 117.2 118.3 3.3 0.6 1.5 1.0 0.9

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.807 121.1 121.8 3.0 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.6

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.936 164.0 158.7 -8.8 4.6 -0.3 -4.0 -3.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.258 131.4 131.1 -1.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.233 120.7 121.3 3.0 0.1 -0.2 0.9 0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.791 112.4 112.0 0.4 0.1 1.2 0.5 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 56.311 113.3 112.7 -0.8 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.093 165.7 158.9 -8.7 -0.4 -1.4 -1.0 -4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.764 132.2 131.4 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.598 122.0 122.0 1.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.160 88.8 88.6 -1.8 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.305 114.0 114.3 1.4 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.122 117.9 117.9 0.9 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.315 105.8 105.4 2.7 0.3 0.1 0.3 -0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.955 122.3 121.8 -0.7 0.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to May

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.124 175.4 176.1 6.9 1.6 2.9 1.7 0.4

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.251 219.1 219.9 3.5 0.4 -2.0 1.0 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.619 128.9 130.5 9.5 3.0 5.7 2.8 1.2

Vegetable products................................ II 1.619 208.7 212.3 -5.9 3.0 2.5 -2.7 1.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.339 330.7 353.3 10.7 6.3 13.4 -12.5 6.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.452 122.4 121.0 -1.1 4.2 2.2 3.3 -1.1

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.369 240.1 240.2 -11.6 3.6 1.1 -4.2 0.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.252 117.9 116.5 -15.0 1.4 -1.6 -1.2 -1.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.382 156.8 157.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.4 0.5

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)....................................... 17 0.207 98.2 96.9 – -0.3 0.5 -2.9 -1.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.192 85.6 87.4 2.1 -4.7 -1.3 -0.8 2.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.240 132.1 132.1 4.5 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.306 160.5 163.5 -5.3 -0.6 -0.5 -0.3 1.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.859 124.1 124.5 1.7 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.3

Mineral products.................................... V 21.115 340.3 334.4 -4.3 3.7 0.1 -2.5 -1.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.833 337.1 331.0 -4.2 3.7 0.1 -2.5 -1.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.675 151.9 150.6 -0.4 0.2 -0.5 0.3 -0.9

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.801 356.8 350.2 -5.4 -1.1 -2.8 -2.2 -1.8

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.627 136.8 135.8 -2.9 0.1 -1.8 -1.0 -0.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.424 126.4 125.3 6.6 0.7 0.7 2.4 -0.9

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.404 128.1 123.6 -22.8 -0.8 1.6 -1.3 -3.5

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.163 93.8 93.9 -11.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.482 102.1 102.4 -1.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.7 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.209 152.9 151.8 -1.1 0.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.966 148.7 147.0 1.8 0.7 -0.5 0.4 -1.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.243 161.6 161.6 -5.5 -0.2 -0.4 -1.2 0.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.597 126.3 125.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.5

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

various materials................................ 42 0.551 127.3 127.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.695 162.7 158.4 14.2 1.2 1.2 2.8 -2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.124 113.3 113.6 -0.4 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.3

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.177 102.3 104.7 1.1 2.7 0.5 0.7 2.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.748 107.1 106.9 -1.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.941 114.1 114.0 -1.3 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.944 104.0 103.5 -2.5 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.5

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2012 to May

2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.814 117.1 117.4 -0.6 0.4 0.3 -0.1 0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.547 108.2 108.3 -0.5 0.0 -0.5 0.4 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.359 121.2 121.2 2.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.165 120.5 120.4 2.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.763 131.9 131.9 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.246 125.3 125.5 0.6 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.239 140.5 140.2 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.278 128.0 127.9 0.5 -0.6 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.266 198.6 190.8 -6.7 -0.6 -0.8 -1.3 -3.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.003 183.4 181.6 -5.3 0.2 0.2 -1.3 -1.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.148 219.0 216.7 -12.5 0.8 0.5 -0.6 -1.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.493 156.5 156.4 -3.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.470 342.0 332.0 -8.8 -0.9 -1.4 -4.0 -2.9

