U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – AUGUST 2013 

Prices for U.S. imports were unchanged in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

ticking up 0.1 percent in July. In August, higher fuel prices were offset by declining nonfuel prices. U.S. 

export prices fell 0.5 percent in August following a 0.1 percent decrease the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2012 – August 2013 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2012 – August 2013

 Percent change

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Aug'12 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'13

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Aug'12 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'13

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, September 12, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-1836
2

 

All Imports: Import prices have recorded little change the past 2 months, after decreasing 1.8 percent over 

the prior 4 months. The recent decline contributed to a 0.4 percent drop in import prices for the year ended 

in August. The decrease from August 2012 to August 2013 was led by lower nonfuel prices, which more 

than offset higher fuel prices. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel rose 0.5 percent in August, after advancing 1.8 percent in 

July. The increases for both months were led by rising petroleum prices, which advanced 0.8 percent in 

August and 2.7 percent in July. In contrast, natural gas prices fell 9.0 percent in August, after decreasing 

22.2 percent the previous month. Overall fuel prices advanced 2.2 percent over the past 12 months, as the 

price indexes for both petroleum and natural gas rose from August 2012 to August 2013, advancing 1.9 

percent and 13.8 percent, respectively. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports continued to trend down in August, falling 0.2 

percent. The August decrease followed a 0.4 percent drop in July, and was the sixth consecutive monthly 

decline. Falling prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and finished goods drove the August 

drop in nonfuel import prices. The price index for nonfuel imports also decreased over the past year, 

declining 1.0 percent. 

Table A. Import and export price indexes, selected categories 

 Percent changes 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2012 – August 2013

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2012 – August 2013 

 Percent change

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports continued to trend down in August, decreasing 0.5 percent. The index 

for overall export prices has not recorded a monthly advance since a 0.7 percent increase in February. 

Lower prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the August decline. Overall 

export prices fell 1.1 percent for the year ended in August, the largest 12-month drop since the index 

decreased 1.3 percent between July 2011 and July 2012. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports declined 4.3 percent in August, the largest 

monthly decrease since the index fell 6.5 percent in October 2011. A 15.9 percent decrease in soybean 

prices and a 14.5 percent drop in corn prices drove the August decline in agricultural prices. Prices for 

agricultural exports fell 5.7 percent over the past 12 months, the first year-over-year decline in export 

agricultural prices since the index fell 5.8 percent for the year ended in June 2012. Lower soybean and corn 

prices also were the primary contributors to the decline in agricultural prices over the past year. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices edged down 0.1 percent in August 

following a 0.2 percent decline for the previous month. Falling finished goods prices more than offset an 

increase in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. The price index for 

nonagricultural exports decreased 0.6 percent over the past 12 months, led by lower prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and consumer goods. 

0.9

0.8

0.1

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0.7

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2

Aug'12 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'13

-0.9

-0.6

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1.5

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0.8

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Aug'12 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'13
4

 

SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from Japan edged down 0.1 percent in August, after 

declining 0.5 percent in July. Prices for imports from Japan decreased 2.6 percent over the past 12 months, 

paralleling the decline in the value of the yen relative to the U.S. dollar. The 12-month decrease for August 

was the largest year-over-year drop in the index since a 2.9 percent decline for the year ended in November 

2002. Prices for imports from the European Union also fell 0.1 percent in August. The price index for 

imports from China recorded no change for the third consecutive month in August. Import prices from 

China have not increased on a monthly basis since a 0.1 percent advance in February 2012, and fell 1.3 

percent over the past year. Prices for imports from Canada also were unchanged in August, following a 0.1 

percent decline the previous month. In contrast, import prices from Mexico rose 0.3 percent in August. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices fell 0.8 

percent in August following a 1.7 percent decline the previous month. Decreasing metals prices were the 

largest contributor to the drop in both August and July. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories edged down 0.1 percent in August. 

