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

U.S. import prices increased 1.3 percent in May following declines in each of the previous 10 months, the 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The May advance was driven by an increase in fuel prices. 

The price index for U.S. exports rose 0.6 percent in May, after a 0.7-percent decrease in April. 

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

0.3 0.3

-0.3

-0.8 -0.8

-1.4

-1.8

-2.5

-3.2

-0.4 -0.2 -0.2

1.3

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

0.5

1.2 0.9

-0.3

-1.4

-2.1

-3.1

-5.6

-8.9

-10.2

-10.9 -10.5

-9.6

-13

-12

-11

-10

-9

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

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

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 11, 2015 

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

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

USDL-15-1134
2

All Imports: U.S. import prices advanced 1.3 percent in May, after decreasing 0.2 percent in April and 

March, and 0.4 percent in February. The May increase was the first monthly rise since the index advanced 

0.3 percent in June 2014 and the largest 1-month increase since the index rose 1.4 percent in March 2012. 

Despite the May increase, prices for imports decreased 9.6 percent over the past year, and have not recorded 

a 12-month rise since the index advanced 0.9 percent between July 2013 and July 2014. 

Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuel rose 11.8 percent in May following a 1.3-percent advance in April and 

a 1.4-percent increase in March. The May rise was the largest monthly advance since the index increased 

16.0 percent in June 2009. A 12.7-percent jump in petroleum prices in May led the advance in overall fuel 

prices. The price index for import natural gas declined 0.2 percent in May. Despite the May increase, fuel 

prices fell 40.0 percent over the past year. A 40.6-percent drop in petroleum prices and a 41.9-percent 

decrease in natural gas prices both contributed to the overall decline. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports recorded no change in May, after 

decreasing 0.3 percent the previous month. Nonfuel import prices have not increased on a monthly basis 

since the index ticked up 0.1 percent in July 2014. In May, rising prices for foods, feeds, and beverages 

offset lower prices for capital goods; nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and automotive vehicles. 

Prices for nonfuel imports fell 2.2 percent for the year ended in May. Decreasing prices for finished goods; 

nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the overall 12-

month decline. 

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

 

 
3

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports increased 0.6 percent in May following a 0.7-percent drop the previous 

month. The May advance was the largest rise for the index since a 0.9-percent increase in March 2014. In 

May, rising nonagricultural prices more than offset lower agricultural prices. Despite the May upturn, the 

price index for overall exports declined 5.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices rose 0.7 percent in May, after falling 

0.7 percent in April. The May increase in nonagricultural export prices was led by higher prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and automotive vehicles which more than offset lower 

prices for capital goods and consumer goods. Nonagricultural export prices fell 4.6 percent for the year 

ended in May. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports declined 1.0 percent in May, continuing the 

downward trend over the past 12 months. In May, falling wheat and corn prices more than offset higher 

prices for fruit and nuts. Agricultural export prices fell in every month over the past year except for a 0.1-

percent uptick in November 2014, decreasing 16.8 percent over that period. The 12-month drop in May was 

the largest year-over-year decline since a 22.5-percent drop between July 2008 and July 2009. 

0.1

-0.5

0.1

-0.5 -0.4

-0.9 -0.9 -0.9

-1.7

-0.2

0.1

-0.7

0.6

-2

-1

0

1

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

0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4

-0.4 -0.7

-1.7

-3.0

-5.0

-5.8

-6.6 -6.3

-5.9

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

May'14 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May'15
4

SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China declined 0.3 percent in May, after recording 

no change in April. The May decline was driven by a 0.7-percent drop in the price index for computer and 

electronic products, and was the largest 1-month decline since the index decreased 0.6 percent in May 2013. 

Import prices from Japan continued to trend down in May, declining 0.1 percent following a 0.5-percent 

drop in April. Prices for imports from Japan have not recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.2 

percent in March 2014. In May, the price indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, and 

Mexico advanced 2.2 percent, 0.7 percent, and 0.5 percent, respectively, led by rising fuel prices. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices edged down 

0.1 percent in May following a 0.8-percent drop in April. In May, a 3.6-percent decline in iron and steel 

products and a 5.9-percent drop in lumber prices drove the decrease in nonagricultural industrial supplies 

and materials prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for import finished goods were mostly down in May. Capital goods prices declined 

0.2 percent, after a 0.3-percent drop the previous month. The May decrease was led by a 1.2-percent drop in 

computer prices. Automotive vehicles prices edged down 0.1 percent in May following no change in April. 

