Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, April 11, 2012 

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

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

USDL-12-0664

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

U.S. import prices advanced 1.3 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

edging down 0.1 percent the previous month. Higher fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the advance. 

Prices for U.S. exports rose 0.8 percent in March, following increases of 0.4 percent in February and 0.2 

percent in January. 

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

 Percent change 

3.0

2.6

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.4 -0.1

-0.4

0.7

0.0 0.0

-0.1

1.3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

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

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

 Percent change

10.3

11.9

12.9

13.6 13.7

12.9 12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.0

3.4

0

4

8

12

16

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

All Imports: Import prices advanced 1.3 percent in March, the first increase for the index since rising 0.7 

percent in November and the largest monthly rise since a 2.6 percent advance in April 2011. Import prices 

increased 3.4 percent over the past year, the smallest 12-month advance for the index since a similar 3.4 

percent rise between November 2008 and November 2009. 

Fuel Imports: A 3.8 percent rise in import fuel prices led the March increase in overall import prices. The 

increase in fuel prices was the first one-month advance since a 3.4 percent rise in November. In March, a 

4.3 percent increase in petroleum prices, the largest component of imported fuels more than offset a 14.2 

percent drop in natural gas prices. Prices for import fuel rose 7.4 percent for the year ended in March, driven 

by a 9.6 percent advance in petroleum prices. In contrast, natural gas prices fell 37.8 percent over the past 

12 months. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports increased 0.5 percent in March, the 

largest one-month advance since a 0.8 percent rise in April 2011. A 1.7 percent increase in nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials prices was the largest contributor to the overall advance, while prices for 

foods, feeds, and beverages; capital goods; and automotive vehicles rose as well. Nonfuel import prices 

increased 2.0 percent for the March 2011-12 period, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 1.9 percent 

rise for the year ended in February 2010. 

Table A. Percent changes 

 

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

 Percent change 

1.5

0.8

0.4 0.1

-0.4

0.4

0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.2 0.4

0.8

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1 9.8 9.4 9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.5

1.5

0.9

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

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

All Exports: U.S. export prices increased 0.8 percent in March, the largest monthly advance for the index 

since a 0.8 percent rise in April 2011. In March, higher prices for nonagricultural goods and agricultural 

goods each contributed to the advance. Despite recording the largest monthly increase in 11 months, overall 

export prices rose only 0.9 percent over the past 12 months, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 0.4 

percent rise for the November 2008-09 period. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose 2.7 percent in March following a 0.6 percent 

downturn the previous month. An 8.3 percent increase in soybean prices and a 2.6 percent rise in corn prices 

more than offset a 6.5 percent drop in cotton prices. Prices for fruit, wheat, and nuts also rose, up 4.5 

percent, 1.4 percent, and 2.1 percent, respectively. Despite the monthly increase, overall agricultural prices 

decreased 5.5 percent over the past year. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.5 percent in March, 

led by a 1.3 percent increase in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices. Each of the major 

finished goods categories also advanced in March. Nonagricultural prices rose 1.7 percent over the past 12 

months. 

 

3
4

SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 1.7 

percent in March after rising 0.9 percent the previous month. The March increase was the largest monthly 

advance since a 2.0 percent rise in March 2011, and was led by a 3.3 percent increase in unfinished metals 

prices. The advance in unfinished metals prices was driven by a 4.8 percent rise in gold prices and a 7.8 

percent increase in the price index for other precious metals. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices rose overall in March, with capital goods prices advancing 0.2 

percent and prices of automotive vehicles increasing 0.3 percent. The price index for consumer goods was 

unchanged. The March increase in capital goods prices was led by a 0.4 percent gain in computer prices, 

while the advance in automotive prices was driven by a 0.5 percent increase in the price index for passenger 

cars. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.8 percent in March following a 

2.8 percent decline the previous month. A 14.5 percent advance in vegetable prices and a 5.7 percent 

increase in fruit prices were the largest contributors to the overall rise. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, and 

Mexico increased 1.2 percent, 0.9 percent, and 1.1 percent, respectively, in March. Higher fuel prices were 

the primary contributing factor for the increases. In contrast, import prices from China and Japan were each 

unchanged in March. 

