Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-08-1671 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Friday, November 14, 2008 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- OCTOBER 2008 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index fell for the third consecutive month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, decreasing 4.7 percent in October and 10.6 percent over 

the past three months. Export prices declined 1.9 percent in October, the third consecutive monthly 

decrease. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices fell 4.7 percent in October after decreases of 3.3 percent and 3.0 percent in 

September and August, three of the four largest monthly declines for the index since being published 

monthly for the first time in December 1988. Despite falling 10.6 percent over the past three months, 

import prices increased 6.7 percent for the year ended in October. The three-month decline in import 

prices was largely driven by falling petroleum prices which plunged 16.7 percent in October after 

decreasing 10.2 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively, in September and August. The October drop in 

petroleum prices was the largest monthly decline since an 18.8 percent fall in April 2003 and the 32.4 

percent decrease over the past three months is the largest quarterly decline since the three months ended 

in February 1991. For the October 2007-2008 period, however petroleum prices rose 13.1 percent. 

The price index for nonpetroleum imports fell 0.9 percent for the second consecutive month in 

October, although the index increased 5.0 percent over the past year. The October decrease was led by a 

3.2 percent decline in prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, the largest one-month 

drop for that index since a 5.3 percent decrease in April 2003. Lower prices for metals and natural gas 

were the major factors for the October decline in nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices. 

Lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages and capital goods, down 1.6 percent and 0.2 percent, 

respectively, also contributed to the decrease in nonpetroleum prices. 

In contrast, the price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each ticked up 0.1 

percent in October. 

 

Export Goods 

Export prices fell 1.9 percent in October, the largest one-month decline since the index was first 

published monthly in December 1988. The decrease followed drops of 0.8 percent in September and 1.6 

percent in August and the 4.3 percent decrease over the past three months was the largest quarterly 

decline since the index was first published in September 1983. Despite the recent downward trend, 

export prices advanced 4.2 percent over the past 12 months. The price index for agricultural exports fell 

8.7 percent in October, the second decline in the past three months. The October drop was led by falling 

prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat. Agricultural prices rose 5.7 percent for the year ended in October. 

Nonagricultural prices fell for the third consecutive month, declining 1.2 percent in October 

following decreases of 0.9 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, in September and August. The October 

decline was the largest one-month drop for the index since first being published monthly in December 

1988 and was led by a 3.8 percent drop in prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. 

That decline was driven by lower prices for fuels, metals, and chemicals. The price index for 

nonagricultural exports increased 4.0 percent over the past year. 

Most of the major finished goods price indexes advanced in October. Consumer goods prices 

rose 0.5 percent for the month and increased 3.2 percent over the past 12 months. The price index for 

automotive vehicles advanced 0.4 percent, an increase that was partially attributable to year-end model 

changeovers. Capital goods prices, in contrast, declined in October, edging down 0.1 percent, a 

decrease that resulted from a 1.8 percent drop in computer prices. Excluding computer prices, capital 

goods prices increased 0.3 percent. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

The sharp decline in fuel prices continued to impact import prices from Canada, the European 

Union, and Mexico in October. Prices for imports from Canada fell 4.4 percent for the second 

consecutive month and decreased 11.4 percent over the past three months, which was the largest 

quarterly drop since the index was first published in December 1990. The price index for imports from 

the European Union also fell for the third month in a row, decreasing 1.3 percent in October after 

dropping 1.1 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, in September and August. Import prices from 

Mexico decreased 4.9 percent in October, the largest monthly drop since the index was first published in 

December 2003, and the October decrease followed declines of 2.4 percent and 2.5 percent the two 

previous months. Despite the declines, the price indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, 

and Mexico increased 12.7 percent, 6.3 percent, and 7.6 percent, respectively, over the past 12 months.

The price index for imports from China declined for the first time since January 2007, falling 0.3 

percent in October. Previous to the downturn, prices for imports from China were unchanged in 

September and ticked up 0.2 percent in August. The index rose 4.2 percent for the year ended in 

October. 

