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

U.S. import prices declined 1.8 percent in August following a 0.9-percent drop the previous month, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The August decrease was primarily driven by lower fuel prices, 

although falling nonfuel prices contributed to the decline as well. Prices for U.S. exports also fell in August, 

decreasing 1.4 percent, after a 0.4-percent decline in July. 

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, September 10, 2015 

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

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

USDL-15-1758
2

All Imports: The price index for U.S. imports decreased 1.8 percent in August, the largest monthly decline 

since the index fell 3.2 percent in January. A sharp drop in fuel prices and lower nonfuel prices both 

contributed to the decrease in August. With the exception of May and June, import prices trended down 

over the past year, falling 11.4 percent between August 2014 and August 2015. The 12-month drop in 

August was the largest year-over-year decline since the index fell 12.0 percent in September 2009. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices declined 13.3 percent in August following a 5.7-percent fall the previous 

month. The August drop was the largest 1-month decrease since the index fell 20.1 percent in January. The 

decline in fuel prices was led by a 14.2-percent drop in August petroleum prices that followed a 5.9-percent 

decrease in July. In contrast, natural gas prices increased 0.9 percent in August. Overall fuel prices fell 48.3 

percent over the past year. A 49.6-percent decline in petroleum prices and a 34.4-percent drop in natural gas 

prices each factored into the 12-month fall in fuel prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports dropped 0.4 percent in August, after 

declining 0.3 percent in July and 0.2 percent in June. Nonfuel import prices last recorded a monthly advance 

when the index ticked up 0.1 percent in July 2014. In August, lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies 

and materials as well as finished goods more than offset higher foods, feeds, and beverages prices. Prices for 

nonfuel imports decreased 3.0 percent for the year ended in August, the largest 12-month decline for the 

index since a 3.1-percent drop in October 2009. 

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

 

 
3

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

All Exports: U.S. export prices decreased 1.4 percent in August following a 0.4-percent decline in July. 

Lower prices for both nonagricultural and agricultural exports contributed to the drop in August, which was 

the largest 1-month drop since a 1.7-percent decline in January. Prices for U.S. exports also decreased over 

the past 12 months, falling 7.0 percent, the largest year-over-year decline since the index fell 8.3 percent in 

July 2009. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices declined 1.3 percent in August, after 

decreases of 0.5 percent in July and 0.1 percent in June. The August drop was the largest monthly fall since 

the index declined 1.8 percent in January. Decreasing prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials, consumer goods, and capital goods all contributed to the drop. The price index for nonagricultural 

exports declined 6.2 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month drop since the index fell 6.6 percent in 

July 2009. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports fell 2.6 percent in August following a 1.1-

percent advance the previous month. The August decline was the largest 1-month drop since a 3.1-percent 

decrease in August 2014. The August 2015 drop was led by a 16.8-percent decline in wheat prices, a 4.0-

percent fall in soybean prices, and a 9.2-percent decrease in corn prices. Prices for overall agricultural 

exports declined 13.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

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Aug'14 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'15

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4

SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent in August, after a 0.2-

percent decline the previous month. Prices for imports from China have not recorded a monthly increase 

since the index rose 0.1 percent in December 2014. The price index for imports from Japan fell 0.2 percent 

in August following a 0.3-percent drop in July and a 0.5-percent decrease in June. Import prices from 

Canada, Mexico, and the European Union also declined in August, driven by lower fuel prices. Prices for 

imports from Canada fell 4.1 percent in August. August import prices from Mexico decreased 1.5 percent, 

and the price index for imports from the European Union declined 0.5 percent. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials decreased 

1.8 percent in August following a 0.9-percent drop the previous month. The August decrease was driven by 

lower prices for unfinished metals and chemicals. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories recorded decreases in August. 

