Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-09-0936 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Thursday, August 13, 2009 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- JULY 2009 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.7 percent in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. 

Department of Labor reported today. Decreases for both petroleum prices and nonpetroleum prices 

contributed to the July drop for overall import prices, which followed four consecutive monthly 

increases. Export prices also declined in July, falling 0.3 percent after advancing 1.0 percent the 

previous month. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

A downturn in petroleum prices, which fell 2.8 percent in July, was the primary factor for the 

turnaround in overall import prices. Prices for import petroleum rose 66.6 percent over the previous five 

months, which led overall imports up 6.0 percent over that period. Despite the jump between February 

and June, petroleum prices fell 49.9 percent over the past year. Overall import prices posted the largest 

annual decline since the index was first published in 1982, falling 19.3 percent for the year ended in 

July. In addition, nonpetroleum import prices declined 0.2 percent in July, resuming a downward trend 

over the past year after advancing the past two months. Nonpetroleum prices fell 7.3 percent over the 

past 12 months, the largest annual decrease since the index was first published in 1985. 

 

The July decline in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 0.9 percent decrease in the price index for 

nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials which was driven by lower prices for chemicals and 

natural gas. Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices declined 26.0 percent over the past 

12 months. Consumer goods prices also decreased, falling 0.4 percent in July and 1.2 percent over the 

past year. Lower prices for apparel, television and video receivers, and jewelry all contributed to the 

July decline. 

In contrast, the price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles increased in July, rising 

0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. Capital goods prices fell 1.5 percent for the year ended in 

July, whereas automotive vehicle prices were unchanged over the past year. 

Export Goods 

Export prices fell 0.3 percent in July after increasing for three consecutive months. The July 

decline was driven by a 4.9 percent decrease in agricultural prices, which also fell for the first time in 

four months. Sharp drops in corn and wheat prices were the largest contributors to the decline. The 

price index for agricultural exports decreased 22.3 percent over the past 12 months, the largest annual 

decline since the index was first published in 1985. Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.2 percent in July, 

but decreased 6.5 percent for the July 2008-2009 period. Overall export prices fell 8.1 percent over the 

past year, the largest annual decrease since the index was first published in 1983. 

 Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices increased for the fourth consecutive 

month, ticking up 0.1 percent in July. Higher prices for plastics were mostly offset by lower fuel prices. 

Despite the recent increases, the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

decreased 21.0 percent over the past 12 months. 

Capital goods prices and consumer goods prices also rose in July, advancing 0.3 percent and 0.4 

percent, respectively. Over the past 12 months, prices for capital goods rose 1.6 percent, while prices 

for consumer goods rose 0.2 percent. 

In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles decreased in July, falling 0.2 percent after decreasing 

0.1 percent the previous month. The price index for automotive vehicles edged up 0.1 percent for the 

July 2008-2009 period. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

The price indexes for imports from Mexico and from Canada each decreased in July, led by 

lower petroleum prices. Import prices from Mexico fell 1.1 percent in July and 16.8 percent over the 

past year. Similarly, prices for imports from Canada declined 1.0 percent for the month and 26.5 

percent for the year ended in July. 

Import prices from China fell 0.2 percent in July after ticking up 0.1 percent in June. Overall 

import prices from China decreased 3.3 percent for the July 2008-2009 period, the largest 12-month 

drop since the index was first published in December 2003. 

In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union and from Japan advanced 0.2 percent 

and 0.1 percent, respectively, in July. The price index for imports from the European Union fell 7.2 

percent for the year ended in July, led in part by lower petroleum prices, while import prices from Japan 

rose 1.6 percent. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares decreased 3.1 percent in July after increasing 13.0 percent the 

previous month. The decline was led by a 6.0 percent decrease in European fares. Over the past year, 

import air passenger fares fell 20.1 percent, the largest 12-month drop since the index was first 

published in 1988. Export air passenger fares rose in July, advancing 0.7 percent because of higher 

European and Latin America/Caribbean fares. Despite the July increase, export air passenger fares fell 

24.3 percent, the largest 12-month drop since the index was first published in 1986. 