Prices for consumer goods recorded no change in May. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: In contrast to the other major import categories, the price index for import 

foods, feeds, and beverages rose 0.3 percent in May, after declining 1.0 percent the previous month. In May, 

a 9.1-percent advance in vegetable prices more than offset lower prices for fish and shellfish. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 1.9 percent in May following decreases in each of 

the previous 4 months. The May advance was driven by higher European and Asian fares. Despite the 

increase, import air passenger fares fell 2.9 percent over the past year. Import air freight prices declined 0.4 

percent in May and 0.2 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

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

materials increased 2.4 percent in May, the largest monthly advance since the index rose 3.3 percent in 

March 2011. The May advance in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices was driven by an 

8.3-percent rise in fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Export finished goods prices were mixed in May. The price indexes for capital goods and 

for consumer goods each edged down 0.1 percent following larger decreases the previous month. In April, 

consumer goods prices fell 0.4 percent and prices for capital goods declined 0.2 percent. In contrast, 

automotive vehicle prices rose 0.2 percent in May, after recording no change the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 3.0 percent in May following a 3.6-percent 

drop the previous month. The May increase was led by a 9.1-percent rise in Asian fares and a 4.3-percent 

advance in European fares. Export air passenger fares decreased 12.9 percent for the year ended in May. 

The price index for export air freight declined 0.5 percent in May and 2.0 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2015 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 

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

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 125.0 126.6 -9.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 1.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 83.148 100.1 100.1 -2.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 89.877 113.0 113.0 -2.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 89.117 117.1 117.1 -2.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.969 176.3 176.9 -1.4 0.1 -0.7 -1.0 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.626 194.4 196.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.7 -0.8 1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.343 135.5 132.3 -6.0 0.7 -0.6 -1.2 -2.4

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 24.446 176.0 185.2 -26.7 -1.4 -0.2 0.1 5.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.323 149.1 149.0 -8.0 -1.5 -1.6 -1.1 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.563 169.1 169.0 -6.4 -1.0 -1.4 -0.8 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 8.031 156.6 156.1 -7.2 -0.9 -1.7 -1.1 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.532 139.8 140.1 -8.9 -2.1 -1.6 -1.1 0.2

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 10.882 185.2 207.0 -40.0 -1.9 1.4 1.3 11.8

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 10.122 201.0 226.5 -40.6 -1.4 2.1 1.8 12.7

Crude........................................ 10000 7.204 200.8 230.0 -41.8 -1.7 0.6 4.1 14.5

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.556 98.2 98.0 -34.7 -9.9 -8.2 -7.2 -0.2

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.396 81.4 81.2 -41.9 -12.7 -10.7 -9.8 -0.2

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.596 111.2 111.1 -2.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 5.005 160.5 161.1 -5.4 -1.1 -1.0 -0.4 0.4

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.205 137.1 134.9 -4.5 -0.7 -1.1 -0.9 -1.6

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.363 210.8 210.1 -12.8 -1.3 -3.1 -1.9 -0.3

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.716 153.8 153.3 -2.4 -0.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.678 109.7 110.2 -1.3 -0.4 -0.9 -0.5 0.5

Capital goods................................... 2 27.592 91.1 90.9 -1.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.358 118.2 118.0 -1.6 -0.2 -0.3 -0.8 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 21.807 83.7 83.5 -2.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.428 136.8 136.8 0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.321 111.2 111.1 -2.0 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 26.672 107.4 107.4 -0.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 12.711 119.1 119.1 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.484 95.8 95.8 -2.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.477 118.0 118.3 -2.8 2.7 -3.4 -0.1 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2014 to May

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 125.1 125.8 -5.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.7 0.6

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.053 189.6 187.7 -16.8 -2.2 -1.7 -0.9 -1.0

