Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical Information: USDL-06-1958 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of This 

Media contact: Material Is Embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 Until 8:30 A.M. E.S.T. 

Internet Address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Thursday, November 9, 2006 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- OCTOBER 2006 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index declined 2.0 percent for the second consecutive month in October, 

the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The decrease was again 

led by declining petroleum prices, which fell 8.3 percent in October following a decrease of 9.7 percent 

in September. Export prices fell 0.4 percent in October, after declining by the same amount the previous 

month. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

 

United States 

Department News of Labor 

IMPORTS EXPORTS 

Month

2005

October 0.1 -3.1 1.0 0.7 0.3 0.8 

November -1.9 -9.4 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.7 

December 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.5 0.2 

2006

January 1.2 5.8 0.3 0.7 0.6 0.7 

February -0.8 -1.0 -0.7 0.1 -0.7 0.2 

March -0.1 0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2 

April 2.1 11.3 0.1 0.7 -0.4 0.7 

May 1.8 6.4 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7 

June 0.1 -1.1 0.4 0.7 2.6 0.6 

July 0.8 3.6 r 0.0 r 0.4 1.9 0.2 

August 0.7 r 1.5 r 0.5 0.4 0.9 0.4 r

September -2.0 r -9.7 r 0.2 r -0.4 r -0.5 r -0.3 r

October -2.0 -8.3 -0.6 -0.4 1.1 -0.5 

October 2004-05 8.2 31.2 3.8 3.7 4.8 3.6 

October 2005-06 -0.2 -2.9 0.5 2.8 5.4 2.6 

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

All

Imports

Petroleum

Imports

Non- petroleum

Imports

All

Exports

Agricultural

Exports

Nonagricultural

Exports
2

Import Goods

The 2.0 percent decreases in September and October followed increases in each of the prior five 

months and led import prices down 0.2 percent for the year ended in October. Once again lower 

petroleum prices, which felt 8.3 percent for the month, were the largest contributing factor to the drop. 

Despite increasing 23.8 percent from February to August, petroleum prices declined 2.9 percent over the 

past 12 months. The price index for nonpetroleum imports decreased 0.6 percent in October, the first 

monthly decline since March, but rose 0.5 percent over the past year. 

The October decrease in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.7 percent decline in the price index 

for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials. A sharp drop in natural gas prices was the primary 

contributor to the decline, although a downturn in metals prices as well as lower building materials 

prices also factored into the decrease. Unfinished metal prices, which were up 36.8 percent over the 

past year, fell 1.0 percent in October. 

 

 The price indexes for automotive vehicles, consumer goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages all 

rose in October, increasing 0.3 percent, 0.1 percent, and 0.2 percent, respectively. The increase in 

automotive vehicles prices was the largest monthly gain since a similar 0.3 percent increase in October 

2004, and was attributable to year-end model changeovers. 

 Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent in October because of lower prices for computers, 

peripherals, and semiconductors. Excluding computer prices, prices for capital goods rose 0.2 percent 

for the month. 

Export Goods 

Export prices declined 0.4 percent in October following a similar 0.4 percent drop in September, 

marking the first time the index has decreased in consecutive months in over three years. A 0.5 percent 

decrease in nonagricultural prices more than offset a 1.1 percent increase in the price index for 

agricultural exports. Agricultural prices resumed an upward trend after declining 0.5 percent in 

September. The October increase was led by higher prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans. Prices for 

agricultural exports increased 5.4 percent over the past 12 months. The decrease in nonagricultural 

prices followed a 0.3 percent decline in September, which was the first monthly drop for the index since 

November 2005. Despite the October decreases, the price indexes for both nonagricultural exports and 

overall exports increased for the October 2005-2006 period, rising 2.6 percent and 2.8 percent, 

respectively. 

A 1.8 percent decrease in prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials drove the 

October decline in nonagricultural prices. The drop in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices, which followed a 1.2 percent decrease in September, was the largest monthly decline for the 

index in 11 months. A drop in fuel prices was the biggest reason for the decline, but lower metals and 

chemical prices were also contributing factors. 

 

 In contrast, prices for each of the major finished goods areas either rose or were unchanged in 

October. Capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles increased 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, 

respectively, while the price index for consumer goods recorded no change for the month. 
3

Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Import prices from Canada fell 3.4 percent in October after declining 2.3 percent the previous 

month. The decrease was the largest one-month drop since April 2003 and was driven by lower fuel 

prices. Prices of imports from Canada decreased 5.9 percent for the year ended in October. Declining 

fuel prices also led the price index for imports from Mexico down in October. The index, which fell 1.6 

percent for the month, rose 5.6 percent over the past year. 

The price indexes for imports from Japan and China also decreased in October, declining 0.3 

percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. The October drop in import prices from Japan was the third 

decline in the past four months and the index decreased 1.7 percent for the year ended in October. The 

fall in prices from China followed a 0.2 percent decline in September and the index was down 1.3 

percent over the past 12 months. 

