Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, November 9, 2012 

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

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

USDL-12-2205

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – OCTOBER 2012 

The price index for U.S. imports rose 0.5 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 

today, following increases for each of the previous two months. Higher fuel and nonfuel prices each 

contributed to the October advance. U.S. export prices were unchanged in October after increasing 0.8 

percent in September. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2011 – October 2012 

 Percent change 

-0.4

0.7

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.4

-0.1

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.2 1.1

0.5

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Oct'11 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'12

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2011 – October 2012

 Percent change

11.1

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.8

-0.8

-2.5 -3.3

-1.8

-0.5

0.4

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Oct'11 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'12
 

All Imports: Import prices rose for the third consecutive month in October, increasing 0.5 percent after a 

1.1 percent advance in September and a 1.2 percent rise in August. This upturn was largely driven by higher 

fuel prices, although nonfuel prices also increased in October and September. Led by the recent advances, 

overall import prices ticked up 0.4 percent for the year ended in October, which was the first 12-month rise 

in import prices since April. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices increased 1.2 percent in October following advances of 4.5 percent in September 

and 6.1 percent in August. Prior to August, fuel prices had trended down overall in 2012. The recent 

increases helped drive the price index for import fuel up 1.0 percent over the past 12 months. Both the 

October increase in fuel prices and the advance over the past year were led by higher petroleum prices, 

which rose 1.3 percent for the month and 1.9 percent for the year ended in October. A 4.9 percent increase 

in natural gas prices also contributed to the October advance in fuel prices. Despite the October rise, natural 

gas prices fell 20.5 percent for the October 2011-12 period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports advanced 0.3 percent in October 

following a 0.2 percent rise the previous month. Those were the first monthly increases for the index since 

April, and each of the major finished goods categories contributed to the rise in October. Nonfuel import 

prices also rose over the past 12 months, ticking up 0.1 percent. Rising prices for finished goods over the 

year more than offset lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and 

beverages. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2011 – October 2012

 Percent change 

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.3 0.5 0.8

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

0.9 0.8

0.0

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Oct'11 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'12

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2011 – October 2012 

 Percent change

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.6

1.8

1.1 0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3 -0.9 -0.6

1.4

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

Oct'11 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct'12

All Exports: Export prices recorded no change in October as rising nonagricultural prices were offset by a 

downturn in prices for agricultural exports. The price index for overall exports had risen in each of the 

previous three months, advancing 2.1 percent overall for the third quarter of 2012. Prices for overall exports 

increased 1.4 percent over the past year, the first 12-month advance for the index since April. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices declined 1.9 percent in October, led by a 10.4 percent 

drop in soybeans prices. The October drop in agricultural prices followed increases of 1.2 percent, 4.7 

percent, and 6.0 percent in the three previous months and the index advanced 11.6 percent for the year 

ended in October. 12-month advances of 37.1 percent for soybeans prices, 26.0 percent for corn prices, and 

20.2 percent for wheat prices all contributed to the year-over-year rise in agricultural prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports increased a relatively 

modest 0.2 percent in October after a 0.7 percent advance the previous month that was driven by a 4.5 

percent rise in fuel prices. In contrast, fuel prices in October declined 0.8 percent. Prices for nonagricultural 

exports advanced 0.2 percent over the past year. 

 

3
4

SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China fell 0.3 percent in October, the largest monthly 

drop for the index since a 0.4 percent decline in April. The October decrease followed a 0.2 percent decline 

in September and for the second consecutive month was driven by lower prices for computer and electronic 

products, down 0.4 percent in October after declining 0.6 percent the previous month. Prices for imports 

from China decreased 0.4 percent over the past year, the first 12-month decline for the index since August 

2010. In contrast, import prices from the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Japan all rose in October. 

Import prices from the European Union increased 0.6 percent in October, paralleling a recent rise in the 