Import prices from Japan rose 0.5 percent in October following a 0.6 percent decline the 

previous month. The index advanced 1.5 percent for the October 2007-2008 period. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares rose 2.9 percent in October after declining 6.9 percent and 3.0 percent, 

respectively, over the previous two months. The October increase was led by a 4.1 percent advance in 

European fares. In contrast, export air passenger fares declined for the second consecutive month, 

falling 3.1 percent in October after a 9.9 percent drop in September. For the year ended in October, 

import air passenger fares rose 25.3 percent while export air passenger fares advanced 8.8 percent. 

Prices for import air freight declined 3.1 percent in October after decreasing 3.4 percent the 

previous month. Despite the recent declines, the index increased 12.3 percent over the past 12 months. 

A 5.1 percent drop in European air freight prices in October led the overall decline. The price index for 

export air freight fell 1.2 percent in October; however the index advanced 18.0 percent over the past 

year. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

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

Import and Export Price Index data for November are scheduled for release on December 11 at 

8:30 A.M. (EST) 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 138.4 131.9 6.7 1.4 -3.0 -3.3 -4.7

All imports excluding petroleum................ 75.865 114.1 113.1 5.0 0.6 -0.4 -0.9 -0.9

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 74.015 116.9 116.0 4.9 0.6 0.2 -0.4 -0.8

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.369 148.1 145.7 9.4 1.4 0.5 -1.5 -1.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.396 165.1 162.1 10.6 1.5 0.2 -1.7 -1.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.973 109.6 108.7 5.3 0.6 1.6 -1.2 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 41.779 251.1 223.6 13.4 2.7 -6.8 -7.3 -11.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 17.644 167.6 162.2 13.3 1.9 -2.4 -3.0 -3.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 15.794 179.8 174.2 13.9 1.7 0.2 -1.3 -3.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.313 170.2 162.3 10.4 1.2 -0.3 -2.7 -4.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.481 163.2 161.3 17.4 3.0 -5.2 -3.4 -1.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 25.985 350.9 295.6 12.7 3.3 -10.3 -10.6 -15.8

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 24.136 377.1 314.2 13.1 3.3 -9.7 -10.2 -16.7

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.893 392.1 320.1 12.4 3.6 -9.6 -11.7 -18.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.607 189.9 182.1 15.1 4.5 -19.1 -16.9 -4.1

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.436 182.3 173.4 14.5 4.7 -20.7 -19.1 -4.9

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.735 119.8 119.9 6.9 1.4 0.7 0.1 0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.813 162.3 161.8 23.1 2.9 1.3 1.8 -0.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.738 122.5 120.4 4.1 1.8 0.7 0.3 -1.7

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 5.005 257.0 238.2 12.9 0.1 -1.2 -4.9 -7.3

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.960 159.9 154.1 13.1 2.1 0.1 -1.4 -3.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.543 111.4 110.6 7.4 2.9 1.0 -0.4 -0.7

Capital goods..................................... 2 19.982 93.4 93.2 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.599 112.8 112.0 4.9 0.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.7

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 15.843 88.3 88.1 0.5 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.541 118.2 118.3 3.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.409 108.2 108.3 2.6 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 21.461 105.1 105.2 2.9 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 9.897 108.1 108.2 2.9 0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 10.502 101.8 102.0 3.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.062 106.5 105.8 2.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 124.9 122.5 4.2 1.5 -1.6 -0.8 -1.9

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.839 188.3 172.0 5.7 6.7 -9.6 0.1 -8.7

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.163 120.4 119.0 4.0 0.9 -0.7 -0.9 -1.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.946 190.2 173.9 6.0 6.8 -10.4 0.3 -8.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.279 195.7 177.5 5.9 7.3 -11.1 0.5 -9.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.667 143.6 143.4 6.9 0.6 -0.9 -1.4 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 31.191 169.4 162.8 8.2 2.7 -2.1 -2.7 -3.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.468 166.8 160.0 1.4 1.4 0.1 -4.9 -4.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 19.724 171.8 165.3 12.5 3.4 -3.4 -1.3 -3.8

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.560 157.4 148.8 4.3 3.0 -1.2 -2.2 -5.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 29.632 170.3 163.8 8.4 2.6 -2.1 -2.7 -3.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.303 267.4 240.7 17.5 5.1 -11.7 -3.0 -10.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.319 160.8 156.6 6.9 2.2 0.2 -2.8 -2.6

