U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – AUGUST 2009 

The U.S. Import Price Index increased 2.0 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 

today, driven primarily by a 9.8 percent advance in fuel prices. Import prices fell 0.7 percent in July. Prices 

for U.S. exports rose 0.7 percent in August after falling 0.3 percent the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2008 – August 2009 

 Percent change 

-3.1 -3.6

-6.0

-7.4

-4.6

-1.3

0.0 0.5 1.1 1.7

-0.7

2.0 2.7

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Aug'08 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'09

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2008 – August 2009 

 Percent change 

18.1

13.1

4.9

-5.9

-10.1

-12.5 -12.7

-14.9 -16.4 -17.3 -17.5 -19.2

-15.0

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

Aug'08 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'09

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, September 11, 2009 

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

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

USDL-09-1099
2

All Imports: Import prices increased for the fifth time in the past six months in August, rising 2.0 percent 

for the month. Despite the recent advances, the price index for overall imports fell 15.0 percent over the past 

year and the decline was led by a 21.0 percent decrease for the index between August 2008 and January 

2009. Import prices subsequently rose 7.6 percent from January 2009 to August 2009. 

Fuel Imports: Volatile fuel prices were the primary contributor to both the August increase and 12-month 

decrease in overall import prices. The price index for import fuel advanced 9.8 percent in August and 

declined 39.6 percent for the August 2008-2009 period, though prices rose 61.5 percent from January to 

August. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for imports excluding fuel increased 0.4 percent in August following a 

0.2 percent decline the previous month. The August increase was the largest monthly advance since a 0.6 

percent increase in July 2008 and was led by higher prices for industrial supplies and materials. Despite the 

increase in August, prices for imports excluding fuel remain down 5.1 percent over the past 12 months, 

similar to the 5.3 percent decrease recorded for the year ended in July, which was the largest 12-month drop 

since the index was first published in December 2001. 

Table A. Percent changes 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2008 – August 2009 

 Percent change 

-1.6

-2.1

-3.2

-2.2

0.7

-0.3

-0.7

0.5 0.4

1.0

-0.3

0.7

-0.8

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Aug'08 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'09

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2008 – August 2009 

 Percent change 

8.3

7.0

4.0

-0.3

-2.9 -3.4

-4.5

-6.7 -6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.1

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Aug'08 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'09

All Exports: The price index for overall exports increased 0.7 percent in August, led upward mostly by a 

0.8 percent advance in nonagricultural export prices. The rise followed a 0.3 percent decline in July and 

resumed the upward trend recorded in April, May, and June. Export prices fell 6.1 percent for the 12 months 

ended in August despite the recent advances, driven by a 7.3 percent drop in the final quarter of 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices ticked up 0.2 percent in August after a 4.9 percent decline in 

July. Falling wheat prices were more than offset by higher prices for fruit and corn. Prices for export 

agricultural goods decreased 14.1 percent over the past year, a decline that was led by a drop in prices for 

corn, wheat, meat, and soybeans. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.8 percent in 

August, the largest one-month rise since the index increased 0.9 percent in July 2008. The advance was 

driven by a 2.3 percent rise in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices. Prices for each of the 

major finished goods areas also contributed to the overall increase. August marked the fifth consecutive 

month the price index for nonagricultural prices advanced, but the index declined 5.3 percent for the August 

2008-2009 period. 
4

 

SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Import foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 1.7 percent in August, the 

largest monthly increase since a 2.0 percent advance in December 2008. The August advance was led by a 

tunaround in green coffee prices which were down in July. Higher prices for meat, fruit, and vegetables 

also contributed to the increase in foods, feeds, and beverages prices in August.

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: A 1.3 percent jump in nonfuel industrial supplies and 

materials prices was the largest contributor to higher nonfuel prices in August. The advance was driven by 

higher metals prices and was the biggest one-month increase since July 2008. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in August. Automotive vehicles prices rose 0.2 percent 

and capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent. In contrast, consumer goods prices edged down 0.2 percent 

led by lower prices for import televisions and video receivers. 