Capital goods prices have not recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.2 percent in September 

2012, and fell 0.8 percent over the past year. Prices for automotive vehicles also continued a downward 

trend over the past 5 months as the index decreased 1.4 percent between February and August. The 0.1 

percent decline in consumer goods prices in August followed a 0.2 percent decrease in July. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 0.3 percent in August, after a 0.6 

percent advance the previous month. The increase was led by a 2.8 percent rise in fish and shellfish prices, 

which more than offset a 4.4 percent decline in vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined for the second consecutive month, falling 7.9 

percent in August following a 3.9 percent drop in July. The decreases for both months were driven by lower 

European and Asian fares. The index for import air passenger fares fell 0.5 percent over the past year. 

Import air freight prices fell 0.3 percent in August and 0.8 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices rose 0.2 percent in August, after declining 0.6 percent in July as higher fuel prices more than offset 

lower metals prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods areas decreased in August. Consumer goods 

prices fell 0.6 percent, the largest monthly drop since a similar decline in July 2012. The price indexes for 

capital goods and automotive vehicles each edged down 0.1 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 2.6 percent for the second consecutive 

month in August. The August increase was driven by a 24.7 percent advance in Asian fares. Despite the 

recent increases, export air passenger fares fell 4.9 percent for the year ended in August. Export air freight 

prices were unchanged in August and up 2.1 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for September 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, 

October 10, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2012 to

August 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 138.9 138.9 -0.4 -0.6 -0.4 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 73.677 102.1 101.9 -1.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.633 115.0 114.8 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.6 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.760 119.1 118.9 -1.0 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.083 173.3 173.9 2.8 0.5 -1.0 0.6 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.875 191.0 190.7 0.0 0.2 -1.5 0.5 -0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.208 133.2 135.9 12.8 1.5 0.6 0.8 2.0

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.278 248.2 248.3 -0.5 -1.6 -0.8 0.4 0.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 13.910 158.7 157.0 -3.7 -1.1 -1.0 -2.9 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.037 179.8 178.4 -4.6 -1.3 -0.9 -1.7 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.649 167.1 166.0 -4.6 -2.2 -1.3 -1.8 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.388 148.4 146.0 -2.7 0.1 -0.6 -4.1 -1.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.241 335.7 337.5 2.2 -1.7 -0.8 1.8 0.5

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.368 374.8 377.7 1.9 -1.8 -0.7 2.7 0.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 15.749 392.2 393.5 3.6 -1.0 -0.7 3.6 0.3

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.666 110.0 102.0 11.5 0.7 -2.4 -19.7 -7.3

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.548 96.9 88.2 13.8 1.3 -2.8 -22.2 -9.0

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.566 113.5 113.6 0.4 0.5 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.902 170.1 168.4 -5.0 -0.1 -0.5 -1.8 -1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.003 141.0 139.8 0.1 -1.7 -3.2 -1.8 -0.9

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.465 237.2 234.8 -8.0 -3.9 -1.8 -2.7 -1.0

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.562 155.6 155.6 -3.7 -0.4 -0.3 -1.8 0.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.539 113.8 113.3 -0.9 -0.4 -0.2 0.2 -0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 24.133 92.6 92.5 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.014 119.3 119.5 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.247 85.4 85.2 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.873 135.8 135.7 1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.178 113.5 113.4 -1.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.329 107.4 107.3 0.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.883 116.0 116.0 1.0 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.118 98.4 98.4 -1.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.328 116.4 116.4 0.9 0.3 -0.4 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to

August 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.6 131.9 -1.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.603 223.5 214.0 -5.7 1.1 0.8 -0.3 -4.3

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.004 102.0 101.7 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.397 126.0 125.9 -0.6 -0.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.814 222.9 213.3 -6.9 0.8 0.9 -0.4 -4.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.160 227.6 216.9 -7.0 1.2 1.0 -0.5 -4.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.654 179.6 181.9 -6.0 -4.5 -2.0 0.7 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.625 176.5 176.7 -1.9 -1.5 -0.6 -0.6 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.569 171.5 170.1 -6.3 -2.5 -1.1 -2.3 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.057 180.1 181.1 0.4 -1.0 -0.3 0.4 0.6

