U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – DECEMBER 2010 

U.S. import prices rose 1.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

increasing 1.5 percent in November and 1.1 percent in October. Import prices advanced 4.8 percent in 2010. 

The price index for U.S. exports increased 0.7 percent in December and 6.5 percent over the past year. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2009 – December 2010 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2009 – December 2010 

 Percent change

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Dec'09 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'10

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Dec'09 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'10

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, January 12, 2011 

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

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

USDL-11-0016
2

 

All Imports: Import prices rose 1.1 percent in December, and higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel prices 

contributed to the overall advance. The price index for overall imports rose 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter 

of 2010, the largest three-month increase since import prices advanced a similar 3.7 percent between May 

and August 2009. Import prices rose for the second consecutive year in 2010, increasing 4.8 percent after an 

8.6 percent advance in 2009. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices increased 4.1 percent following similar advances of 4.2 percent and 4.3 percent 

the two previous months. The price indexes for petroleum and natural gas contributed to the December 

increase, rising 3.9 percent and 14.4 percent, respectively. Prices for imported fuel rose 11.9 percent in 2010 

after a 62.2 percent jump in 2009. The increase in 2010 was led by a 13.7 percent advance in petroleum 

prices, which more than offset an 11.3 percent drop in prices for natural gas. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel prices advanced 0.3 percent in December after a 

0.8 percent rise the previous month. Rising prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and foods, 

feeds, and beverages led the advance in December. Nonfuel prices rose 3.0 percent in 2010, primarily driven 

by a 12.0 percent increase in the price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. The 2010 increase 

in nonfuel prices was the largest calendar-year increase for the index since a 3.1 percent advance in 2007. 

Table A. Percent changes 

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2009 – December 2010 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2009 – December 2010 

 Percent change 

All Exports: Prices of overall exports rose 0.7 percent in December following a 1.5 percent increase the 

previous month. Higher prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the advances 

in each of the past two months. Export prices increased 6.5 percent in 2010 after a 3.4 percent rise the 

previous year. The 2010 advance was the largest calendar-year increase since the index was first published 

in December 1983. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices rose 1.7 percent led by a 10.5 percent increase in cotton prices 

and a 5.0 percent advance in soybeans prices. The December increase followed a 7.6 percent jump in 

November. Prices for agricultural exports rose 20.2 percent in 2010, the largest calendar-year increase since 

a 23.3 percent advance in 2007. While a 107.0 percent increase in cotton prices was the largest single factor 

for the rise in agricultural prices in 2010, higher prices for corn, wheat, soybeans, and meat also contributed 

to the advance. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.6 percent in 

December after increasing 0.8 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, in November and October. 

Nonagricultural prices advanced 5.1 percent in 2010, the largest calendar-year increase for the index since 

December 1987. The 2010 increase was driven by a 13.5 percent advance in nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials prices. 

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Dec'09 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'10

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5.8

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Dec'09 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'10
4

 

SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

0.9 percent in December, led up by a 1.6 percent increase in chemicals prices and a 1.0 percent advance in 

unfinished metals prices. The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials rose 12.0 percent in 

2010. Prices for unfinished metals and chemicals, up 19.7 percent and 12.0 percent, respectively, were also 

the largest contributors to the increase over the past year. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly flat in December. Capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 

percent, while the price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles were unchanged. Each of the 

major finished goods categories also recorded little price movement over the past 12 months. Prices for 

automotive vehicles and capital goods rose 1.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, in 2010, while in 

contrast, consumer goods prices fell 0.3 percent. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 1.3 percent in December and 13.1 

percent over the past 12 months. Higher prices for vegetables, fish, food oils, and meat led the increase in 

December. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices of imports from China and from Japan each rose 0.3 percent in 

December. Driven by a 0.9 percent increase in the fourth quarter, import prices from China advanced 0.8 

percent over the past year after declining 1.8 percent in 2009. Import prices from Japan rose 2.0 percent in 

2010, similar to the 1.9 percent advances recorded in each of the previous two years. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 2.1 percent in December and 11.6 percent in 