Transportation Services: The indexes for both air freight prices and air passenger fares decreased in 

August. Air freight prices edged down 0.2 percent while air passenger fares decreased 2.2 percent. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Higher fuel prices impacted a couple of the major locality of origin indexes 

in August. The price indexes for imports from Canada and from Mexico each rose for the month, increasing 

2.7 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. Prices of imports from China and from Japan also rose in August, 

increasing 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

Export Prices 

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

materials advanced 2.3 percent in August, driven by higher prices for fuel and metals. Prices for aluminum, 

copper, and precious metals all increased in August. 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods areas advanced in August. Led by higher 

computer prices, capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent in August. Prices for automotive vehicles also 

rose a modest 0.1 percent while consumer goods prices increased 0.3 percent. 

Transportation Services: In contrast to imports, the export price index for export air freight and export air 

passenger fares increased in August. Prices for export air freight rose 0.5 percent and export air passenger 

fares jumped 9.6 percent, led by a sharp rise in Asian fares.

 

Import and Export Price Index data for September 2009 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

October 14, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2008 to

August 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 119.2 121.6 -15.0 1.7 2.7 -0.7 2.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 83.177 107.2 107.6 -6.5 0.2 0.2 -0.3 0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 81.838 111.0 111.4 -5.1 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.692 138.4 140.8 -6.4 0.2 0.4 -1.0 1.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.621 153.5 156.8 -6.6 0.5 0.3 -1.3 2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.071 104.3 104.7 -5.6 -0.5 0.8 -0.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 31.885 174.2 184.9 -31.7 5.6 8.8 -1.8 6.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.062 131.0 132.8 -23.1 0.7 0.7 -0.9 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.723 146.1 148.0 -18.8 1.1 0.3 -0.3 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.666 138.5 140.8 -19.5 0.3 1.3 1.8 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.057 122.1 123.1 -27.2 1.2 -0.2 -4.2 0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 18.161 215.7 236.8 -39.6 9.8 16.0 -2.9 9.8

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 16.822 235.2 259.8 -38.1 11.1 17.2 -2.6 10.5

Crude.......................................... 10000 12.302 242.9 270.0 -39.1 13.1 15.9 -1.8 11.2

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.144 104.1 105.4 -53.9 -3.4 3.6 -7.5 1.2

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.937 88.9 90.2 -60.0 -4.1 4.3 -9.0 1.5

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.679 99.0 98.9 -17.4 -1.2 -1.5 -2.8 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.456 132.3 133.5 -16.4 2.9 -1.1 -3.9 0.9

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.674 118.2 119.5 -2.1 -0.6 1.3 1.9 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.519 184.7 190.1 -29.7 1.0 3.2 3.6 2.9

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.851 133.6 134.9 -16.9 0.8 -0.2 0.3 1.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.544 102.7 103.2 -7.7 -0.9 -0.4 -0.3 0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.818 91.9 92.0 -1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.067 110.2 110.3 -2.4 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.616 86.5 86.5 -2.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.135 123.1 123.3 4.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.095 108.1 108.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 25.510 104.1 103.9 -1.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.751 107.7 107.7 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.534 100.6 100.4 -1.3 0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.225 101.5 101.0 -5.3 -1.4 0.1 0.1 -0.5

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

August 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 117.4 118.2 -6.1 0.4 1.0 -0.3 0.7

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.830 161.3 161.7 -14.1 3.6 4.2 -4.9 0.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.171 114.2 115.1 -5.3 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.8

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.209 165.0 164.9 -13.0 2.8 4.4 -5.6 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.547 167.6 167.3 -14.1 3.2 4.8 -6.1 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.662 143.3 145.0 -0.5 -2.7 0.3 1.1 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 27.099 140.4 143.6 -17.5 0.6 2.0 0.0 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.590 145.0 147.7 -15.7 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.509 138.3 141.9 -18.5 0.5 2.8 -0.4 2.6