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares fell 1.0 percent in March, the first 

monthly decline since a 0.7 percent drop in November. A 6.6 percent decrease in Asian fares and a 2.4 

percent fall in European fares each contributed to the March decline. Import air freight prices rose 2.6 

percent in March, the first monthly increase for the index since a 1.1 percent advance in August and the 

largest rise since a 5.8 percent increase in May. 

Export Prices 

 

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

materials increased 1.3 percent in March following a 1.1 percent advance in February. A 2.3 percent rise in 

fuel prices led the March increase, although higher prices for metals and chemicals also contributed to the 

overall advance. 

 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories recorded increases in March. Capital goods 

prices rose 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. Prices for automotive vehicles also advanced 0.2 

percent in March following a 0.3 percent increase the previous month, while the price index for consumer 

goods advanced 0.3 percent, after ticking up 0.1 percent in February. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 1.1 percent in March following a 4.5 percent 

decline the previous month. The March decrease was led by a 3.5 percent decrease in European fares. In 

contrast, the price index for export air freight rose 1.4 percent after increasing 0.3 percent in February. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2012 are scheduled for release on Thursday, May 10, 

2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2011 to March

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.1 144.0 3.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1 1.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 70.596 103.4 103.8 2.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.4

All imports excluding petroleum................ 76.650 116.2 116.6 1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 75.636 120.5 121.1 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.040 171.3 174.3 -0.3 -0.5 2.2 -2.8 1.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.889 192.0 196.1 -1.4 -0.5 2.4 -3.4 2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.151 124.4 124.8 3.4 -0.3 1.5 -0.9 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 37.497 263.1 271.1 5.8 -0.3 -0.5 0.3 3.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.148 165.9 167.4 -0.6 -0.5 -1.3 0.2 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.134 189.7 192.9 2.7 -0.2 -1.0 0.9 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.838 180.0 183.4 1.1 0.0 -1.1 1.1 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.296 149.6 149.1 -2.6 -1.1 -1.6 -0.9 -0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 24.362 355.7 369.2 7.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 3.8

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 23.348 399.3 416.6 9.6 -0.3 0.0 0.4 4.3

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.938 417.3 431.9 11.8 0.3 -0.4 2.6 3.5

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.713 97.7 85.8 -34.8 -4.2 -5.6 -10.0 -12.2

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.616 84.6 72.6 -37.8 -4.0 -6.6 -10.8 -14.2

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.580 112.6 114.4 -1.6 -1.2 -1.9 0.0 1.6

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.823 175.3 177.6 7.1 -0.4 -0.4 0.5 1.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.973 131.8 134.2 2.1 0.4 0.4 0.5 1.8

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.734 275.3 284.5 -2.0 0.2 -2.5 1.7 3.3

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.542 163.9 163.5 3.9 -0.2 -0.4 1.5 -0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.482 114.7 115.3 2.9 -0.5 -0.4 0.0 0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.107 93.4 93.6 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.855 118.8 119.3 3.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.638 86.5 86.7 0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.613 131.6 132.6 6.3 0.9 1.2 0.0 0.8

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.399 113.4 113.7 3.0 -0.3 0.4 0.0 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 23.956 107.5 107.5 2.7 0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.460 114.2 114.3 3.6 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.196 100.0 100.2 1.0 0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.300 119.8 118.0 9.5 4.2 -0.6 1.0 -1.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.8 133.9 0.9 -0.5 0.2 0.4 0.8

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.622 201.3 206.7 -5.5 -2.3 1.0 -0.6 2.7

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.455 102.9 103.3 1.1 0.0 -0.1 0.6 0.4

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.379 128.0 128.7 1.7 -0.2 0.0 0.5 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.694 200.1 205.9 -0.5 -2.0 1.2 -0.6 2.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.988 202.2 208.7 -1.6 -2.2 1.2 -0.7 3.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.706 186.0 184.4 16.8 0.7 0.9 0.3 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.777 185.7 187.9 -0.2 -0.7 -0.5 1.1 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.447 188.6 191.1 2.7 0.5 -1.9 2.2 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.330 184.9 187.0 -1.8 -1.4 0.4 0.4 1.1