Euro relative to the U.S. dollar. Prices for imports from Canada rose 0.5 percent in October, while import 

prices from Mexico advanced 0.4 percent. The price index for imports from Japan increased 0.3 percent, the 

largest rise since the index advanced a similar 0.3 percent in August 2011. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices rose 1.1 

percent in October following a 0.2 percent decline the previous month, led by a 4.4 percent advance in 

unfinished metals prices. 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods indexes advanced in October. Consumer goods 

prices rose 0.2 percent, led by a 0.7 percent increase for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. The 

price index for automotive vehicles advanced 0.3 percent driven by a 0.6 percent increase in prices for 

passenger cars. Prices for capital goods also rose in October, ticking up 0.1 percent. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices advanced 0.2 percent in October after 

rising 1.7 percent in September. Despite the recent increases, prices for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.8 

percent over the past 12 months. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 2.0 percent in October following declines in each 

of the previous three months. The October advance was led by a 3.7 percent increase in European fares. 

Overall, import air passenger fares advanced 3.1 percent between October 2011 and October 2012. The 

price index for import air freight increased 1.3 percent in October, while decreasing 2.7 percent over the 

past year. 

Export Prices 

 

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

supplies and materials increased 0.5 percent in October following a 1.8 percent advance the previous month. 

The October increase was led by a 5.4 percent rise in nonferrous metals prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were flat overall in October. Capital goods prices and prices for 

consumer goods each ticked up 0.1 percent, while the price index for automotive vehicles edged down 0.1 

percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 2.2 percent in October after decreasing 12.4 

percent in September. Those declines drove the index down 2.5 percent over the past year. Prices for export 

air freight advanced 1.6 percent in October and 2.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for November 2012 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

December 12, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2011 to

October 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 141.0 141.7 0.4 -0.7 1.2 1.1 0.5

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 71.057 103.2 103.5 0.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 77.126 115.9 116.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 76.156 120.3 120.7 0.1 -0.4 -0.2 0.2 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.099 171.8 172.2 -0.8 -1.0 -0.6 1.7 0.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.977 194.7 195.0 0.1 -1.0 -0.6 2.3 0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.122 120.2 120.6 -4.0 -1.3 -0.7 -0.2 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 36.888 256.7 259.8 -0.1 -1.9 3.7 2.8 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.013 162.9 164.8 -3.6 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.043 186.8 188.9 -2.5 -1.8 -0.3 -0.2 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.673 174.8 178.7 -3.2 -1.0 -0.5 0.4 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.370 148.9 148.6 -4.2 -1.6 0.5 -0.7 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 23.846 345.3 349.6 1.0 -2.0 6.1 4.5 1.2

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 22.876 388.0 393.0 1.9 -2.4 6.2 4.7 1.3

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.195 396.8 402.5 3.2 -3.6 6.4 4.5 1.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.676 91.9 95.3 -18.7 10.2 4.5 0.4 3.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.568 77.3 81.1 -20.5 12.4 5.3 -0.3 4.9

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.587 112.9 112.7 -3.9 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.872 175.6 174.7 -1.0 -3.4 0.2 -1.0 -0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.049 141.0 141.3 8.4 0.5 0.6 0.9 0.2

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.513 256.9 268.1 -8.2 -2.0 -1.0 0.5 4.4

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.534 161.7 163.8 0.9 0.1 -0.4 0.2 1.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.488 114.1 114.1 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.283 93.3 93.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.893 119.3 119.5 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.738 86.3 86.3 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.652 133.7 133.8 4.9 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.635 114.8 115.2 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.096 107.2 107.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.601 114.6 114.8 0.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.231 99.5 99.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.264 115.5 115.6 0.4 -0.8 -2.5 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: October 2011 to

October 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.5 134.5 1.4 0.4 0.9 0.8 0.0

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.974 229.7 225.4 11.6 6.0 4.7 1.2 -1.9

