Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, January 13, 2012 

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

USDL-12-0028

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – DECEMBER 2011 

U.S. import prices edged down 0.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

after rising 0.8 percent the previous month. In December, declining prices for fuels more than offset a 0.1 

percent rise in nonfuel prices. Export prices also decreased in December, falling 0.5 percent following a 0.1 

percent advance in November. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2010 – December 2011 

 Percent change 

1.4 1.5 1.7

3.0

2.6

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.4 -0.1

-0.4

0.8

-0.1

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Dec'10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'11

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2010 – December 2011 

 Percent change

5.3 5.6

7.6

10.3

11.9

12.9

13.6 13.7

12.9 12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

0

4

8

12

16

Dec'10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'11
 

All Imports: Import prices resumed a downward trend, declining 0.1 percent following a 0.8 percent upturn 

in November. The price index for overall imports rose 8.5 percent in 2011, driven by a 9.2 percent increase 

for the index over the first five months of the year. 2011 was the third consecutive year that import prices 

rose, advancing 5.3 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively in 2010 and 2009, after declining 10.1 percent in 

2008. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices fell 0.5 percent in December after rising 3.7 percent in November. In December, 

lower prices for both petroleum and natural gas, down 0.4 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively, each 

contributed to the overall decline. Despite falling 3.4 percent since April, overall fuel prices advanced 25.2 

percent in 2011 as a 27.4 percent rise in petroleum prices more than offset a 9.4 percent drop in natural gas 

prices. Fuel prices previously advanced 14.2 percent in 2010 and 62.2 percent in 2009. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports ticked up 0.1 percent in December 

following 0.2 percent decreases in each of the two previous months. In December, higher prices for each of 

the major finished goods categories led nonfuel import prices up despite lower prices for nonfuel industrial 

supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages. Nonfuel import prices advanced 3.4 percent over the 

past year after rising 3.0 percent in 2010. Higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, 

feeds, and beverages; and finished goods all contributed to the 2011 increase in nonfuel prices. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2010 – December 2011 

 Percent change 

0.7

1.3 1.3

1.5

0.8

0.4 0.1

-0.4

0.4

0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

Dec'10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'11

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2010 – December 2011 

 Percent change

6.5 7.0

8.7

9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1 9.8

9.4 9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Dec'10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'11

All Exports: Prices for overall exports declined 0.5 percent in December, following a 0.1 percent advance 

in November and a 2.0 percent decrease in October. In December, falling prices for both agricultural exports 

and nonagricultural exports factored into the decrease in export prices. The price index for overall exports 

rose 3.6 percent in 2011 after rising 6.5 percent in 2010 and 3.4 percent in 2009. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports fell 2.6 percent in December, driven by 

lower prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat, down 8.2 percent, 4.0 percent, and 7.8 percent, respectively. 

Agricultural prices advanced 0.8 percent in 2011 despite falling 7.4 percent in the final quarter of the year. 

Agricultural prices rose 20.5 percent in 2010 and 9.2 percent in 2009 in contrast to the relatively small 

increase in 2011. The rise in agricultural prices in 2011 was driven by a 28.1 percent increase in vegetable 

prices and a 7.9 percent advance in corn prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices fell 0.2 percent in December, led by lower 

prices for nonagricultural supplies and materials. Prices for nonagricultural exports rose 4.0 percent in 2011 

after a 5.1 percent increase the previous year and a 2.9 percent advance in 2009. 

 

3
4

SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

0.1 percent in December led by a 0.7 percent drop in chemicals prices. In contrast, prices for nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials rose 6.8 percent in 2011, driven by higher prices for both chemicals and 

metals. 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories advanced in December and overall 

in 2011. Consumer goods prices rose 0.2 percent for the month and 3.2 percent in 2011, the largest calendaryear increase since a 3.5 percent advance in 1990. Prices for capital goods increased 0.2 percent in 

December, and advanced 0.9 percent over the past year. The price index for automotive vehicles ticked up 

0.1 percent in December, and increased 3.7 percent in 2011, the largest calendar-year rise since a 3.9 percent 

advance in 1993. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.4 percent in 

