Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, October 14, 2011 

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

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USDL-11-1470

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

U.S. import prices rose 0.3 percent in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over 

the past five months, import prices have shown little net change. Export prices increased 0.4 percent in 

September after advancing 0.5 percent the previous month. 

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

 Percent change 

0.0

1.1

1.7

1.4 1.5 1.7

3.0

2.6

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.2

0.3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

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

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

 Percent change

3.6 3.9 4.1

5.3 5.6

7.6

10.3

11.9

12.9

13.6 13.7

13.0 13.4

0

4

8

12

16

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

All Imports: Import prices advanced 0.3 percent in September after falling 0.2 percent the previous month. 

Overall, import prices have not changed by more than 0.6 percent in any month since rising 2.6 percent in 

April. Higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the September advance. The price 

index for overall imports increased 13.4 percent over the past 12 months, led by a sharp rise in fuel prices. A 

5.5 percent advance in nonfuel prices also contributed to the overall increase. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices ticked up 0.1 percent in September, but declined in three of the past five months, 

falling 4.1 percent over that period. Despite the recent decreases, fuel prices rose 43.4 percent for the year 

ended in September. For September, import petroleum prices advanced 0.3 percent after falling 1.6 percent 

in August. Petroleum prices increased 45.9 percent over the past 12 months. Natural gas prices declined 4.8 

percent in September, yet rose 9.2 percent for the September 2010-11 period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports increased 0.2 percent in September. Rising nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials prices were the largest contributor to the higher nonfuel prices, although 

foods, feeds, and beverages prices and prices for each of the major finished goods categories all recorded 

increases for the month. The price index for nonfuel imports rose 5.5 percent over the past year. The largest 

previous year-over-year advance was 6.1 percent for the year ended September 2008. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

0.6

0.8

1.5

0.7

1.3 1.3

1.5

0.8

0.4

0.1

-0.3

0.5 0.4

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

4.9

5.8

6.5 6.5 7.0

8.7

9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1 9.9 9.6 9.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

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

All Exports: Export prices increased 0.4 percent in September after rising a similar 0.5 percent in August, 

resuming an upward trend following a 0.3 percent downturn in July. Higher prices for agricultural and 

nonagricultural exports each contributed to the advance. Prices for U.S. exports rose 9.5 percent over the 

past year. Despite increasing in August and September, the 12-month increase in export prices is less than 

the recent peak of 10.1 percent recorded in June. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose 1.6 percent in September after a 2.1 percent 

increase the previous month. For the second consecutive month, higher prices for wheat, corn, and 

soybeans, up 13.3 percent, 5.2 percent, and 3.6 percent, respectively, in September drove the overall 

advance. Agricultural prices increased 22.9 percent over the past year, led by rising prices for corn, 

soybeans, wheat, and cotton. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports advanced 0.3 percent for 

the second consecutive month in September. The increase was led by higher prices for nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials, while finished goods prices were mixed. Prices for nonagricultural exports 

rose 8.0 percent over the past year. 

 

3
4

SELECTED SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials increased 

0.7 percent in September following a 0.9 percent advance the previous month. A 0.9 percent advance in 

unfinished metals prices was the largest contributor to the September rise in the price index for nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials prices. Higher prices for gold and other precious metals more than offset 

price declines for aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc, and tin. 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices rose 0.3 percent for the fourth consecutive month in September. 

Prices for consumer goods advanced 2.4 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since a 2.8 

percent rise for the year ended October 2008. The price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles 

each increased in September, ticking up 0.1 percent. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages advanced 0.5 percent in September 

after declining 0.7 percent in August. Coffee prices, which fell 12.7 percent in August, rose 11.4 percent in 

September. The overall price index for foods, feeds, and beverages increased 14.4 percent over the past 12 

months. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China and the European Union each increased in 

September, ticking up 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. Prices for imports from China rose 3.8 

percent over the past year, the largest 12-month advance since the index increased 4.3 percent in October 

2008. In contrast, prices for imports from Canada fell 0.6 percent in September, while import prices from 

Japan and Mexico were unchanged. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger rates declined 2.1 percent in September following a 3.0 

percent drop in August. The decrease was driven by a 7.9 percent fall in Latin American/Caribbean fares 

and a 3.4 percent decline in Asian fares. Import air freight prices edged down 0.1 percent in September after 

decreasing 0.2 percent in each of the two previous months. 