 

The price index for import air freight advanced 0.3 percent in July after a 2.0 percent increase 

the previous month. The index fell 16.9 percent for the year ended in July. Export air freight prices 

rose 1.4 percent in July after decreasing for 10 consecutive months. Overall, export air freight prices 

declined 16.8 percent over the past year. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Import and Export Price Index data for August 2009 are scheduled for release on September 11, 2009 at 

8:30 A.M. (EDT). 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 119.8 119.0 -19.3 1.1 1.7 2.6 -0.7

All imports excluding petroleum................ 82.947 107.4 107.2 -7.3 -0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 81.531 111.1 111.0 -5.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.717 139.8 138.7 -7.3 1.4 0.2 0.4 -0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.650 155.4 153.7 -8.3 2.0 0.5 0.3 -1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.067 104.4 104.7 -4.0 -0.7 -0.5 0.8 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 32.168 176.5 173.2 -40.4 3.3 5.6 8.3 -1.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.114 132.1 130.9 -26.0 -2.0 0.7 0.6 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.698 146.4 146.0 -19.7 -0.8 1.0 0.3 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.465 135.9 138.4 -21.1 -0.7 0.2 1.3 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.233 127.6 122.0 -31.5 -3.6 1.2 -0.2 -4.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 18.469 220.3 213.6 -51.2 7.5 9.7 15.1 -3.0

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 17.052 239.5 232.8 -49.9 10.1 11.1 16.2 -2.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 12.307 244.1 240.1 -51.1 10.0 13.1 14.3 -1.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.231 112.6 103.7 -63.3 -12.8 -3.4 3.6 -7.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.025 97.7 88.5 -68.8 -15.0 -4.1 4.3 -9.4

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.695 101.8 99.0 -16.7 -1.9 -1.2 -1.5 -2.8

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.615 137.7 132.3 -15.9 -1.0 2.9 -1.1 -3.9

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.639 116.2 118.7 -2.1 -0.9 -0.6 1.5 2.2

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.376 178.0 184.4 -32.6 -0.3 0.9 3.1 3.6

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.832 132.8 132.9 -18.0 -0.2 0.8 -0.4 0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.541 103.0 102.8 -7.1 -0.9 -0.9 -0.4 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.688 91.8 92.0 -1.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.041 109.8 110.3 -2.1 -0.3 0.6 0.0 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.533 86.5 86.6 -2.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.114 122.5 123.2 4.4 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.009 108.0 108.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 25.419 104.2 103.8 -1.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.740 108.1 107.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.462 100.4 100.1 -1.6 0.2 0.3 0.1 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.218 101.4 101.5 -4.9 1.5 -1.4 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 117.9 117.6 -8.1 0.5 0.5 1.0 -0.3

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.262 170.0 161.7 -22.3 3.7 3.5 4.5 -4.9

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.737 114.2 114.4 -6.5 0.2 0.3 0.7 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.677 175.2 165.7 -21.7 3.9 2.8 4.7 -5.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.019 178.9 168.0 -23.3 4.2 3.2 5.0 -6.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.658 143.0 147.0 0.0 0.6 -2.6 1.1 2.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 27.022 140.6 140.9 -20.8 0.3 0.6 2.1 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.487 144.2 145.0 -17.3 -0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.534 139.1 139.1 -22.8 1.0 0.5 3.0 0.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.243 131.2 135.0 -17.1 0.6 5.3 0.8 2.9

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 25.779 141.3 141.4 -21.0 0.2 0.4 2.2 0.1

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.860 174.6 167.0 -46.5 6.8 2.1 9.0 -4.4

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 20.898 138.8 140.1 -15.1 -0.8 0.1 1.1 0.9

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.021 113.0 112.2 -2.0 -0.4 -1.0 0.5 -0.7