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.283 134.9 138.4 -14.0 5.3 0.6 3.0 2.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 25.816 140.9 144.1 -17.7 0.4 2.0 -0.1 2.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.671 165.4 181.7 -34.1 2.1 9.1 -5.3 9.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.124 139.7 141.1 -14.6 0.1 0.9 0.9 1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.021 112.5 113.7 -1.3 -0.9 0.4 -0.4 1.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.433 103.4 103.5 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.727 106.9 107.0 -2.0 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.695 94.7 94.9 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 9.010 137.6 137.6 5.4 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.357 107.8 107.9 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.903 108.7 109.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.718 108.3 108.8 -0.7 0.6 0.6 -0.1 0.5

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 6.083 109.5 109.6 2.2 0.3 0.2 1.3 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

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2008 to

August 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 15.717 108.2 117.7 -39.2 8.8 12.9 -2.3 8.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.691 129.0 133.0 -7.3 -2.0 -1.0 -3.2 3.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.213 135.9 140.6 -3.7 -2.6 -0.9 -4.6 3.5

Mining.............................................. 21 14.026 105.9 115.9 -41.6 10.3 15.1 -2.3 9.4

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.440 125.7 125.7 -0.5 -0.5 0.8 -3.0 0.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 83.753 106.5 107.2 -6.8 0.6 0.9 -0.3 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.489 106.6 106.9 -3.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.446 116.2 117.3 -11.0 0.7 1.4 0.0 0.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.949 107.3 107.3 1.0 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.453 112.3 112.3 -1.8 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.811 99.4 99.4 -2.4 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.246 101.8 101.9 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.583 107.0 107.2 1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.704 112.0 114.9 -13.6 1.9 3.8 -2.2 2.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.010 93.3 95.1 -4.0 -1.0 1.9 3.8 1.9

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.222 99.0 98.5 -13.7 -0.6 -0.8 -3.2 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.751 104.8 116.3 -33.2 7.1 19.7 -5.9 11.0

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.565 118.5 118.8 -7.4 1.5 0.0 -1.6 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.869 111.8 112.1 -1.5 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.177 119.8 119.6 3.5 0.5 0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.560 104.7 104.9 -4.9 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.061 124.5 127.6 -30.7 0.3 1.5 2.2 2.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.833 115.9 115.7 -5.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 7.009 112.1 112.2 0.8 -0.2 0.5 0.5 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.350 88.9 88.9 -3.8 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.077 112.5 112.6 -1.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.298 105.5 105.7 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.600 109.4 109.3 -1.9 -0.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.331 111.9 111.8 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.2 -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

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2008 to

August 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.071 119.5 121.1 -18.5 3.5 4.2 -6.7 1.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.846 139.9 140.4 -16.5 4.4 5.0 -7.8 0.4

Crop production................................. 111 4.507 144.5 144.7 -17.2 4.9 5.3 -8.1 0.1

Mining.............................................. 21 1.225 74.5 78.5 -25.0 -0.1 1.3 -2.4 5.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.943 86.1 87.0 -14.4 -1.7 1.4 -2.4 1.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 92.120 108.4 109.0 -4.2 0.2 0.7 0.1 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.622 120.5 120.4 -5.1 1.4 1.8 0.1 -0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.462 135.5 135.1 -6.4 2.1 2.4 -0.1 -0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.519 106.9 107.0 1.2 0.3 1.2 -0.1 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.391 102.4 102.4 1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.823 110.0 111.8 -12.9 0.3 2.2 -0.1 1.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.452 105.0 106.1 -5.4 -2.4 0.4 1.1 1.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.875 109.4 109.3 -6.0 -1.7 0.8 -1.0 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.139 96.2 109.5 -41.1 2.1 15.4 -9.7 13.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.342 113.5 114.0 -9.0 0.4 1.3 1.7 0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.177 108.0 107.9 -2.8 0.0 -0.6 0.0 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.839 109.7 109.7 0.5 0.0 0.0 -3.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 63.675 106.5 106.7 -0.7 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.185 120.2 121.4 -21.7 -0.8 0.8 0.4 1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.835 120.9 121.2 2.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.787 112.4 112.3 1.4 0.1 -0.1 0.5 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.592 93.8 94.1 -0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.618 107.1 107.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.345 110.3 110.3 3.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.971 110.6 110.6 1.4 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.0