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 83.964 100.6 100.7 -1.9 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.947 120.3 121.2 -4.6 0.2 0.2 -0.7 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.401 191.3 189.1 -16.3 -2.2 -1.3 -1.1 -1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.660 190.8 189.1 -17.8 -2.4 -2.1 -1.0 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.741 205.8 197.4 4.8 -0.5 8.5 -2.0 -4.1

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 30.973 153.4 156.8 -12.3 0.3 0.5 -1.6 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.093 160.8 161.1 -6.2 -0.7 -1.1 -0.4 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 19.880 150.3 155.4 -15.3 0.9 1.4 -2.2 3.4

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.393 187.8 184.5 -10.7 -0.7 0.8 -0.2 -1.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 29.580 152.3 155.9 -12.4 0.4 0.5 -1.6 2.4

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 7.635 173.0 187.4 -28.2 3.7 3.7 -5.7 8.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.939 158.0 158.6 -5.0 -0.6 -0.7 -0.1 0.4

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.006 118.4 117.3 -8.5 -1.2 -0.5 -0.7 -0.9

Capital goods................................... 2 37.964 107.6 107.5 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.839 114.6 114.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.982 95.2 95.2 -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.143 160.8 160.9 2.9 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.186 113.9 114.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.476 112.5 112.4 -2.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.536 108.3 108.3 -2.4 -1.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.0

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.323 110.4 110.3 -1.8 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2014 to May

2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 9.903 98.1 108.7 -37.3 -2.0 -0.2 1.9 10.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.037 175.2 178.1 -3.4 0.0 -1.3 -0.1 1.7

Crop production............................... 111 1.621 183.8 188.9 -2.2 0.6 -2.2 0.1 2.8

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.230 93.9 91.2 – -4.1 0.1 0.3 -2.9

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.110 64.4 64.0 -18.8 -1.6 -2.2 -2.1 -0.6

Mining............................................ 21 7.866 88.9 100.7 -41.4 -2.5 0.0 2.4 13.3

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.215 102.3 103.0 -16.4 -0.3 0.4 -11.7 0.7

Manufactured articles............................ 89.780 111.8 112.0 -3.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 11.980 124.8 124.6 -0.6 0.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.338 154.1 153.4 -3.7 0.3 -2.0 -0.9 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.084 117.5 117.6 1.9 -0.2 0.4 -0.3 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.405 101.3 101.2 -0.9 -0.4 -0.3 -0.7 -0.1

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.888 112.6 112.5 -1.7 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.369 112.1 112.1 1.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.896 124.3 124.3 0.7 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.533 122.6 124.2 -10.4 -0.3 0.7 -0.7 1.3

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.720 115.0 112.1 -7.0 -1.2 -1.9 -1.3 -2.5

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.106 109.1 109.2 -1.4 -0.2 -0.9 -0.5 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.758 96.4 104.6 -36.5 -0.1 6.0 -3.0 8.5

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.577 134.3 134.4 -2.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.192 119.8 119.8 -2.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.973 130.2 130.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 60.267 105.6 105.4 -2.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.062 141.1 140.1 -11.4 -1.1 -2.8 -1.9 -0.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.020 126.2 126.2 -0.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.196 118.8 118.9 -2.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.754 78.4 78.1 -2.6 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.696 117.6 117.5 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.8 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.463 110.2 110.2 -1.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.579 116.0 116.1 0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.498 120.4 120.3 -1.6 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2014 to May

2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.495 134.9 134.4 -20.1 -4.0 1.9 -2.2 -0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.329 168.7 165.5 -19.1 -3.0 0.5 0.5 -1.9

Crop production............................... 111 4.068 174.0 171.0 -19.8 -3.0 -0.2 0.7 -1.7

Mining............................................ 21 2.166 73.2 75.3 -20.6 -6.1 4.8 -7.3 2.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.203 88.7 91.3 -7.0 -2.2 -1.1 -1.3 2.9

Manufactured articles............................ 91.943 114.7 115.4 -4.5 0.2 0.0 -0.7 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 7.070 142.6 141.5 -10.2 -1.1 -1.8 -1.5 -0.8