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.168 103.2 103.5 1.6 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.3

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.711 106.9 106.6 -2.5 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.495 94.5 94.9 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.962 137.4 137.6 5.4 1.0 0.3 0.4 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.331 108.0 107.8 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.801 108.3 108.7 0.2 -0.9 0.5 0.3 0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.700 108.4 108.4 -1.3 0.1 0.6 0.6 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.976 108.1 109.4 3.2 -2.1 0.3 0.2 1.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 15.863 109.7 107.3 -49.8 7.0 8.6 11.9 -2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.739 133.2 129.7 -8.1 6.9 -2.0 -1.0 -2.6

Crop production................................. 111 1.265 142.3 136.7 -5.1 8.3 -2.6 -1.0 -3.9

Mining.............................................. 21 14.124 107.1 104.9 -52.6 7.0 10.3 13.7 -2.1

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.452 129.6 125.4 1.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.8 -3.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 83.618 106.8 106.4 -8.2 0.2 0.6 0.9 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.453 106.7 106.5 -3.3 -0.7 0.1 0.3 -0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.433 116.0 116.0 -11.9 -1.6 0.7 1.2 0.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.943 107.1 107.4 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.449 111.7 112.3 -1.3 -1.6 0.1 0.3 0.5

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.803 98.8 99.0 -2.7 -1.9 0.0 0.0 0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.242 102.2 101.8 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.583 107.5 106.9 0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.6

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.040 114.6 111.8 -18.5 1.3 1.9 3.9 -2.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.971 90.1 93.9 -4.2 -0.9 -0.9 2.0 4.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.258 102.3 99.0 -12.3 -1.6 -0.6 -0.8 -3.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.989 111.9 103.9 -47.0 9.2 7.2 20.1 -7.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.666 120.4 118.3 -6.9 -0.2 1.5 0.0 -1.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.869 112.3 111.8 -1.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.177 120.3 119.7 3.0 -0.1 0.4 0.6 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.125 104.3 104.6 -5.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 3.943 121.5 124.3 -33.5 -0.7 0.3 1.3 2.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.829 116.2 115.8 -4.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.938 111.4 112.0 0.6 0.0 -0.2 0.5 0.5

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.287 88.9 88.9 -4.0 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.055 112.4 112.5 -1.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.199 105.3 105.6 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.591 109.3 109.3 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.283 111.4 111.2 -0.2 0.5 0.5 0.4 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.480 128.0 119.4 -30.3 6.1 3.5 4.1 -6.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.243 151.9 140.1 -29.0 7.2 4.4 5.1 -7.8

Crop production................................. 111 4.897 157.5 144.7 -30.0 8.0 4.9 5.4 -8.1

Mining.............................................. 21 1.237 75.5 73.9 -34.1 1.6 -0.1 0.3 -2.1

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.963 88.2 86.5 -13.7 2.0 -1.7 1.4 -1.9

Manufactured articles.............................. 91.798 108.4 108.7 -5.0 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.604 120.7 121.0 -4.8 -0.4 1.4 2.0 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.462 136.0 136.1 -5.9 -0.1 2.2 2.6 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.518 107.0 107.0 0.4 0.0 0.3 1.2 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.388 102.1 102.4 1.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.838 110.4 110.6 -15.8 0.8 0.3 2.5 0.2

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.446 103.9 104.0 -6.9 -1.0 -2.5 0.5 0.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.887 110.5 109.6 -5.6 -0.4 -1.7 0.8 -0.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.357 106.5 97.4 -54.7 11.9 2.1 15.4 -8.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.117 112.1 114.3 -8.6 -0.5 0.5 1.6 2.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.168 108.0 108.1 -2.1 0.5 0.0 -0.6 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.862 113.1 109.7 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 -3.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 63.356 106.4 106.7 -0.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.175 120.3 120.7 -22.1 -1.5 -0.8 1.3 0.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.830 121.2 121.0 2.6 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.700 112.0 112.7 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.524 93.8 94.0 -1.1 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.591 106.7 106.9 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.285 110.3 110.3 3.1 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.909 109.6 110.4 2.5 -2.0 0.4 0.2 0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.135 129.0 129.8 -9.3 -0.2 0.2 2.1 0.6