2010. The 2010 increase followed a 3.2 percent decline in 2009. The December increase was led by a 9.8 

percent increase in Asian fares and a 9.2 percent advance in Latin American and Caribbean fares, which 

more than offset a 5.8 percent decline in European fares. Higher prices for all three regions contributed to 

the 2010 advance in overall air passenger fares. The price index for import air freight declined 0.3 percent in 

December. Despite the December decrease, the index rose 3.2 percent in 2010. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

advanced 1.4 percent in December led by rising fuel and metals prices. Higher prices for fuels, metals, and 

chemicals drove overall nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices up 13.5 percent in 2010. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly up in December. Consumer goods prices rose 0.2 

percent, capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent, while prices for automotive vehicles were unchanged. 

Prices for each of the major finished goods categories increased in 2010. Consumer goods prices increased 

3.4 percent, prices for capital goods rose 0.6 percent, and automotive vehicles prices advanced 0.8 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 2.3 percent in December and 6.8 percent in 

2010. The increase over the past 12 months was driven by a 22.9 percent increase in Asian fares and 

followed a 5.2 percent drop in 2009. Export air freight prices rose 0.6 percent in December and 4.1 percent 

over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2011 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, 

February 15, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2009 to

December 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 129.0 130.4 4.8 0.0 1.1 1.5 1.1

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.974 112.2 112.7 2.7 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.613 116.1 116.4 3.0 0.3 0.4 0.8 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.044 160.4 162.5 13.1 0.6 2.1 2.5 1.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.926 180.0 182.3 13.4 0.5 2.2 3.0 1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.118 116.1 117.9 12.4 1.0 1.8 1.0 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 36.130 213.7 219.7 12.0 -0.4 3.2 3.5 2.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 16.104 156.8 159.2 9.6 0.6 1.5 2.3 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.743 176.1 177.6 12.0 1.1 1.7 2.5 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.274 169.8 170.8 12.0 1.2 1.8 2.6 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.469 141.6 145.6 6.8 -0.1 0.9 2.0 2.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.387 268.4 279.5 11.9 -1.5 4.3 4.2 4.1

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.026 294.7 306.1 13.7 -1.3 4.7 4.4 3.9

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.751 300.3 311.8 13.4 -1.1 4.8 3.7 3.8

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.105 117.3 129.5 -10.1 -4.4 -2.5 1.4 10.4

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.800 101.3 115.9 -11.3 -5.9 -3.5 1.9 14.4

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.739 118.4 118.5 14.9 1.1 -0.3 1.1 0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.805 154.1 156.3 11.2 0.8 1.8 2.5 1.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.324 126.6 127.5 5.5 -0.3 0.6 1.0 0.7

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.471 262.7 265.2 19.7 2.1 2.9 4.5 1.0

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.866 151.6 152.1 8.3 1.2 1.6 1.1 0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.538 108.6 108.4 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.6 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.811 92.0 92.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.931 113.5 113.5 2.0 0.4 0.0 0.7 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.918 86.2 86.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.962 121.8 121.8 -0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.981 110.0 110.0 1.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.034 104.0 104.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.324 109.8 110.1 2.0 0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.508 98.4 98.1 -2.7 0.1 -0.6 0.3 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.202 103.6 103.7 1.6 -0.1 0.6 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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: December 2009 to

December 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 126.6 127.5 6.5 0.6 0.8 1.5 0.7

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.056 194.7 198.0 20.2 2.4 2.8 7.6 1.7

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.945 121.7 122.4 5.1 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.6

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.858 189.4 190.7 15.5 2.0 2.4 5.9 0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.274 193.4 194.2 15.7 2.1 2.4 6.3 0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.584 153.3 160.5 13.9 1.5 2.3 0.3 4.7