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.443 205.9 203.4 3.1 0.4 -0.9 1.0 -1.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.182 175.6 175.9 -2.2 -1.6 -0.6 -0.6 0.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.182 253.0 258.0 -1.3 -2.3 -0.2 0.9 2.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.960 165.9 164.8 -3.0 -1.5 -0.7 -1.3 -0.7

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.040 123.3 123.4 4.0 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 35.597 106.6 106.5 0.9 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.524 115.4 115.8 1.9 0.0 -0.3 0.8 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.865 95.5 95.4 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.207 151.7 151.7 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.983 113.5 113.4 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.981 115.3 114.6 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.6

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.509 115.3 114.6 -0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 -0.6

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.088 111.5 111.2 -2.9 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to

August 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.696 167.5 167.7 4.2 -0.7 -1.0 1.8 0.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.826 171.9 171.6 2.1 1.2 -1.6 -0.6 -0.2

Crop production................................. 111 1.282 176.9 176.4 0.7 2.0 -2.2 0.0 -0.3

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100). . . . .. 113 0.192 98.3 94.0 – 2.0 -0.1 -6.6 -4.4

Mining.............................................. 21 16.870 166.7 167.0 4.4 -1.0 -0.9 2.1 0.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.316 130.2 130.0 -9.3 0.2 -1.1 -1.6 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.849 115.9 115.8 -1.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.573 123.7 123.6 -0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.900 155.6 155.6 -1.2 0.9 -0.4 0.5 0.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.880 113.6 113.4 1.9 0.2 -0.3 0.4 -0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.388 100.7 100.7 -1.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.6 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.787 114.7 114.6 -1.0 0.1 0.1 -0.8 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.947 110.2 110.1 -1.3 -0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.670 121.6 121.7 0.8 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.789 135.9 136.3 -1.7 -1.7 -0.3 -0.3 0.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.593 119.9 118.8 0.1 -2.9 -4.9 -2.5 -0.9

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.042 110.8 110.8 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.4 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.126 158.1 162.0 -5.1 -4.5 -0.2 0.6 2.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.166 134.4 133.7 -0.3 -1.0 -0.2 -0.6 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.940 125.4 125.2 -1.7 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.838 129.0 129.2 -0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.487 108.1 107.9 -1.4 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.050 155.8 154.2 -8.6 -3.4 -1.8 -2.7 -1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.644 126.9 126.9 -2.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.9 0.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.638 121.3 121.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.068 80.9 80.8 -1.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.029 119.3 119.3 0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.945 111.5 111.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.258 114.1 113.8 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.856 120.7 120.8 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to

August 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.811 168.7 157.7 -12.1 1.7 -0.1 -1.9 -6.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.807 211.1 195.0 -12.3 1.9 0.7 -0.7 -7.6

Crop production................................. 111 5.378 220.1 202.3 -12.3 2.7 1.2 -1.0 -8.1

Mining.............................................. 21 2.004 87.9 84.9 -11.7 1.1 -2.0 -5.2 -3.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.391 103.0 100.3 -15.9 -0.1 -0.8 -2.4 -2.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.842 120.3 120.3 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.082 152.0 151.6 1.9 -0.5 0.5 0.3 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.973 174.1 173.9 2.2 -0.9 0.6 0.3 -0.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.572 127.0 124.8 -0.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -1.7

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.519 133.0 133.7 0.5 -0.8 -0.1 0.5 0.5

