Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-09-248 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 until 8:30 A.M. EDT 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Friday, March 13, 2009 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- FEBRUARY 2009 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index edged down 0.2 percent in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, as declining nonpetroleum prices more than offset an 

upturn in petroleum prices. Export prices also recorded a modest decrease in February, falling 0.1 

percent. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices fell 0.2 percent in February after declining 1.2 percent in January. The index 

decreased every month since July 2008 and fell 12.8 percent for the year ended in February, the largest 

12-month decline since the index was first published in 1982. The February decrease was led by a 0.6 

percent drop in nonpetroleum prices which fell for the seventh consecutive month. Nonpetroleum 

import prices declined 1.9 percent over the past year. In contrast, petroleum prices advanced 3.9 percent 

in February after falling 68.9 percent from July through January. The price index for import petroleum 

fell 52.4 percent for the February 2008-2009 period. 

 

The continued decline in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.0 percent drop in nonpetroleum 

industrial supplies and materials prices. That decrease was driven by a sharp fall in natural gas prices, 

although lower prices for chemicals and some metals also contributed to the decline. The price index 

for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials fell 4.5 percent in January and has not recorded an 

increase since July 2008. Lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages and capital goods also 

contributed to the drop in nonpetroleum prices in February, decreasing 3.2 percent and 0.4 percent, 

respectively. 

In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles rose for the second consecutive month, increasing 0.2 

percent in February following a 0.3 percent advance in January. 

The price index for consumer goods was unchanged in February as price declines for jewelry and 

diamonds were offset by price increases for nonmanufactured consumer goods. Consumer goods prices 

also recorded no change in January. 

Export Goods 

Export prices edged down 0.1 percent in February as a 1.7 percent drop in agricultural prices 

more than offset a 0.1 percent increase in nonagricultural prices. The drop in export prices followed a 

0.5 percent increase in January; however, the index declined in each of the previous five months and 

decreased 4.5 percent for the year ended in February. Agricultural prices fell for the fourth time in the 

past five months in February after rising 6.2 percent in January. The February decrease was led by 

lower prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans, all of which turned down after rising in January. 

Agricultural export prices fell 15.2 percent over the past year, the largest annual decrease since the 

index was first published in 1985. 

Nonagricultural prices ticked up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month in February, the 

first monthly advances for the index since July 2008. