Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, January 11, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-0016

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – DECEMBER 2012 

The price index for U.S. imports edged down 0.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

reported today, after declining 0.8 percent the previous month. Falling fuel and nonfuel prices each 

contributed to the December decrease. U.S. export prices also fell 0.1 percent in December following a 0.7 

percent drop in November. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2011 – December 2012 

 Percent change 

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.4

-0.1

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.2 1.0

0.4

-0.8

-0.1

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Dec'11 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'12

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2011 – December 2012

 Percent change

8.5

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.8

-0.8

-2.5

-3.3

-1.8

-0.6

0.1

-1.5 -1.5

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

Dec'11 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'12
 

All Imports: Import prices declined for the second consecutive month in December after increasing the 

three months prior to November. Overall, import prices fell 1.5 percent in 2012, the first calendar year 

decrease for the index since a 10.1 percent drop in 2008. Import prices had risen 8.5 percent in 2011, 5.3 

percent in 2010, and 8.6 percent in 2009. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel edged down 0.1 percent in December after declining 2.8 

percent the previous month. The decrease in both months was led by falling petroleum prices, down 0.8 

percent in December and 3.4 percent in November. In contrast, natural gas prices rose 18.4 percent in 

December following an 18.0 percent rise in November. Overall fuel prices fell 6.4 percent in 2012 after 

increasing 24.9 percent the previous year. The decline over the past 12 months was driven by a 7.1 percent 

drop in petroleum prices which more than offset a 14.2 percent increase in natural gas prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports also declined 0.1 percent in December following a 

0.2 percent decrease in November. Lower prices for capital goods, consumer goods, and foods, feeds, and 

beverages all contributed to the December decline. Despite the recent decreases, nonfuel import prices 

ticked up 0.1 percent in 2012, after advancing 3.4 percent and 3.0 percent the two previous years. The 2012 

increase was led by a 1.9 percent rise in automotive vehicles prices, as all other major categories either 

recorded declines or no change for the year. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2011 – December 2012

 Percent change 

-0.5

0.3 0.5

0.8

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

0.9 0.8

0.0

-0.7

-0.1

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Dec'11 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'12

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2011 – December 2012 

 Percent change

3.6

2.6

1.8

1.1

0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3

-0.9 -0.6

1.4

0.7

1.1

-3

-1

1

3

5

Dec'11 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'12

All Exports: Export prices fell 0.1 percent in December after a 0.7 percent decline the previous month. 

Decreasing nonagricultural prices in December and November more than offset rising prices for agricultural 

exports. Despite the recent declines, the price index for overall exports rose 1.1 percent in 2012. That 

increase followed a 3.6 percent advance in 2011, and was the smallest calendar-year rise since the index 

declined 2.9 percent in 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports ticked up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive 

month in December. The increases for both December and November were driven by higher fruit prices. 

Agricultural prices increased 12.8 percent in 2012 after rising 1.0 percent the previous year. The 2012 

advance was led by rising prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat, up 31.6 percent, 26.9 percent, and 28.0 

percent, respectively. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports fell 0.2 percent in 

December, driven by falling prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and 

consumer goods. Overall nonagricultural prices declined 0.4 percent in 2012 after rising 4.0 percent in 2011 

and 5.1 percent in 2010. 

 

3
4

SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China were unchanged in December and declined 0.7 

percent in 2012. The yearly decrease followed increases of 3.6 percent in 2011 and 0.8 percent in 2010. 

Import prices from the European Union and Mexico fell 0.2 percent in December, while import prices from 

Japan edged down 0.1 percent. The price index for imports from Canada rose 0.3 percent, led by higher 

natural gas prices. For the year, import prices from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all declined, 

falling 2.5 percent, 1.1 percent, and 3.6 percent, respectively. In contrast, prices for imports from Japan rose 

1.0 percent over the past 12 months. 

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

0.1 percent in December, led by a 7.5 percent increase in prices for agricultural materials. For the year, the 

price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 0.8 percent, driven mostly by a 4.9 percent drop 

in unfinished metal prices. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly down in December; capital goods prices fell 0.2 

percent and prices for consumer goods edged down 0.1 percent. Prices for automotive vehicles remained 

unchanged for the second consecutive month. In 2012, automotive vehicles prices rose 1.9 percent, while 

prices for consumer goods fell 0.1 percent. Capital goods prices were unchanged over the past year. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.2 percent in December 

and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. Lower coffee prices were the largest contributor to the annual 

decline, decreasing 26.8 percent in 2012. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 6.8 percent in December, which helped 

contribute towards an 8.2 percent advance in 2012. A 16.1 percent rise in Asian fares was the largest 

contributor to the December increase, but the advance over the past year was led by a 17.5 percent jump in 

European fares. Import air freight prices decreased 0.7 percent in December as well as over the past 12 

months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural materials declined 0.3 

percent in December. A 0.7 percent drop in fuel prices and a 0.6 percent decrease in chemicals prices were 

the primary contributors to the decline. Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices fell 2.2 

percent over the past year, led by a 6.1 percent drop in fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices decreased overall in December as capital goods prices and prices 

for consumer goods each edged down 0.1 percent. Automotive vehicles prices were unchanged. In 2012, 

capital goods prices rose 1.0 percent, while automotive vehicles prices advanced 0.9 percent and prices for 

consumer goods were unchanged. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 6.2 percent in December, led by a 10.9 

percent increase in Asian fares. The index for export air passenger fares rose 1.7 percent over the past year. 

Export air freight prices fell 0.7 percent in December. Despite the decline, prices for export air freight 

increased 1.9 percent in 2012. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2013 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

February 13, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 140.1 140.0 -1.5 1.0 0.4 -0.8 -0.1

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 71.728 103.5 103.5 0.2 0.1 0.4 -0.2 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 77.910 116.4 116.5 0.1 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 76.801 120.6 120.5 0.1 0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.073 169.9 169.5 -1.7 1.4 0.3 -1.3 -0.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.932 191.3 191.0 -1.5 1.9 0.3 -1.8 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.141 121.4 120.9 -2.3 -0.3 0.3 0.7 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 36.433 252.0 251.8 -4.5 2.5 0.5 -1.9 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.343 165.8 167.5 -0.2 0.1 1.2 0.4 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.234 188.4 188.5 -0.8 0.1 1.1 -0.4 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.865 178.0 177.6 -1.3 0.5 2.3 -0.6 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.369 151.4 155.3 1.2 -0.6 0.0 1.5 2.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 23.200 333.8 333.4 -6.4 3.9 0.1 -2.8 -0.1

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 22.091 372.4 369.6 -7.1 4.0 0.0 -3.4 -0.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 16.637 381.5 377.9 -7.5 4.2 -0.3 -3.4 -0.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.826 111.6 129.8 12.8 0.2 6.0 14.8 16.3

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.724 97.9 115.9 14.2 -0.5 7.7 18.0 18.4

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.587 112.2 111.4 -3.0 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.872 174.6 175.6 0.3 -0.7 -0.6 -0.2 0.6

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.060 141.5 143.5 9.8 1.2 0.2 -0.1 1.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.658 265.8 264.1 -4.9 0.8 4.4 -0.9 -0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.557 163.1 162.0 -0.1 0.0 1.4 -0.5 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.500 114.4 114.4 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.408 93.3 93.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.917 119.6 119.6 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.826 86.2 86.0 -0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.665 133.9 134.2 3.2 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.735 115.1 115.1 1.9 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.351 107.7 107.6 -0.1 0.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.741 115.3 115.3 0.8 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.336 99.8 99.8 -0.5 0.1 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.273 115.7 115.3 -3.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 133.6 133.5 1.1 0.8 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.847 225.9 226.1 12.8 1.3 -1.9 0.1 0.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.788 102.7 102.6 0.2 0.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.152 127.0 126.8 -0.4 0.7 0.3 -0.8 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.989 228.2 227.4 14.3 1.0 -1.7 0.2 -0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 10.275 232.6 232.1 15.4 1.2 -1.9 0.5 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.714 189.3 184.5 0.4 -0.3 0.7 -2.6 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.660 180.8 180.6 -2.2 1.9 0.5 -2.0 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.169 185.6 186.0 -1.2 1.0 2.0 -0.7 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.489 179.0 178.4 -2.7 2.3 -0.3 -2.7 -0.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.572 193.6 197.4 -1.6 2.0 -1.8 -2.0 2.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.087 180.6 180.1 -2.2 1.8 0.7 -2.0 -0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.222 255.9 254.1 -6.1 4.4 -0.5 -5.8 -0.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.925 172.4 172.2 -0.9 1.0 1.1 -0.6 -0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.940 117.8 117.8 1.9 0.1 -0.8 -0.1 0.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.425 105.7 105.6 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.550 114.3 113.9 1.0 0.3 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.912 94.8 94.8 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.963 149.2 149.4 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.200 112.9 112.9 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.726 116.7 116.6 0.0 0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.950 115.8 115.7 1.6 0.3 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.352 114.4 114.2 0.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 19.967 163.9 163.3 -6.4 4.2 0.2 -2.4 -0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.785 166.1 165.8 -5.3 2.7 1.3 -4.9 -0.2

Crop production................................. 111 1.259 171.3 171.3 -5.7 3.5 1.1 -6.5 0.0

Mining.............................................. 21 18.182 163.3 162.6 -6.6 4.3 0.1 -2.2 -0.4

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.318 139.0 139.7 -4.7 0.8 -3.0 -0.9 0.5

Manufactured articles.............................. 79.570 117.7 117.6 -0.3 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.808 123.5 123.8 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.940 153.7 155.2 -1.3 -1.5 -0.8 -0.1 1.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.854 112.4 112.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 -0.3

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.408 102.4 102.2 2.2 0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.875 115.9 115.9 -2.2 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.075 111.0 111.0 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.657 120.8 120.9 3.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.968 138.4 138.6 -0.9 0.9 0.2 -1.2 0.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.648 120.4 123.5 15.0 0.9 0.1 0.4 2.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.090 110.6 110.0 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.576 167.1 168.4 -5.9 2.6 0.3 -4.9 0.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.821 135.0 134.8 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.906 127.5 127.6 1.4 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.838 129.5 129.3 0.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 50.795 110.0 109.8 -0.1 0.3 0.5 -0.3 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.239 174.6 172.8 -5.0 0.5 4.1 -1.1 -1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.581 130.5 130.3 0.9 0.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.716 122.2 122.2 2.3 0.5 0.6 -0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.460 81.9 81.7 -1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.897 119.5 119.6 1.8 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.427 112.4 112.4 2.2 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.322 113.8 113.9 0.9 0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.153 121.3 121.1 -1.7 -0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.772 175.4 175.4 5.7 0.8 -2.9 -0.1 0.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.928 217.6 217.4 16.5 1.5 -3.5 -0.1 -0.1

Crop production................................. 111 6.491 226.9 227.1 17.7 2.0 -3.8 0.2 0.1

Mining.............................................. 21 1.844 93.5 93.6 -21.7 -2.0 -1.0 0.2 0.1

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.216 107.5 108.8 -23.0 -1.6 -4.9 -3.7 1.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.291 120.8 120.6 0.6 0.8 0.2 -0.7 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.316 150.6 150.0 4.5 0.9 0.4 -0.1 -0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.114 172.8 171.1 5.1 1.1 0.6 -0.2 -1.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.593 125.3 127.6 11.0 2.2 -0.5 -1.9 1.8