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.010 115.4 116.8 2.3 0.6 0.6 0.2 1.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 38.522 101.9 101.8 1.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.672 109.6 109.8 2.5 0.4 -0.1 0.4 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 27.134 94.0 93.7 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.716 130.7 131.1 5.7 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.508 107.9 108.3 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.834 109.3 109.8 3.2 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.5

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.466 109.0 108.8 1.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.382 108.7 109.9 5.5 0.8 1.1 1.4 1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 22.097 172.1 144.7 12.8 3.8 -9.4 -11.2 -15.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.645 139.6 135.5 14.2 2.8 1.7 -2.7 -2.9

Crop production................................. 111 1.174 143.4 136.3 11.9 3.4 1.5 -1.8 -5.0

Mining.............................................. 21 20.452 175.2 145.5 12.5 3.9 -10.1 -11.8 -17.0

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.386 128.8 129.8 24.6 1.0 1.9 2.0 0.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 77.272 114.2 112.7 5.5 0.5 -0.8 -0.7 -1.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 9.285 109.5 109.1 3.5 0.5 0.1 -0.6 -0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.396 129.7 127.0 10.2 1.3 0.1 -1.5 -2.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.765 106.2 106.1 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.419 113.6 112.8 4.3 0.8 0.5 -0.7 -0.7

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.698 102.2 102.3 2.1 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.665 101.7 102.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.343 105.8 106.3 3.3 0.8 0.1 -0.2 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.227 131.9 127.9 13.8 1.4 -3.0 -0.8 -3.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.096 99.6 94.8 1.6 1.2 1.1 0.5 -4.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.233 114.2 114.3 9.1 1.3 1.1 0.1 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.015 165.6 147.9 18.6 1.0 -11.3 -4.9 -10.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.113 129.9 129.9 15.2 1.4 0.9 1.2 0.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.620 114.1 113.5 8.0 1.8 0.5 0.3 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.060 115.4 119.0 9.6 3.7 -0.7 0.0 3.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 49.760 109.6 108.6 3.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.6 -0.9

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.838 176.1 164.1 12.5 0.3 -1.4 -4.4 -6.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.520 121.7 121.5 10.1 1.7 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.280 111.5 111.1 4.2 0.5 0.1 0.1 -0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 12.731 92.1 91.8 -3.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.525 114.1 114.6 6.2 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.133 105.2 105.2 2.7 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.414 111.6 111.3 9.0 1.3 0.3 0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.318 111.0 111.1 3.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.831 147.0 131.3 -1.7 6.9 -13.3 -1.0 -10.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.556 168.4 147.7 -1.1 9.3 -14.8 0.2 -12.3

Crop production................................. 111 5.216 175.2 152.5 -0.9 9.8 -15.5 0.3 -13.0

Mining.............................................. 21 1.275 98.4 94.7 -4.1 -2.5 -6.7 -6.0 -3.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.859 99.3 97.6 -2.8 1.1 1.5 -2.4 -1.7

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.547 113.2 112.1 5.2 1.0 -0.5 -0.5 -1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.943 126.1 123.8 10.1 1.5 -0.2 -0.6 -1.8

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.635 143.0 139.3 15.1 2.0 -0.2 -1.0 -2.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.478 104.4 104.0 0.3 -0.2 -0.8 -1.2 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.460 101.2 101.3 0.8 -0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.888 127.4 124.4 11.0 2.9 -2.3 -0.8 -2.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.514 112.5 113.2 2.1 -0.3 0.4 0.3 0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.918 116.5 116.2 4.6 0.4 0.2 0.2 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.749 180.0 156.9 22.2 7.2 -13.5 -3.2 -12.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.648 124.6 123.6 11.2 2.5 0.2 -0.6 -0.8

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.167 111.9 112.4 6.3 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.805 110.1 111.8 4.9 0.3 0.2 0.9 1.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 59.716 106.9 106.6 2.5 0.3 0.2 -0.6 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.667 144.4 137.2 9.1 1.6 0.3 -7.1 -5.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.701 118.5 119.4 5.9 1.5 0.8 -0.3 0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.834 110.9 111.3 4.9 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.055 94.4 93.5 -2.7 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 -1.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.552 107.5 107.5 2.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 16.158 107.2 107.8 2.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.6