Capital goods prices fell 0.2 percent, after a 0.3-percent decline in July. The index last recorded a monthly 

advance when prices for capital goods ticked up 0.1 percent in June 2014. Prices for automotive vehicles 

and consumer goods also decreased, declining 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: In contrast, August prices for import foods, feeds, and beverages advanced 

0.3 percent, after recording no change in July. The August increase was led by a 2.5-percent rise in the price 

index for fish and shellfish. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 5.1 percent in August following a 4.1-percent drop 

the previous month. Both declines were primarily led by a drop in European fares, although lower Asian 

fares were also a contributing factor. The decline in import air passenger fares over the past 2 months 

pushed the index down 3.2 percent over the past year. Import air freight prices decreased 2.0 percent in 

August, after falling 3.2 percent in July. The price index for import air freight declined 8.2 percent over the 

past year. 

Export Prices 

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

materials decreased 3.7 percent in August, after a 1.5-percent decline the previous month. The August drop 

was driven by an 8.6-percent decrease in fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices fell 0.4 percent in August which followed a 0.3-percent decline in 

July. The decrease was led by a 0.6-percent drop in the price index for medicinal, dental, and 

pharmaceutical materials. Prices for capital goods also fell in August, edging down 0.1 percent, and the 

price index for automotive vehicles recorded no change. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 1.5 percent in August, after a 3.2-percent advance 

the previous month. Despite the recent advances, export air passenger fares fell 18.6 percent over the past 

year. Export air freight prices declined 0.8 percent in August and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for September 2015 are scheduled for release on Friday, October 9, 2015 

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

August 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 125.4 123.1 -11.4 1.1 0.1 -0.9 -1.8

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 82.481 99.6 99.2 -3.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 89.130 112.4 112.0 -3.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 88.402 116.6 116.1 -3.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.921 175.5 176.0 -2.1 0.1 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.631 195.2 195.1 -1.5 0.8 -0.5 0.1 -0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.290 130.5 132.7 -4.3 -2.1 -1.1 -0.5 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 24.929 180.1 167.2 -32.3 4.8 0.6 -3.2 -7.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.059 146.8 144.4 -10.3 -0.1 -0.3 -1.1 -1.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.331 166.8 163.8 -9.5 -0.1 -0.4 -0.9 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.811 152.8 149.3 -12.1 -0.4 -0.6 -1.5 -2.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.520 139.1 137.9 -8.1 0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.9

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 11.598 198.0 171.6 -48.3 10.8 1.6 -5.7 -13.3

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 10.870 216.5 185.7 -49.6 11.7 1.7 -5.9 -14.2

Crude........................................ 10000 7.913 221.3 185.6 -51.3 13.4 3.0 -6.6 -16.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.540 95.6 96.3 -27.6 -0.7 1.0 -1.2 0.7

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.382 78.7 79.4 -34.4 -1.0 1.9 -1.7 0.9

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.587 109.8 109.4 -4.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 5.001 160.9 159.1 -5.9 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -1.1

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.204 137.4 135.2 -4.9 -1.2 0.7 0.7 -1.6

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.183 200.1 191.1 -21.5 -0.4 -1.4 -3.4 -4.5

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.685 151.5 150.0 -5.9 -0.3 -0.5 -0.7 -1.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.671 109.6 109.6 -2.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Capital goods................................... 2 27.356 90.6 90.4 -2.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.334 117.8 117.5 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 21.599 83.1 82.9 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.424 137.0 137.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.283 111.2 111.0 -1.6 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 26.511 107.1 107.0 -1.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 12.639 118.8 118.6 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.404 95.5 95.4 -2.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.467 117.6 117.4 -2.8 0.3 0.1 -0.7 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: August 2014 to

August 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 124.9 123.1 -7.0 0.5 -0.2 -0.4 -1.4

Agricultural commodities....................... 8.909 186.3 181.5 -13.9 -1.3 -1.6 1.1 -2.6

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 83.678 100.1 99.5 -2.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 -0.6

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 91.091 120.3 118.7 -6.2 0.6 -0.1 -0.5 -1.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.274 188.1 182.4 -14.4 -1.3 -2.3 2.0 -3.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.599 188.9 183.3 -15.1 -1.0 -1.6 1.7 -3.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.675 187.1 179.9 -6.4 -3.9 -9.7 4.8 -3.8