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.205 102.6 102.9 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.025 127.6 127.9 0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.7 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 11.070 231.4 227.3 14.2 6.5 4.5 1.0 -1.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 10.350 235.8 231.3 15.0 7.0 4.8 1.1 -1.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.720 191.9 192.9 4.4 0.5 1.1 -0.6 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.933 183.4 184.2 -1.1 -0.4 1.4 1.8 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.953 183.4 187.0 -1.6 -0.5 -0.5 1.0 2.0

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.979 184.3 183.5 -0.8 -0.2 2.5 2.2 -0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.624 201.1 197.2 -6.0 -0.1 4.3 1.9 -1.9

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.309 183.0 184.0 -0.8 -0.4 1.2 1.8 0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.724 273.2 270.9 0.7 0.7 4.6 4.5 -0.8

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.643 171.3 173.2 -1.5 -0.8 0.1 0.9 1.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.942 118.8 117.9 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.8

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.185 105.6 105.7 1.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.516 113.9 114.2 0.4 -0.7 0.1 0.3 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.744 94.8 94.9 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.925 149.2 149.2 2.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.169 113.2 113.1 1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.642 116.7 116.8 -0.1 -0.6 0.0 0.3 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.888 115.3 115.8 1.8 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.341 114.8 114.3 0.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.3 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: October 2011 to

October 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 20.354 168.1 170.7 1.1 -3.0 5.5 4.4 1.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.851 173.3 175.2 -1.9 -1.5 -1.1 3.5 1.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.336 182.9 183.3 -0.3 -1.5 -0.3 4.5 0.2

Mining.............................................. 21 18.503 167.2 169.9 1.5 -3.1 6.2 4.5 1.6

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.329 144.5 140.2 -9.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.8 -3.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 79.185 117.8 118.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.760 123.7 123.4 -0.1 -0.8 -0.2 -0.6 -0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.951 155.2 154.1 -1.0 -2.9 -0.4 -1.5 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.844 111.8 112.0 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.4 0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.405 102.4 102.4 – 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.868 115.6 115.7 -2.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.046 110.9 110.7 -0.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.646 120.7 120.7 4.6 0.6 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.138 140.5 140.6 -0.1 0.0 1.6 1.3 0.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.641 119.9 120.1 11.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.085 110.7 110.6 -1.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.865 178.8 179.4 -0.4 2.7 5.6 4.7 0.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.727 134.4 134.3 -0.9 -1.3 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.894 127.5 127.7 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.837 130.3 129.7 1.6 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 50.287 109.6 110.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.087 169.4 176.8 -6.5 -1.8 -1.2 0.4 4.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.555 130.0 130.5 1.8 0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.4

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.637 121.3 121.9 2.3 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.5

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.451 82.3 82.3 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.838 118.4 118.4 1.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.304 112.0 112.3 2.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.312 113.7 113.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.2 0.3 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.104 120.9 121.0 -1.0 -0.1 -1.1 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: October 2011 to

October 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.968 180.4 174.5 5.1 8.0 4.9 0.6 -3.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 7.121 224.9 217.0 16.4 10.1 6.0 1.2 -3.5

Crop production................................. 111 6.670 234.5 225.4 17.7 11.0 5.5 1.7 -3.9

Mining.............................................. 21 1.847 94.2 91.9 -23.5 1.0 1.3 -2.0 -2.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.319 117.4 109.2 -24.2 -0.3 0.1 -1.5 -7.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.190 121.4 121.7 1.2 -0.2 0.5 0.8 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.245 150.0 150.4 3.7 -0.1 1.4 0.9 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.058 171.9 172.8 4.7 -0.2 1.6 1.1 0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.604 128.4 127.5 11.7 1.3 3.4 2.2 -0.7

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.425 122.8 122.8 6.2 -0.2 0.0 1.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.542 135.6 135.8 2.2 -0.5 1.7 2.0 0.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.399 114.2 113.4 -0.8 -0.4 0.5 0.0 -0.7