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 32.358 169.6 172.5 14.9 0.9 1.7 2.5 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.456 172.4 175.1 11.0 1.2 1.4 1.8 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 19.903 168.7 171.9 17.6 0.6 1.9 3.0 1.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.782 206.4 222.4 45.8 4.0 4.8 13.7 7.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 30.577 168.1 170.5 13.5 0.7 1.5 1.9 1.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 6.239 227.3 232.6 22.7 -0.7 3.1 3.5 2.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.356 162.6 164.6 11.7 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.982 116.9 116.3 2.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.3 -0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 37.137 103.8 103.9 0.6 0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.475 109.9 109.8 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.5 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 27.058 94.4 94.5 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.604 140.6 141.0 3.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.906 109.1 109.1 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.741 112.9 113.1 3.4 1.0 0.5 0.4 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.837 114.2 114.0 3.6 0.6 0.4 0.7 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.627 111.0 111.0 1.6 1.6 0.9 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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: December 2009 to

December 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.618 134.1 139.6 12.7 -1.3 4.1 3.4 4.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.924 161.2 165.4 20.2 -0.3 2.5 2.5 2.6

Crop production................................. 111 1.363 167.3 170.7 17.3 -0.9 2.6 2.3 2.0

Mining.............................................. 21 16.694 131.2 136.8 11.9 -1.3 4.2 3.6 4.3

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.540 140.3 140.5 9.0 0.1 -0.1 0.8 0.1

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.833 111.8 112.3 3.1 0.3 0.5 1.0 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.315 113.2 113.9 5.9 0.3 0.9 1.2 0.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.797 139.4 141.3 16.5 0.8 2.3 2.8 1.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.909 110.2 110.2 1.3 -0.1 0.5 1.0 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.787 104.9 106.4 6.1 0.3 0.3 0.9 1.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.915 102.6 103.0 2.1 0.0 0.5 0.4 0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.504 108.5 108.6 1.5 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.113 125.2 126.6 7.0 -0.2 0.8 2.3 1.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.804 104.3 105.1 9.4 -0.3 0.6 1.8 0.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.254 111.2 111.2 10.1 0.7 0.0 0.8 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.232 134.1 139.5 13.0 -2.1 4.1 6.7 4.0

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.942 127.7 128.1 5.0 0.5 -0.2 1.2 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.783 116.1 116.2 2.6 0.2 -0.3 0.3 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.992 123.3 123.6 3.6 0.2 0.7 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.405 107.4 107.5 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.160 171.5 173.2 18.5 2.0 2.7 3.9 1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.709 120.3 121.0 4.0 0.1 0.8 0.3 0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.729 114.8 114.9 1.5 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.436 85.5 85.3 -3.7 0.1 -0.7 -0.2 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.761 113.3 113.5 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.5 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.196 106.9 106.8 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.305 106.7 107.3 -0.6 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.6

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.109 114.0 114.2 1.5 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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: December 2009 to

December 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.073 163.5 165.1 30.2 3.5 2.7 10.1 1.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.766 184.5 189.5 32.0 3.8 3.6 13.5 2.7

Crop production................................. 111 5.414 192.6 197.9 33.6 4.1 4.0 14.5 2.8

Mining.............................................. 21 2.307 116.3 112.4 25.7 2.7 0.4 2.6 -3.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.858 137.2 130.3 39.4 2.4 1.3 1.8 -5.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.099 114.5 115.1 4.6 0.3 0.6 0.9 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.819 133.4 135.2 10.5 0.9 1.6 1.8 1.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.631 149.8 152.1 10.9 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.548 115.4 115.3 7.1 1.2 2.0 0.4 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.370 105.6 105.6 3.1 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.868 123.5 124.5 10.0 0.2 1.2 1.6 0.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.456 119.1 118.8 9.0 -0.5 -0.3 4.9 -0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.997 123.4 122.1 8.6 1.0 -0.4 0.0 -1.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.856 133.8 139.8 23.5 -2.9 4.7 5.1 4.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.746 124.8 125.1 8.8 0.8 0.7 1.1 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.995 107.5 107.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.6 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.818 114.4 113.9 1.8 0.4 0.6 0.4 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 58.411 109.3 109.7 2.0 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.186 157.2 160.3 16.2 1.5 2.5 3.4 2.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.678 121.8 122.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.274 115.4 115.3 2.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.895 91.5 91.7 -1.4 0.1 -0.4 0.4 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.340 109.5 109.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.750 111.7 111.8 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.947 112.5 113.2 2.4 1.3 0.9 -0.1 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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: December 2009 to