 

In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union increased 0.2 percent in October as a 0.4 

percent advance in manufactured articles prices more than offset a 5.5 percent decline in prices for 

nonmanufactured articles. Import prices from the European Union rose 4.7 percent for the October 

2005-2006 period. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares declined 4.1 percent in October, led down for the second consecutive 

month by lower seasonal European and Asian fares. Despite the decreases in September and October, 

import air passenger fares rose 5.9 percent over the past 12 months. Export air passenger fares also fell 

in October, declining 1.9 percent following a 7.6 percent drop in September. The index increased 3.0 

percent for the year ended in October. 

 Both import and export air freight prices decreased in October after rising in September. Prices 

for import air freight edged down 0.2 percent following a 0.5 percent advance the previous month. The 

price index for export air freight fell 0.7 percent in October after increasing 1.4 percent the month 

before. 

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 14 at 

8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.). 
4

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

END Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

USE September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 ALL COMMODITIES............................................................ 100.000 116.6 114.3 -0.2 0.8 0.7 -2.0 -2.0

 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......................... 80.571 104.9 104.3 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.2 -0.6

 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS 

 (Dec. 2001=100)........................................................... 78.314 107.7 107.6 2.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 -0.1

0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..................................... 4.355 120.9 121.1 5.2 0.1 2.1 0.2 0.2

00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, 

 excluding distilled beverages................................ 3.275 130.3 130.7 5.9 -0.2 2.7 0.3 0.3

01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)........... 1.080 99.9 99.7 3.3 0.9 0.6 -0.1 -0.2

1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................... 36.954 174.1 164.3 -2.0 1.6 1.5 -5.2 -5.6

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 

 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...................................... 17.525 135.4 131.7 -0.7 -0.9 1.6 0.4 -2.7

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 

 EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 15.268 144.4 143.3 10.3 -0.9 0.5 0.9 -0.8

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 DURABLE................................................................. 9.978 139.8 138.0 14.4 -1.8 0.9 1.5 -1.3

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM............ 7.547 129.1 123.2 -15.7 0.4 2.4 -0.8 -4.6

10 Fuels & lubricants........................................................ 21.687 220.7 200.8 -9.3 3.2 2.1 -9.1 -9.0

100 Petroleum & petroleum products............................. 19.429 230.3 211.2 -2.9 3.6 1.5 -9.7 -8.3

10000 Crude............................................................... 14.139 231.1 216.4 2.0 4.5 0.2 -9.3 -6.4

11 Paper & paper base stocks.......................................... 0.940 113.0 113.3 7.5 0.5 0.8 0.2 0.3

12 Materials associated with nondurable 

 supplies & materials............................................. 4.444 121.0 121.2 2.5 0.9 -0.6 0.0 0.2

13 Selected building materials.......................................... 1.990 116.4 112.7 -6.1 -0.3 -1.4 1.0 -3.2

14 Unfinished metals related to durable goods................. 4.711 194.0 192.1 36.8 -4.7 2.4 2.9 -1.0

15 Finished metals related to durable goods.................... 1.641 128.4 126.1 6.8 2.6 0.3 -0.4 -1.8

16 Nonmetals related to durable goods............................ 1.542 101.4 101.8 0.9 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.4

2 CAPITAL GOODS............................................................. 21.014 91.3 91.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

20 Electric generating equipment..................................... 2.528 102.5 102.6 3.4 0.1 -0.2 0.5 0.1

21 Nonelectrical machinery............................................... 16.831 87.8 87.7 -0.8 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

22 Transportation equipment excluding 

 motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)........................... 1.654 108.4 109.0 2.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6

3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES.............. 14.317 104.1 104.4 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3

4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING 

 AUTOMOTIVES......................................................... 23.360 100.5 100.6 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

40 Nondurables, manufactured......................................... 11.058 103.0 102.9 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1

41 Durables, manufactured............................................... 11.144 97.8 97.9 1.8 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.1

42 Nonmanufactured consumer goods............................. 1.158 100.5 102.2 1.8 1.1 0.4 0.4 1.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
5

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

END Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

USE September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 ALL COMMODITIES................................................................. 100.000 111.7 111.3 2.8 0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.4

 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES............................................ 7.703 127.1 128.5 5.4 1.9 0.9 -0.5 1.1

 NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................... 92.296 110.6 110.1 2.6 0.2 0.4 -0.3 -0.5

0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES......................................... 6.983 128.9 130.4 6.0 2.3 0.8 -0.5 1.2

00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, 

 excluding distilled beverages..................................... 6.233 129.2 131.0 6.6 2.5 0.7 -0.5 1.4

01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)................ 0.750 125.8 125.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 -0.9 -0.6