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.833 160.9 159.8 -12.6 -1.6 -2.6 -2.0 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.622 118.2 116.6 -4.3 0.8 0.6 1.3 -1.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 24.236 113.9 117.0 -11.4 0.7 0.8 -1.5 2.7

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.870 123.7 123.7 -1.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 5.219 102.2 113.5 -31.6 6.5 4.4 -6.6 11.1

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.285 120.8 121.5 -4.8 -1.1 -0.3 0.2 0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.246 118.8 119.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.820 112.4 112.2 -1.0 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 60.638 112.4 112.3 -0.6 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.804 141.1 140.2 -5.8 1.5 -2.1 -0.6 -0.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.999 129.3 129.4 1.3 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.471 125.2 125.3 1.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.251 86.1 85.8 -2.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.7 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.750 115.1 115.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.421 121.3 121.5 1.4 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.377 108.6 109.8 1.9 -0.1 -2.3 0.8 1.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.564 123.0 122.9 -1.9 0.0 0.1 -0.5 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2014 to May

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.370 189.8 186.4 -6.4 0.2 -1.9 -1.0 -1.8

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.318 236.9 240.3 -2.4 2.1 -5.9 -1.2 1.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.707 133.7 129.2 -11.3 1.2 -1.2 -1.5 -3.4

Vegetable products............................... II 1.915 196.7 204.0 -3.2 1.0 -1.7 -1.5 3.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.484 408.1 468.7 14.8 1.8 8.9 -4.4 14.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.503 99.6 98.6 -10.8 0.3 -1.6 -0.4 -1.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.378 244.3 240.5 -5.2 -3.1 -4.6 -0.2 -1.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.267 103.9 105.8 -8.3 -2.0 -0.2 -3.9 1.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.812 161.4 160.9 0.5 0.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.187 91.1 91.3 2.4 0.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.245 108.2 110.6 3.3 -0.1 -3.6 0.0 2.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.280 132.2 132.0 0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.341 161.2 157.8 -6.4 -0.5 -1.5 -0.7 -2.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.053 127.5 127.6 1.4 -0.3 0.3 -0.3 0.1

Mineral products.................................. V 10.773 185.8 207.9 -40.2 -1.9 1.4 1.0 11.9

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 10.536 183.0 205.1 -40.5 -1.9 1.5 1.3 12.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.749 148.7 148.9 -2.5 -0.5 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.678 303.4 300.7 -8.8 -3.8 -1.8 0.7 -0.9

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.476 123.9 124.4 -8.2 -1.0 -0.1 0.6 0.4

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.506 136.5 136.5 2.4 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.387 111.6 113.7 2.4 -0.4 -0.5 -2.1 1.9

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.204 98.1 98.2 -3.2 0.1 -4.3 -1.9 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.563 91.9 92.2 -1.6 -0.6 0.0 1.9 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.424 142.4 142.2 -3.8 -0.3 -0.6 -0.8 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.229 146.8 146.7 -2.0 -0.2 -0.7 -0.8 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.195 136.2 135.9 -6.9 -0.6 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.724 128.1 128.0 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.683 130.5 130.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.746 139.7 136.1 -6.9 -1.1 -1.8 -1.2 -2.6

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.721 95.9 93.4 – -1.2 -1.9 -1.2 -2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.162 112.0 112.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.775 106.2 106.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.500 114.6 114.6 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.202 104.2 104.2 1.2 0.0 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.976 120.3 120.3 1.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.641 106.7 106.6 -1.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.505 123.2 123.3 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.308 122.3 122.3 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.903 132.3 132.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.270 138.6 138.7 -1.6 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.316 129.3 129.5 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 3.085 172.6 171.6 -6.0 1.4 -2.0 0.1 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.370 169.8 169.8 -6.8 -1.7 -1.3 -1.3 0.0

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.118 186.5 182.5 -18.1 -4.7 -2.9 -5.0 -2.1

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.695 149.5 149.7 -2.4 -0.7 -0.6 -0.7 0.1