December 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.165 152.1 156.0 18.1 1.5 1.8 1.1 2.6

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.254 183.0 186.2 16.7 0.3 0.3 -0.4 1.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.620 117.5 120.0 19.6 2.0 2.9 1.0 2.1

Vegetable products................................ II 1.603 186.5 190.3 17.5 0.1 2.5 2.1 2.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.389 307.8 325.1 13.2 -4.6 -1.2 -0.8 5.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.422 113.7 114.1 14.8 3.2 3.8 -2.2 0.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.362 218.1 218.6 30.7 4.5 -1.0 9.3 0.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.247 123.6 130.7 30.7 2.0 5.0 5.1 5.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.365 148.8 149.1 7.1 -0.2 1.5 2.4 0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.195 95.5 96.3 -3.7 -2.0 -1.0 2.2 0.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.285 138.0 132.2 17.6 -0.1 2.9 7.7 -4.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.315 145.5 147.8 16.7 0.1 6.5 5.5 1.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.899 120.4 120.5 1.5 -0.1 0.6 1.4 0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 21.341 270.0 281.0 11.8 -1.5 4.0 4.0 4.1

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.190 104.9 105.0 5.0 0.0 0.7 1.7 0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.904 266.4 277.5 11.7 -1.5 4.1 4.1 4.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.264 141.9 142.7 5.5 0.6 0.2 1.4 0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.097 322.5 323.7 29.6 4.1 7.7 4.8 0.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.725 134.9 136.1 4.9 -0.1 0.4 0.6 0.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.691 114.6 114.5 -1.5 0.0 -3.2 0.2 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.320 106.0 109.5 9.5 1.2 1.6 4.3 3.3

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.162 108.0 107.9 -1.0 0.0 0.2 0.9 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.417 124.6 124.9 3.9 0.7 1.1 3.9 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.511 98.3 99.6 10.1 0.8 2.0 2.6 1.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.016 140.2 141.0 8.3 0.4 0.5 1.0 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.865 133.2 133.6 5.5 0.3 -0.2 0.8 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.151 153.5 155.2 13.0 0.7 1.5 1.3 1.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.582 115.1 115.1 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.527 115.2 115.2 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.822 125.8 126.7 8.7 -0.4 0.6 1.6 0.7

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.393 114.7 114.8 8.0 0.8 0.0 0.7 0.1

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.225 129.8 129.3 29.3 2.4 -1.8 1.3 -0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.902 107.2 107.5 5.5 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.3

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.266 122.7 122.7 1.7 0.7 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: December 2009 to

December 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.954 105.1 105.8 3.3 0.1 0.5 0.8 0.7

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.900 100.2 100.7 3.2 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.5

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.842 103.8 104.2 1.5 -0.1 0.5 0.4 0.4

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.544 97.9 100.2 9.0 0.5 0.5 1.5 2.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.206 108.7 108.8 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.027 107.9 108.0 1.6 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.878 126.1 126.6 1.7 0.2 1.3 0.2 0.4

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.310 118.6 119.9 2.0 0.3 0.7 -0.3 1.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.269 138.3 138.3 -1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.299 120.6 120.6 4.1 0.1 3.1 1.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.938 172.3 176.2 13.1 0.9 3.0 3.7 2.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.198 187.0 187.0 12.0 1.6 1.2 2.0 0.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.365 228.9 228.9 16.3 0.0 -1.4 1.5 0.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.845 151.9 151.8 8.5 0.8 0.4 -0.5 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.755 372.5 380.1 20.0 5.6 5.7 5.8 2.0

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.201 133.8 128.0 28.0 3.3 3.4 5.9 -4.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.862 144.3 144.1 14.5 1.8 2.4 3.9 -0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.360 119.3 120.4 2.4 0.1 0.6 0.3 0.9