Export Prices 

 

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

supplies and materials rose 0.8 percent in September, similar to the 0.7 percent advance the previous month. 

Higher prices for nonferrous metals and steelmaking materials, up 5.1 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively, 

drove the September rise. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each increased 0.3 percent in 

September, while capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent for the month. The price index for consumer 

goods rose 5.1 percent over the past year. Automotive vehicles prices advanced 2.5 percent over the same 

period. 

Transportation Services: The index for export air passenger fares dropped 12.9 percent in September after 

an 8.5 percent increase the previous month. The September decrease was led by lower Asian and European 

fares, down 17.3 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively. In contrast, export air freight prices rose 0.5 

percent, the first increase since a 3.6 percent increase in May. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for October 2011 are scheduled for release on Thursday, 

November 10, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2010 to

September 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.1 142.5 13.4 -0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 67.468 103.4 103.7 – 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 74.618 116.9 117.1 5.5 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 73.158 120.7 121.0 5.5 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.690 174.5 175.4 14.4 -1.7 0.6 -0.7 0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.433 196.4 197.6 15.5 -2.4 0.4 -0.7 0.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.257 125.1 125.2 10.8 0.5 1.4 -0.9 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 40.131 265.0 265.7 32.8 -1.7 0.2 -0.6 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.749 174.4 174.8 15.8 -0.5 0.1 1.0 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.289 195.6 196.9 16.6 -0.4 0.5 0.9 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.132 188.3 189.9 16.9 -1.2 0.4 1.6 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.157 158.3 157.5 14.5 0.5 -0.4 0.4 -0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 26.842 354.1 354.4 43.4 -2.3 0.1 -1.4 0.1

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 25.382 392.5 393.6 45.9 -2.4 0.3 -1.6 0.3

Crude.......................................... 10000 18.483 392.7 396.9 43.5 -2.3 -0.8 -3.3 1.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.121 133.6 127.7 7.6 -0.4 -2.5 2.7 -4.4

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.998 118.2 112.5 9.2 -0.5 -3.0 3.0 -4.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.631 118.3 117.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.8 -1.7 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.606 175.0 175.9 19.1 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.048 131.2 131.8 5.8 -1.5 1.1 0.4 0.5

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.004 303.2 305.9 25.3 -2.5 -0.2 2.3 0.9

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.590 164.5 166.4 12.7 0.5 0.5 1.6 1.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.410 115.5 116.2 7.9 0.9 0.6 0.4 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 20.770 92.9 93.0 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.670 118.7 119.0 5.6 0.1 1.0 0.3 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.289 86.4 86.5 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.811 126.3 126.3 3.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.208 113.2 113.3 3.7 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.201 106.4 106.7 2.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.888 112.7 112.8 2.5 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.285 99.8 100.1 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.028 114.0 114.8 11.5 2.2 2.2 -0.3 0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2010 to

September 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.8 135.4 9.5 0.1 -0.3 0.5 0.4

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.626 213.0 216.5 22.9 0.8 -4.0 2.1 1.6

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.433 103.6 103.9 – 0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.375 129.2 129.6 8.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.549 210.1 214.3 22.7 1.5 -3.5 3.3 2.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.807 213.2 217.7 22.6 1.4 -4.1 3.5 2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.742 184.6 185.4 24.1 2.6 5.1 0.6 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.166 192.1 193.4 18.9 -0.7 -0.2 0.4 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.504 192.4 196.8 17.8 0.2 -0.5 1.6 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.663 192.8 192.5 19.7 -1.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.819 215.3 213.4 23.2 -2.4 -3.5 -5.0 -0.9