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.147 100.1 95.7 -8.2 0.2 1.9 -4.2 -4.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.676 138.4 136.5 -2.9 0.1 0.4 -1.8 -1.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.384 129.3 129.3 0.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.432 136.6 136.5 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.358 85.2 85.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.634 89.8 90.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.724 80.8 80.5 -1.8 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.678 116.4 116.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.745 115.2 115.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.865 119.9 119.8 1.5 0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.330 103.9 103.9 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.020 100.8 100.7 -1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.252 141.2 141.5 9.3 0.1 0.0 -0.7 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.451 113.1 113.1 0.7 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.930 117.1 117.2 1.0 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.328 105.1 105.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.193 138.4 138.3 3.9 -0.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to May

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.077 219.6 214.8 5.9 1.9 -1.8 0.7 -2.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.186 168.9 167.0 -0.5 1.1 0.1 -0.2 -1.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.403 202.7 188.9 -8.5 -0.7 0.6 -0.3 -6.8

Vegetable products................................ II 5.173 260.6 267.4 5.0 1.4 -1.8 -4.7 2.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.944 147.9 155.1 13.3 1.7 -4.8 -4.9 4.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.020 297.4 305.5 8.9 4.1 -2.8 -5.1 2.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.643 280.2 287.0 -1.1 3.1 -0.1 -5.4 2.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.311 136.4 135.9 -13.4 2.6 -0.8 1.0 -0.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.995 166.8 165.6 5.5 0.8 -0.7 -0.1 -0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.346 113.0 113.4 2.2 0.1 0.3 0.6 0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.633 113.3 113.3 3.1 1.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.775 267.3 256.3 10.5 0.3 -2.2 0.4 -4.1

Mineral products.................................... V 9.149 299.1 292.0 -9.0 3.5 -0.3 -3.2 -2.4

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)........... 26 0.464 95.4 91.7 – 1.9 -2.2 -2.4 -3.9

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.504 296.0 289.0 -8.9 3.7 -0.1 -3.3 -2.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.470 154.2 154.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.030 186.5 189.5 3.0 -0.2 0.2 0.9 1.6

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.259 166.7 164.7 -1.8 0.8 -0.4 -0.8 -1.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.663 122.4 122.8 -1.4 -0.9 -0.8 -1.0 0.3

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)...................... 31 0.387 98.2 96.3 – -2.5 1.7 1.1 -1.9

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.722 138.6 138.5 2.3 0.0 1.2 -0.1 -0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.447 119.7 119.4 -3.1 0.0 -1.6 0.3 -0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.733 152.3 155.6 1.6 0.8 -1.5 -0.1 2.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.294 150.4 149.7 -2.1 0.9 0.1 0.1 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.262 143.2 142.3 -0.4 1.4 0.4 0.2 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.032 183.4 183.3 -8.8 -1.2 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.403 146.0 146.4 9.4 1.3 1.0 1.1 0.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.583 113.6 114.2 4.5 0.5 1.4 1.2 0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.233 120.4 120.3 2.0 0.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.604 125.6 124.4 -1.3 -2.4 2.2 -0.5 -1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.188 118.6 119.0 2.1 0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.441 128.9 128.9 7.1 1.7 0.5 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.819 130.2 131.0 1.6 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.538 144.6 144.4 -2.8 7.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.758 118.2 118.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2012 to May

2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May

2012 to

May

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.388 97.5 97.5 -1.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.153 273.7 261.4 -7.2 -0.1 -1.9 -1.2 -4.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.361 168.5 165.5 -7.6 1.1 -1.8 -0.6 -1.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.510 192.4 186.5 -17.0 2.2 -3.9 -1.3 -3.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.329 170.5 169.5 -2.2 0.5 0.1 0.5 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.620 245.4 231.6 -11.4 2.1 -3.6 -2.2 -5.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.847 124.0 123.0 -3.7 0.0 -1.5 -0.7 -0.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.403 132.4 132.4 2.5 0.0 -0.1 0.5 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.323 146.3 147.1 0.9 0.8 -0.3 0.0 0.5

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.873 97.2 97.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.679 111.4 111.2 0.6 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.194 81.9 81.8 -1.6 0.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.972 128.0 128.0 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.118 113.9 113.8 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.884 107.2 107.0 0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.340 110.9 110.7 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.722 121.3 121.1 1.1 -0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.511 90.9 90.6 -0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to May 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May 2012

to May

2013

Jan. 2013

to Feb.