December, driven by a 4.8 percent decline in vegetable prices. In contrast, foods, feeds, and beverages 

prices rose 6.3 percent over the past 12 months, led by a 41.4 percent jump in coffee prices in 2011. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for imports from China, Mexico, and Japan all ticked up 

0.1 percent in December, and each advanced in 2011, up 3.6 percent, 5.8 percent, and 2.3 percent, 

respectively. The 3.6 percent increase in import prices from China in 2011 was the largest calendar-year 

advance in the index since the index was first published in December 2003, and followed a 0.8 percent 

increase in 2010. In contrast, prices for imports from Canada fell 0.4 percent in December and the price 

index for imports from the European Union decreased 0.2 percent. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares advanced 1.6 percent in December and 5.7 percent 

over the past year. The December increase was led by higher Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. 

Import air freight prices fell for the fourth consecutive month, declining 0.6 percent in December. Despite 

those declines, the index rose 4.0 percent in 2011. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials fell 0.6 percent in December, led by a 2.9 percent drop in fuel prices that more than 

offset a 1.7 percent increase in prices for nonferrous metals. Despite decreasing 4.3 percent during the last 

three months of 2011, nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices rose 7.9 percent for the year. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in December. Consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 

percent, automotive vehicle prices edged down 0.1 percent, and prices for capital goods recorded no change. 

Each of the major finished goods categories advanced in 2011, with consumer goods prices rising 3.6 

percent, automotive vehicle prices 2.6 percent, and capital goods prices 0.7 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 1.7 percent in December, driven by higher 

Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. The index for export air passenger fares rose 10.8 percent in 

2011. Export air freight prices ticked up 0.1 percent in December, and advanced 12.6 percent over the past 

year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2012 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, 

February 14, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2010 to

December 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.3 142.2 8.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.8 -0.1

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 67.170 103.1 103.2 3.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

All imports excluding petroleum................ 74.155 116.3 116.3 3.3 0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 72.821 120.3 120.4 3.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.651 173.6 172.9 6.3 0.2 -0.6 0.0 -0.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.405 195.4 194.6 6.6 0.2 -0.9 0.3 -0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.246 124.2 123.7 5.4 0.0 0.2 -1.1 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 40.088 265.0 264.0 18.6 -0.5 -1.0 1.9 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.242 168.6 167.8 5.3 0.1 -2.1 -1.3 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 12.908 190.3 190.1 6.8 0.6 -1.5 -1.7 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.758 179.9 180.3 5.3 0.6 -2.5 -2.5 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.150 155.1 153.1 5.2 -0.5 -1.6 0.1 -1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 27.181 359.0 357.2 25.2 -1.0 -0.6 3.7 -0.5

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 25.847 400.3 398.8 27.4 -0.9 -0.3 3.8 -0.4

Crude.......................................... 10000 19.219 408.9 409.1 27.7 -0.1 0.0 4.8 0.0

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.011 120.6 114.7 -8.9 -3.9 -8.5 3.0 -4.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.897 106.3 101.1 -9.4 -4.2 -9.7 4.3 -4.9

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.619 116.2 114.6 -2.5 -1.1 0.2 -0.9 -1.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.614 175.6 174.7 11.3 0.5 0.2 -0.3 -0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.037 129.9 130.7 2.9 0.3 -0.7 -0.3 0.6

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.658 277.3 278.9 4.8 0.7 -4.2 -5.1 0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.568 162.4 162.3 6.3 0.9 -2.1 0.1 -0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.412 115.8 115.1 5.9 0.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 20.681 92.6 92.8 0.9 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.664 118.6 118.6 4.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.207 86.1 86.3 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.810 126.4 126.4 3.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.204 113.3 113.4 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.377 107.3 107.5 3.2 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.045 114.3 114.3 3.5 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.300 100.1 100.3 2.1 0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.032 114.5 116.0 11.9 0.8 0.2 -0.5 1.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

December 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.7 132.1 3.6 0.5 -2.0 0.1 -0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.383 205.3 200.0 0.8 1.9 -6.5 1.7 -2.6