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.429 119.5 118.3 3.6 0.3 0.3 1.4 -1.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.835 122.0 121.6 1.6 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.976 163.7 168.3 0.2 -3.0 0.3 2.6 2.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.256 130.4 130.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.235 119.9 119.8 2.1 0.3 -0.4 -0.6 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.787 111.0 111.0 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 56.242 112.3 112.1 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.645 150.0 147.4 -11.2 -4.2 -2.3 -3.4 -1.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.753 130.7 130.9 -0.5 -0.5 -0.1 -0.6 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.729 122.5 122.5 1.4 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.249 88.7 88.4 -0.9 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.344 114.5 114.9 2.4 0.1 -0.2 0.5 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.230 118.0 118.0 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.323 107.8 107.9 4.8 -0.4 0.2 2.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.969 121.7 121.1 -0.5 -0.6 0.2 -0.1 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to

August 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.173 181.3 185.5 15.1 0.9 1.6 0.8 2.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.257 222.3 226.1 3.5 0.0 0.0 1.2 1.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.660 135.9 139.8 22.6 2.4 2.7 0.3 2.9

Vegetable products................................ II 1.582 201.9 199.9 -5.9 1.4 -4.1 -1.1 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.366 353.3 353.6 19.1 6.8 -1.6 1.7 0.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.415 111.3 112.8 -2.9 -2.2 -10.0 0.8 1.3

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.359 230.9 229.5 -15.1 0.1 -1.9 -2.0 -0.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.250 116.1 115.1 -8.4 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.418 157.6 158.4 0.9 0.4 -0.8 0.8 0.5

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)....................................... 17 0.201 94.4 90.7 – -2.0 -3.9 2.8 -3.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.206 91.2 100.0 19.6 2.5 2.7 1.2 9.6

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.239 130.0 129.9 1.4 -0.3 -0.6 -0.5 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.319 166.0 164.8 -2.9 2.1 0.2 0.5 -0.7

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.869 124.3 124.2 2.2 0.4 -0.4 0.2 -0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 21.211 338.5 340.2 2.3 -1.6 -0.7 1.9 0.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.929 335.3 337.0 2.5 -1.7 -0.8 1.9 0.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.582 148.8 148.2 -1.3 -1.1 -0.3 -0.8 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.756 333.3 322.5 -18.3 -1.6 -1.5 -3.9 -3.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.608 134.5 134.6 -3.0 -1.0 -0.1 -0.5 0.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.433 125.5 125.5 7.4 -1.1 0.0 0.4 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.370 116.3 110.7 -18.8 -1.9 0.1 -7.8 -4.8

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.165 94.1 93.9 -9.3 0.1 -0.1 0.3 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.470 98.5 98.6 -3.1 -0.6 -1.2 -1.3 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.200 150.9 150.4 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.974 147.8 148.0 3.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.226 157.7 156.0 -7.1 -0.1 -0.7 -1.9 -1.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.599 125.5 125.5 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 0.1 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.567 126.9 126.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.630 146.2 143.8 0.0 -2.7 -4.9 -2.9 -1.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.142 114.0 113.9 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.4 -0.1

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.181 104.0 103.3 1.4 2.3 -0.3 -0.4 -0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.759 107.7 107.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.7 0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.970 113.7 113.6 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.944 103.0 102.9 -2.6 -0.6 0.1 -0.4 -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 2012 to

August 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.841 117.7 117.9 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.551 107.9 107.8 -0.6 0.1 0.2 -0.6 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.369 120.9 121.1 0.7 -0.2 0.2 -0.3 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.173 120.1 120.2 0.5 -0.2 0.2 -0.3 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.771 132.0 132.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.249 125.7 126.4 0.8 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.6

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.243 141.1 140.9 -0.8 0.0 0.1 0.4 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.279 127.2 127.3 0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.6 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.990 180.0 179.5 -8.2 -3.9 -2.5 -3.3 -0.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.945 179.5 179.0 -3.3 -0.9 -0.1 -1.0 -0.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.140 215.4 216.4 -6.4 -0.9 -0.6 -0.2 0.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.488 154.6 154.0 -4.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.8 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.447 322.2 320.5 -5.6 -2.9 2.3 -5.2 -0.5