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 31.027 153.4 148.0 -16.1 2.0 -0.3 -1.5 -3.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.854 157.1 153.1 -10.8 0.0 -0.2 -1.6 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 20.173 152.3 146.1 -18.8 3.0 -0.3 -1.5 -4.1

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.310 176.4 175.9 -6.7 -2.3 -1.7 -2.2 -0.3

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 29.717 152.7 147.1 -16.5 2.2 -0.3 -1.5 -3.7

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 8.048 182.0 166.4 -33.9 8.1 -0.2 -2.5 -8.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.682 155.8 152.9 -8.7 0.1 -0.2 -1.2 -1.9

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.987 115.9 114.4 -6.4 -0.7 -1.7 0.1 -1.3

Capital goods................................... 2 37.993 107.5 107.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.825 114.0 114.1 -1.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.970 95.1 94.9 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.198 161.6 161.6 3.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.194 113.8 113.8 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.512 112.6 112.2 -2.9 0.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.557 108.5 108.0 -4.0 0.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.5

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.338 110.5 110.3 -1.4 0.1 0.4 -0.4 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: August 2014 to

August 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 10.563 104.9 92.2 -44.6 10.0 1.9 -5.2 -12.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.037 175.7 175.0 -1.6 1.7 -0.8 -0.5 -0.4

Crop production............................... 111 1.632 185.6 185.0 0.4 2.6 -1.1 -0.5 -0.3

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.222 91.0 88.9 – -2.3 2.3 -3.0 -2.3

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.111 64.9 66.2 -13.4 -0.6 -0.3 1.7 2.0

Mining............................................ 21 8.526 96.7 82.3 -50.1 12.2 2.7 -6.3 -14.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.206 98.4 98.3 -20.1 0.7 -0.1 -4.2 -0.1

Manufactured articles............................ 89.133 111.4 110.6 -5.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 11.893 124.2 124.4 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.283 152.0 153.0 -5.9 -0.6 -0.6 -0.2 0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.088 118.3 118.2 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.5 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.402 100.8 100.7 -1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.880 111.9 111.8 -2.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.349 111.9 111.9 0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.891 124.3 124.2 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.506 122.8 120.3 -12.5 1.2 -0.2 -0.8 -2.0

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.720 115.3 112.5 -7.4 -2.0 1.2 1.1 -2.4

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.091 107.9 107.6 -3.4 0.1 -0.6 -0.5 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.817 98.7 89.4 -44.1 7.9 -1.3 -3.9 -9.4

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.527 134.0 133.1 -3.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.170 118.9 118.8 -2.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.976 130.9 130.5 0.1 0.1 0.6 -0.2 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 59.734 104.9 104.5 -3.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 3.855 134.3 129.4 -19.5 -0.7 -1.3 -3.0 -3.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.003 125.9 125.6 -1.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.167 118.7 118.5 -2.3 0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.589 77.9 77.7 -2.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.653 116.9 116.6 -2.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.432 110.3 110.1 -1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.575 116.0 115.9 -0.6 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.459 119.9 119.4 -2.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: August 2014 to

August 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.532 135.5 130.2 -13.5 -0.4 -2.1 3.0 -3.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.348 169.2 160.8 -10.4 -1.7 -2.0 4.2 -5.0

Crop production............................... 111 4.107 175.9 167.1 -10.5 -1.6 -1.3 4.1 -5.0

Mining............................................ 21 2.184 73.7 72.4 -18.5 1.9 -2.1 0.5 -1.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.175 86.6 83.5 -15.3 1.5 -1.7 -2.8 -3.6

Manufactured articles............................ 91.987 114.6 113.3 -6.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.5 -1.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.851 138.0 137.3 -12.8 -1.0 -1.2 -1.1 -0.5

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.677 155.5 154.6 -15.9 -0.9 -1.4 -1.1 -0.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.584 111.0 110.8 -1.2 -2.5 -3.1 -0.5 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 24.562 115.3 111.7 -15.0 2.5 -0.2 -1.0 -3.1

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.879 124.2 123.4 -2.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 -0.6

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 5.568 108.9 97.5 -39.1 10.2 -0.1 -3.2 -10.5