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.697 102.4 102.4 2.4 0.2 -0.9 -0.5 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.618 127.5 127.3 4.0 0.3 -1.4 -0.2 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.356 203.1 198.1 3.7 2.3 -6.9 2.1 -2.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.612 205.8 200.3 2.9 2.5 -7.4 2.3 -2.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.744 182.1 182.8 13.5 -0.1 -0.2 -1.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.552 185.9 184.5 6.9 0.6 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.349 187.1 188.0 7.6 2.3 -3.4 -1.5 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.204 186.0 183.3 6.4 -0.3 -3.5 0.5 -1.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.771 206.4 201.8 -9.5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.4 -2.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.782 185.2 184.0 7.9 0.7 -3.5 -0.2 -0.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.948 278.5 270.5 15.6 0.2 -5.5 3.5 -2.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.965 173.2 173.6 5.6 0.9 -2.9 -1.5 0.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.869 116.4 115.5 -0.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.8

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.711 104.6 104.6 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.381 113.0 113.1 3.0 0.0 -0.4 -0.6 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.228 94.2 94.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.101 145.2 145.6 2.8 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.831 112.0 111.9 2.6 0.3 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.550 116.7 116.8 3.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.715 113.5 113.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.437 113.4 113.5 2.3 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

December 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 23.299 175.2 174.6 22.6 -0.1 -0.5 3.8 -0.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.062 175.5 173.9 4.8 1.5 -0.3 -1.7 -0.9

Crop production................................. 111 1.495 181.4 180.1 5.5 2.0 -0.9 -1.4 -0.7

Mining.............................................. 21 21.237 174.8 174.3 24.7 -0.2 -0.5 4.4 -0.3

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.363 150.6 148.7 5.8 -1.0 -0.7 -2.8 -1.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 76.216 118.0 117.9 4.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.942 123.9 124.0 8.6 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.289 157.0 157.8 11.1 -0.4 -0.8 1.0 0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.887 112.0 111.9 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.868 118.6 119.2 11.8 0.6 0.1 -0.1 0.5

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.044 111.5 111.2 7.6 0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.481 116.5 116.8 7.6 0.0 0.9 0.9 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 19.012 141.1 140.1 10.0 -1.0 0.4 0.3 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.631 107.1 107.4 2.5 0.7 -1.5 -0.6 0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.150 112.4 111.6 0.9 -0.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.501 183.2 180.5 28.5 -3.8 -0.8 1.7 -1.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.132 134.9 134.2 3.7 0.3 1.4 -0.4 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.742 126.0 125.7 7.9 0.2 0.5 0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.766 127.3 127.5 3.2 0.1 -0.6 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 46.262 109.6 109.8 2.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.4 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.383 181.2 182.3 5.0 0.9 -3.8 -4.2 0.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.496 128.7 128.9 6.2 1.2 -0.8 0.4 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.321 119.3 119.3 3.9 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.145 82.5 82.9 -2.6 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.460 117.2 117.5 3.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.267 109.8 109.9 3.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.208 113.2 113.1 5.4 0.5 0.6 0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.982 122.6 122.4 7.1 0.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

December 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.919 170.4 165.7 0.2 1.2 -8.8 2.5 -2.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.507 192.9 186.5 -1.6 2.0 -10.5 3.4 -3.3

Crop production................................. 111 6.073 199.5 192.5 -2.7 2.2 -11.5 4.3 -3.5

Mining.............................................. 21 2.412 120.3 118.9 5.3 -0.7 -4.0 -0.1 -1.2