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 33.348 191.4 192.9 18.8 -0.6 0.0 0.7 0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.019 285.0 285.8 34.1 -1.3 0.8 -0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.481 179.9 181.7 15.0 -0.2 -0.3 1.1 1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.848 115.3 115.6 -1.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.200 104.6 104.5 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.360 114.1 114.0 4.9 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 23.863 94.3 94.1 -0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.977 144.8 144.9 3.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.676 111.1 111.4 2.5 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.409 117.2 117.5 5.1 1.2 0.5 0.3 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.698 114.9 114.7 1.6 0.0 0.5 0.2 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.336 113.0 113.7 3.5 1.2 0.1 0.2 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2010 to

September 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 22.739 170.8 172.3 38.3 -2.6 -0.7 -2.7 0.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.077 176.6 181.2 18.1 -5.8 0.9 -2.6 2.6

Crop production................................. 111 1.503 182.1 188.5 18.3 -7.0 1.2 -3.2 3.5

Mining.............................................. 21 20.662 169.8 171.1 40.7 -2.2 -0.9 -2.7 0.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.381 158.2 158.1 13.5 -0.1 0.3 1.9 -0.1

Manufactured articles.............................. 76.752 118.6 118.7 7.7 0.0 0.4 0.6 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.931 123.6 123.4 11.3 1.1 0.7 0.7 -0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.308 157.7 156.7 18.3 1.1 0.1 0.6 -0.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.885 111.6 111.8 2.9 0.1 1.3 -0.4 0.2

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.862 117.8 118.2 14.0 0.0 1.0 0.2 0.3

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.047 111.4 111.5 9.6 1.6 1.0 1.2 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.456 114.3 114.2 5.5 0.5 1.0 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 19.131 141.8 141.0 16.1 -0.5 1.4 1.1 -0.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.643 109.0 110.1 8.0 -2.6 1.1 0.6 1.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.158 112.9 112.4 1.9 0.4 0.7 -0.9 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.712 190.0 185.7 53.7 -2.5 4.5 3.5 -2.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.027 133.2 133.4 5.5 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.732 125.1 125.3 7.9 0.5 1.2 0.2 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.769 127.7 127.7 4.5 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 46.690 110.4 110.8 4.0 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.723 195.0 197.3 22.9 -1.8 -0.3 2.1 1.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.476 127.5 129.1 8.4 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.328 119.3 119.4 5.0 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.277 83.2 83.2 -3.6 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.441 116.4 116.5 3.2 0.0 0.6 0.3 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.280 109.8 109.9 3.5 0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.194 111.7 112.1 5.4 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.971 122.1 122.8 8.9 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2010 to

September 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 9.291 180.0 182.4 26.1 -0.1 -4.0 1.9 1.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.793 204.3 208.6 33.0 0.7 -6.3 2.5 2.1

Crop production................................. 111 6.343 211.4 216.3 33.7 0.8 -7.0 2.4 2.3

Mining.............................................. 21 2.498 126.5 125.3 11.0 -2.3 2.5 0.4 -0.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.683 149.4 147.4 10.7 -1.2 5.1 1.5 -1.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.024 121.1 121.4 7.6 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.336 145.2 146.2 13.3 0.2 -0.1 0.8 0.7

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.106 163.9 165.7 14.4 0.4 0.6 1.3 1.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.535 114.6 115.8 2.8 2.2 -2.9 -0.8 1.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.406 114.2 114.2 8.1 2.4 0.3 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.824 136.4 136.4 13.5 -0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.377 113.8 115.0 1.1 -0.9 -0.8 -0.4 1.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.956 125.7 124.7 0.6 -1.3 -0.5 0.6 -0.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.115 174.4 176.0 44.7 -1.6 0.2 -0.8 0.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.706 133.5 133.1 8.7 -0.2 0.4 0.5 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.992 115.0 115.1 6.7 0.4 2.3 0.7 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.679 110.2 111.0 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.864 112.7 113.1 4.3 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.212 182.3 187.9 26.6 0.3 0.1 1.7 3.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.458 128.0 127.7 5.3 -0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.332 117.7 117.7 2.4 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.541 89.5 89.3 -2.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.055 113.2 113.3 4.6 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.829 114.4 114.6 2.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.139 124.0 124.3 11.4 3.7 0.3 0.3 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2010 to