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.634 199.9 199.4 -23.0 -2.9 0.0 -0.4 -0.3

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 33.143 185.4 187.8 1.3 -0.6 -0.5 1.1 1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.852 273.8 280.2 1.4 -2.7 1.2 0.0 2.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.352 174.5 176.1 1.3 0.2 -1.2 1.6 0.9

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.939 117.0 117.3 0.9 -0.6 0.2 1.0 0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.499 105.2 105.4 1.3 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.519 112.6 112.8 1.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.3 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.019 94.6 94.8 1.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.961 148.2 148.6 2.8 0.3 0.8 1.0 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.207 112.3 112.5 2.6 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.824 116.9 117.2 2.9 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.937 114.8 115.2 1.6 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.369 114.0 114.3 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 21.103 175.7 181.0 7.1 -0.1 -0.6 1.3 3.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.776 167.7 173.2 -8.5 -0.2 1.1 -5.3 3.3

Crop production................................. 111 1.245 172.0 178.5 -9.4 0.2 2.8 -7.9 3.8

Mining.............................................. 21 19.327 176.1 181.3 8.8 -0.1 -0.7 1.9 3.0

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.322 142.8 142.1 -3.9 -2.7 0.2 -2.8 -0.5

Manufactured articles.............................. 78.424 117.6 118.7 2.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.4 0.9

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.789 125.1 125.2 5.7 0.2 0.8 0.2 0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.005 159.3 161.1 6.4 0.4 1.5 -0.3 1.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.838 111.9 111.7 1.2 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.876 117.7 115.4 1.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1 -2.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.056 112.1 112.1 6.1 -0.1 0.4 0.2 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.616 119.5 119.5 8.7 0.4 1.5 0.8 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.554 137.1 140.6 3.0 -0.8 0.3 -2.2 2.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.577 108.8 112.1 1.2 0.3 0.7 0.6 3.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.073 110.3 111.6 0.6 -0.6 -1.3 0.0 1.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.555 168.8 180.9 2.7 -1.8 2.0 -7.5 7.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.564 133.0 134.2 3.1 -0.5 -0.7 -0.2 0.9

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.871 127.0 127.1 5.8 -0.2 1.1 -0.2 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.825 129.4 129.5 2.7 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 50.081 110.0 110.5 1.4 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.324 180.7 185.7 -0.8 0.3 -2.4 1.8 2.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.530 129.8 129.6 5.1 0.3 0.1 0.4 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.548 120.4 120.7 3.0 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.445 83.0 83.1 -1.7 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.783 117.7 118.2 3.2 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.038 110.4 110.9 3.3 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.5

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.291 112.8 113.2 3.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.122 122.3 122.3 3.3 0.4 -1.0 0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.237 163.8 165.4 -11.1 -2.4 0.2 -1.6 1.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.058 189.2 194.9 -10.8 -3.2 2.1 -0.7 3.0

Crop production................................. 111 5.637 195.9 202.3 -11.8 -3.4 2.5 -1.0 3.3

Mining.............................................. 21 2.179 109.8 104.6 -11.2 -0.3 -4.6 -3.7 -4.7

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.584 139.3 132.1 -3.2 -1.1 -2.3 0.9 -5.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.612 120.6 121.5 2.4 -0.2 0.1 0.5 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.999 143.3 145.2 2.5 -0.6 -0.7 0.6 1.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.855 163.1 165.7 5.3 -0.9 -0.2 0.4 1.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.550 115.5 119.1 3.4 -0.6 -0.8 1.2 3.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.419 119.8 119.8 8.4 1.5 1.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.637 134.5 136.5 2.9 -0.8 0.7 0.8 1.5

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.405 114.6 114.1 -6.3 0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.833 118.7 118.3 -5.5 -1.5 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.359 170.9 177.7 3.3 -3.6 2.4 2.0 4.0

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.110 132.0 133.1 3.5 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.8