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.404 127.7 127.8 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.770 86.1 86.0 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.620 88.6 88.7 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.150 83.6 83.4 -3.0 0.1 -0.8 0.0 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.193 111.2 111.1 0.7 0.2 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.118 110.3 110.2 0.9 0.1 0.4 0.4 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.980 113.8 113.8 -1.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.197 101.2 101.3 -1.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.893 98.8 99.0 -1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.226 123.7 123.4 -1.3 -0.2 0.5 0.5 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.800 107.2 107.4 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.932 110.0 110.5 -0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.662 101.3 101.4 0.5 0.0 0.5 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.206 124.5 125.0 6.9 0.9 1.3 0.4 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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: December 2009 to

December 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.764 178.1 179.2 16.7 1.7 2.2 -0.7 0.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.998 145.5 144.7 17.5 -0.6 2.1 -0.8 -0.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.330 162.0 173.2 25.7 2.6 3.4 0.0 6.9

Vegetable products................................ II 5.028 223.0 225.6 20.8 2.7 2.8 10.9 1.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.742 127.0 129.4 15.1 -1.3 4.2 3.5 1.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.282 259.2 256.1 32.4 9.9 2.8 16.4 -1.2

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.544 241.2 251.0 19.8 -3.4 3.7 11.9 4.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.344 124.6 140.5 40.5 1.9 4.6 7.8 12.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.490 146.2 147.0 3.7 0.4 1.0 1.2 0.5

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.330 103.3 104.6 4.6 -1.7 0.3 -0.8 1.3

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.398 119.0 119.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.329 106.1 105.8 1.9 0.6 2.1 0.8 -0.3

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.647 216.3 218.7 10.2 1.2 2.4 6.3 1.1

Mineral products.................................... V 6.227 272.6 278.0 23.8 -0.6 2.9 3.9 2.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 5.489 263.7 270.3 23.6 -1.0 3.1 4.1 2.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.921 147.7 148.1 7.6 0.6 0.3 1.0 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.078 191.6 192.2 13.2 0.1 2.0 0.9 0.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.979 153.1 153.7 6.1 0.1 -1.2 0.7 0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.956 126.5 126.0 7.3 0.9 0.7 1.2 -0.4

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.553 122.4 118.2 3.0 1.7 1.6 1.7 -3.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.708 126.5 126.4 -0.4 0.5 0.5 1.0 -0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.431 121.2 121.2 3.1 3.1 -2.4 1.0 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 2.034 143.3 143.1 6.9 -0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 4.987 139.5 140.2 4.5 0.4 0.1 0.8 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.045 133.1 133.8 4.4 0.5 0.2 0.9 0.5

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.942 168.4 168.7 4.8 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.370 122.1 123.0 15.5 -0.2 0.4 0.7 0.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.545 110.6 110.4 5.3 -0.4 -0.2 1.3 -0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.559 123.8 123.6 11.9 1.2 0.7 0.7 -0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.759 146.2 146.9 32.7 3.6 1.9 3.2 0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.311 117.8 116.9 6.5 0.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.8

Printed material.................................... 49 0.490 117.2 117.2 0.8 0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.329 137.4 143.5 31.4 3.0 3.8 9.7 4.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 1.019 204.3 224.5 96.4 7.8 10.6 24.9 9.9

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2009 to

December 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2009 to

Dec.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.767 116.1 115.7 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.409 98.6 98.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.4 -0.6

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.339 232.0 238.2 20.9 2.8 4.0 3.5 2.7

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.818 165.3 167.9 9.2 1.5 0.5 0.5 1.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.668 190.1 197.6 14.4 2.0 -1.8 -1.0 3.9

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.475 159.4 159.5 1.3 0.5 -0.3 0.4 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.627 252.5 263.9 23.5 2.8 4.2 2.1 4.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.906 129.7 128.9 11.0 2.7 2.9 2.2 -0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.403 125.5 125.5 1.4 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.303 124.2 124.9 2.1 -0.5 0.4 -0.4 0.6

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 29.212 95.6 95.7 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.5 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.193 107.1 106.9 0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.7 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.019 83.2 83.6 -0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.908 122.0 122.2 1.7 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.295 108.9 108.9 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.287 101.7 101.7 1.7 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.782 107.0 106.8 -1.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.464 107.5 107.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.732 118.5 118.3 0.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.622 92.2 91.6 -1.8 0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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: December 2009 to December 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2009

to Dec.