September 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.317 167.3 166.0 12.2 -1.4 0.9 -1.1 -0.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.316 214.7 209.1 14.1 -2.1 0.0 2.3 -2.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.700 125.6 124.6 10.3 -0.2 1.0 -2.0 -0.8

Vegetable products................................ II 1.819 210.8 216.9 21.8 -5.3 1.4 -1.3 2.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.318 316.0 341.2 8.6 -18.8 -0.6 6.0 8.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.549 129.2 123.4 10.2 -3.6 3.4 0.3 -4.5

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.454 268.5 294.7 46.3 -3.1 2.0 -9.7 9.8

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.313 143.6 137.7 22.9 1.6 -7.8 -0.8 -4.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.579 158.1 157.8 10.2 1.4 0.8 0.0 -0.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.214 99.3 98.7 4.7 -2.8 -0.3 0.6 -0.6

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.259 128.2 127.7 2.6 0.4 -0.7 0.2 -0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.373 162.8 159.8 23.4 2.0 0.6 0.9 -1.8

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.857 121.8 122.1 3.5 0.0 1.8 -0.7 0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 26.391 355.5 355.8 42.6 -2.3 0.1 -1.4 0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 26.029 351.3 351.6 43.0 -2.3 0.1 -1.5 0.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.674 147.6 148.0 5.9 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.099 373.8 378.5 32.4 0.1 -1.6 -0.3 1.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.802 138.3 138.5 3.7 0.0 0.4 0.7 0.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.053 111.6 111.5 -5.7 0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.308 153.1 157.4 57.4 10.3 7.8 2.2 2.8

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.419 126.4 126.5 6.7 -0.4 1.2 -0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.491 107.9 107.1 14.1 -0.6 1.0 -0.9 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.911 152.6 153.2 10.9 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.787 141.6 142.4 7.6 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.124 173.8 173.9 16.6 0.5 1.2 0.1 0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.528 121.9 121.8 5.8 0.7 0.9 -0.1 -0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.483 122.1 122.1 6.0 0.7 0.9 -0.2 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.676 131.6 132.9 8.0 -2.3 1.1 0.5 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.261 115.4 115.0 1.0 0.2 0.6 -0.9 -0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.845 109.3 109.0 2.8 0.6 0.7 -0.2 -0.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.204 115.5 115.7 11.5 1.2 1.0 1.3 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.998 106.9 106.9 7.8 2.2 0.9 -0.3 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.948 116.6 116.8 13.5 0.9 1.1 4.1 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.642 111.6 112.6 17.3 -0.5 1.0 -0.1 0.9

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.207 113.7 113.8 5.1 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

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

September 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.031 112.9 112.8 4.8 0.5 0.9 0.1 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.699 129.3 129.2 4.0 -0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.241 122.5 122.1 3.3 0.0 0.3 0.5 -0.3

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.203 141.2 141.2 2.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.256 123.2 123.4 6.6 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.141 204.6 215.2 33.4 -0.5 0.2 3.2 5.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.159 202.2 199.8 10.3 -1.0 0.2 0.7 -1.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.960 263.6 265.3 16.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.537 160.8 161.9 6.5 0.7 0.1 0.4 0.7

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.611 419.4 397.7 19.4 -3.5 3.2 3.5 -5.2

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.165 132.9 126.5 3.4 -6.4 -5.4 5.2 -4.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.895 154.6 150.7 11.1 -1.3 -0.7 -0.8 -2.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.313 123.5 124.2 5.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.359 131.8 131.8 3.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 22.887 85.8 85.8 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.352 88.5 88.7 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.535 83.1 83.1 -1.4 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 8.592 114.7 114.8 3.9 0.6 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.638 113.9 114.0 4.1 0.6 -0.3 0.3 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.866 115.9 115.9 1.9 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.102 105.4 105.6 4.6 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.862 103.0 103.2 4.6 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.178 128.6 129.6 5.8 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.8