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.260 120.4 118.9 -7.5 0.4 -0.2 -0.7 -1.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.228 117.7 117.1 -1.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.820 112.3 112.3 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 60.574 112.1 111.7 -1.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.688 137.5 132.0 -12.2 -0.6 -0.6 -1.4 -4.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.003 129.3 129.6 1.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.499 125.3 125.4 1.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.218 85.7 85.5 -2.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.728 114.2 114.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.481 121.6 121.6 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.381 109.4 109.4 0.4 1.0 -0.5 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.576 123.2 122.9 -1.8 -0.2 0.5 -0.2 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: August 2014 to

August 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.331 185.0 188.5 -6.9 -1.9 -0.7 -0.1 1.9

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.323 241.7 248.0 -9.9 -0.2 -2.1 3.1 2.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.667 126.4 130.5 -5.5 -3.0 -1.8 -0.6 3.2

Vegetable products............................... II 1.952 201.2 199.2 0.3 3.5 -0.8 -0.3 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.556 469.9 476.5 33.2 14.1 -1.3 2.2 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.489 97.0 94.2 -7.3 -1.0 -3.0 1.6 -2.9

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.359 232.9 233.2 -7.9 -1.4 0.7 -3.9 0.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.267 104.3 106.5 -9.2 1.6 0.5 -1.5 2.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.805 161.6 161.1 -1.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.6 -0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.186 90.6 85.6 -6.7 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 -5.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.255 113.3 113.1 -3.4 2.2 0.6 1.8 -0.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.279 132.0 131.8 -0.7 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.328 155.7 156.2 -6.5 -2.0 -1.7 0.1 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.055 128.2 128.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Mineral products.................................. V 11.503 199.1 172.5 -48.4 11.0 1.8 -5.7 -13.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 11.268 196.3 169.6 -48.9 11.1 1.9 -5.8 -13.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.700 148.3 147.6 -3.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.649 291.3 292.0 -5.1 -0.7 -1.7 -1.9 0.2

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.507 125.9 125.1 -8.1 0.3 -0.5 1.9 -0.6

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.483 136.1 135.8 1.0 0.0 0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.384 111.1 102.2 -3.8 1.7 -1.9 -0.3 -8.0

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.204 98.6 98.6 -6.4 0.0 1.2 -0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.549 89.9 90.3 -3.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.377 140.8 140.3 -4.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.9 -0.4

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.194 144.9 144.0 -4.1 -0.1 -0.3 -1.0 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.183 135.2 135.3 -5.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.6 0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.721 128.0 128.0 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.681 130.7 130.7 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.745 139.9 136.7 -7.2 -1.9 0.9 1.1 -2.3

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.707 96.1 93.8 – -2.0 1.1 1.2 -2.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.152 111.5 110.7 -2.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 -0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.767 105.5 105.2 -2.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.469 114.3 114.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

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

August 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.194 104.2 104.2 1.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.961 119.8 119.8 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.634 105.8 105.7 -2.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.8 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.498 123.1 123.0 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.302 122.2 122.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.903 132.7 132.1 -0.8 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.5

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.269 138.2 137.6 -2.9 0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.4

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.316 129.7 129.7 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.988 167.7 162.8 -11.6 -0.5 -0.2 -1.8 -2.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.210 165.3 162.8 -11.7 -0.1 -1.0 -1.6 -1.5

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.062 177.8 175.0 -21.4 -2.1 -0.6 -2.0 -1.6

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.665 147.3 146.5 -5.5 -0.2 -0.8 -0.5 -0.5

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.452 282.8 268.8 -19.4 0.8 2.4 -5.7 -5.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.728 129.7 126.7 -12.0 0.1 -3.5 -1.4 -2.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.446 128.5 127.9 -0.9 0.0 0.2 -0.4 -0.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.521 138.4 138.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.567 82.3 82.1 -2.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.024 87.4 87.2 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 14.543 77.4 77.3 -2.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.787 114.8 114.6 -0.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.458 113.4 113.2 -0.9 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.236 119.9 119.9 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.891 103.6 103.3 -1.5 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.567 100.4 100.1 -1.6 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.262 142.8 142.1 -0.9 -0.1 0.1 0.6 -0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.025 112.9 112.8 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.423 117.4 117.3 -1.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.344 104.8 104.8 -0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.257 134.2 134.3 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: August 2014 to