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.417 110.5 112.1 6.9 0.8 1.3 1.3 1.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.099 142.0 139.5 10.5 1.1 3.4 -4.1 -1.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.262 173.3 170.8 13.8 3.9 2.7 -1.9 -1.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.529 106.7 104.8 5.0 0.4 2.3 -2.3 -1.8

Vegetable products................................ II 1.330 163.0 158.5 9.7 1.7 1.5 -1.0 -2.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.323 216.7 240.2 25.4 5.6 2.7 -1.4 10.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.412 116.8 109.0 0.4 -4.0 6.2 1.6 -6.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.251 172.8 159.2 5.2 4.1 -0.2 -0.3 -7.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.109 140.5 137.5 8.5 1.7 0.1 -1.4 -2.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.176 112.2 108.6 – 4.5 0.8 -2.0 -3.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.222 139.8 139.0 7.1 -0.6 -0.7 -0.3 -0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.750 117.3 115.1 3.3 0.8 0.1 -2.2 -1.9

Mineral products.................................... V 25.735 347.7 294.1 13.6 3.3 -10.2 -10.4 -15.4

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.2007=100)... 25 0.198 103.1 103.1 – 0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 25.141 348.8 293.7 13.4 3.4 -10.4 -10.7 -15.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.402 145.1 145.0 15.4 1.1 1.2 1.8 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.065 294.7 295.1 44.5 2.6 5.0 7.2 0.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.354 134.4 134.1 7.8 0.5 0.7 0.0 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.130 113.6 113.4 3.8 -0.1 0.3 -0.6 -0.2

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.158 109.3 105.0 2.5 1.1 0.7 2.1 -3.9

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.380 124.2 125.1 9.9 0.2 0.5 -1.5 0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.386 100.4 100.8 1.8 0.4 0.8 -1.9 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.799 137.9 138.0 11.4 2.6 0.9 0.1 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.846 135.1 134.6 11.1 2.6 1.1 0.1 -0.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.953 143.5 144.6 11.6 2.2 0.6 -0.1 0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.542 112.9 114.0 3.7 0.7 0.1 -0.4 1.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.498 113.4 114.6 3.9 0.8 0.0 -0.4 1.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.135 121.9 115.8 1.3 1.3 1.2 0.4 -5.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.371 117.6 117.6 7.7 0.9 1.1 0.0 0.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.951 114.0 114.5 10.0 1.2 1.8 -0.2 0.4

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.237 119.3 119.3 1.7 -0.3 0.0 0.9 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.650 103.8 103.9 1.0 0.3 0.3 -0.3 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.679 100.7 100.8 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.822 102.0 102.1 -0.7 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.474 96.0 95.8 3.6 0.5 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.117 106.1 106.4 4.1 0.5 0.1 -0.3 0.3

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 0.936 105.1 105.5 3.4 0.6 0.1 -0.3 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.908 118.9 124.1 10.1 3.9 -0.7 -0.2 4.4

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.338 115.9 121.3 15.7 8.3 -0.2 0.3 4.7

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.282 123.1 133.7 11.0 -0.1 -1.8 -0.2 8.6

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.288 115.8 115.8 3.2 2.9 0.1 -0.7 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.447 142.5 139.3 1.8 0.1 -2.0 -7.5 -2.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 7.165 204.2 193.1 13.3 0.8 -0.1 -2.0 -5.4

Iron and steel...................................... 72 2.435 309.3 281.3 36.2 1.9 -1.0 -0.7 -9.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.771 166.2 161.7 22.4 3.7 0.5 -0.2 -2.7

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.784 302.0 277.4 -9.5 -1.7 0.6 -6.3 -8.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.961 151.9 143.7 3.5 0.4 1.2 -4.1 -5.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.343 116.6 117.5 7.4 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.8

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.423 130.3 131.1 4.0 0.7 0.2 -0.2 0.6