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.641 143.5 143.0 9.5 -1.1 -2.1 -0.7 -0.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.620 120.2 119.9 4.2 0.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.403 144.5 142.7 5.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.4 -1.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.202 164.6 162.3 6.6 1.5 -0.1 -0.5 -1.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.550 116.1 114.7 -0.1 1.0 -1.4 1.8 -1.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.412 114.4 114.8 9.6 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.660 133.6 132.5 6.3 0.0 -2.4 0.5 -0.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.383 114.0 113.7 -2.2 0.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.919 121.6 119.4 -2.7 -0.8 -0.8 -1.7 -1.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.045 169.9 163.8 17.2 0.6 -6.6 4.3 -3.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.578 130.5 130.9 4.4 -0.2 -1.4 -0.5 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.040 116.1 116.0 7.8 0.2 0.9 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.694 111.0 110.6 -1.7 0.6 0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.557 112.6 112.8 2.9 0.4 -0.3 -0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.148 177.5 179.7 12.0 3.1 -2.9 -2.7 1.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.510 128.8 128.9 5.3 -0.2 0.5 0.5 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.501 117.9 117.9 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.743 89.5 89.5 -2.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.055 111.6 111.4 1.6 0.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.079 114.9 115.1 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.229 124.4 124.5 10.3 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

December 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.312 166.9 166.4 6.4 -0.7 0.5 -0.3 -0.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.319 217.1 215.0 11.5 -2.5 -0.6 4.4 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.682 122.5 121.5 1.7 -0.6 0.3 -2.4 -0.8

Vegetable products................................ II 1.792 207.9 210.2 11.0 1.5 -1.5 -1.0 1.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.322 319.8 306.3 -5.8 -0.2 1.3 0.6 -4.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.484 113.9 113.5 -0.6 -4.5 -7.3 -0.5 -0.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.486 287.4 295.9 35.6 9.8 -1.4 -1.0 3.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.291 133.8 136.6 1.2 -3.1 -7.2 3.5 2.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.581 158.4 157.4 5.5 -0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.6

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.208 96.5 84.9 -11.7 -0.6 -4.4 2.2 -12.0

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.253 125.7 125.5 -5.6 -0.6 -0.9 0.1 -0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.390 170.1 174.3 17.8 -1.7 2.2 4.2 2.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.861 122.6 122.4 1.6 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 26.747 360.7 359.0 25.4 -1.0 -0.6 3.7 -0.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 26.400 356.7 355.0 25.5 -1.0 -0.5 3.8 -0.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.806 150.1 149.6 4.2 0.3 1.4 0.2 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.149 391.4 389.7 19.3 1.1 0.9 2.8 -0.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.773 137.0 136.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.5 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.179 116.3 116.4 0.7 0.3 3.9 0.0 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.303 151.0 145.5 29.8 1.1 -0.3 0.5 -3.6

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.422 127.4 127.2 2.8 0.2 0.6 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.475 104.5 104.8 4.4 -0.8 -0.7 -1.4 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.908 152.6 151.5 6.7 0.5 0.2 -0.5 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.791 142.0 142.4 6.2 0.6 0.1 -0.4 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.117 173.0 169.1 7.7 0.2 0.2 -0.7 -2.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.533 123.2 123.2 6.7 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.489 123.6 123.7 7.0 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.664 129.5 129.9 2.9 0.6 -1.3 -0.5 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.254 114.9 114.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.3 -0.1 -0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.848 109.9 109.6 2.6 -0.4 0.6 0.5 -0.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.206 115.7 115.5 9.0 0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.987 106.4 106.1 5.3 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.953 117.1 116.9 11.8 0.3 0.5 0.2 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.649 113.0 113.6 13.0 1.2 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.230 116.0 116.5 7.1 0.1 0.9 1.0 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2010 to

December 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.053 115.4 116.0 7.5 0.1 1.0 1.1 0.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.704 130.4 130.6 3.2 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.243 124.2 124.2 4.0 -0.2 1.6 0.2 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.202 141.1 141.2 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.258 124.6 124.9 3.7 0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.097 201.9 204.7 16.2 5.0 -4.0 -2.1 1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.842 190.0 189.5 0.9 -1.6 -2.3 -2.2 -0.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.902 247.8 246.6 6.7 -0.3 -2.5 -2.9 -0.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.541 161.4 161.6 5.6 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.492 338.5 343.9 -9.5 -5.7 -9.5 -5.5 1.6