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.466 290.6 292.5 -11.1 -4.8 0.8 0.9 0.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.766 136.0 136.2 -1.2 0.7 -2.6 0.3 0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.448 128.8 128.8 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.522 138.2 138.3 1.2 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.825 82.7 82.6 -2.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.173 88.0 87.8 -2.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 14.652 77.7 77.7 -2.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.806 114.6 114.6 -1.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.474 113.2 113.2 -1.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.238 119.8 119.8 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.907 103.7 103.6 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.584 100.6 100.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.261 141.6 140.8 -2.2 0.4 0.0 -0.9 -0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.050 113.2 113.0 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.441 117.8 117.6 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.350 104.9 104.8 -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.259 134.4 134.2 -0.7 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2014 to May

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.946 205.0 203.3 -17.1 -2.5 -2.0 -2.9 -0.8

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.130 157.7 156.4 -16.2 -2.5 -5.5 -3.5 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.434 225.3 220.5 8.4 -0.6 9.6 -3.8 -2.1

Vegetable products............................... II 4.027 212.3 210.3 -19.2 -3.1 -1.3 -0.3 -0.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.105 172.2 181.0 -0.9 -1.0 -4.5 -1.2 5.1

Cereals............................................ 10 1.071 211.9 192.6 -28.7 -5.6 -0.8 2.9 -9.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.427 212.4 212.2 -27.0 -4.1 -0.1 -1.4 -0.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.200 95.3 95.2 -18.9 -6.5 -0.2 -1.5 -0.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.988 156.8 155.2 -8.6 -0.6 -1.6 -0.8 -1.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.402 118.2 118.3 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.514 110.5 110.7 -0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.777 233.0 225.3 -20.0 -0.9 -2.5 0.1 -3.3

Mineral products.................................. V 7.482 198.2 215.2 -28.5 2.6 3.7 -6.0 8.6

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.482 86.1 92.4 -1.2 -1.2 -0.2 -2.7 7.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 6.805 190.5 207.6 -30.4 2.9 4.1 -6.4 9.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.941 144.0 144.1 -3.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.1 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.898 185.0 185.5 7.2 2.6 1.3 0.3 0.3

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.956 146.4 148.1 -8.9 -1.1 -1.0 0.3 1.2

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.564 110.6 110.8 -4.1 -1.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.791 136.4 136.5 2.2 -0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.482 114.4 114.4 -4.7 -2.9 0.7 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.935 155.1 152.8 -0.4 1.0 -0.2 1.2 -1.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.180 143.2 144.1 -4.4 -1.3 -0.1 -0.8 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.222 138.7 139.7 -3.9 -1.1 -0.2 -0.8 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.958 162.5 162.3 -6.6 -2.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.433 144.4 141.8 -10.6 -1.0 -0.5 -2.4 -1.8

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.265 92.2 89.9 – -1.0 -0.6 -3.8 -2.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.620 97.8 97.5 – -0.8 -0.6 -1.0 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.228 122.9 123.2 -1.4 -1.2 -0.4 0.0 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.613 122.0 123.0 -5.7 -3.6 -0.8 0.2 0.8

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.209 123.6 123.7 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.2 0.1

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.407 99.1 99.1 – 0.0 0.0 -1.2 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.789 122.7 121.9 -10.0 -0.8 -0.6 0.2 -0.7

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May

2014 to

May

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Mar.

2015 to

Apr.

2015

Apr.

2015 to

May

2015

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.459 119.8 117.5 -24.3 -1.8 -0.9 0.9 -1.9

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.821 122.4 122.2 1.7 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.424 99.3 99.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.802 236.2 234.8 -6.3 1.9 -1.6 -0.3 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.216 153.2 154.3 -5.6 -1.8 -0.5 -0.6 0.7

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.225 164.6 163.9 -15.1 -5.0 -1.2 -1.7 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.511 188.5 198.6 -11.3 -4.9 2.2 0.7 5.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.892 117.9 118.7 -0.6 -1.0 -1.1 -0.3 0.7

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.332 147.7 147.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.005 97.2 97.1 -0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.467 113.8 113.6 0.5 0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.538 79.3 79.3 -2.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.533 130.6 130.9 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.038 114.9 115.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.171 106.9 106.8 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.488 111.5 111.7 1.1 0.4 -0.4 0.5 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.847 123.8 124.4 2.2 0.5 -0.7 1.1 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.479 89.7 89.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: May 2014 to May 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May 2014

to May

2015

Jan. 2015

to Feb.

