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

U.S. import prices declined 0.7 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, led 

by lower fuel prices. The October decrease in overall import prices followed comparatively modest 

advances in each of the previous 3 months. Prices for U.S. exports fell 0.5 percent in October, after a 0.4 

percent increase the previous month. 

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

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

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, November 15, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-2150
2

All Imports: Prices for overall imports declined 0.7 percent in October, after ticking up between 0.1 percent 

and 0.2 percent in each of the previous 3 months. The October drop was driven by lower fuel prices as 

nonfuel import prices were unchanged. Import prices decreased 2.0 percent for the year ended in October, 

the largest 12-month drop since a 2.7 percent decline between April 2012 and April 2013. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices fell 3.4 percent in October, the largest monthly decline since an 8.5 

percent decrease in June 2012. The October drop followed increases of 0.4 percent in September, 1.6 

percent in August, and 1.7 percent in July. The price index for import fuel decreased 3.8 percent over the 

past year. Both the October decline and the drop over the past 12 months were driven by lower petroleum 

prices, which fell 3.6 percent for the month and 4.1 percent for the year ended in October. Higher natural 

gas prices, up 5.8 percent in October and 8.1 percent over the past 12 months, partially offset declining 

petroleum prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel prices recorded no change in October and declined 1.3 percent over 

the past 12 months. The drop over the past year was led by a 5.1 percent decrease in the price index for 

nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. Lower prices for each of the major finished goods categories 

between October 2012 and October 2013 also contributed to the overall decline in nonfuel import prices. 

Table A. Percent change in import and export price indexes, selected categories 

 

 
3

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

All Exports: The price index for overall exports decreased 0.5 percent in October, resuming a downward 

trend following a 0.4 percent increase the previous month. Prior to September, export prices last advanced 

in February when the index rose 0.7 percent. Export prices also fell over the past 12 months, declining 2.1 

percent, the largest year-over-year decrease since a 2.1 percent drop for the year ended in June 2012. The 

last time the index fell more than 2.1 percent was a 3.6 percent decline between October 2008 and October 

2009. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices decreased 1.5 percent in October following a 0.6 percent 

increase the previous month. The October drop was driven by lower prices for corn and soybeans, down 

12.5 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively. The price index for agricultural exports fell 6.1 percent over the 

past year led by a 35.7 percent decline in corn prices, a 13.3 percent drop in soybean prices, and a 13.6 

percent decrease in wheat prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports fell 0.4 percent in October, after 

increasing 0.3 percent in September. Lower prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and 

capital goods more than offset rising prices for automotive vehicles. Overall nonagricultural prices declined 

1.6 percent from October 2012 to October 2013, driven by lower prices for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials and consumer goods. 

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

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Oct'12 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'13
4

SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent in October, after ticking 

up 0.1 percent the previous month. The price index for imports from China decreased 0.9 percent over the 

past 12 months. Prices for imports from Japan continued to trend down in October, falling 0.2 percent. 

Import prices from Japan declined 3.2 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month drop since the index 

fell 3.2 percent between June 2001 and June 2002. In October, the price indexes for imports from Canada 

and Mexico decreased 1.3 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively, led by lower petroleum prices. In contrast, 

prices for imports from the European Union increased 0.5 percent. 

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

0.1 percent in October following a 0.6 percent advance in September. Higher prices for iron and steel mill 

products in October, largely contributed to the increase. 

 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent in October, after declining 0.2 percent in 

September. The price index for automotive vehicles, which has not recorded a monthly advance since 

January, edged down 0.1 percent in October. Prices for import capital goods recorded no change for the 

second consecutive month in October. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The import price index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 0.7 percent in 

October, the largest monthly advance since a 1.6 percent rise in March. The October increase was led by 

higher vegetable prices and prices for fish and shellfish. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials decreased 0.8 percent in October, after rising 0.9 percent the previous month. The 

October drop was mostly led by lower fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in October. Prices for capital goods declined 0.2 

percent, driven by 0.3 percent decreases in both nonelectrical machinery and electrical equipment prices. In 

contrast, automotive vehicles prices rose 0.4 percent, led by a 0.8 percent advance in passenger car prices 

that was partially attributable to year-end model changeovers. The export price index for consumer goods 

was unchanged in October. 

Partial Government Shutdown 

Some agencies of the federal government were shut down or were operating at reduced staffing levels from 

October 1, 2013, through October 16, 2013. All data collection was suspended during that time period. 