1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS............................... 30.550 139.5 137.2 5.5 0.3 1.4 -1.2 -1.6

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 DURABLE..................................................................... 11.172 147.1 145.3 15.5 -0.8 1.2 0.2 -1.2

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 NONDURABLE.............................................................. 19.378 135.6 132.9 0.2 1.0 1.5 -2.0 -2.0

10 Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........................ 1.470 118.1 117.8 0.4 -0.6 1.8 -0.5 -0.3

 NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES 

 & MATERIALS........................................................... 29.079 141.0 138.5 5.7 0.4 1.4 -1.2 -1.8

11 Fuels & lubricants............................................................. 4.793 191.1 177.1 -7.5 1.4 4.1 -7.8 -7.3

12 Nonagricultural supplies & materials 

 excluding fuels & building materials........................... 23.141 136.3 135.3 8.5 0.1 0.8 0.2 -0.7

13 Selected building materials............................................... 1.145 110.0 110.3 4.3 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.3

2 CAPITAL GOODS.................................................................. 39.514 98.5 98.7 1.0 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.2

20 Electrical generating equipment........................................ 3.837 105.1 106.0 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.9

21 Nonelectrical machinery................................................... 29.098 92.5 92.7 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2

22 Transportation equipment excluding 

 motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................................ 6.579 117.7 118.1 4.4 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3

3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES................... 10.689 105.2 105.3 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING 

 AUTOMOTIVES.............................................................. 12.264 103.9 103.9 1.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

40 Nondurables, manufactured.............................................. 6.008 103.7 103.5 1.8 0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.2

41 Durables, manufactured................................................... 5.259 103.0 103.2 1.8 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
6

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

NAICS Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 Nonmanufactured Articles...................................................... 18.171 108.4 100.3 n.a. 3.6 1.7 -7.5 -7.5

11 AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS........... 1.464 106.1 105.5 n.a. 0.9 6.4 0.3 -0.6

111 Agricultural products.................................................. 1.028 102.3 102.6 n.a. -0.4 11.0 1.1 0.3

21 OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES................................ 16.707 108.6 99.8 n.a. 3.9 1.4 -8.2 -8.1

 Manufactured Articles............................................................ 81.182 103.2 102.5 n.a. 0.1 0.4 -0.6 -0.7

31 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................. 10.424 101.2 101.2 n.a. 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

311 Food and kindred products......................................... 2.497 103.1 103.2 n.a. 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.1

312 Beverages and tobacco products............................... 0.812 101.8 101.9 n.a. 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.1

313 Textiles and fabrics.................................................... 0.517 103.3 103.6 n.a. 0.0 0.2 -0.3 0.3

314 Textile mill products................................................... 0.732 100.8 100.7 n.a. 0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.1

315 Apparel and accessories............................................ 4.390 100.0 99.9 n.a. 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

316 Leather and allied products........................................ 1.476 100.9 100.9 n.a. 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

32 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................. 17.560 104.2 100.7 n.a. 0.9 1.2 -3.5 -3.4

321 Wood products........................................................... 1.307 96.7 92.0 n.a. -0.7 -2.4 1.6 -4.9

322 Paper......................................................................... 1.482 105.3 105.7 n.a. 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.4

324 Petroleum and coal products...................................... 4.347 109.1 95.3 n.a. 0.7 3.9 -13.3 -12.6

325 Chemicals.................................................................. 7.615 103.2 103.3 n.a. 1.4 0.6 0.1 0.1

326 Plastics and rubber products...................................... 1.614 102.9 103.0 n.a. 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.1

327 Nonmetallic mineral products..................................... 1.091 103.7 103.9 n.a. 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2

33 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................. 53.198 103.3 103.3 n.a. -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0

331 Primary metals........................................................... 5.407 134.8 132.6 n.a. -3.5 2.3 2.7 -1.6

332 Fabricated metal products, nesoi............................... 2.480 104.8 104.6 n.a. 0.6 0.8 0.4 -0.2

333 Machinery, except electrical....................................... 6.295 102.4 102.9 n.a. 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.5

334 Computer and electronic products.............................. 13.966 97.6 97.4 n.a. -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

335 Electrical equipment, appliances, and components.... 3.545 103.4 103.4 n.a. 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.0

336 Transportation equipment.......................................... 15.194 100.5 100.8 n.a. 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3

337 Furniture and fixtures................................................. 1.484 100.7 100.7 n.a. 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

339 Miscellaneous manufactured commodities................. 4.826 104.1 104.7 n.a. 1.5 0.3 0.0 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
7

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

NAICS Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 Nonmanufactured Articles...................................................... 5.772 101.6 100.9 n.a. -0.4 0.4 -3.7 -0.7

11 AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS........... 4.116 105.2 107.2 n.a. 1.8 0.4 -2.0 1.9

111 Agricultural products.................................................. 3.686 105.2 107.5 n.a. 1.9 0.4 -1.9 2.2

21 OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES................................ 1.656 93.7 87.1 n.a. -5.3 0.5 -7.7 -7.0