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.254 150.9 154.2 -10.3 0.0 1.7 2.9 2.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.563 99.8 99.5 -6.7 -1.2 -0.9 1.4 -0.3

Vegetable products................................ II 1.470 161.1 155.3 -4.3 8.3 -1.7 -1.4 -3.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.431 293.1 289.6 35.3 23.9 -5.9 -7.4 -1.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.438 103.8 97.5 -10.0 -2.8 2.7 0.0 -6.1

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.271 161.1 147.7 -15.0 5.5 4.3 5.2 -8.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.289 134.3 135.0 -5.2 -0.2 0.1 0.4 0.5

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.245 109.0 110.0 -3.2 -0.6 0.8 2.3 0.9

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.280 124.9 125.0 -11.5 -2.8 0.1 0.5 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.946 116.1 116.5 -2.8 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3

Mineral products.................................... V 18.639 222.8 215.6 -50.1 7.2 9.4 14.6 -3.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 18.252 219.6 212.5 -51.2 7.4 9.6 14.9 -3.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.824 131.3 129.8 -7.8 -0.4 2.2 -0.7 -1.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.802 222.5 201.2 -23.1 2.8 25.4 -9.6 -9.6

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.457 124.6 125.5 -6.0 0.9 0.2 1.5 0.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.735 113.3 113.9 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.5

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.172 103.9 104.5 -1.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.6

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.423 118.8 120.3 -4.1 -1.2 0.1 1.2 1.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.429 90.3 89.6 -11.7 -1.7 -0.4 -0.3 -0.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.995 129.7 126.0 -7.8 0.9 1.2 0.4 -2.9

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.979 129.2 123.6 -7.3 1.9 1.8 0.7 -4.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.016 130.8 130.7 -8.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.630 113.7 113.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.6

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

various materials................................ 42 0.586 114.7 114.0 0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.6

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.001 110.4 114.2 -4.8 -0.7 -0.8 1.9 3.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.446 108.1 104.7 -10.0 -1.1 -0.5 -0.7 -3.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.012 107.8 102.7 -8.5 -1.3 -0.7 -1.1 -4.7

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.286 119.7 120.1 1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.299 102.6 102.6 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.000 99.4 99.5 -1.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.042 103.5 102.9 0.4 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.6

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.543 90.3 90.7 -4.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.291 108.0 107.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.5

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.088 107.2 106.5 1.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.7

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.049 125.5 125.0 4.3 0.1 0.3 0.8 -0.4

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.387 117.4 117.2 1.2 -0.9 -0.7 0.2 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.333 140.7 140.8 12.0 0.5 1.5 2.2 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.330 118.4 117.3 0.7 0.9 0.2 0.3 -0.9

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.654 140.7 140.2 -10.8 0.8 0.7 3.1 -0.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.477 151.3 153.5 -26.4 -0.6 0.5 0.3 1.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.162 174.0 177.7 -43.5 -4.2 -4.9 -0.3 2.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.801 140.5 138.7 -16.2 -1.1 -1.2 -1.9 -1.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.561 234.8 245.1 -23.5 9.2 12.7 4.9 4.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.692 105.7 109.4 -30.1 0.0 4.2 0.8 3.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.397 117.7 117.7 1.6 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.479 130.0 129.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.115 86.8 87.0 -2.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.155 87.9 88.3 -1.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.5