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.179 116.9 116.7 7.0 -0.1 0.6 0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.752 111.1 111.6 1.2 -0.3 0.4 0.0 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.976 112.9 113.4 2.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.894 174.8 179.4 4.9 1.3 -4.0 1.3 2.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.591 127.7 129.2 2.1 0.2 0.4 -1.4 1.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.067 119.9 120.3 3.8 0.0 1.7 0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.391 89.6 89.6 -0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.188 111.3 111.4 0.7 -0.4 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.374 116.2 116.5 2.6 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.177 122.5 122.9 6.2 -0.5 -0.9 0.0 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.169 168.3 171.1 3.2 -0.2 2.0 -0.9 1.7

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.271 217.9 222.3 5.1 -0.5 2.6 -1.3 2.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.613 122.4 123.2 0.5 -0.8 2.2 -1.4 0.7

Vegetable products................................ II 1.607 205.7 214.0 -0.7 1.8 3.1 -5.7 4.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.248 248.8 290.3 -26.8 -4.1 19.4 -32.0 16.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.470 119.1 127.7 -2.1 -0.2 2.9 1.9 7.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.445 291.8 273.7 10.5 2.9 1.0 -2.3 -6.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.255 131.6 133.4 -15.5 1.6 1.2 -3.0 1.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.368 157.9 157.6 2.3 -0.7 0.5 -0.1 -0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.185 86.9 88.0 -18.1 -12.0 0.6 1.8 1.3

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.222 124.8 125.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.351 175.1 173.6 13.0 2.5 1.1 -0.6 -0.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.794 122.6 122.1 1.5 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Mineral products.................................... V 24.037 357.2 370.6 7.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 3.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 23.728 353.5 366.9 7.7 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 3.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.055 147.0 147.5 1.8 -0.5 -0.8 -0.8 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.875 354.3 339.6 -6.8 -1.8 -4.8 -3.5 -4.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.408 137.8 140.8 4.3 -0.3 0.3 0.2 2.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.918 113.8 113.9 1.2 0.1 -0.9 -1.4 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.441 140.0 140.9 15.9 -4.2 -4.7 1.4 0.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.177 102.6 103.5 – – 3.1 -0.5 0.9

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.408 123.7 124.8 1.0 -0.6 0.2 -0.9 0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.472 103.2 103.6 -3.5 0.3 -1.2 -0.2 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.071 152.1 153.0 4.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.855 142.8 143.9 5.5 0.6 0.2 -0.3 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.216 170.0 170.3 1.6 -2.3 -0.4 0.8 0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.585 126.8 126.8 8.3 0.1 1.9 1.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.538 127.6 127.6 8.8 0.1 2.0 1.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.607 131.5 135.4 1.7 0.2 0.5 0.7 3.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.177 113.3 114.2 0.4 -0.6 -1.1 0.3 0.8

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.170 96.1 100.9 – – -4.4 0.5 5.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.795 109.1 109.2 1.7 -0.2 -0.6 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.208 116.0 115.6 5.2 -0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.019 106.9 106.7 3.8 0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.905 117.9 118.0 9.9 -0.2 0.6 0.3 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.644 112.0 108.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.7 0.0 -2.8

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.322 118.6 118.7 7.8 0.5 0.9 0.4 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.125 117.7 117.7 8.0 0.6 0.9 0.5 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.745 131.1 131.5 2.7 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.239 124.3 124.5 3.6 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.224 141.2 142.1 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.6

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.282 126.1 126.3 3.4 0.4 0.6 -0.3 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.327 206.1 211.3 14.2 2.6 -1.9 1.5 2.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.887 191.3 192.5 -3.6 -0.5 0.2 0.9 0.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.129 245.3 246.8 -3.7 -0.6 0.2 -0.6 0.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.401 160.6 160.7 2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.471 370.5 375.8 -11.4 0.4 2.6 6.2 1.4

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.143 111.2 118.0 -22.4 -2.4 -1.6 6.0 6.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.709 141.0 141.8 -6.8 -2.4 -1.3 2.0 0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.356 126.7 126.0 3.2 0.4 2.1 -0.1 -0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.400 133.0 132.2 2.6 -0.1 0.5 0.5 -0.6

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.660 86.1 86.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.372 89.7 89.9 1.2 0.2 0.8 0.0 0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.288 82.7 82.8 -0.6 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.051 114.7 115.3 3.4 -0.3 0.3 0.1 0.5