August 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.808 190.1 187.4 -25.4 -1.7 -3.4 -2.1 -1.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.051 146.5 144.1 -28.0 -1.3 -2.8 -2.9 -1.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.410 212.5 204.4 -3.4 -2.1 -6.2 2.7 -3.8

Vegetable products............................... II 4.069 214.1 203.5 -11.4 -1.0 -2.0 3.9 -5.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.119 174.0 175.0 5.8 4.7 -3.3 -0.6 0.6

Cereals............................................ 10 1.068 210.8 183.5 -18.7 -9.1 0.9 8.4 -13.0

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.465 217.7 208.8 -19.2 -0.1 -3.5 6.4 -4.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.209 99.0 92.7 -17.5 -0.3 3.9 0.2 -6.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.922 153.0 153.3 -6.6 -1.2 -1.3 -0.1 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.403 118.3 118.2 0.1 0.2 -0.3 0.2 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.506 108.5 110.4 -0.5 0.2 1.4 -3.3 1.8

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.730 218.5 219.7 -10.7 -4.4 -3.8 1.9 0.5

Mineral products.................................. V 7.827 206.9 190.1 -34.4 8.0 -1.0 -2.4 -8.1

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.458 81.8 78.9 -20.5 4.6 -4.3 -5.8 -3.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 7.182 200.6 183.4 -35.7 8.6 -0.7 -2.3 -8.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.901 143.2 141.7 -5.8 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -1.0

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.899 185.0 185.2 8.3 0.4 -0.6 0.3 0.1

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.937 145.2 142.9 -15.4 0.8 0.1 -1.5 -1.6

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.588 111.4 110.8 -4.5 0.3 0.5 -0.2 -0.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.792 136.4 136.3 2.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.487 115.4 115.4 -1.6 0.0 -0.2 1.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.892 151.3 147.4 -2.7 -0.3 -1.0 -0.5 -2.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.149 142.1 141.4 -6.5 0.0 -0.6 -0.6 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.208 138.0 137.2 -6.1 0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.6

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.941 159.2 158.6 -8.2 -0.5 0.1 -1.6 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.382 127.4 125.3 -22.6 -1.8 -1.3 -8.9 -1.6

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.215 75.0 72.9 – -2.5 -2.7 -14.4 -2.8

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.614 96.7 96.1 – -0.2 -0.6 -0.3 -0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.278 125.4 124.4 -1.7 0.4 0.2 1.4 -0.8

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.650 129.3 126.5 -4.1 1.3 2.3 2.3 -2.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.204 122.8 122.5 -2.4 0.0 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.424 103.2 102.8 – 0.0 -0.1 4.2 -0.4

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.785 122.1 122.6 -5.5 -0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

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

August 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

May

2015 to

June

2015

June

2015 to

July

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.521 120.9 121.4 -9.8 -1.9 1.1 1.8 0.4

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.821 122.2 122.2 1.7 -0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.423 98.9 98.9 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.701 230.7 223.1 -11.2 -0.6 -0.4 -1.3 -3.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.122 150.2 147.7 -9.9 0.3 0.4 -1.9 -1.7

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.177 157.8 152.3 -18.6 -1.2 5.5 -4.7 -3.5

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.494 181.8 169.3 -26.3 5.7 -4.0 -5.0 -6.9

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.852 112.4 110.2 -12.6 0.3 -2.4 -2.7 -2.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.334 148.4 148.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 28.982 97.0 96.8 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.426 113.3 113.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.556 79.3 79.1 -1.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.588 130.9 130.9 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.065 115.0 115.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.219 107.6 107.3 -0.6 -0.1 0.7 0.0 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.492 111.5 110.6 -0.4 0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.8

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.849 123.9 123.5 0.5 0.4 -0.5 0.2 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.480 89.6 89.5 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: August 2014 to August 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2014

to Aug.