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.826 119.6 119.3 -3.6 0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.548 178.0 178.2 9.4 0.5 5.5 6.0 0.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.838 131.1 131.4 0.2 -1.1 0.7 0.8 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.183 118.5 118.3 1.8 -0.3 -0.1 1.0 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.747 111.7 111.9 0.7 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.404 113.0 113.4 0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.675 168.9 175.6 -3.7 -0.5 -1.3 1.9 4.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.645 131.9 132.3 3.2 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.026 120.8 120.9 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.147 89.1 89.2 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.186 112.5 112.7 0.7 -0.6 0.1 0.3 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.313 117.0 117.0 1.9 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.296 103.1 104.5 – 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.115 122.5 121.8 -2.2 -0.9 -0.1 0.7 -0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: October 2011 to

October 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.125 160.9 161.4 -3.8 -1.2 -1.7 0.5 0.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.274 219.4 217.7 3.8 1.2 0.9 0.4 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.568 112.6 112.8 -10.1 -2.4 -1.6 -1.2 0.2

Vegetable products................................ II 1.695 215.6 212.9 1.3 -3.4 -0.5 1.5 -1.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.374 373.5 380.5 19.7 -6.1 -1.9 25.8 1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.456 115.2 112.2 -2.0 -0.8 -0.4 -0.9 -2.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.398 260.0 261.7 -9.9 2.2 -1.0 -3.8 0.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.250 127.8 126.4 -2.2 -2.5 -1.4 1.8 -1.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.380 157.6 158.0 0.1 -0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.182 84.5 86.9 -7.9 -4.8 3.9 1.1 2.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.231 128.8 129.8 3.3 1.2 0.3 0.5 0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.343 169.9 167.6 2.7 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 -1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.796 122.0 122.4 -0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.4 0.3

Mineral products.................................... V 23.540 347.6 352.0 1.2 -2.0 6.0 4.5 1.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 23.234 343.9 348.5 1.4 -2.0 6.1 4.6 1.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.302 150.5 150.7 0.5 -0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.988 397.4 393.3 2.9 1.8 1.2 0.6 -1.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.435 138.5 139.1 0.8 0.1 0.5 -0.3 0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.019 117.0 118.3 1.7 -0.4 0.0 0.1 1.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.433 136.4 134.7 -10.3 -12.6 0.1 0.0 -1.2

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.180 103.5 93.2 – -1.5 -0.3 0.0 -10.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.416 125.4 126.1 -0.1 0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.6

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.469 101.8 100.7 -5.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.070 151.1 151.9 -1.0 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.868 142.8 142.9 0.3 -1.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.202 167.1 169.0 -3.1 -0.7 -0.2 -0.5 1.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.586 126.2 126.2 2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.539 126.9 126.9 3.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.675 145.4 146.0 12.1 1.2 1.0 1.1 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.189 113.7 113.7 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.178 99.8 98.6 – -0.1 -1.9 -2.1 -1.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.795 108.5 108.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.4

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.175 114.5 114.3 -1.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.993 104.8 104.4 -2.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2011 to

October 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.908 117.3 117.2 0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.629 108.5 108.6 -3.9 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.348 120.1 120.0 4.3 0.7 0.6 -0.1 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.150 119.6 119.5 4.6 0.8 0.8 0.0 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.758 132.4 132.1 1.4 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.245 126.5 125.3 1.1 0.2 -0.2 0.8 -0.9

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.227 142.1 142.2 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.287 127.1 127.1 2.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.240 199.4 208.1 1.0 -0.2 -1.6 2.0 4.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.729 183.9 185.5 -4.5 -1.4 -0.5 -0.6 0.9

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.055 227.7 220.5 -13.6 -2.4 -1.4 -2.1 -3.2

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.402 159.7 159.7 -1.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.438 342.7 365.1 1.9 -4.2 1.5 0.9 6.5

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.123 95.0 101.6 -13.9 -2.3 -1.2 -2.5 6.9