2010

Aug. 2010

to Sept.

2010

Sept. 2010

to Oct.

2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov. 2010

to Dec.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 126.6 127.7 3.1 -0.3 -0.1 1.8 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 199.8 210.0 5.6 -2.7 0.9 5.2 5.1

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 120.6 121.0 2.6 -0.1 -0.2 1.3 0.3

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 126.7 128.3 5.1 0.1 1.3 1.1 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 272.3 282.8 14.1 -0.7 4.7 2.4 3.9

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 106.3 106.8 2.2 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.5

Canada............................................ 15.923 143.9 146.5 6.4 -0.3 0.6 2.3 1.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 192.7 202.7 5.3 -2.7 0.5 5.3 5.2

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 134.9 135.7 6.6 0.5 0.5 1.3 0.6

European Union4

............................... 16.799 129.0 128.9 1.2 0.2 -0.2 0.6 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 251.9 259.0 3.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 2.8

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 126.5 126.3 1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.6 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 121.6 121.3 -2.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 112.7 112.4 -0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 -0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 126.9 127.8 2.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.7

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 160.4 162.6 5.6 -0.1 1.7 1.4 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 295.9 307.3 12.2 -0.7 4.1 2.0 3.9

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 131.7 131.8 1.9 0.2 0.6 1.1 0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 138.8 139.6 3.0 0.2 1.3 0.8 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 159.0 166.7 15.2 0.1 5.3 2.4 4.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 96.2 95.6 -0.5 0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.6

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 101.4 102.0 1.7 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.6

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 101.1 101.4 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3

Japan.............................................. 6.678 99.5 99.8 2.0 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 87.6 88.5 2.3 0.1 -1.0 -0.1 1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 98.5 100.4 3.2 0.5 0.3 0.9 1.9

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 213.3 219.5 10.2 0.5 2.3 2.4 2.9

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2008 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: December

2009 to December 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20101

Index Percent change

Nov.

2010

Dec.

2010

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2009

to Dec.

2010

Aug. 2010

to Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov. 2010

to Dec.

2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 169.7 169.2 3.2 0.2 1.0 3.0 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.389 142.3 142.9 1.6 1.0 3.2 4.7 0.4

Asia.................................................... 74.640 156.0 155.2 2.8 0.1 0.3 2.5 -0.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 127.2 127.9 4.1 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 37.759 115.2 117.2 3.4 -0.5 0.6 0.2 1.7

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 152.8 153.0 3.9 0.3 1.6 2.2 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.892 132.1 132.7 2.5 1.4 2.2 3.9 0.5

Asia.................................................... 66.784 140.8 140.5 3.3 0.0 0.7 2.1 -0.2

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 124.7 125.9 9.9 0.9 1.3 0.2 1.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.187 144.3 147.3 11.8 -0.2 1.8 0.3 2.1

Asia.................................................... 41.935 113.3 113.0 7.5 1.3 1.3 0.2 -0.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 166.4 169.9 11.6 -3.1 4.8 -1.3 2.1

Europe................................................. 42.540 181.3 170.7 9.4 -3.0 5.8 -3.2 -5.8

Asia.................................................... 27.746 142.8 156.8 11.7 -6.4 3.9 -1.9 9.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.527 156.7 171.1 16.7 -2.8 5.0 4.5 9.2

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 162.9 166.7 6.8 -8.6 -2.3 -3.2 2.3

Europe................................................. 30.500 185.2 187.3 -0.1 -6.8 -0.9 -13.6 1.1

Asia.................................................... 32.861 159.3 156.5 22.9 -16.6 -6.1 3.9 -1.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.346 172.0 187.0 8.9 -0.5 -1.5 3.8 8.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 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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