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.273 113.8 114.3 3.4 -0.3 0.2 0.1 0.4

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.687 116.1 117.9 2.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.6

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.180 104.1 104.3 0.0 0.4 -1.9 0.2 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.930 101.6 101.8 -0.3 0.5 -2.1 0.2 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.190 128.0 128.2 2.6 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.633 111.5 111.7 3.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.929 114.8 115.1 3.3 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.507 104.8 104.9 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.197 133.1 133.3 3.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.922 204.7 203.3 6.6 -0.1 -1.0 -0.5 -0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.119 169.3 169.6 7.8 -0.5 -0.8 0.3 0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.404 202.1 198.0 17.3 2.0 0.6 0.0 -2.0

Vegetable products................................ II 5.526 233.9 243.6 -3.9 -2.4 1.6 -0.8 4.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.805 128.6 134.3 -1.6 6.7 -4.7 -2.7 4.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.160 279.4 285.0 -8.0 -7.1 3.2 -0.1 2.0

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.982 244.6 261.9 -1.1 -3.3 5.2 0.5 7.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.463 144.4 150.6 -4.7 -1.7 1.1 -2.0 4.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.606 150.2 154.3 3.9 -1.2 0.0 1.0 2.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.321 110.0 110.3 3.8 -0.9 0.4 0.4 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.389 105.9 109.8 4.6 0.1 0.8 -0.1 3.7

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.722 207.0 218.1 -2.2 -2.5 -1.7 2.4 5.4

Mineral products.................................... V 8.837 322.9 330.6 1.0 -2.6 0.8 0.5 2.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.199 318.7 326.7 1.3 -2.8 1.1 0.1 2.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.272 154.7 154.8 2.5 0.2 -0.5 0.4 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.970 178.2 174.0 -10.5 1.2 -9.7 -0.3 -2.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.506 169.8 170.5 4.4 0.9 0.1 1.7 0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.175 124.8 125.4 0.6 -0.3 0.8 0.1 0.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.759 135.0 135.3 5.9 0.2 0.9 0.3 0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.468 123.0 123.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.5 -0.9 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.755 151.6 152.6 5.0 0.1 1.3 -0.5 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.497 149.1 151.0 4.9 -0.1 0.3 0.9 1.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.414 140.0 141.2 2.8 0.1 0.7 0.8 0.9

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.083 192.1 197.6 13.9 -1.1 -1.2 1.7 2.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.359 126.2 131.5 -0.7 -2.4 2.1 2.3 4.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.533 107.6 107.3 -2.6 -1.4 -1.8 1.4 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.324 117.8 118.4 -6.9 -2.5 0.2 0.6 0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.643 125.9 128.3 -16.7 -7.0 0.7 2.8 1.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.230 116.9 116.9 -2.4 -0.7 0.1 -0.4 0.0

Printed material.................................... 49 0.451 119.4 119.4 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.004 132.0 130.0 -21.1 -1.6 0.2 -0.7 -1.5

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.655 162.7 154.1 -47.3 -4.9 -1.5 -2.8 -5.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.743 117.3 117.7 1.9 -0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.403 98.6 98.7 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2011 to

Mar.

2012

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.438 288.0 293.8 17.3 1.1 -4.4 2.3 2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.676 178.3 179.7 -4.1 -0.2 1.1 1.4 0.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.798 226.2 225.6 -8.1 0.0 3.4 2.8 -0.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.347 170.1 173.8 3.1 -0.2 0.3 -1.6 2.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.686 261.5 266.8 -6.6 0.6 -0.4 5.4 2.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.847 128.8 129.0 -6.8 -2.0 0.5 1.8 0.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.379 129.2 129.3 3.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.319 136.7 138.0 2.4 0.4 -0.1 0.4 1.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.606 96.7 96.9 1.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.947 109.4 109.6 1.9 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.659 82.9 83.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.942 126.0 126.3 2.7 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.247 112.6 112.8 3.3 0.0 1.1 0.2 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.773 105.1 105.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.9 0.5 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.335 108.9 108.9 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.695 119.2 119.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.5 0.6 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.522 91.1 91.2 -1.0 0.0 0.9 0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2011

to Mar.