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.135 109.2 106.5 -16.8 -4.8 -6.7 -7.5 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.830 143.6 140.7 -2.4 -2.5 -2.2 -2.6 -2.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.313 123.6 124.0 2.6 0.6 -0.4 -0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.359 131.6 131.3 2.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 22.788 85.5 85.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.337 88.5 88.6 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.451 82.6 82.9 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 8.578 114.6 114.8 3.7 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.629 113.9 114.1 3.9 0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.864 115.8 115.8 1.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.094 105.3 105.3 3.4 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.855 102.9 102.9 3.5 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.176 127.7 127.6 2.7 0.8 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.491 111.7 111.6 4.0 0.3 0.6 0.1 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.720 115.4 115.3 4.3 0.3 0.5 0.1 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.568 104.5 104.5 3.5 0.2 0.9 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.203 133.2 132.9 6.4 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to

December 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.083 208.7 207.3 16.1 0.4 1.6 0.0 -0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.284 171.2 169.8 17.3 2.4 1.7 0.4 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.427 196.0 199.9 15.3 -0.5 -0.6 -0.9 2.0

Vegetable products................................ II 5.821 237.9 231.6 2.7 3.3 -11.5 4.8 -2.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.957 130.0 137.0 6.3 -7.7 1.2 4.8 5.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.330 291.7 271.0 5.8 8.0 -15.7 6.3 -7.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.962 239.1 231.3 -7.8 3.1 -15.6 4.1 -3.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.503 147.9 146.9 4.8 0.7 -7.0 -1.5 -0.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.657 150.5 147.4 0.1 1.3 0.0 -1.4 -2.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.350 110.2 109.6 4.9 -0.1 0.6 0.3 -0.5

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.435 117.1 113.0 -5.3 -0.2 -0.5 0.0 -3.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.331 104.6 104.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.8 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.675 210.9 199.6 -9.2 3.2 -2.1 -4.7 -5.4

Mineral products.................................... V 8.818 327.5 318.8 14.6 0.0 -5.6 3.0 -2.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.231 324.4 314.9 16.2 0.1 -6.0 3.3 -2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 13.005 155.0 155.2 4.8 -0.1 -0.7 0.5 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.015 196.0 199.9 3.1 -1.0 0.2 0.4 2.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.338 166.5 167.2 8.3 -0.7 -2.3 1.1 0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.861 124.2 123.8 -1.7 -0.2 -1.2 -0.2 -0.3

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.684 152.2 152.2 28.9 4.5 4.7 4.5 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.767 133.3 133.1 5.4 0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.478 124.8 124.7 3.1 0.1 0.2 1.3 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.836 149.9 150.3 4.7 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.161 147.3 147.5 5.1 -0.1 -1.6 -2.4 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.112 137.7 138.2 3.2 0.0 -2.0 -2.1 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.049 192.8 192.0 13.7 -0.4 -0.1 -4.0 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.394 123.9 120.5 -2.8 -1.9 -2.3 -4.9 -2.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.507 109.5 107.4 -2.1 0.7 -0.1 0.2 -1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.554 119.7 116.7 -5.7 -0.9 -1.8 -3.9 -2.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.805 130.1 120.9 -17.5 -2.3 -4.2 -10.6 -7.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.260 118.1 117.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.7 -0.8 -0.7

Printed material.................................... 49 0.489 119.3 119.3 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.084 134.1 131.8 -8.1 -1.5 -1.7 -1.0 -1.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.794 177.7 170.1 -24.4 -3.3 -4.3 -2.6 -4.3

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2010 to

December 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2010 to

Dec.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.685 116.8 116.4 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.381 99.3 98.7 0.5 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.6

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.665 291.4 296.0 25.1 5.7 -2.9 -1.5 1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.568 174.3 173.5 3.3 -0.4 -4.0 -1.1 -0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.734 212.6 211.0 6.1 1.2 -3.9 -5.1 -0.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.288 172.8 172.8 8.1 0.1 0.5 0.9 0.0

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.654 247.6 249.1 -3.7 -3.2 -17.1 6.0 0.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.898 128.5 125.6 -2.6 -1.7 -4.4 -0.9 -2.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.341 128.4 128.4 2.4 -0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.308 135.7 136.3 9.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.427 96.3 96.3 0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.550 108.6 108.6 1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 10.877 82.9 82.9 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.747 124.4 124.6 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 6.047 111.2 111.2 2.1 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.794 105.5 105.6 -1.6 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.378 108.5 108.5 1.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.657 119.3 119.2 0.7 -0.2 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.595 90.0 90.0 -1.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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 2010 to December 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2010

to Dec.