211 Oil and gas................................................................. 0.462 83.4 63.3 n.a. -0.5 18.7 -12.9 -24.1

212 Minerals and ores....................................................... 1.194 98.3 97.9 n.a. -6.8 -5.6 -5.7 -0.4

 Manufactured Articles............................................................ 91.834 103.1 102.8 n.a. 0.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.3

31 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................. 6.655 102.0 102.2 n.a. 0.8 1.3 0.3 0.2

311 Food and kindred products......................................... 3.844 104.3 104.2 n.a. 1.5 2.2 0.7 -0.1

312 Beverages and tobacco products............................... 0.564 100.3 99.9 n.a. 0.6 -0.2 -0.7 -0.4

313 Textiles and fabrics.................................................... 1.046 96.8 97.7 n.a. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9

315 Apparel and accessories............................................ 0.623 100.1 100.1 n.a. 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

32 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................. 24.135 106.3 104.9 n.a. 0.8 0.9 -1.1 -1.3

321 Wood products........................................................... 0.562 104.0 104.1 n.a. 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.1

322 Paper......................................................................... 2.151 107.2 107.6 n.a. 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.4

324 Petroleum and coal products...................................... 2.685 114.7 104.2 n.a. 1.0 3.4 -11.5 -9.2

325 Chemicals.................................................................. 15.284 105.5 105.0 n.a. 0.9 0.7 0.3 -0.5

326 Plastics and rubber products...................................... 2.454 103.5 104.1 n.a. 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.6

327 Nonmetallic mineral products..................................... 0.896 102.6 102.5 n.a. 0.0 0.0 0.3 -0.1

33 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................. 61.044 102.1 102.1 n.a. 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

331 Primary metals........................................................... 3.996 120.2 117.7 n.a. -1.4 2.6 0.2 -2.1

332 Fabricated metal products, nesoi............................... 2.761 106.7 107.1 n.a. 1.2 0.2 -0.1 0.4

333 Machinery, except electrical....................................... 12.102 102.3 102.6 n.a. 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.3

334 Computer and electronic products.............................. 17.961 98.0 97.9 n.a. -0.5 -0.5 0.2 -0.1

335 Electrical equipment, appliances, and components.... 3.476 101.5 102.4 n.a. 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.9

336 Transportation equipment.......................................... 16.197 102.1 102.3 n.a. 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

339 Miscellaneous manufactured commodities................. 4.232 102.2 102.7 n.a. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
8

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................. 1.223 121.2 121.0 3.7 1.6 0.5 0.4 -0.2

02 Meat and edible meat offal........................................... 0.345 140.3 142.4 2.7 1.0 1.4 -0.1 1.5

03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and 

 other aquatic invertebrates................................... 0.645 99.0 98.5 5.1 1.3 0.9 0.2 -0.5

 2/ Other live animals; animal products............................. 0.233 156.2 154.3 1.9 3.0 -1.7 1.6 -1.2

II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS................................................ 1.156 119.6 120.8 8.3 0.7 9.1 0.2 1.0

07 Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............................ 0.326 162.1 165.1 10.5 -4.5 18.4 -0.2 1.9

08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus 

 fruit or melons....................................................... 0.297 87.7 87.0 1.5 -2.7 10.7 -0.3 -0.8

09 Coffee, tea, mate and spices....................................... 0.248 127.4 130.5 20.6 3.1 7.2 1.7 2.4

 2/ Other vegetable products............................................. 0.285 117.0 117.7 3.2 7.9 0.2 0.0 0.6

IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND 

 TOBACCO............................................................... 2.035 119.1 118.8 3.6 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.3

 2/ Other prepared foodstuffs............................................ 0.788 127.6 127.3 2.4 -0.7 -0.9 0.2 -0.2

20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, 

 nuts, or other parts of plants................................. 0.254 117.4 117.4 14.9 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................................... 0.776 110.5 110.0 2.5 0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.5

V MINERAL PRODUCTS...................................................... 21.467 219.5 199.9 -9.3 3.3 1.8 -8.9 -8.9

27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, 

 bituminous substances and mineral wax............... 21.128 219.1 199.2 -9.5 3.3 1.8 -9.0 -9.1

 2/ Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 0.339 142.1 143.1 14.2 1.7 0.6 0.6 0.7

VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED 

 INDUSTRIES........................................................... 6.927 114.9 115.6 1.5 0.5 0.1 -0.3 0.6

28 Inorganic chemicals..................................................... 0.728 159.9 166.3 7.9 1.6 0.5 3.0 4.0

29 Organic chemicals....................................................... 2.730 116.7 117.5 4.1 1.4 -1.2 -1.4 0.7

30 Pharmaceutical products............................................. 1.932 105.8 105.1 -5.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.7