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.460 110.6 110.8 3.8 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.704 114.2 114.6 4.5 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.553 103.3 103.5 2.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.203 133.1 133.7 9.2 3.3 0.1 0.0 0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2010 to

September 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.087 212.2 208.9 19.0 -2.3 3.0 6.1 -1.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.208 163.5 167.3 16.4 -1.9 1.2 1.4 2.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.430 200.2 201.1 28.3 1.4 6.0 0.8 0.4

Vegetable products................................ II 5.985 248.1 256.5 31.1 2.2 -6.6 3.6 3.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.958 132.1 122.3 3.8 2.6 -1.3 1.8 -7.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.373 301.4 325.7 50.4 3.2 -12.6 8.0 8.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.133 263.7 271.9 30.8 2.3 -3.6 2.1 3.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.537 160.2 161.3 46.0 2.5 -0.6 0.0 0.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.625 150.8 152.8 6.9 1.1 -0.9 0.1 1.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.342 109.2 109.2 5.2 0.1 1.0 0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.431 117.7 117.5 -0.8 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.330 105.7 105.8 2.6 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.692 219.2 226.6 14.0 3.0 -4.6 -2.0 3.4

Mineral products.................................... V 8.983 338.4 339.1 33.0 -1.7 0.9 -0.3 0.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.376 334.9 336.4 37.0 -1.5 0.9 -0.4 0.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.877 155.7 155.4 6.6 0.1 0.8 0.3 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.002 196.3 194.1 4.4 -0.5 0.1 0.4 -1.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.371 170.6 170.0 10.4 -0.1 0.5 0.6 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.864 126.1 125.9 1.5 0.0 0.7 0.0 -0.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.563 127.1 127.1 7.3 -0.6 -0.3 0.2 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.758 133.7 134.0 7.5 1.9 1.5 0.4 0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.464 122.8 122.6 -0.2 0.3 -0.9 0.9 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.843 152.7 153.9 7.8 0.7 1.3 0.0 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.308 153.7 153.6 11.1 -0.5 0.9 0.7 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.221 143.4 143.5 9.0 -1.2 0.3 0.3 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.087 202.6 202.0 20.6 2.8 3.2 1.6 -0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.426 135.9 132.8 10.0 -0.6 -1.3 0.2 -2.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.495 108.5 109.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.7 -0.1 0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.698 128.2 127.1 4.1 -0.4 0.4 0.4 -0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.951 155.9 152.6 9.7 -0.9 1.4 0.6 -2.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.265 120.2 119.9 1.4 -0.2 -0.5 0.3 -0.2

Printed material.................................... 49 0.482 119.2 119.2 2.6 -0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.142 139.8 138.1 14.4 -3.7 -2.7 -3.4 -1.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.868 197.0 191.9 29.7 -8.5 -6.2 -8.5 -2.6

See footnotes at end of table.

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

September 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug.

2011 to

Sept.

2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.670 115.8 116.5 0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.6

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.375 99.0 99.0 1.0 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.524 288.2 305.0 41.5 4.0 0.7 3.0 5.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.805 184.4 183.9 12.3 0.0 -1.7 0.3 -0.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.853 230.4 233.5 19.3 0.5 -6.2 0.5 1.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.252 170.3 170.6 7.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.759 291.4 281.7 18.6 0.7 4.2 0.5 -3.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.954 138.4 136.5 10.7 -0.8 -0.9 0.4 -1.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.333 127.4 127.3 2.6 0.2 1.4 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.304 135.7 135.7 9.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.081 96.4 96.4 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.322 108.6 108.5 1.9 0.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 10.759 83.2 83.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.540 123.7 123.9 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 5.921 110.4 110.6 1.9 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.713 105.6 105.6 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.362 108.8 108.7 0.8 0.0 -1.5 0.4 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.655 120.5 120.3 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.8 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.582 89.4 89.4 -3.4 0.0 -3.6 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: September 2010 to September

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept. 2010

to Sept.