2011

Aug. 2011

to Sept.

2011

Sept. 2011

to Oct.

2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 133.2 133.0 3.8 -0.3 -0.3 0.5 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 246.9 244.9 12.2 -1.1 0.4 5.5 -0.8

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 123.9 123.9 2.6 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 0.0

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 142.2 142.3 10.3 0.0 -0.3 1.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 364.8 365.0 26.4 0.1 -0.8 3.3 0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 112.0 112.0 4.9 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Canada............................................ 14.271 155.2 154.6 4.4 -1.3 -1.0 1.2 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 236.1 233.9 10.6 -0.5 -0.3 6.2 -0.9

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 137.5 137.4 1.4 -1.7 -1.3 -1.2 -0.1

European Union4

............................... 17.186 137.3 137.0 6.1 0.0 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 379.5 379.7 38.5 -4.7 5.6 2.6 0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 133.6 133.2 5.4 0.1 0.4 0.1 -0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 120.7 121.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 115.4 115.3 2.5 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 133.4 133.3 3.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.2 -0.1

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 181.3 181.7 10.9 0.2 -1.1 1.9 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 397.3 398.9 26.9 1.2 -0.8 5.7 0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 134.4 134.7 2.1 -0.5 -1.2 -0.6 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 147.9 148.1 5.8 0.4 -0.7 0.9 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 212.1 212.8 26.7 0.5 -0.6 5.4 0.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 95.8 95.9 0.2 0.3 -0.8 -0.4 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 104.8 104.7 2.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 105.0 105.1 3.6 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1

Japan.............................................. 6.198 102.0 102.1 2.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.555 91.1 90.9 2.7 -0.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 105.2 105.1 4.7 0.1 -0.9 0.4 -0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.795 277.2 276.6 23.8 1.9 -0.4 0.3 -0.2

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 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

2010 to December 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20111

Index Percent change

Nov.

2011

Dec.

2011

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2010

to Dec.

2011

Aug. 2011

to Sept.

2011

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 177.9 176.9 4.0 -0.3 -2.4 -1.8 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.495 168.8 168.2 18.0 -0.4 -2.9 -3.3 -0.4

Asia.................................................... 72.464 157.1 156.2 -0.1 -0.3 -2.3 -1.3 -0.6

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 144.0 144.2 12.6 0.3 -0.8 -0.9 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.834 130.4 129.6 10.6 0.3 -0.3 -1.1 -0.6

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 162.0 160.5 4.6 0.0 -0.5 -0.9 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.453 149.4 149.4 12.8 0.2 -2.9 -2.4 0.0

Asia.................................................... 65.327 146.6 144.4 2.4 -0.1 0.4 -0.3 -1.5

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 143.5 144.4 14.4 0.2 0.4 -0.7 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 36.792 163.3 163.0 11.0 -0.5 2.1 -0.3 -0.2

Asia.................................................... 44.579 133.4 134.6 17.8 0.9 -1.6 -1.2 0.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 176.7 179.5 5.7 -2.1 1.9 -0.7 1.6

Europe................................................. 37.160 180.0 176.4 3.3 0.0 2.0 -3.5 -2.0

Asia.................................................... 26.454 155.2 162.6 3.7 -3.4 -0.3 2.5 4.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 14.694 173.1 186.9 9.2 -7.9 2.0 1.2 8.0

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 184.1 187.2 10.8 -13.4 -2.2 -2.3 1.7

Europe................................................. 29.693 212.7 208.7 10.2 -12.1 -0.6 -7.3 -1.9

Asia.................................................... 31.304 174.2 178.4 13.2 -17.1 -5.2 1.6 2.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.080 190.7 206.1 9.0 -3.0 -2.1 1.7 8.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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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