32 Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & 

 pigments; varnish & paints; putty.......................... 0.174 101.4 101.4 0.8 -0.1 -0.1 2.8 0.0

33 Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100).............. 0.382 109.5 111.3 3.8 0.9 1.6 0.0 1.6

38 Miscellaneous chemical products................................ 0.397 94.2 94.6 1.8 0.8 0.9 0.3 0.4

VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER 

 AND ARTICLES THEREOF..................................... 2.853 121.8 122.1 5.9 1.7 0.1 -0.3 0.2

39 Plastics and articles thereof......................................... 1.870 119.8 120.9 4.7 1.4 0.7 0.3 0.9

40 Rubber and articles thereof.......................................... 0.983 125.8 124.4 8.5 2.1 -0.9 -1.6 -1.1

VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, 

 TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................................... 0.621 105.7 105.7 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0

42 Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, 

 etc. of various materials........................................ 0.533 105.8 105.8 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.0

IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, 

 BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK..................... 1.398 119.2 113.3 -10.2 -0.6 -2.0 1.4 -4.9

X WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND 

 PAPER PRODUCTS................................................... 1.675 109.5 109.6 5.3 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.1

47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic 

 material; waste paper/paperboard......................... 0.229 125.1 125.7 19.1 2.7 3.2 1.4 0.5

48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 

 pulp, paper or paperboard..................................... 1.176 106.9 106.9 3.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

49 Printed matter.............................................................. 0.269 114.7 115.0 2.0 0.8 0.2 0.3 0.3

XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES.................................. 5.451 101.1 101.1 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

61 Articles of apparel and clothing 

 accessories, knitted or crocheted......................... 1.977 100.1 100.1 0.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0

See footnotes at end of table

September

2006
9

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

62 Articles of apparel and clothing 

 accessories, not knitted or crocheted................. 2.197 99.6 99.4 -0.8 0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

63 Made-up or worn textile articles................................. 0.489 94.5 94.4 1.5 0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1

 2/ Other textile & textile articles..................................... 0.788 110.8 111.6 3.0 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.7

XII HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, 

 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC................................... 1.236 100.7 100.7 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

64 Footwear and parts of such articles.......................... 1.040 101.2 101.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

 2/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas, 

 whips, art. flowers, etc......................................... 0.196 97.7 97.7 0.4 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, 

 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC......................................... 0.961 109.3 109.4 3.4 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.1

68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, 

 asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 0.320 103.7 104.1 3.3 0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.4

69 Ceramic products...................................................... 0.305 113.4 113.2 1.6 1.2 0.1 0.3 -0.2

70 Glass and glassware................................................. 0.336 109.7 109.7 5.3 -0.4 0.2 0.2 0.0

XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, 

 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................ 2.758 125.5 124.3 20.7 -2.1 1.9 0.6 -1.0

XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....... 6.594 161.9 160.9 22.1 -0.6 1.5 1.7 -0.6

72 Iron and steel............................................................ 1.735 186.8 187.3 18.7 2.2 0.7 4.4 0.3

73 Articles of iron or steel............................................... 1.426 125.9 125.8 1.3 0.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

74 Copper and articles thereof....................................... 0.873 307.0 287.7 74.9 -1.2 5.2 1.3 -6.3

76 Aluminum and articles thereof................................... 1.010 139.5 140.1 20.8 -4.9 -1.0 -1.3 0.4

82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and 

 forks, of base metal; parts thereof...................... 0.376 107.0 107.3 2.6 -0.8 0.1 0.1 0.3

83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal......................... 0.463 122.1 122.3 9.4 0.6 1.3 1.1 0.2

 2/ Other base metals and articles of base metals.......... 0.711 228.5 230.5 77.0 -3.6 6.2 5.7 0.9

XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV 

 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC....... 23.334 88.1 88.0 -0.6 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 12.122 88.4 88.3 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound 

 and TV recorders & reproducers, parts............... 11.212 87.9 87.8 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND 

 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.............. 13.225 105.0 105.4 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4

87 Motor vehicles and their parts.................................... 12.182 104.4 104.8 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4

88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts 

 thereof (Dec. 2002=100)..................................... 0.906 107.0 107.5 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.5

XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & 

 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES............. 3.099 99.5 99.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3

90 Optical, photographic, measuring and 

 medical instruments........................................... 2.756 98.1 98.3 -0.6 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2

91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof....................... 0.247 111.8 113.3 4.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 1.3

XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 3.771 99.9 100.1 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

94 Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps & 

 lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg...................... 2.191 103.8 104.2 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.4

95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts 

 and accessories thereof..................................... 1.369 94.8 94.9 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles......................... 0.211 101.7 101.8 0.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

2 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
10

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................. 1.389 135.5 135.0 0.0 4.3 3.4 0.4 -0.4