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.671 132.6 138.1 -6.3 -2.0 -1.1 -0.6 4.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.363 128.6 128.1 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 -0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.412 136.2 135.3 2.7 0.0 0.4 0.1 -0.7

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.747 85.9 85.9 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.509 90.1 90.1 1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.238 81.8 81.9 -1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.249 116.2 116.6 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.452 115.2 115.7 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.4

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.703 118.0 118.1 2.0 0.4 0.0 -0.6 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.199 104.0 104.3 -0.9 0.2 -0.6 0.1 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.944 101.4 101.7 -1.3 0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.195 130.1 130.9 2.3 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.685 112.4 112.8 1.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.4

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.972 116.6 116.8 1.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.512 104.5 105.0 0.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.202 135.5 135.7 1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.9 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: October 2011 to

October 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.921 207.0 212.0 1.8 -0.9 5.1 -1.9 2.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.128 166.6 168.6 -1.2 -1.3 1.2 0.8 1.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.427 208.6 209.9 5.5 -0.5 1.5 -0.7 0.6

Vegetable products................................ II 6.701 287.0 276.7 21.9 11.2 5.3 1.6 -3.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.846 136.7 143.0 15.3 -2.4 -2.4 2.9 4.6

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.566 335.8 332.5 21.2 17.4 9.4 -1.1 -1.0

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.685 335.4 304.5 32.6 14.0 5.4 4.4 -9.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.466 147.2 143.4 -5.0 -2.1 -0.3 1.7 -2.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.860 166.7 167.4 9.8 0.9 3.0 1.6 0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.310 112.5 110.8 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.3 -1.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.381 109.9 110.9 5.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.9

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.927 281.6 285.1 28.8 3.8 8.2 5.0 1.2

Mineral products.................................... V 8.667 320.4 317.8 0.0 -0.1 4.4 4.1 -0.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.079 317.8 314.8 0.3 0.0 4.8 4.4 -0.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.126 154.6 155.0 0.5 -0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.996 185.2 183.3 -6.1 0.8 -0.1 0.4 -1.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.376 165.5 166.5 1.2 -2.1 1.6 0.8 0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.134 124.6 125.1 0.6 -0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.759 136.8 136.3 2.0 0.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.463 123.0 123.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.760 153.8 153.5 2.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.418 148.7 148.7 -1.5 -1.7 0.8 1.4 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.362 140.0 139.9 -0.5 -1.7 1.0 1.7 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.056 189.6 189.5 -5.6 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.370 131.8 133.1 2.1 -0.1 1.6 -0.2 1.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.543 110.9 110.6 1.2 -0.3 0.0 0.8 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.234 114.5 115.8 -7.1 -0.2 -1.5 -1.1 1.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.562 111.2 113.6 -22.0 -1.3 -6.4 -4.5 2.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.219 117.2 117.4 -1.3 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2

Printed material.................................... 49 0.453 121.3 124.3 4.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 2.5

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.894 126.2 124.6 -8.3 -0.3 0.8 0.6 -1.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.533 134.4 130.1 -29.0 -2.0 2.8 1.1 -3.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.737 117.8 119.0 1.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.397 98.5 98.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2011 to

October 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.229 280.2 289.9 -2.0 -0.9 -1.2 3.1 3.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.372 170.8 171.5 -2.7 -0.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.4

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.558 199.0 195.5 -12.8 -3.1 0.6 -2.5 -1.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.350 173.1 173.1 1.1 0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.638 247.2 257.9 10.4 1.5 -1.5 2.0 4.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.805 124.2 127.1 -2.0 -1.0 -0.2 0.6 2.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.381 131.7 133.1 3.7 1.9 0.1 0.0 1.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.336 146.0 146.0 7.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.335 96.9 96.9 0.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.932 110.6 110.6 1.9 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.403 82.1 82.1 -1.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.885 126.9 126.8 2.0 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.192 113.0 113.0 1.7 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.761 106.2 106.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.336 110.3 110.7 1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.691 120.0 120.9 1.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.8