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.427 122.8 122.8 3.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.142 132.8 132.3 -0.2 2.0 0.1 -2.2 -0.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.400 113.7 113.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.7 0.3 -0.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.827 119.0 118.9 -0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.067 164.0 163.2 -0.3 5.7 -0.1 -7.6 -0.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.895 130.8 130.2 -0.5 0.9 0.2 -0.6 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.203 118.8 119.2 2.8 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.750 111.5 111.4 0.6 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.833 113.3 113.2 0.4 0.3 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.832 173.6 173.2 -3.7 1.7 4.0 -1.1 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.665 132.1 132.0 2.3 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.121 121.2 121.1 2.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.201 88.9 88.7 -1.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.211 112.7 112.8 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.370 116.8 116.9 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.302 104.7 104.8 4.8 0.1 1.4 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.130 122.1 122.0 -1.3 0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.157 164.4 164.2 -1.3 0.2 0.2 1.5 -0.1

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.275 218.5 217.2 1.0 0.3 -0.7 0.4 -0.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.582 114.6 113.8 -6.3 -1.2 0.3 1.5 -0.7

Vegetable products................................ II 1.618 204.5 207.8 -1.8 0.9 -0.6 -4.0 1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.372 369.3 363.9 18.8 25.8 0.5 -1.6 -1.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.436 109.5 108.7 -4.3 -0.6 -2.3 -3.0 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.359 233.0 232.3 -21.5 -6.5 4.0 -11.3 -0.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.238 121.2 118.3 -11.8 1.2 -2.5 -2.2 -2.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.397 157.8 157.4 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.191 88.3 91.7 8.0 1.1 2.8 1.6 3.9

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.233 129.4 129.4 3.3 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.343 168.9 166.6 -4.4 -0.1 -1.0 0.6 -1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.805 122.7 122.5 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 22.860 335.4 335.5 -6.3 3.9 0.1 -3.0 0.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 22.564 331.9 332.0 -6.2 4.0 0.1 -3.1 0.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.414 151.6 151.3 1.3 0.1 0.5 0.3 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.985 393.6 387.9 0.6 0.5 -0.9 0.1 -1.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.483 140.3 140.3 2.3 -0.3 0.2 1.2 0.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.107 119.7 119.7 2.8 0.1 2.2 0.1 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.421 131.8 131.2 -9.4 -0.2 -1.3 -1.9 -0.5

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.163 93.2 93.1 -6.9 0.0 -10.0 0.0 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.420 126.0 125.7 0.9 -0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.468 100.9 101.2 -3.3 0.0 -1.1 0.2 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.105 151.8 151.8 -0.1 0.3 0.3 -0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.905 144.8 145.2 1.6 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.200 165.6 164.8 -2.7 -0.7 0.1 -0.9 -0.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.590 126.2 126.2 2.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.557 127.0 126.9 2.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.683 146.0 149.6 15.2 1.0 0.4 0.1 2.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.194 113.4 113.1 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.175 97.8 97.5 -2.5 -2.1 -1.2 -0.8 -0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.801 108.6 108.1 -1.5 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.5

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.213 114.6 114.5 -0.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.005 104.8 104.8 -1.6 -0.7 -0.4 0.2 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.922 117.4 117.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.633 108.7 108.6 -3.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.356 120.2 120.2 2.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.158 119.7 119.9 3.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.760 131.9 131.5 0.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.244 125.3 124.2 0.0 0.6 -1.0 0.4 -0.9

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.226 140.9 141.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -1.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.290 127.6 127.3 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.384 207.0 205.8 -0.6 2.0 4.5 -0.7 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.771 184.4 183.4 -3.0 -0.6 0.7 -0.5 -0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.030 221.0 218.7 -11.2 -1.9 -2.8 0.2 -1.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.397 158.1 156.9 -2.8 -0.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.456 354.1 355.0 4.4 2.7 5.0 -3.2 0.3