2015

Apr. 2015

to May

2015

May 2015

to June

2015

June 2015

to July

2015

July 2015

to Aug.

2015

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 121.5 119.3 -10.0 1.2 0.3 -0.8 -1.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 8.765 152.3 133.8 -42.7 10.3 5.3 -5.9 -12.1

Manufactured articles........................ 90.797 118.8 117.8 -5.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.8

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 123.6 121.2 -11.9 1.1 0.0 -0.7 -1.9

Nonmanufactured articles................... 11.812 216.7 189.9 -44.3 9.8 0.5 -3.6 -12.4

Manufactured articles........................ 87.977 105.3 104.7 -4.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.6

Canada.......................................... 100.000 128.6 123.3 -18.8 2.5 1.4 -1.8 -4.1

Nonmanufactured articles................... 24.123 146.3 127.8 -43.4 10.6 5.3 -5.9 -12.6

Manufactured articles........................ 75.182 128.1 126.3 -7.3 0.2 0.2 -0.3 -1.4

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 134.9 134.2 -3.9 0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.5

Manufactured articles........................ 99.384 131.4 130.7 -3.7 0.7 0.3 0.0 -0.5

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 121.8 121.6 -1.3 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 117.2 116.7 -1.9 -0.1 0.4 0.2 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 121.6 121.1 -8.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 148.7 144.6 -15.2 1.5 -0.3 -1.3 -2.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 19.195 234.3 208.8 -41.2 8.4 -0.8 -4.6 -10.9

Manufactured articles........................ 80.434 124.2 123.2 -5.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.8

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 131.0 129.1 -8.6 0.5 0.1 -0.7 -1.5

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 10.762 131.1 115.9 -39.4 6.9 1.2 -4.0 -11.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 88.930 90.5 90.3 -2.9 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 100.1 99.9 -2.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 102.7 102.6 -1.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.6 95.4 -3.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 85.9 86.1 -3.0 0.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 98.4 98.9 -4.4 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.5

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 179.2 158.1 -41.0 8.7 1.1 -2.6 -11.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 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: August

2014 to August 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20151

Index Percent change

July

2015

Aug.

2015

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2014 to

Aug.

2015

Apr. 2015

to May

2015

May 2015

to June

2015

June

2015 to

July 2015

July 2015

to Aug.

2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 164.8 161.5 -8.2 -0.4 -0.8 -3.2 -2.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 23.517 148.7 146.1 -18.5 1.0 3.0 -0.8 -1.7

Asia.................................................. 65.035 148.1 144.6 -4.9 -0.9 -2.1 -4.5 -2.4

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 158.5 157.3 -1.7 -0.4 0.3 0.4 -0.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 36.751 151.6 150.2 4.8 -0.5 0.3 0.5 -0.9

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 155.1 152.3 -7.9 -0.5 -0.3 -2.0 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 26.012 140.6 138.3 -13.3 0.1 2.3 0.1 -1.6

Asia.................................................. 60.570 140.7 137.7 -6.8 -0.8 -1.4 -3.3 -2.1

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 150.9 149.1 -2.6 2.3 -0.3 1.5 -1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 30.700 158.3 157.1 -8.6 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.8

Asia.................................................. 45.259 146.4 143.6 -1.0 0.6 0.1 3.1 -1.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 197.8 187.7 -3.2 1.9 8.9 -4.1 -5.1

Europe............................................... 42.784 225.2 205.1 -1.5 3.4 6.4 -6.9 -8.9

Asia.................................................. 23.539 153.6 146.6 -7.8 6.1 9.1 -3.2 -4.6

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.967 164.6 164.0 -5.4 -3.9 0.3 3.1 -0.4

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 172.2 174.7 -18.6 2.8 2.3 3.2 1.5

Europe............................................... 32.495 236.5 212.6 -11.0 4.3 8.4 4.0 -10.1

Asia.................................................. 26.645 143.0 174.8 -14.5 9.1 0.4 0.4 22.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 21.694 168.3 162.0 -15.9 -3.1 0.5 1.3 -3.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."
16 

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp). For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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