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

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

August 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.145 129.5 130.6 -11.8 0.2 2.1 0.4 0.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.259 153.5 156.6 -11.3 1.7 2.8 1.8 2.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.563 99.3 99.8 -8.6 -0.9 1.4 -0.5 0.5

Vegetable products................................ II 1.415 154.2 159.7 -2.9 -1.7 -1.3 -4.3 3.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.418 282.5 291.8 32.8 -5.9 -7.4 -3.6 3.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.413 97.5 100.4 -12.7 2.7 0.0 -6.1 3.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.250 147.7 164.2 -4.7 4.3 5.2 -8.3 11.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.313 135.0 135.8 -4.7 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.6

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.252 111.6 111.7 -2.4 1.3 2.8 1.4 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.282 125.1 125.5 -10.5 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.953 116.4 116.5 -2.8 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 18.307 217.7 238.4 -38.5 9.4 15.5 -3.1 9.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 17.936 214.7 235.5 -39.6 9.7 15.8 -3.0 9.7

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.775 129.9 130.8 -8.2 2.2 -0.7 -1.1 0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.729 201.3 194.1 -29.4 25.4 -9.6 -9.5 -3.6

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.488 125.6 128.4 -4.5 0.2 1.5 0.8 2.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.765 114.0 114.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.0

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.174 104.5 104.6 -2.3 -0.2 0.1 0.6 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.430 120.3 120.5 -4.4 0.1 1.2 1.3 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.428 89.6 89.8 -12.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.8 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.923 126.0 126.4 -8.3 1.2 0.4 -2.9 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.902 123.6 123.8 -8.2 1.8 0.7 -4.3 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.021 130.7 131.4 -8.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.630 113.2 113.4 0.1 0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.2

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

various materials................................ 42 0.568 114.2 114.4 0.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.037 113.7 115.8 -4.6 -0.9 1.8 3.3 1.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.408 104.8 104.3 -11.3 -0.5 -0.7 -3.1 -0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.968 102.7 101.5 -11.1 -0.7 -1.1 -4.7 -1.2

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.289 120.3 120.3 1.8 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.333 102.7 102.8 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.013 99.6 99.6 -1.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.041 102.9 102.9 0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.548 90.7 90.7 -5.0 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.292 107.6 107.6 1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.088 106.6 106.7 1.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2008 to

August 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.049 124.8 124.4 4.5 0.2 0.7 -0.4 -0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.389 117.6 117.4 1.6 -0.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.331 139.4 139.3 12.9 1.1 1.7 -0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.328 117.3 116.6 0.0 0.2 0.3 -0.9 -0.6

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.664 140.5 140.1 -9.1 0.7 3.0 -0.1 -0.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.569 153.0 155.7 -25.3 0.6 0.1 1.3 1.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.199 178.6 184.6 -40.7 -4.7 0.1 2.1 3.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.762 136.8 134.9 -19.1 -1.2 -2.7 -1.9 -1.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.589 245.3 262.8 -19.1 12.7 4.9 4.5 7.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.720 109.4 115.0 -27.4 4.2 0.8 3.5 5.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.398 117.3 117.3 0.9 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.481 130.1 129.0 -1.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.8

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.302 87.0 87.1 -1.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.290 88.3 88.4 -0.8 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 13.012 85.7 85.8 -3.1 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.035 109.8 109.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 11.836 108.8 108.9 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.094 115.6 115.9 3.3 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.262 102.3 102.3 0.7 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.928 100.0 100.0 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.253 123.8 123.8 1.4 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.322 108.1 108.0 0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.352 112.4 112.4 -0.5 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.752 101.5 101.5 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.218 116.3 116.3 2.8 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.0