03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and 

 other aquatic invertebrates................................... 0.452 123.6 120.6 -0.7 0.7 1.2 -1.3 -2.4

II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS................................................ 3.708 133.9 137.4 10.2 2.0 1.0 -0.8 2.6

08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus 

 fruit or melons....................................................... 0.683 118.6 110.3 -11.9 7.3 -0.7 -2.9 -7.0

10 Cereals........................................................................ 1.659 140.9 150.6 23.4 2.3 -1.1 1.7 6.9

12 Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, 

 fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............................. 0.819 118.5 120.6 0.8 2.4 -1.8 -2.9 1.8

IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND 

 TOBACCO............................................................... 2.293 113.8 114.2 3.8 0.4 0.7 0.1 0.4

21 Miscellaneous edible preparations............................... 0.433 108.7 108.8 -0.1 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.1

23 Residues and waste from the food 

 industries; prepared animal feed........................... 0.411 126.5 129.6 8.7 -1.2 0.3 0.6 2.5

 2/ Other prepared foods................................................... 0.801 111.1 110.4 2.2 0.5 1.5 -0.4 -0.6

V MINERAL PRODUCTS...................................................... 4.491 223.5 207.4 -10.7 -1.0 3.1 -8.1 -7.2

27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, 

 bituminous substances and mineral wax............... 3.712 210.5 192.1 -16.6 1.0 4.3 -9.0 -8.7

VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED 

 INDUSTRIES........................................................... 12.418 125.0 124.8 5.5 0.9 0.4 0.5 -0.2

28 Inorganic chemicals..................................................... 1.221 158.9 160.2 24.8 0.6 0.3 1.3 0.8

29 Organic chemicals....................................................... 4.439 142.6 140.9 5.8 2.0 1.1 0.9 -1.2

30 Pharmaceutical products............................................. 2.422 109.6 109.4 2.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 -0.2

31 Fertilizers..................................................................... 0.370 148.2 150.2 -5.5 2.9 -0.7 -1.1 1.3

32 Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, 

 paints, varnish, putty, & inks................................. 0.633 109.8 109.9 3.5 -1.2 0.3 0.1 0.1

33 Essential oils and resinoids; 

 perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................................. 0.705 114.3 115.8 2.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.2 1.3

34 Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or 

 scouring products; candles, pastes....................... 0.407 108.3 108.0 3.3 0.1 -0.6 -0.6 -0.3

37 Photographic or cinematographic goods...................... 0.368 104.7 104.4 0.4 2.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

38 Miscellaneous chemical products................................ 1.616 112.4 113.2 4.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.7

VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER 

 AND ARTICLES THEREOF..................................... 6.012 130.7 129.7 2.8 0.5 0.8 0.2 -0.8

39 Plastics and articles thereof......................................... 4.872 127.6 126.4 1.0 0.4 1.0 0.2 -0.9

40 Rubber and articles thereof.......................................... 1.140 143.2 143.3 11.1 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.1

VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, 

 TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................................... 0.487 117.9 120.6 6.8 -0.1 0.4 0.6 2.3

41 Raw hides and skins (other than 

 furskins) and leather............................................. 0.348 112.2 115.9 7.6 -0.1 0.6 0.7 3.3

IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, 

 BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK..................... 0.750 108.3 108.5 4.6 0.0 0.8 -0.4 0.2

X WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND 

 PAPER PRODUCTS................................................... 2.711 107.3 107.2 5.7 0.9 0.3 0.6 -0.1

47 Woodpulp and recovered paper................................... 0.598 101.6 102.0 8.1 1.8 1.2 1.7 0.4

48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 

 pulp, paper or paperboard..................................... 1.506 106.7 106.9 6.6 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2

49 Printed material........................................................... 0.607 118.4 117.4 2.2 1.0 -0.2 0.3 -0.8

See footnotes at end of table

September

2006
11

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................................ 2.703 101.5 101.1 0.2 -0.5 0.7 -0.6 -0.4

52 Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof..... 0.726 92.4 90.8 -1.0 -2.1 2.9 -2.6 -1.7

61 Apparel & clothing knitted 

 or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100)............................ 0.320 94.7 94.6 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

 2/ Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)...... 1.658 114.9 115.1 1.0 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, 

 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC......................................... 0.822 104.1 103.9 1.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

70 Glass and glassware................................................. 0.463 95.5 95.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.5 -0.3

XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, 

 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................ 2.890 138.1 135.8 20.1 -4.8 1.9 0.4 -1.7

XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS..... 5.715 158.0 156.5 17.1 2.0 1.4 0.6 -0.9

72 Iron and steel............................................................ 1.241 184.4 177.0 11.9 1.5 2.6 2.0 -4.0

73 Articles of iron or steel............................................... 1.335 138.1 137.9 9.7 2.2 0.4 0.0 -0.1

74 Copper and articles thereof....................................... 0.827 251.2 248.4 55.4 4.6 4.0 0.2 -1.1

76 Aluminum and articles thereof................................... 0.925 139.8 140.1 21.8 -4.3 1.6 -1.5 0.2

82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and 

 forks, of base metal; parts thereof...................... 0.416 111.3 112.9 7.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 1.4