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.130 87.7 85.5 -12.2 -4.4 -4.5 -4.0 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.672 136.2 135.2 0.9 -1.4 0.8 -1.0 -0.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.388 129.2 129.2 0.8 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.432 135.3 135.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.532 84.9 84.8 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.764 89.8 89.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.768 80.3 80.2 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.731 115.8 115.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.786 114.5 114.5 -0.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.875 120.1 120.1 1.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.365 104.0 103.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.3 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.052 100.8 100.8 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.254 141.3 141.0 8.5 -0.1 -0.6 1.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... XX 3.480 113.0 112.8 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.943 116.8 116.5 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.341 105.2 105.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.195 138.5 139.0 1.6 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to

August 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.075 217.8 216.2 2.3 -2.5 0.4 1.3 -0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.194 168.8 166.2 0.5 -1.7 0.8 0.9 -1.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.372 185.5 188.9 -10.4 -6.9 -2.9 1.1 1.8

Vegetable products................................ II 5.356 267.9 246.6 -12.7 2.6 1.4 -1.4 -8.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.991 154.2 160.2 20.0 4.8 -1.3 -0.5 3.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.001 292.5 268.9 -20.8 2.7 0.5 -4.7 -8.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.801 305.0 264.0 -17.9 2.4 4.4 1.8 -13.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.301 131.3 126.6 -12.5 -0.7 -3.1 -0.8 -3.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 3.022 167.1 167.0 1.8 -0.5 0.7 0.0 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.333 112.6 112.7 0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.609 112.8 112.6 2.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.768 274.4 271.5 1.2 -3.0 3.2 2.5 -1.1

Mineral products.................................... V 9.094 295.2 300.2 -2.5 -2.0 -0.1 0.8 1.7

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)........... 26 0.444 90.8 87.1 – -2.6 -0.7 -2.3 -4.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.468 292.7 298.6 -1.9 -2.1 0.0 1.0 2.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.473 153.1 152.7 -0.9 0.1 -0.5 -0.5 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.029 185.0 180.8 -2.1 1.1 -1.5 -0.3 -2.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.194 162.3 164.0 -0.2 -1.3 -0.8 -0.6 1.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.685 122.6 121.9 -1.8 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.6

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)...................... 31 0.374 94.3 91.1 – -1.9 -1.1 -0.9 -3.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.725 138.4 135.7 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -2.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.455 120.9 120.8 -1.8 -0.3 0.1 1.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.765 154.0 153.8 0.3 2.4 0.1 -1.6 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.284 149.1 148.2 1.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.264 142.3 142.2 3.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.020 180.1 174.5 -8.1 -0.1 -0.2 -1.6 -3.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.406 146.0 144.7 9.5 0.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.590 114.0 113.6 3.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.6 -0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.299 123.1 122.0 5.4 0.4 0.7 0.3 -0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.631 130.3 125.7 7.9 0.7 2.4 -1.4 -3.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.214 120.3 120.4 2.8 0.4 -0.1 1.1 0.1

Printed material.................................... 49 0.455 132.0 132.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.862 132.3 131.9 5.1 0.7 0.3 0.7 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.519 147.5 146.4 10.1 0.6 -1.5 2.9 -0.7

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.764 118.4 118.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 -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 2012 to

August 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2012 to

Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.391 97.5 97.4 -1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.636 244.5 241.1 -11.3 -4.6 -2.8 -3.7 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.249 163.8 164.3 -4.3 -1.7 0.1 -1.2 0.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.441 182.8 183.8 -9.9 -2.9 -0.1 -2.1 0.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.318 168.3 169.1 -2.3 0.0 -0.4 -0.7 0.5