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

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

August 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.529 157.8 157.5 -12.9 0.6 1.7 -1.3 -0.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.800 127.8 126.6 -17.7 3.4 3.6 -3.1 -0.9

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.389 141.9 143.2 -4.1 -3.4 -1.3 0.6 0.9

Vegetable products................................ II 4.651 187.6 187.7 -15.4 4.2 5.6 -8.7 0.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.582 102.7 106.0 -14.5 -1.5 1.5 1.5 3.2

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.825 183.4 183.7 -25.4 1.3 8.1 -17.4 0.2

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.589 228.7 228.6 -9.2 9.9 8.0 -3.9 0.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.514 139.8 138.9 2.0 1.3 2.1 -0.7 -0.6

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.366 117.6 117.4 -2.7 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.285 101.7 101.9 – 0.6 1.4 -0.1 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.569 210.7 204.7 2.9 6.1 9.3 -3.5 -2.8

Mineral products.................................... V 3.504 187.8 207.2 -38.3 2.7 9.2 -7.7 10.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.008 181.1 202.4 -39.5 3.1 10.3 -8.4 11.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.777 136.1 136.4 -7.6 0.1 0.7 0.4 0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.250 188.2 188.3 -8.5 -2.7 -2.2 2.3 0.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.318 139.4 141.6 -16.3 1.5 1.7 0.6 1.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.675 115.3 115.5 -2.4 0.6 0.8 -0.7 0.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.543 114.2 114.2 -1.3 0.4 1.5 0.2 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.737 124.7 126.0 1.7 1.2 1.3 -0.2 1.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.413 115.2 114.7 -5.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 -0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.815 132.0 131.7 1.5 -1.0 2.2 0.5 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.385 133.8 134.3 -10.0 0.0 0.6 3.1 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.394 129.3 129.4 -9.6 0.1 1.1 3.3 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.991 152.6 155.3 -11.5 -0.3 -1.6 2.5 1.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.290 86.0 93.2 -19.8 -1.9 4.1 8.7 8.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.554 100.0 102.1 -9.4 -1.5 0.5 -2.4 2.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.373 106.9 107.4 -9.2 -0.5 1.4 -0.4 0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.519 94.5 96.9 -26.0 -1.1 5.2 1.4 2.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.315 110.4 110.1 -3.0 -0.6 0.3 -1.5 -0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.538 117.0 117.1 -1.6 0.4 1.0 0.8 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.989 103.1 102.7 -6.5 1.7 -0.9 1.2 -0.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.563 95.5 94.9 -15.9 6.2 -3.5 4.6 -0.6

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.828 113.6 113.6 1.5 0.1 0.1 -2.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.430 96.2 96.2 -2.7 0.1 -0.1 -3.9 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.880 173.9 173.8 -8.3 -1.0 2.6 1.6 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2008 to

August 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2008 to

Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May

2009 to

June

2009

June

2009 to

July 2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.070 144.6 149.6 -18.0 1.8 -0.4 0.8 3.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.238 155.3 167.4 -32.7 -2.6 -1.5 3.7 7.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.476 159.9 160.0 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -2.3 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.474 173.6 186.8 -27.8 25.4 -2.3 0.9 7.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.718 104.0 108.6 -27.1 5.5 1.2 3.5 4.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.405 122.3 122.3 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.340 122.0 122.0 -6.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.459 95.6 95.6 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.087 105.3 105.3 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.372 85.0 85.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.906 120.5 120.5 3.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.103 107.5 107.5 0.5 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.318 108.2 108.6 1.2 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.575 107.1 107.1 -1.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.766 116.1 116.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.684 93.4 93.4 -0.8 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0