83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal......................... 0.444 124.8 124.9 6.7 1.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.1

XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV 

 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.. 32.195 93.7 93.9 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2

84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 18.022 102.1 102.2 2.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1

85 Electrical machinery and equipment 

 and parts and accessories thereof...................... 14.173 84.6 84.7 -2.3 -0.4 -0.5 0.0 0.1

XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND 

 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.............. 13.347 112.0 112.2 2.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

87 Motor vehicles and their parts.................................... 8.804 104.8 105.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2

XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & 

 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES............. 6.280 102.4 102.6 1.0 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 1.425 101.6 101.6 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0

94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; 

 lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 0.778 107.6 107.9 2.3 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.3

95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts 

 and accessories thereof..................................... 0.507 94.8 94.3 0.5 -0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

2 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
12

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin 

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Annual Monthly

Percentage Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

Description of 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

U.S. October to to to to to

Imports 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

2/ Industrialized Countries................................................ 46.371 117.1 114.3 -1.1 -0.3 0.6 -0.6 -2.4

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 3.994 183.9 164.5 -24.3 2.1 4.2 -9.0 -10.5

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 41.944 111.8 110.2 2.1 -0.5 0.1 0.4 -1.4

3/ Other Countries............................................................ 53.651 115.3 112.9 0.8 1.6 0.2 -1.9 -2.1

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 9.299 212.4 198.8 3.5 4.3 1.1 -6.5 -6.4

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 44.152 101.4 100.7 0.0 0.7 -0.2 -0.3 -0.7

 Canada......................................................................... 17.089 129.6 125.2 -5.9 0.4 1.2 -2.3 -3.4

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 3.239 182.7 161.4 -29.8 2.3 4.8 -9.9 -11.7

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 13.575 119.9 118.6 2.9 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -1.1

4/ European Union............................................................ 18.654 120.6 120.9 4.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 0.367 227.5 215.1 1.3 0.5 1.4 -3.7 -5.5

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 18.150 118.3 118.8 4.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4

 France (Dec. 2003=100)............................................... 1.971 104.1 105.1 3.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 1.0

 Germany (Dec. 2003=100)........................................... 5.187 104.9 105.2 1.5 0.8 0.0 0.4 0.3

 United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)................................. 2.947 119.7 119.2 3.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.4

5/ Latin America............................................................... 17.406 142.3 139.1 3.8 2.0 -0.3 -1.9 -2.2

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 4.158 216.0 203.2 5.4 4.7 0.7 -5.8 -5.9

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 13.173 128.5 127.7 3.1 0.8 -0.9 -0.2 -0.6

 Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)............................................... 10.594 121.9 119.9 5.6 2.3 2.1 -2.2 -1.6

6/ Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)........................................ 34.090 98.8 98.5 -0.9 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

 China (Dec. 2003=100)................................................ 13.773 97.4 97.3 -1.3 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

 Japan........................................................................... 8.920 94.4 94.1 -1.7 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

7/ Asian NICs................................................................... 7.216 89.3 89.3 0.0 0.6 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

8/ ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100).............................................. 6.086 99.0 98.3 0.9 2.4 -0.3 -0.6 -0.7

9/ Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100).................................. 3.547 182.7 174.7 3.2 2.9 -0.4 -5.4 -4.4

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2004 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, Asia Newly Industrialized Countries, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.

7 Asia 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.

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
13

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Transportation Services

 October 2005-October 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

Index Percent Change

Relative

import- Annual Monthly

ance Oct. June July Aug. Sept.

Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

September October to to to to to

2006 2006 Oct. July Aug. Sept. Oct.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

AIR FREIGHT

 Import Air Freight..................................................... 100.000 133.1 132.9 n.a. -1.3 -0.7 0.5 -0.2

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 39.454 131.8 130.8 n.a. -1.1 0.0 1.4 -0.8

 Asia..................................................................... 48.537 115.5 115.9 n.a. -1.9 -1.5 -0.2 0.3

 Export Air Freight..................................................... 100.000 118.2 117.4 n.a. -0.3 0.9 1.4 -0.7

 Inbound Air Freight................................................... 100.000 128.8 127.7 n.a. -0.9 0.1 0.5 -0.9

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 39.625 126.9 124.8 n.a. -1.0 1.0 0.8 -1.7

 Asia..................................................................... 47.943 110.8 110.5 n.a. -1.1 -0.7 0.1 -0.3

 Outbound Air Freight................................................ 100.000 117.0 116.3 n.a. -0.5 -0.3 0.6 -0.6

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 42.221 133.0 130.5 n.a. -1.4 0.6 0.1 -1.9