2013

Feb. 2013

to Mar.

2013

Mar. 2013

to Apr.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 132.5 131.9 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.0 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 11.872 234.2 233.5 10.1 2.5 1.5 5.3 -0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 87.527 124.4 123.8 -1.0 0.3 0.0 -0.6 -0.5

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 139.1 138.6 -2.7 1.2 -0.1 -1.3 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 22.422 347.1 346.2 -6.0 4.3 -0.4 -4.7 -0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 77.228 110.6 110.2 -1.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Canada............................................ 100.000 153.5 152.1 1.2 0.8 0.7 1.1 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 29.663 224.6 223.3 12.2 2.7 1.7 5.7 -0.6

Manufactured articles......................... 69.279 138.8 137.4 -2.6 0.0 0.4 -0.7 -1.0

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.7 135.6 -0.3 0.7 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.050 364.8 364.0 -4.5 0.0 -2.0 -3.3 -0.2

Manufactured articles......................... 98.440 132.0 131.9 -0.2 0.6 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 121.7 121.9 0.5 0.0 0.9 -0.3 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 115.8 115.8 0.9 0.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 128.1 128.2 -5.0 0.1 -3.3 -0.7 0.1

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 175.3 174.7 -3.5 2.4 -0.8 -1.9 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 32.254 376.0 375.5 -4.4 6.6 -1.7 -3.5 -0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 67.331 131.9 131.4 -2.7 0.5 -0.3 -1.1 -0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 144.4 144.5 -1.8 1.8 -0.2 -1.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 19.201 203.7 204.5 -2.9 8.4 -0.6 -4.3 0.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 80.471 94.1 94.1 -1.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 103.8 103.7 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.1 103.9 -1.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Japan.............................................. 100.000 101.5 101.1 -1.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.6 -0.4

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 90.9 91.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 1.0 0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 104.7 104.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.4 0.8 0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 269.3 267.0 -9.0 1.8 0.7 -3.3 -0.9

1 Relative figures are based on 2011 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: May 2012 to

May 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20131

Index Percent change

Apr.

2013

May

2013

Annual Monthly

May 2012

to May

2013

Jan. 2013

to Feb.

2013

Feb. 2013

to Mar.

2013

Mar. 2013

to Apr.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 173.0 172.4 -2.9 -0.4 -0.6 -0.8 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.915 164.7 165.1 -0.2 1.4 0.3 -2.0 0.2

Asia.................................................... 73.727 152.6 151.8 -3.8 -1.0 -1.0 -0.5 -0.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 149.4 147.7 -2.0 -0.3 0.1 0.3 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.833 134.1 132.8 -2.4 0.0 0.3 0.5 -1.0

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 163.1 162.1 0.3 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.985 149.5 149.2 -0.7 0.5 -0.5 -1.3 -0.2

Asia.................................................... 67.423 148.1 146.8 1.1 -1.2 -0.6 -0.1 -0.9

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 148.7 147.4 -1.9 0.1 0.4 0.1 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 27.615 161.3 161.0 -3.5 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.2

Asia.................................................... 52.733 143.0 141.0 -1.7 0.1 1.1 0.1 -1.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 182.2 185.8 2.6 -1.2 -1.6 0.3 2.0

Europe................................................. 44.121 209.2 208.3 12.4 2.4 -4.4 1.4 -0.4

Asia.................................................... 25.781 150.4 155.2 -1.6 -6.4 -0.3 1.9 3.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 9.543 167.9 165.0 -3.5 0.1 2.6 0.0 -1.7

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 180.7 191.3 -3.7 -8.2 0.9 -2.6 5.9

Europe................................................. 28.019 212.8 222.4 -0.4 0.8 1.5 -4.1 4.5

Asia.................................................... 27.667 151.2 165.0 -8.0 -18.0 -1.4 -5.7 9.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.485 193.3 191.2 -16.8 -8.6 2.8 -3.2 -1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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