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

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: August 2008 to August 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2008

to Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May 2009

to June

2009

June 2009

to July

2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 119.1 120.5 -13.6 0.5 1.5 -0.2 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 168.1 179.7 -44.6 4.9 10.9 -1.5 6.9

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 114.9 115.6 -8.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.6

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 117.9 120.9 -16.4 2.5 3.2 -0.8 2.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 220.8 242.0 -36.2 10.1 12.6 -2.1 9.6

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 103.3 103.9 -7.1 0.8 0.9 -0.3 0.6

Canada............................................ 15.963 128.1 131.5 -22.1 1.7 2.7 -0.7 2.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 160.8 172.8 -45.9 4.9 10.9 -1.6 7.5

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 122.5 124.0 -11.2 0.7 0.6 -0.4 1.2

European Union4

............................... 17.447 124.7 125.0 -6.3 -0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 231.6 248.9 -35.9 3.1 13.2 -0.9 7.5

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 122.3 122.6 -5.5 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 121.6 122.0 0.7 0.0 0.7 0.8 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 109.3 109.8 -3.0 -0.1 0.4 0.6 0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 121.0 121.8 -12.9 0.3 1.5 0.2 0.7

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 145.2 150.1 -21.4 3.8 3.6 -1.1 3.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 248.4 271.5 -30.2 10.3 9.8 -2.2 9.3

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 124.3 125.3 -14.9 1.3 1.0 -0.7 0.8

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 131.6 134.6 -12.7 3.1 1.1 -1.2 2.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.947 130.4 144.1 – 12.9 6.3 -3.8 10.5

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.788 95.5 95.4 – 0.6 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 99.4 99.8 -3.7 0.1 0.4 -0.2 0.4

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 100.3 100.5 -3.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Japan.............................................. 7.488 97.0 97.1 1.7 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 85.4 86.0 -8.4 0.0 0.9 -0.4 0.7

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.729 96.7 97.3 -5.3 0.7 0.9 -0.4 0.6

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 183.2 198.0 -32.2 6.3 9.8 -2.8 8.1

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

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

2008 to August 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20091

Index Percent change

July

2009

Aug.

2009

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2008

to Aug.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

May 2009

to June

2009

June 2009

to July

2009

July 2009

to Aug.

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 132.9 132.7 -18.2 -0.9 2.1 0.2 -0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.175 130.6 131.9 -27.8 1.3 2.4 3.4 1.0

Asia.................................................... 67.007 114.6 114.0 -12.0 -2.3 1.7 -1.1 -0.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 119.1 119.7 -18.2 -3.0 -1.2 1.4 0.5

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.718 108.3 108.3 -23.8 -4.6 -2.2 2.5 0.0

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 125.0 125.7 -19.2 -1.0 0.6 0.0 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.180 122.8 123.5 -28.3 0.8 0.6 2.7 0.6

Asia.................................................... 62.626 107.8 108.4 -12.7 -2.0 0.6 -1.2 0.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 111.6 110.4 -26.2 -2.3 -1.1 0.1 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 39.248 126.2 126.5 -26.5 -1.5 -4.5 0.1 0.2

Asia.................................................... 41.301 102.1 101.8 -23.5 -3.0 2.1 -0.6 -0.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 142.7 139.5 -19.5 -2.1 13.0 -3.1 -2.2

Europe................................................. 44.265 151.0 143.0 -23.9 -6.0 28.6 -6.0 -5.3

Asia.................................................... 29.572 135.4 130.0 -11.3 3.8 6.6 -0.4 -4.0

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.711 122.8 128.3 -16.8 -6.4 0.9 7.8 4.5

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 141.8 155.4 -19.5 -1.7 3.3 2.5 9.6

Europe................................................. 34.886 186.1 187.4 -21.2 -2.2 15.7 6.7 0.7

Asia.................................................... 31.553 111.2 137.2 -20.1 3.2 -9.9 1.6 23.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.295 149.1 155.5 -15.6 -12.4 7.9 3.8 4.3

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

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 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".

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 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. 

16