 Asia..................................................................... 41.813 107.4 106.8 n.a. 0.2 -1.3 -0.6 -0.6

AIR PASSENGER FARES

 Import Air Passenger Fares..................................... 100.000 130.9 125.5 5.9 2.0 -0.8 -5.4 -4.1

 Europe................................................................. 62.447 127.9 119.2 5.0 0.3 -0.4 -3.8 -6.8

 Asia..................................................................... 12.875 112.9 110.3 1.9 4.2 -3.4 -15.2 -2.3

 Latin America/Caribbean..................................... 9.880 118.8 120.9 9.1 5.1 0.5 -3.6 1.8

 Export Air Passenger Fares..................................... 100.000 142.4 139.7 3.0 5.2 5.2 -7.6 -1.9

 Europe................................................................. 31.860 174.9 173.2 7.1 9.2 2.5 -7.8 -1.0

 Asia..................................................................... 34.505 114.4 109.3 -2.4 2.7 16.1 -15.2 -4.5

 Latin America/Caribbean..................................... 17.662 153.3 154.5 10.5 6.2 -4.6 1.5 0.8

 Inbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)....... 100.000 123.9 122.2 5.7 6.3 4.1 -7.5 -1.4

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 41.432 126.6 126.1 8.5 10.7 2.4 -9.6 -0.4

 Asia (Dec. 2003=100)......................................... 29.301 113.0 107.8 0.1 2.5 13.9 -12.3 -4.6

 Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......... 14.166 120.9 122.2 12.0 5.3 -3.5 1.3 1.1

 Canada (Dec. 2003=100).................................... 9.893 162.8 162.3 2.3 0.7 -2.8 2.9 -0.3

 Outbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100).... 100.000 126.4 121.1 5.9 1.8 0.2 -3.7 -4.2

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 53.191 135.0 124.3 5.5 0.4 -0.2 -3.1 -7.9

 Asia (Dec. 2003=100)......................................... 14.538 112.2 109.9 1.9 3.2 1.9 -11.8 -2.0

 Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......... 18.649 112.4 113.0 6.9 2.5 0.5 -0.8 0.5

 Canada (Dec. 2003=100).................................... 8.819 164.0 164.0 15.1 1.9 3.5 0.1 0.0

CRUDE OIL TANKER FREIGHT

2/ Inbound Crude Oil Tanker Freight............................ 100.000 n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.8 2.2 n.a. n.a.

OCEAN LINER FREIGHT

 Inbound Ocean Liner Freight................................... 100.000 114.2 113.9 -12.0 -1.9 1.1 0.3 -0.3

 U.S. East Coast................................................... 40.503 119.1 118.4 -8.4 -1.7 0.6 0.2 -0.6

 From Atlantic................................................. 17.846 120.5 119.0 -10.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 -1.2

 From Pacific.................................................. 16.744 121.2 121.1 -3.5 -0.2 0.8 0.3 -0.1

 U.S. West Coast.................................................. 59.497 111.6 111.6 -14.4 -2.1 1.5 0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2000 trade values.

2 Publication of the Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes is lagged two months, as are the relative importance figures.

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

 n.a. Not available

September

2006
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 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, respectively, by end use for the Bureau of Economic Analysis 

System, industry for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and product category for 

the Harmonized System (HS). While classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, a 

couple of notes are in order for classifying items by industry. In the NAICS tables, for both imports and 

exports, items are classified by output industry, not input industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 

(plastics and rubber products) would 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 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. 

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. 

Services Price Indexes -- Price indexes for internationally traded services 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.). The Air Passenger 

Fares Indexes are calculated from data collected from a commercial airline reservation system. These data 

exclude frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. The Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes are 

calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy, and the publication of these indexes is 

lagged two months. The Air Freight and Ocean Liner Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from companies. Fact sheets specifying detailed information for each services industry are available 

at http://www.bls.gov/mxp/ under “Publications and Other Documentation.” 
15

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 price elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are 

useful for terms of trade analysis. 

Mailing List -- If you wish to be added to the mailing list to receive a copy of the U.S. Import and Export 

Price Index News Release, please either call the IPP information line at (202) 691-7101 or send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov) to provide your name and mailing address. You may also contact the IPP at the 

following address: 

 Division of International Prices 

 Bureau of Labor Statistics 

 PSB Building, Rm. 3955 

 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. 

 Washington, DC 20212-0001 

The information you provide will be used to register you for delivery of selected publications. The Bureau 

of Labor Statistics (BLS) is authorized to request this information under 5 United States Code (USC) Section 

301. Furnishing such information is voluntary; however, BLS may not be able to register you for the 

subscription service if you fail to do so. As part of helping us assess the quality of our customer service, 

BLS may contact subscribers with a customer service survey. 

In addition, the IPP news release is now 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). To access data using Anonymous FTP, use the Internet address 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.