Shortly after the shutdown ended, October data collection began. The Bureau of Labor Statistics delayed 

publication of this release by 2 days to allow for enough time to collect data. The reference period for the 

survey was not changed. The response rates for the import and export price surveys were at the normal 

range for the initial release of the data. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for November 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, 

December 12, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2012 to

October 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 139.4 138.4 -2.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.7

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 73.332 102.0 102.0 -1.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.237 114.8 114.9 -1.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.441 119.1 119.1 -1.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.109 174.8 176.0 2.6 0.6 0.3 0.6 0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.862 191.0 191.6 -1.4 0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.247 138.1 140.5 16.7 0.8 1.6 2.3 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.513 250.8 245.6 -4.4 0.3 0.6 0.5 -2.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 13.750 157.4 157.8 -4.4 -2.9 -1.1 0.3 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 12.954 179.3 179.5 -5.1 -1.7 -0.8 0.6 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.635 167.4 167.9 -6.1 -1.8 -0.7 1.0 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.320 145.4 145.6 -2.3 -4.2 -1.6 -0.4 0.1

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.558 341.9 330.4 -3.8 1.7 1.6 0.4 -3.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.761 383.4 369.6 -4.1 2.6 1.8 0.6 -3.6

Crude.......................................... 10000 15.964 399.0 382.1 -3.2 3.1 1.6 0.6 -4.2

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.595 98.7 103.3 6.3 -19.5 -6.2 -4.6 4.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.477 84.8 89.7 8.1 -21.8 -7.7 -5.6 5.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.563 113.3 114.5 2.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1 1.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.836 168.4 168.6 -3.7 -2.0 -1.0 0.1 0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.003 141.5 142.0 0.3 -1.9 -0.6 1.0 0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.479 239.0 238.8 -11.0 -2.7 -1.1 2.0 -0.1

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.560 156.0 155.7 -5.0 -1.8 0.1 0.3 -0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.513 112.3 112.8 -1.2 0.2 -0.8 -0.6 0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 24.024 92.5 92.5 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.011 119.7 119.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.144 85.2 85.2 -1.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.869 136.0 136.1 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.135 113.5 113.4 -1.4 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.219 107.2 107.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.847 116.1 116.1 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.048 98.2 98.2 -1.8 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.324 116.4 117.1 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2012 to

October 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.4 131.8 -2.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.4 -0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.227 215.4 212.2 -6.1 -0.3 -4.2 0.6 -1.5

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.017 101.9 102.0 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 0.2 0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.774 126.4 125.9 -1.6 -0.2 0.0 0.3 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.482 215.1 212.2 -7.0 -0.4 -4.3 0.8 -1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.810 218.7 215.1 -7.3 -0.5 -4.7 0.7 -1.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.672 184.3 188.5 -3.3 0.6 1.3 1.4 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.026 178.4 176.9 -4.2 -0.6 0.2 0.8 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.645 172.5 173.9 -7.0 -2.2 -0.8 1.3 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.381 182.5 179.4 -2.6 0.4 0.7 0.6 -1.7

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.417 202.0 201.3 2.0 0.8 -1.2 -0.5 -0.3

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.610 177.7 176.2 -4.4 -0.6 0.2 0.9 -0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.502 261.5 251.5 -7.5 1.0 2.2 1.1 -3.8

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.050 166.4 167.0 -3.7 -1.3 -0.5 0.8 0.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.058 125.3 125.8 6.7 1.1 0.5 0.6 0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 35.600 106.5 106.3 0.7 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.519 115.1 114.8 0.3 0.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.857 95.4 95.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.224 152.0 152.0 1.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.982 113.3 113.7 0.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.910 114.5 114.5 -2.1 0.0 -0.6 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.446 113.9 114.1 -1.5 -0.1 -0.8 0.0 0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.104 111.7 111.3 -2.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2012 to

October 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.919 170.2 164.8 -1.8 1.5 1.2 0.8 -3.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.811 171.1 173.4 -0.6 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1 1.3

Crop production................................. 111 1.273 176.4 179.5 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 1.8

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100). . . . .. 113 0.182 93.9 93.3 – -6.6 -4.3 -0.2 -0.6

Mining.............................................. 21 17.108 169.7 163.5 -2.0 1.7 1.4 0.8 -3.7

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.314 129.7 129.3 -7.8 -1.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.612 116.0 115.9 -1.9 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.581 124.3 124.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.929 157.8 157.4 2.5 0.5 -0.1 1.5 -0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.879 113.9 114.2 2.1 0.4 -0.2 0.4 0.3