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.960 85.7 85.6 -3.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.950 109.6 109.8 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 11.758 108.6 108.8 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.088 115.5 115.6 3.1 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.238 102.0 102.1 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.907 99.8 99.8 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.251 123.4 123.8 1.6 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.274 107.4 107.4 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.340 112.4 112.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.718 100.0 100.1 0.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.216 116.0 116.3 3.1 3.6 0.1 0.3 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.552 161.0 159.8 -10.2 0.4 0.8 2.4 -0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.823 132.2 127.9 -14.0 0.2 3.1 4.2 -3.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.395 144.6 147.4 -1.7 1.5 -2.2 0.0 1.9

Vegetable products................................ II 5.075 205.7 187.9 -28.3 6.9 4.2 5.8 -8.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.577 102.4 104.0 -14.2 1.2 -1.5 2.7 1.6

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.199 222.1 183.4 -43.2 8.6 1.3 8.1 -17.4

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.646 238.1 228.7 -24.1 9.3 9.9 8.0 -3.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.520 140.8 139.5 0.6 0.7 1.3 2.1 -0.9

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.367 118.2 117.5 -2.5 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.284 101.8 101.9 – -0.6 0.6 1.4 0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.587 218.4 210.7 -2.9 4.2 6.1 9.3 -3.5

Mineral products.................................... V 3.764 202.7 187.0 -50.6 7.3 2.7 8.8 -7.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.254 196.9 180.2 -52.9 8.3 3.1 9.8 -8.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.742 136.3 137.2 -7.7 -0.4 0.1 1.2 0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.216 184.0 191.0 -5.7 -2.9 -2.7 -2.2 3.8

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.330 140.6 142.4 -17.6 0.1 1.5 3.2 1.3

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.679 116.1 115.5 -3.2 0.1 0.6 0.8 -0.5

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.540 114.0 114.2 0.4 -1.8 0.4 1.5 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.737 125.2 124.9 2.4 0.2 1.4 1.4 -0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.409 114.7 115.2 -4.0 -1.6 0.4 0.5 0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.808 132.1 132.0 2.2 0.2 -0.9 2.6 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.197 129.7 133.7 -8.8 -1.0 -0.1 0.6 3.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.234 125.2 129.2 -8.2 -0.1 0.1 1.1 3.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.963 148.9 152.7 -11.3 -4.8 -0.3 -1.6 2.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.266 79.2 86.4 -26.0 -4.0 -1.9 4.2 9.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.565 102.4 99.6 -11.4 -0.8 -1.6 0.5 -2.7

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.371 107.3 107.1 -9.4 0.0 -0.5 1.4 -0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.510 93.2 94.5 -27.8 1.1 -1.1 5.2 1.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.330 112.1 110.7 -2.2 -0.4 -0.6 0.3 -1.2

Printed material.................................... 49 0.532 116.1 117.3 -1.8 0.0 0.4 1.0 1.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.956 101.9 103.3 -6.0 -0.1 1.7 -0.9 1.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.536 91.3 95.5 -16.2 3.7 6.2 -3.5 4.6

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.840 115.9 113.6 1.8 -0.4 0.1 0.1 -2.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.445 100.1 96.2 -2.7 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -3.9

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.785 170.4 173.0 -6.9 -3.5 -1.0 2.2 1.5

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2008 to July

2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.030 144.1 145.1 -20.8 -0.6 1.8 0.0 0.7

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.187 149.7 154.9 -38.2 -5.5 -2.6 -1.5 3.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.502 163.5 159.7 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -2.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.492 181.2 181.6 -30.8 16.6 25.4 2.9 0.2

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.691 100.5 104.1 -31.2 -1.7 5.5 1.2 3.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.401 121.9 122.6 2.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.339 122.0 122.0 -6.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.245 95.4 95.7 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.974 105.1 105.4 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.271 84.8 85.1 -0.5 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.836 120.5 120.5 3.2 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.075 107.7 107.5 0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.261 107.7 108.1 0.9 -0.2 0.7 0.3 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.564 106.9 107.1 -1.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.762 116.1 116.1 -0.5 0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.680 93.3 93.4 -1.2 -0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: July 2008 to July 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar. 2009

to Apr.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May 2009

to June

2009

June 2009

to July

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 119.4 118.9 -16.1 -0.5 0.6 1.5 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 170.3 166.1 -53.8 1.9 5.0 10.5 -2.5