2012

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Dec. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Jan. 2012

to Feb.

2012

Feb. 2012

to Mar.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 38.296 132.3 133.9 2.4 0.0 -0.5 -0.2 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.447 241.5 244.9 3.5 0.0 -1.5 -0.5 1.4

Manufactured articles......................... 33.487 123.4 124.8 2.3 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 1.1

Other Countries3

............................... 61.704 143.1 144.7 4.2 0.0 0.1 0.6 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.907 370.4 382.2 8.6 -0.1 -0.2 2.0 3.2

Manufactured articles......................... 48.593 112.3 112.7 2.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.4

Canada............................................ 14.414 155.1 156.9 0.8 0.3 -0.6 0.4 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.027 230.1 233.0 2.1 0.2 -1.7 -0.9 1.3

Manufactured articles......................... 10.122 139.0 140.5 0.0 0.3 -0.1 1.0 1.1

European Union4

............................... 15.813 135.0 136.2 2.6 -0.4 -0.9 -0.1 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.262 392.4 404.4 25.5 -2.0 2.1 5.6 3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 15.467 131.2 132.3 2.1 -0.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.8

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.736 121.0 121.9 3.1 0.5 0.0 -0.2 0.7

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.265 114.2 115.1 0.6 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 0.8

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.397 134.8 136.7 3.1 -0.4 0.9 0.9 1.4

Latin America5

.................................. 19.049 183.5 185.8 3.4 0.1 0.7 0.4 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.633 402.9 414.6 8.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 2.9

Manufactured articles......................... 13.328 135.9 136.3 0.1 -0.1 0.7 0.4 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 12.091 149.0 150.6 0.6 -0.1 1.0 -0.2 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.017 213.8 224.3 6.0 -0.9 3.5 -2.0 4.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 10.028 96.5 96.5 -0.9 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.659 104.8 104.9 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.583 105.5 105.5 2.7 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

Japan.............................................. 6.349 102.4 102.4 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.471 90.6 90.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.652 105.6 106.0 1.5 -0.1 0.2 0.5 0.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.948 283.4 291.8 14.0 -1.1 0.1 3.7 3.0

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2011

to March 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20121

Index Percent change

Feb.

2012

Mar.

2012

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2011

to Mar.

2012

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Dec. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Jan. 2012

to Feb.

2012

Feb. 2012

to Mar.

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 168.5 172.9 0.1 -0.4 -3.3 -1.6 2.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.911 161.7 166.6 12.0 -0.3 -2.3 -1.6 3.0

Asia.................................................... 70.407 147.8 151.6 -3.9 -0.5 -3.8 -1.7 2.6

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.9 149.0 7.0 0.1 1.6 0.3 1.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.053 132.2 133.6 6.2 -0.6 1.5 0.5 1.1

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 155.2 158.3 0.8 -0.9 -2.1 -1.3 2.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.265 145.6 149.3 7.6 0.1 -1.6 -1.0 2.5

Asia.................................................... 62.970 138.2 140.9 -1.3 -1.5 -2.6 -1.9 2.0

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 144.6 146.4 7.3 0.7 -0.3 0.3 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 31.059 163.4 164.8 6.0 -0.2 -0.4 0.7 0.9

Asia.................................................... 48.866 135.2 137.3 8.5 1.1 -0.1 0.1 1.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 180.5 178.7 10.9 1.6 0.2 0.3 -1.0

Europe................................................. 38.580 185.1 180.7 8.8 -2.0 4.8 0.2 -2.4

Asia.................................................... 27.481 157.9 147.5 7.0 4.8 -4.1 1.3 -6.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.291 177.6 178.2 9.3 8.0 -4.4 -0.6 0.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 186.6 184.5 6.8 3.8 2.3 -4.5 -1.1

Europe................................................. 27.447 219.2 211.5 16.0 -2.7 0.8 5.1 -3.5

Asia.................................................... 27.102 162.0 167.7 2.8 2.7 6.2 -14.7 3.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 26.376 238.5 238.6 28.6 7.3 3.7 12.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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