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.387 100.9 101.0 -1.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.784 114.7 114.7 -0.9 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.940 110.5 110.4 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.661 121.5 121.6 0.7 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.772 136.3 135.8 -3.1 0.0 0.3 -0.3 -0.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.595 120.9 121.5 1.3 -2.6 -0.8 1.7 0.5

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.037 110.7 111.3 0.8 0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.241 163.1 159.7 -9.1 1.8 2.8 -0.8 -2.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.058 133.3 133.5 -1.0 -0.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.918 124.5 124.3 -2.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.838 129.5 129.8 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.259 108.0 108.0 -2.0 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.051 156.4 156.6 -11.3 -2.8 -1.1 1.6 0.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.628 126.7 126.1 -3.5 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.592 120.9 121.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.954 80.6 80.6 -1.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.017 119.4 119.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.921 111.7 111.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.252 114.0 114.9 1.0 0.0 -0.4 0.2 0.8

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.845 120.9 121.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2012 to

October 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.444 160.7 159.7 -9.1 -1.8 -6.3 1.6 -0.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.465 198.5 194.0 -10.9 -0.7 -7.6 1.8 -2.3

Crop production................................. 111 5.028 205.5 200.4 -11.5 -1.0 -8.1 1.6 -2.5

Mining.............................................. 21 1.979 86.8 90.2 -3.3 -5.1 -2.4 1.0 3.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.359 100.5 101.1 -9.4 -2.2 -2.3 -0.2 0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.195 120.7 120.0 -1.5 0.0 0.0 0.3 -0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.055 151.3 150.9 -0.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.960 173.5 173.3 -0.7 0.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.563 124.8 122.8 -3.8 -0.9 -0.7 -0.3 -1.6

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.851 134.5 132.3 -2.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 -1.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.435 121.1 122.7 8.2 2.1 -0.3 1.0 1.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.837 122.1 122.1 2.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.4 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 7.309 171.3 161.7 -8.9 2.6 3.2 1.4 -5.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.224 130.0 129.9 -1.4 -0.3 -0.5 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.249 120.5 120.0 1.1 -0.6 0.2 0.3 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.797 112.4 112.3 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.4 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 56.289 112.3 112.2 -1.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.693 151.5 150.9 -14.0 -3.2 -1.7 2.5 -0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.766 131.2 130.9 -0.9 -0.6 0.2 0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.750 122.6 122.6 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.222 88.5 88.0 -1.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.6

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.335 114.1 114.1 1.2 0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.247 118.0 118.3 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.323 107.6 107.0 2.4 2.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.6

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.953 121.2 121.0 -0.9 -0.1 -0.6 0.2 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2012 to

October 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.206 187.0 189.6 17.1 0.8 1.9 1.5 1.4

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.255 221.1 223.9 2.9 1.5 1.3 -2.2 1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.689 142.5 145.7 29.2 0.3 2.4 3.1 2.2

Vegetable products................................ II 1.576 201.8 200.0 -5.2 -1.1 -0.9 0.9 -0.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.385 372.9 384.7 7.0 1.7 0.1 5.5 3.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.423 113.9 110.5 -2.1 0.7 1.8 0.6 -3.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.349 225.2 222.4 -15.4 -2.2 -0.7 -1.7 -1.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.248 115.3 115.5 -6.8 -0.3 -0.8 0.1 0.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.426 158.7 159.3 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.4

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)....................................... 17 0.190 89.9 90.5 – 2.8 -3.9 -0.9 0.7

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.224 99.5 101.2 16.5 1.2 9.6 -0.5 1.7

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.239 130.6 130.7 1.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.316 164.9 164.8 -2.1 0.4 -0.7 0.1 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.867 124.5 124.8 2.1 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 21.487 344.1 332.3 -3.9 1.8 1.5 0.2 -3.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 21.211 341.0 329.2 -3.8 1.8 1.6 0.3 -3.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.502 147.9 148.1 -2.1 -0.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.705 312.1 310.7 -20.9 -5.0 -3.5 -1.8 -0.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.615 135.3 135.3 -2.5 -0.4 0.1 0.4 0.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.424 125.6 125.5 4.9 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.341 107.4 105.9 -21.0 -7.9 -4.3 -3.4 -1.4

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.166 94.8 94.1 1.0 0.6 0.0 0.4 -0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.470 98.9 98.6 -2.7 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.159 149.5 149.3 -1.8 -0.8 -0.6 -0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.975 148.4 148.4 2.8 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.184 152.9 152.5 -8.7 -1.9 -1.6 -1.4 -0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.597 125.5 125.6 -0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.565 126.9 127.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.630 146.7 147.1 0.8 -2.9 -1.4 1.8 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.138 113.9 114.5 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.178 102.7 105.2 6.7 -0.3 -0.6 -0.8 2.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.759 107.9 108.1 -0.3 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.964 113.9 113.9 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.941 103.1 102.7 -1.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