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 22.328 88.7 88.5 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.479 88.9 88.7 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 10.849 88.5 88.4 0.8 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.457 109.8 109.7 2.6 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.620 108.9 108.9 2.7 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.752 112.3 112.5 2.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 2.664 101.5 101.5 2.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.384 99.5 99.3 1.6 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.210 122.3 123.8 5.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.511 107.6 107.6 5.7 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.046 113.2 113.2 7.4 0.9 0.1 0.2 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.279 99.8 99.8 3.0 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.187 112.9 113.1 5.6 1.3 0.3 -0.2 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.700 180.2 177.9 14.1 2.0 1.6 -0.4 -1.3

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.935 151.5 147.6 15.7 2.3 3.5 -1.6 -2.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.420 147.8 148.5 12.2 0.6 -0.5 -1.0 0.5

Vegetable products................................ II 5.259 224.3 198.2 3.3 9.5 -15.4 1.1 -11.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.661 119.2 111.9 -11.4 -1.5 2.3 -3.9 -6.1

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.341 267.5 227.5 2.8 9.9 -23.7 8.6 -15.0

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.618 240.7 203.0 9.3 16.3 -16.5 -4.4 -15.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.366 136.8 132.1 5.3 1.7 -1.7 0.4 -3.4

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.437 120.9 122.1 5.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.0

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.598 202.6 170.6 5.0 6.4 -8.3 1.9 -15.8

Mineral products.................................... V 5.390 324.4 294.7 18.9 5.1 -11.4 -3.4 -9.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.823 322.8 289.7 22.7 5.8 -12.6 -3.5 -10.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.956 146.7 145.8 10.5 2.2 -0.7 -0.6 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.280 210.2 212.7 28.3 5.3 1.7 2.0 1.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.786 167.6 166.0 13.6 3.9 -2.1 -1.0 -1.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.481 117.5 116.9 1.3 -0.4 -0.8 -0.7 -0.5

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.531 115.4 115.1 -0.2 -0.8 1.7 -0.3 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.661 122.9 122.2 4.5 0.1 1.6 -0.8 -0.6

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.413 123.1 123.2 11.1 1.2 1.3 1.2 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.643 129.2 129.9 8.7 2.7 0.2 -0.2 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.529 148.8 148.7 11.2 3.1 1.8 -0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.427 142.4 141.7 9.2 2.5 1.7 -0.6 -0.5

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.102 177.6 180.5 19.9 5.2 1.9 1.3 1.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.385 115.1 114.1 -3.7 -0.4 -0.5 -0.9 -0.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.629 112.2 112.7 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.4 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.505 117.9 116.1 2.3 0.6 0.1 -0.3 -1.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.703 130.1 121.9 0.9 2.0 0.0 -0.6 -6.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.299 113.8 114.5 4.9 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.6

Printed material.................................... 49 0.503 117.4 117.3 -1.9 -1.6 -0.3 -1.3 -0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.220 109.4 107.3 1.9 1.8 -0.1 -0.4 -1.9

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.694 110.5 102.7 -1.0 3.9 -1.1 -2.0 -7.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.788 112.4 113.6 2.7 0.5 0.3 0.4 1.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.420 98.9 99.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.793 176.6 173.8 5.6 1.5 2.0 -6.9 -1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.835 176.5 166.0 2.5 1.2 -0.3 -3.4 -5.9

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2007 to

October 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.550 232.9 207.4 7.9 3.1 -0.4 -6.7 -10.9

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.454 160.6 159.3 7.8 1.4 1.6 -0.5 -0.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.663 249.5 226.2 -9.4 0.4 -1.3 -3.6 -9.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.920 138.5 126.1 -8.6 0.4 -1.5 -7.0 -9.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.381 120.3 121.8 5.4 1.0 0.1 0.1 1.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.363 130.6 130.6 1.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 29.945 95.2 94.9 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.716 104.2 104.2 1.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.229 85.4 84.7 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2 0.1 -0.8

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.776 117.1 117.8 2.8 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.120 107.1 107.7 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.6

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.960 107.0 106.9 2.2 0.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.408 108.6 108.8 3.0 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.753 117.5 117.7 4.1 -0.3 0.2 0.5 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.507 94.4 95.1 3.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: October 2007 to October 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June 2008

to July

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Sept. 2008

to Oct.