2011

May 2011

to June

2011

June 2011

to July

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug. 2011

to Sept.

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 133.7 133.7 7.4 -0.8 0.2 -0.3 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 239.4 239.5 27.3 -3.8 -0.8 -4.2 0.0

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 125.0 125.1 4.9 -0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 141.9 142.3 15.0 -0.4 0.6 -0.1 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 359.0 363.1 43.0 -2.2 -0.6 -1.6 1.1

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 112.4 112.3 6.6 0.3 1.1 0.5 -0.1

Canada............................................ 14.271 157.9 157.0 12.2 -2.1 -0.3 -0.8 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 228.2 228.6 25.6 -4.5 -1.3 -4.4 0.2

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 143.5 142.2 7.3 -0.9 0.1 1.0 -0.9

European Union4

............................... 17.186 136.5 136.7 6.5 0.5 0.6 -0.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 367.9 371.2 47.4 6.0 3.3 -3.0 0.9

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 132.9 133.0 5.6 0.4 0.5 -0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 120.2 120.2 -1.0 0.5 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 115.9 115.9 3.8 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 135.6 136.2 8.1 0.8 0.5 -0.2 0.4

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 180.4 181.0 16.4 -1.2 0.2 -0.7 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 379.4 384.2 37.8 -2.6 -0.7 -2.4 1.3

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 137.5 136.9 5.7 -0.3 0.7 0.4 -0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 147.2 147.2 8.2 -2.0 -0.1 -1.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 202.6 203.4 38.0 -3.6 1.0 -4.2 0.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 96.6 96.4 0.6 -1.5 -0.5 0.0 -0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 104.7 104.8 3.4 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 104.1 104.3 3.8 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.2

Japan.............................................. 6.198 101.7 101.7 2.7 0.0 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Asian NICs7..................................... 5.555 91.9 91.9 3.7 -0.3 -0.5 0.0 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 105.6 105.8 8.7 0.2 0.4 0.7 0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 3.795 270.8 271.7 33.4 -0.6 0.3 -1.4 0.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2010 to September 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20111

Index Percent change

Aug.

2011

Sept.

2011

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2010 to

Sept.

2011

May 2011

to June

2011

June 2011

to July

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Aug. 2011

to Sept.

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 183.6 183.5 12.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.676 171.2 172.4 30.9 -0.9 0.5 1.2 0.7

Asia.................................................... 71.902 163.4 162.9 7.4 -0.2 -0.5 -0.7 -0.3

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 145.8 146.6 16.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.5 0.5

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.769 131.8 132.2 15.7 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 0.3

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 163.2 163.5 11.1 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.647 153.4 154.6 24.2 -0.7 0.3 0.2 0.8

Asia.................................................... 64.148 146.6 146.6 7.0 0.1 -0.7 -0.5 0.0

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 143.0 143.4 16.8 -1.0 -0.3 0.9 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 36.169 160.0 159.3 12.7 -0.6 -0.1 1.0 -0.4

Asia.................................................... 45.588 136.0 137.2 22.9 -1.2 -0.3 1.4 0.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 178.3 174.6 8.5 6.8 -0.1 -3.0 -2.1

Europe................................................. 37.410 182.9 182.9 3.3 11.4 -5.0 -6.6 0.0

Asia.................................................... 26.559 157.3 151.9 8.4 11.7 0.6 -2.2 -3.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 15.301 181.9 167.6 17.4 -1.2 6.1 2.3 -7.9

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 222.4 193.8 12.5 1.8 9.8 8.5 -12.9

Europe................................................. 30.367 262.8 228.8 5.8 13.9 10.6 -1.8 -12.9

Asia.................................................... 32.453 218.2 180.5 10.6 -7.4 8.4 23.4 -17.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 17.220 197.6 193.7 15.2 0.5 8.9 -1.1 -2.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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. 

16