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.135 104.1 97.2 -8.8 -2.5 6.9 2.5 -6.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.697 136.8 137.5 -1.9 -0.9 4.1 -1.0 0.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.364 128.1 128.1 3.1 0.2 -0.5 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.415 136.3 136.9 3.9 0.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.4

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.878 85.8 85.7 -0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.576 90.0 89.9 1.0 0.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.302 81.7 81.7 -1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.359 116.7 116.6 2.0 0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.544 115.6 115.6 1.9 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.709 118.4 118.9 2.7 -0.5 0.0 0.2 0.4

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.247 104.9 104.6 -1.2 0.2 0.7 0.1 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.974 101.8 101.5 -2.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.212 141.0 140.8 10.3 1.8 6.4 0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.721 112.8 112.8 1.1 -0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.986 116.6 116.7 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.531 105.2 105.2 0.6 -0.4 0.4 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.204 135.9 135.8 2.3 -0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.984 212.6 212.3 2.2 -1.8 2.7 -0.2 -0.1

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.150 168.9 169.0 -0.6 0.8 1.6 -0.2 0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.426 206.8 200.7 0.0 -0.1 0.9 -2.7 -2.9

Vegetable products................................ II 6.539 278.4 279.0 20.2 1.7 -3.7 0.5 0.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.930 149.4 158.0 13.9 3.5 4.2 3.8 5.8

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.572 334.6 336.2 24.1 -1.1 -1.0 0.6 0.5

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.439 302.9 295.8 27.9 4.4 -9.2 -0.5 -2.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.426 133.8 131.8 -9.5 1.7 -2.6 -6.7 -1.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.897 167.9 166.7 12.1 1.6 0.4 0.3 -0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.320 110.9 110.6 1.3 0.3 -1.4 0.0 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.402 110.7 110.3 4.8 0.1 0.7 0.0 -0.4

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.989 286.9 280.9 36.6 4.9 1.2 0.7 -2.1

Mineral products.................................... V 8.144 299.4 298.5 -6.3 3.9 -0.5 -5.9 -0.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.573 296.2 294.5 -6.5 4.2 -0.6 -6.1 -0.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.200 154.7 154.1 -0.5 0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.005 185.8 182.3 -7.9 0.6 -0.9 0.9 -1.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.401 165.7 165.3 -0.9 1.0 0.4 -0.5 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.161 125.0 124.7 0.8 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.762 136.5 136.5 2.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.465 123.0 122.9 -1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.757 152.6 152.8 1.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.409 147.6 147.1 -0.1 1.6 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.352 138.9 138.5 0.4 2.0 -0.1 -0.9 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.057 188.6 187.6 -1.8 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.381 135.0 137.0 13.3 -0.2 0.8 1.5 1.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.542 110.0 109.9 1.8 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.298 117.1 117.3 0.3 -0.8 1.1 0.8 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.598 117.8 119.0 -2.1 -3.7 2.0 2.9 1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.228 117.4 117.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.471 125.6 125.8 5.4 0.8 2.8 0.1 0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.897 125.6 126.1 -5.0 0.6 -0.7 0.2 0.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.547 130.8 132.3 -22.1 1.1 -2.8 0.2 1.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.746 118.4 118.4 1.7 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.402 98.9 98.8 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2011 to

December 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2011 to

Dec.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.374 286.3 285.9 -3.0 3.1 3.7 -1.5 -0.1

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.421 171.3 171.8 -1.2 -0.5 0.5 -0.1 0.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.576 199.6 199.7 -6.1 -2.5 -1.8 2.1 0.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.359 172.7 172.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.644 247.3 253.8 1.9 2.0 4.5 -4.3 2.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.822 125.7 125.9 0.0 0.6 2.3 -1.1 0.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.388 133.1 133.1 3.5 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.339 146.0 145.6 6.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.507 96.9 96.8 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.083 111.0 110.8 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.424 81.7 81.6 -1.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.942 126.8 126.9 1.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.229 113.0 113.0 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.797 106.2 106.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.351 110.9 111.1 2.5 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.702 121.2 121.6 2.1 0.1 0.7 0.3 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.517 90.9 90.9 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: December 2011 to December 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2011

to Dec.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Sept. 2012

to Oct.