2008

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.888 135.5 131.0 8.1 1.5 -1.6 -2.8 -3.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.201 285.7 244.5 21.9 3.6 -9.8 -11.8 -14.4

Manufactured articles......................... 38.251 124.2 122.3 6.3 1.1 -0.1 -1.1 -1.5

Other Countries3

............................... 57.112 139.6 131.7 6.6 1.7 -3.4 -3.5 -5.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.058 342.3 283.9 10.9 3.8 -8.9 -10.0 -17.1

Manufactured articles......................... 44.837 111.2 110.1 5.1 0.7 -0.7 -0.5 -1.0

Canada............................................ 16.032 161.1 154.0 12.7 1.5 -3.0 -4.4 -4.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.711 279.6 239.7 21.0 3.4 -10.5 -12.4 -14.3

Manufactured articles......................... 12.028 138.7 138.4 10.5 0.7 0.8 -0.6 -0.2

European Union4

............................... 17.355 131.9 130.2 6.3 0.4 -0.7 -1.1 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.249 390.7 332.9 25.9 7.1 -9.4 0.6 -14.8

Manufactured articles......................... 16.987 128.2 126.9 5.7 0.2 -0.5 -1.1 -1.0

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.844 120.6 120.6 9.5 0.9 0.7 -0.5 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.732 111.9 110.7 2.3 0.1 -0.2 -1.1 -1.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.684 136.2 132.2 7.6 1.3 -3.2 -2.6 -2.9

Latin America5

.................................. 18.032 182.3 170.5 9.5 3.2 -4.5 -4.6 -6.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.151 356.4 304.9 15.1 5.2 -9.4 -8.6 -14.5

Manufactured articles......................... 12.786 144.3 141.8 6.5 1.8 -1.0 -2.0 -1.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.710 150.6 143.2 7.6 2.5 -2.5 -2.4 -4.9

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 33.822 102.5 102.3 2.8 0.8 0.1 -1.1 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 15.926 103.8 103.5 4.2 0.8 0.2 0.0 -0.3

Japan.............................................. 8.032 94.9 95.4 1.5 0.4 0.0 -0.6 0.5

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.887 93.2 92.4 4.3 1.3 1.7 -0.7 -0.9

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 6.041 101.6 100.2 3.0 0.5 -1.0 -1.1 -1.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 3.928 270.9 232.3 5.8 1.4 -7.5 -7.4 -14.2

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

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: October

2007 to October 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20081

Index Percent change

Sept.

2008

Oct.

2008

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2007

to Oct.

2008

June 2008

to July

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 156.8 152.0 12.3 2.5 -0.2 -3.4 -3.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 29.922 168.3 159.7 16.2 3.0 1.6 -8.0 -5.1

Asia.................................................... 59.240 127.6 126.6 8.6 1.9 -1.7 -1.5 -0.8

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.0 144.3 18.0 1.7 3.5 -1.5 -1.2

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 43.288 139.8 135.7 25.9 2.4 2.3 -1.6 -2.9

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 151.7 148.9 13.6 2.0 0.3 -2.5 -1.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 31.451 161.6 155.1 16.6 2.7 1.6 -6.2 -4.0

Asia.................................................... 55.462 123.5 122.5 10.0 1.5 -0.8 -0.6 -0.8

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 147.8 144.3 21.4 3.8 0.6 -1.5 -2.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.641 168.3 163.6 22.1 3.2 1.5 -2.3 -2.8

Asia.................................................... 40.837 132.4 129.2 21.1 4.3 -0.9 -0.6 -2.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 161.3 165.9 25.3 4.1 -3.0 -6.9 2.9

Europe................................................. 45.658 169.1 176.1 32.7 2.6 -1.7 -10.1 4.1

Asia.................................................... 24.148 135.1 136.3 17.3 4.0 -5.7 -7.8 0.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.407 134.1 129.7 4.6 5.7 -1.0 -13.0 -3.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 172.6 167.2 8.8 6.2 5.2 -9.9 -3.1

Europe................................................. 30.486 211.8 203.6 9.1 6.2 -0.4 -10.9 -3.9

Asia.................................................... 34.930 146.1 139.5 14.4 5.1 19.7 -14.9 -4.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 19.873 172.5 181.3 7.5 6.3 -0.3 -1.9 5.1

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

Indexes are based on 2005 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Publications and Other Documentation."

14
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15