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.514 90.9 90.9 1.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: October 2011 to October 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June 2012

to July

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Sept. 2012

to Oct.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 131.5 132.1 -0.4 -0.6 0.3 1.3 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.583 227.2 229.6 -1.9 -2.2 6.0 8.1 1.1

Manufactured articles......................... 86.791 123.7 124.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.5 0.4

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 140.9 141.4 0.5 -0.7 1.5 0.9 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 25.329 355.1 361.3 2.3 -3.3 5.5 3.3 1.7

Manufactured articles......................... 74.323 111.6 111.4 -0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2

Canada............................................ 100.000 151.1 151.8 -1.0 -1.7 1.7 2.6 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 29.113 213.1 215.7 -3.1 -2.6 5.2 8.2 1.2

Manufactured articles......................... 69.865 138.6 139.0 -0.1 -1.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

European Union4

............................... 100.000 134.3 135.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 2.364 377.5 382.1 3.3 -0.4 11.2 0.1 1.2

Manufactured articles......................... 97.423 130.5 131.3 -1.6 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 119.8 119.7 -0.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 114.3 114.7 -0.8 0.1 -0.4 0.3 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 134.5 135.3 1.7 -0.2 1.5 0.4 0.6

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 179.0 180.3 1.3 -0.3 1.9 1.6 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 35.716 387.0 393.7 4.8 -0.3 5.4 4.1 1.7

Manufactured articles......................... 63.837 133.7 134.0 -0.9 -0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 145.7 146.3 -0.2 -0.1 1.0 0.8 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 21.618 206.5 210.9 4.7 -0.5 6.5 3.4 2.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 78.045 94.7 94.6 -1.7 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 104.3 104.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.7 104.4 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Japan.............................................. 100.000 102.8 103.1 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 91.0 91.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 104.6 104.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 262.6 265.7 -4.0 -5.1 3.2 -0.8 1.2

1 Relative figures are based on 2010 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: October

2011 to October 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20121

Index Percent change

Sept.

2012

Oct.

2012

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2011

to Oct.

2012

June 2012

to July

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 173.9 176.2 -2.7 -1.4 -1.6 0.3 1.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.546 157.7 164.4 -5.8 -2.7 -0.9 1.0 4.2

Asia.................................................... 71.907 155.7 156.5 -1.7 -1.1 -2.0 0.1 0.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.8 149.2 2.7 -2.2 -1.0 2.5 1.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.080 132.2 130.5 -1.0 -1.6 -1.0 1.7 -1.3

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 163.2 165.3 1.2 -1.0 -0.3 1.4 1.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.946 145.2 150.3 -1.8 -1.4 -1.0 1.4 3.5

Asia.................................................... 64.860 149.7 150.6 2.4 -0.9 -0.1 1.4 0.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 146.8 147.8 2.3 -2.8 0.0 1.4 0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.754 164.3 162.5 -0.8 -1.2 0.1 0.7 -1.1

Asia.................................................... 49.359 138.7 140.1 3.8 -4.2 -0.1 1.8 1.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 179.8 183.4 3.1 -3.2 -5.5 -1.6 2.0

Europe................................................. 40.000 191.2 198.2 6.3 -7.1 -8.0 0.6 3.7

Asia.................................................... 26.651 152.6 152.1 0.5 -1.2 -3.5 -5.4 -0.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 10.891 156.8 159.2 -6.9 1.3 -2.0 -9.1 1.5

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 187.9 183.7 -2.5 4.8 0.8 -12.4 -2.2

Europe................................................. 27.261 219.2 212.6 -7.4 1.1 -5.3 -9.8 -3.0

Asia.................................................... 28.280 170.2 166.9 -2.7 3.2 24.4 -25.9 -1.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.300 221.2 216.8 15.6 6.0 -6.6 -0.3 -2.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 

the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More detailed index series 

and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 

from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 

priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 

Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 

represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP 

Publications."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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