2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov. 2012

to Dec.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 131.6 131.7 -1.1 1.2 0.5 -0.3 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.380 223.7 226.0 -8.3 6.7 2.2 -2.3 1.0

Manufactured articles......................... 87.017 124.1 124.0 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 139.3 139.1 -2.0 0.7 -0.1 -0.9 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 24.950 345.7 343.9 -5.5 3.6 -0.3 -2.6 -0.5

Manufactured articles......................... 74.698 110.9 110.9 -0.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Canada............................................ 100.000 151.1 151.5 -2.5 2.3 0.7 -0.5 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 29.017 212.3 214.7 -9.1 6.9 3.1 -2.1 1.1

Manufactured articles......................... 70.018 138.9 138.7 0.7 0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.1 134.8 -1.1 -0.1 0.6 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 2.360 381.6 378.5 4.0 0.1 1.1 0.0 -0.8

Manufactured articles......................... 96.831 131.3 131.1 -1.2 -0.2 0.6 0.0 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 120.0 119.9 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 114.9 114.5 -0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2 -0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 134.9 134.7 1.7 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 173.5 173.6 -4.4 1.3 -0.4 -2.4 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 34.215 359.5 358.0 -10.4 3.1 -1.3 -5.0 -0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 65.331 132.7 133.1 -0.9 0.4 0.1 -0.9 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 142.8 142.5 -3.6 0.8 -0.3 -1.7 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 20.537 191.5 188.8 -10.4 3.7 -1.7 -5.9 -1.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 79.463 94.1 94.2 -1.8 0.0 0.1 -0.6 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 104.2 104.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.4 104.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Japan.............................................. 100.000 103.2 103.1 1.0 0.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 90.8 90.5 -0.1 0.2 0.5 -0.8 -0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 103.9 103.8 -1.0 0.1 0.0 -0.7 -0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 273.5 271.6 -0.5 2.5 1.3 -0.4 -0.7

1 Relative figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2011 to December 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20121

Index Percent change

Nov.

2012

Dec.

2012

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2011

to Dec.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov. 2012

to Dec.

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 177.1 175.8 -0.7 0.3 1.3 0.6 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.449 166.7 162.2 -3.6 1.0 3.8 1.8 -2.7

Asia.................................................... 71.089 156.8 156.7 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 148.1 147.0 1.9 2.4 1.2 -0.3 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.179 130.0 129.6 0.0 1.7 -1.3 -0.4 -0.3

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 168.5 167.5 4.2 1.6 1.2 1.8 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.253 151.8 149.2 -0.2 1.4 3.2 1.3 -1.7

Asia.................................................... 64.875 154.5 154.2 6.6 1.8 0.6 2.3 -0.2

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 149.2 147.9 2.3 1.4 0.3 1.3 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 29.974 162.7 161.7 -0.8 0.7 -1.3 0.3 -0.6

Asia.................................................... 50.137 143.1 141.6 4.7 1.8 0.9 2.3 -1.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 181.8 194.2 8.2 -1.6 2.0 -0.9 6.8

Europe................................................. 41.988 202.9 207.2 17.5 0.6 3.7 2.4 2.1

Asia.................................................... 25.485 147.5 171.3 5.4 -5.4 -0.3 -3.0 16.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.626 169.2 185.1 -1.0 -9.1 1.5 6.3 9.4

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 182.9 194.3 1.7 -12.4 -0.4 -2.2 6.2

Europe................................................. 27.657 216.5 222.2 7.4 -9.4 -2.2 0.6 2.6

Asia.................................................... 28.271 165.7 183.7 2.7 -24.1 -0.9 -4.1 10.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.308 215.5 224.6 9.7 -2.9 -0.4 0.4 4.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The 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. 

16