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.585 230.7 231.9 -4.3 -5.9 2.6 -2.6 0.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.836 121.8 121.7 -1.4 -0.9 -0.3 -0.6 -0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.406 132.7 132.7 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.326 146.9 146.9 0.6 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 28.096 97.3 97.2 0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.789 111.4 111.4 0.8 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.307 82.1 81.8 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.5 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.068 128.2 128.2 1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.184 114.0 114.0 1.0 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.923 107.1 107.0 0.9 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... XX 1.350 111.0 111.0 0.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.5 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.734 122.6 122.8 2.4 -0.1 0.6 0.7 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.507 89.7 89.5 -1.5 -0.3 -1.1 0.1 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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 2012 to August 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2012

to Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May 2013

to June

2013

June 2013

to July

2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 131.8 131.4 1.2 -0.1 -0.5 0.2 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.489 244.9 243.2 15.8 4.6 -0.7 2.5 -0.7

Manufactured articles......................... 86.931 122.8 122.5 -0.5 -0.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 138.0 138.4 -0.9 -0.7 -0.2 0.0 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 22.322 342.8 344.8 0.3 -2.2 -1.0 1.1 0.6

Manufactured articles......................... 77.342 109.8 110.0 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 0.2

Canada............................................ 100.000 152.8 152.8 3.7 0.6 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 31.112 234.4 232.9 18.4 4.7 -0.7 2.4 -0.6

Manufactured articles......................... 67.904 135.3 135.7 -1.7 -1.1 -0.3 -1.2 0.3

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.4 135.2 0.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.012 349.7 349.8 -7.3 -4.1 -0.3 0.3 0.0

Manufactured articles......................... 98.809 131.7 131.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 121.6 121.5 1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 115.9 115.8 1.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 127.1 126.9 -5.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.5 -0.2

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 173.6 174.2 -1.1 -0.8 -0.3 0.1 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 32.173 371.5 374.8 0.8 -1.5 -0.5 0.8 0.9

Manufactured articles......................... 67.464 130.9 131.0 -1.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 143.1 143.5 -0.8 -0.1 -0.8 0.0 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 18.818 197.9 201.6 0.9 -0.7 -3.4 0.7 1.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 80.881 93.8 93.6 -1.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 103.0 103.0 -1.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 103.5 103.5 -1.3 -0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0

Japan.............................................. 100.000 100.1 100.0 -2.6 -0.4 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 91.0 90.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 104.5 104.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 262.8 262.8 -0.7 -2.4 -2.0 1.3 0.0

1 Relative figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

9 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

2012 to August 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20131

Index Percent change

July

2013

Aug.

2013

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2012

to Aug.

2013

Apr. 2013

to May

2013

May 2013

to June

2013

June 2013

to July

2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 172.4 171.9 -0.8 -0.2 -0.3 0.3 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.042 165.0 163.2 4.5 0.6 -0.2 0.9 -1.1

Asia.................................................... 73.621 151.9 151.8 -2.4 -0.5 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.2 146.2 2.1 -1.1 -0.9 -0.1 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.926 131.6 131.8 1.4 -1.0 -0.7 -0.2 0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 160.7 160.5 -0.3 -0.6 -0.8 0.1 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.130 148.2 147.0 2.7 0.1 -0.4 0.3 -0.8

Asia.................................................... 67.270 145.6 145.6 -1.4 -0.9 -1.0 0.1 0.0

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 145.0 145.4 0.4 -0.9 -1.3 -0.3 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 28.069 159.9 159.9 -2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Asia.................................................... 52.238 138.1 138.7 1.8 -1.3 -1.8 -0.2 0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 197.5 181.8 -0.5 2.0 10.7 -3.9 -7.9

Europe................................................. 42.784 219.8 201.9 6.2 -0.4 14.6 -8.0 -8.1

Asia.................................................... 26.400 166.9 156.4 -3.0 3.2 11.4 -3.5 -6.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 9.224 175.8 173.2 0.4 -1.7 5.0 1.5 -1.5

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 198.8 203.9 -4.9 5.2 2.1 2.6 2.6

Europe................................................. 31.367 262.1 249.8 2.8 4.5 16.4 1.6 -4.7

Asia.................................................... 27.245 163.9 204.4 -11.0 8.3 -0.3 -1.3 24.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.188 191.0 191.7 -13.6 -4.9 -1.0 5.9 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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."

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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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