2015

Feb. 2015

to Mar.

2015

Mar. 2015

to Apr.

2015

Apr. 2015

to May

2015

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 120.5 121.7 -8.9 -0.3 -0.6 -0.2 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles................... 7.891 135.9 148.8 -41.5 -0.9 -1.4 1.2 9.5

Manufactured articles........................ 91.668 118.8 119.2 -3.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.3

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 123.1 124.7 -10.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.3 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles................... 11.124 203.3 226.4 -35.2 -2.1 0.1 2.8 11.4

Manufactured articles........................ 88.647 105.7 105.7 -3.9 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.0

Canada.......................................... 100.000 125.2 127.9 -17.7 -0.9 -0.8 0.2 2.2

Nonmanufactured articles................... 22.041 130.2 142.7 -42.1 -1.0 -1.0 1.3 9.6

Manufactured articles........................ 77.255 128.2 128.1 -5.0 -0.8 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 133.6 134.6 -3.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 0.7

Manufactured articles........................ 99.380 130.1 131.1 -3.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.5 0.8

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 122.0 121.5 -1.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 116.7 116.6 -2.4 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 121.2 121.4 -7.4 1.6 -0.2 -0.3 0.2

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 148.2 150.9 -13.1 0.5 -0.1 0.1 1.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 18.535 225.5 248.4 -33.4 5.1 0.0 2.3 10.2

Manufactured articles........................ 81.056 124.8 124.7 -4.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 131.0 131.7 -7.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 10.193 124.2 134.9 -33.2 2.3 3.3 0.6 8.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 89.499 91.1 90.8 -2.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 100.8 100.6 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.3 103.0 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Japan............................................ 100.000 96.5 96.4 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 86.4 86.6 -2.6 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 98.9 98.8 -5.2 -0.2 -0.2 -1.1 -0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 164.6 181.2 -31.8 -7.9 -0.5 0.6 10.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: May 2014 to

May 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20151

Index Percent change

Apr.

2015

May

2015

Annual Monthly

May 2014

to May

2015

Jan. 2015

to Feb.

2015

Feb. 2015

to Mar.

2015

Mar. 2015

to Apr.

2015

Apr. 2015

to May

2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 176.0 175.3 -0.2 0.3 3.0 1.9 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 25.781 157.0 158.7 -12.0 -5.1 -1.8 4.5 1.1

Asia.................................................. 72.869 159.8 158.3 4.6 2.4 4.8 0.9 -0.9

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 157.9 157.1 -2.0 -2.3 -1.7 0.8 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 36.789 151.2 150.1 4.8 -1.8 -1.7 1.5 -0.7

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 161.4 160.6 -2.8 -0.9 0.4 1.2 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 26.284 143.8 144.0 -9.7 -3.7 -1.3 2.3 0.1

Asia.................................................. 63.216 148.7 147.4 -0.1 0.2 1.1 1.0 -0.9

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 144.4 147.5 -3.6 -0.9 -0.6 -3.1 2.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 31.248 154.2 153.9 -10.3 -0.1 -0.5 -9.1 -0.2

Asia.................................................. 45.549 141.0 141.1 -2.8 -0.8 -0.4 0.4 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 185.8 189.3 -2.9 -2.5 -2.4 -2.9 1.9

Europe............................................... 48.263 219.8 227.3 4.6 2.7 -3.8 -5.5 3.4

Asia.................................................. 24.290 137.1 145.5 -8.0 -6.2 2.2 -3.0 6.1

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 10.426 165.7 159.2 -5.5 0.4 0.6 -0.8 -3.9

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 158.7 163.4 -12.9 -13.5 0.7 -3.6 3.0

Europe............................................... 30.031 201.3 209.9 -9.8 -2.3 0.5 -4.0 4.3

Asia.................................................. 26.318 130.1 142.0 -14.5 -17.5 -0.1 -5.5 9.1

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 23.887 170.7 163.9 -15.6 -9.7 2.8 -7.3 -4.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."
16 

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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