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 115.0 114.8 -8.7 -0.7 0.1 0.7 -0.2

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 117.7 116.6 -22.2 1.8 2.2 2.5 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 219.3 214.3 -48.7 9.1 10.1 9.5 -2.3

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 103.2 102.6 -8.9 0.2 0.5 0.8 -0.6

Canada............................................ 15.963 129.0 127.7 -26.5 -0.7 1.8 2.6 -1.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 163.3 159.0 -55.4 0.5 4.9 10.9 -2.6

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 123.2 122.3 -11.6 -1.1 0.8 0.7 -0.7

European Union4

............................... 17.447 124.4 124.7 -7.2 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 234.9 230.1 -46.3 6.3 5.7 11.0 -2.0

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 122.0 122.4 -6.1 0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 120.6 121.3 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.7 0.6

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 108.6 109.3 -3.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.6

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 120.6 120.8 -16.3 0.3 0.3 1.3 0.2

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 145.7 143.9 -28.1 3.3 3.6 3.0 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 249.6 242.8 -43.6 11.1 10.4 7.7 -2.7

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 124.8 124.0 -16.6 0.5 1.0 1.1 -0.6

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 133.1 131.7 -16.8 2.7 3.1 1.1 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.947 134.4 129.9 – 15.0 11.9 6.2 -3.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.788 96.1 95.7 – 0.4 0.8 -0.4 -0.4

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 99.5 99.5 -3.9 -0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 100.4 100.2 -3.3 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Japan.............................................. 7.488 96.9 97.0 1.6 -0.1 0.0 0.7 0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 85.7 85.9 -6.9 -0.6 0.0 0.9 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.729 97.1 96.3 -7.1 0.2 0.2 1.5 -0.8

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 187.9 186.2 -41.1 6.2 6.3 9.6 -0.9

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: July 2008 to

July 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

June

20091

Index Percent change

June

2009

July

2009

Annual Monthly

July 2008

to July

2009

Mar. 2009

to Apr.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May 2009

to June

2009

June 2009

to July

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 134.8 135.2 -16.9 -1.4 0.8 2.0 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.099 126.3 130.6 -27.4 -2.3 1.3 2.4 3.4

Asia.................................................... 68.464 118.8 117.5 -10.8 -1.4 0.1 1.7 -1.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 117.4 119.1 -16.8 -1.3 -3.0 -1.2 1.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.373 105.7 108.3 -22.0 -1.6 -4.6 -2.2 2.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 126.3 126.3 -18.6 -1.6 0.0 0.6 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.280 119.6 122.8 -27.6 -2.8 0.8 0.6 2.7

Asia.................................................... 63.781 110.9 109.5 -12.6 -1.6 -0.5 0.7 -1.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 113.1 114.4 -23.3 -3.6 -1.1 -0.9 1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 38.695 126.1 128.0 -24.5 -5.4 -1.5 -4.5 1.5

Asia.................................................... 42.397 106.2 106.3 -20.9 -1.3 0.0 2.4 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 147.3 142.7 -20.1 -1.3 -2.1 13.0 -3.1

Europe................................................. 45.588 160.6 151.0 -21.1 -1.3 -6.0 28.6 -6.0

Asia.................................................... 28.735 135.9 135.4 -12.9 -0.2 3.8 6.6 -0.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 10.519 113.9 122.8 -21.2 2.0 -6.4 0.9 7.8

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 137.0 137.9 -24.3 -3.9 -2.3 2.9 0.7

Europe................................................. 34.061 177.3 185.8 -22.2 0.3 -1.5 16.8 4.8

Asia.................................................... 32.434 111.6 109.0 -24.0 -8.3 3.1 -7.9 -2.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.030 143.7 152.1 -13.8 1.6 -12.4 7.9 5.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are 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".

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15