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

October 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.844 118.3 118.6 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.549 107.9 107.9 -0.6 -0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.364 120.9 121.0 0.6 -0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.168 119.9 120.1 0.3 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.772 132.6 132.8 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.249 126.2 126.5 1.4 -0.2 0.5 0.0 0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.242 140.9 140.9 -1.0 0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.281 128.6 128.9 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.036 183.4 183.0 -12.2 -3.3 -0.3 2.2 -0.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.925 179.4 179.4 -3.2 -1.2 -0.3 0.4 0.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.129 214.0 215.3 -2.4 -0.4 0.2 -0.6 0.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.473 153.5 152.9 -3.7 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.459 331.9 335.4 -8.3 -5.2 -0.5 3.6 1.1

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.129 87.3 86.1 -15.3 -4.0 -2.5 2.1 -1.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.667 135.7 135.8 -1.7 -1.0 -0.7 0.4 0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.387 129.3 129.3 1.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.431 135.3 135.1 -0.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.363 84.7 84.6 -1.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.685 89.5 89.6 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.678 80.0 79.8 -2.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.718 116.0 116.0 -0.4 -0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.773 114.8 114.7 -0.8 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.874 120.3 120.4 1.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.359 104.1 104.2 -0.6 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.047 101.0 101.1 -0.6 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.253 141.1 141.4 0.4 0.9 -0.3 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... XX 3.471 113.0 113.5 0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.4

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.939 116.9 117.6 0.9 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.337 105.2 105.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.195 138.5 138.5 1.9 0.1 0.4 -0.4 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2012 to

October 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.095 219.7 221.9 2.7 1.3 -0.5 1.4 1.0

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.188 167.9 165.9 -2.0 1.0 -1.3 0.7 -1.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.390 194.4 200.2 -6.1 0.9 2.4 2.5 3.0

Vegetable products................................ II 4.998 249.8 243.3 -12.1 -1.4 -8.0 1.3 -2.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 1.017 158.0 163.8 13.8 -0.5 3.8 -1.4 3.7

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.807 263.9 252.1 -24.2 -4.7 -8.1 -1.9 -4.5

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.665 281.7 268.4 -11.9 1.8 -13.4 6.7 -4.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.281 122.3 120.7 -15.8 -0.8 -5.0 -2.0 -1.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 3.020 166.9 165.5 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.334 112.8 112.5 1.4 -0.4 0.1 0.1 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.609 112.8 112.6 1.7 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.757 270.0 262.4 -8.0 1.9 -0.4 -0.5 -2.8

Mineral products.................................... V 9.407 305.1 294.0 -7.7 0.9 2.0 1.3 -3.6

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)........... 26 0.436 89.0 89.3 – -2.3 -4.0 2.1 0.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.789 303.5 291.5 -7.7 1.1 2.3 1.3 -4.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.445 152.6 152.2 -1.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.004 180.2 177.9 -3.4 -0.2 -1.5 -1.3 -1.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.267 165.8 163.4 -2.0 -0.5 0.9 0.6 -1.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.642 120.5 120.8 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.2 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)...................... 31 0.350 88.1 86.1 – -0.8 -3.0 -3.8 -2.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.708 135.0 135.2 -0.8 -0.1 -2.0 -0.5 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.455 120.9 121.4 -1.3 1.2 -0.1 0.1 0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.772 154.5 154.7 0.5 -1.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.287 149.1 149.8 0.7 -0.4 -0.5 0.4 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.300 143.3 144.5 3.1 -0.1 0.1 0.5 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.987 174.1 172.3 -8.7 -1.7 -2.9 -0.2 -1.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.394 141.6 145.8 9.6 -0.4 -1.0 -2.1 3.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.599 115.6 116.7 6.1 1.1 0.3 0.6 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.288 122.4 122.8 5.7 0.3 -0.9 0.3 0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.611 126.2 127.4 11.3 -1.4 -3.5 0.4 1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.221 121.0 120.7 2.8 1.1 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Printed material.................................... 49 0.455 132.0 133.0 6.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.8

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.864 132.4 132.0 5.3 0.5 -0.3 0.6 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.536 149.1 148.8 14.2 2.9 -0.9 2.0 -0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.764 118.3 118.6 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

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

October 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.391 97.5 97.4 -1.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.713 248.3 246.0 -15.3 -3.7 -1.3 2.9 -0.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.266 164.2 168.5 -1.7 -1.2 0.2 0.1 2.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.453 183.7 198.5 1.6 -2.1 0.1 0.5 8.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.320 168.0 169.4 -2.1 -0.7 0.5 -0.7 0.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.598 234.9 237.7 -8.0 -2.6 0.5 1.3 1.2

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.836 121.3 120.7 -5.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.408 133.0 135.9 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 2.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.328 147.3 147.3 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 28.066 97.1 96.8 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.817 111.4 111.3 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.249 81.6 81.2 -1.2 0.6 -0.5 -0.2 -0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.088 128.3 128.6 1.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.188 113.9 114.3 1.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.927 107.1 107.1 0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... XX 1.344 110.3 110.2 -0.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.729 121.5 121.9 0.9 0.7 0.0 -0.9 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.506 89.4 88.7 -2.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: October 2012 to October 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June 2013

to July

2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug. 2013

to Sept.

2013

Sept. 2013

to Oct.

2013

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 131.9 131.5 -0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.415 243.7 237.4 3.7 1.8 2.9 -2.7 -2.6

Manufactured articles......................... 86.989 123.0 123.0 -0.9 0.1 -0.3 0.3 0.0

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 139.5 138.4 -1.4 0.1 0.7 0.3 -0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 23.133 359.3 346.4 -2.3 1.1 2.6 2.2 -3.6

Manufactured articles......................... 76.520 109.9 109.9 -1.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Canada............................................ 100.000 153.7 151.7 -0.1 -0.2 1.2 -0.5 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 30.944 234.5 228.3 5.3 2.0 3.0 -2.6 -2.6

Manufactured articles......................... 68.045 136.5 135.4 -2.4 -1.1 0.3 0.5 -0.8

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.5 136.2 0.7 0.4 -0.4 0.1 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.939 324.7 320.0 -16.1 2.2 2.6 -11.2 -1.4

Manufactured articles......................... 98.882 131.9 132.6 0.8 0.5 -0.4 0.2 0.5

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 121.8 122.1 1.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 116.2 117.3 2.3 0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.9

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 127.2 127.7 -5.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.4

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 176.4 174.6 -1.7 0.4 0.6 0.7 -1.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 33.267 390.3 376.7 -0.3 1.9 1.7 2.3 -3.5

Manufactured articles......................... 66.340 130.8 131.1 -2.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 144.2 143.0 -1.6 0.3 0.3 0.2 -0.8

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 19.714 208.9 203.0 -0.2 2.2 2.2 1.8 -2.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 79.987 93.4 93.1 -1.7 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 103.0 103.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 103.7 103.6 -0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 100.000 99.9 99.7 -3.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 90.5 90.6 -0.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 104.7 104.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 267.6 259.1 -5.6 0.6 2.0 0.5 -3.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2012 to October 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20131

Index Percent change

Sept.

2013

Oct.

2013

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2012

to Oct.

2013

June 2013

to July

2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug. 2013

to Sept.

2013

Sept.

2013 to

Oct. 2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 172.8 174.3 -1.0 0.2 -0.2 0.6 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.250 167.0 168.7 3.1 0.9 -1.1 2.3 1.0

Asia.................................................... 73.435 151.9 153.1 -2.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.8

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 147.3 147.8 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.8 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.912 132.5 133.2 2.1 -0.2 0.2 0.5 0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 161.5 162.8 -1.6 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.221 149.6 151.0 0.8 0.3 -0.8 1.8 0.9

Asia.................................................... 67.136 146.0 147.3 -2.5 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.9

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 145.8 146.2 -0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 28.007 160.3 161.0 -0.7 -0.4 0.0 0.3 0.4

Asia.................................................... 52.316 139.0 139.5 -0.3 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 181.8 189.6 3.4 -3.9 -7.9 0.0 4.3

Europe................................................. 44.690 211.3 218.7 10.3 -8.0 -8.1 4.7 3.5

Asia.................................................... 25.138 146.3 149.6 -1.6 -3.5 -6.3 -6.5 2.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 9.249 162.3 164.2 3.1 1.5 -1.5 -6.3 1.2

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 185.6 182.6 -2.4 3.4 2.0 -10.2 -1.6

Europe................................................. 28.737 224.1 216.3 0.5 1.9 -5.2 -10.4 -3.5

Asia.................................................... 27.650 155.2 149.4 -13.5 -0.8 21.9 -23.4 -3.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.118 186.4 197.1 -8.2 8.2 -1.2 -8.1 5.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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. 

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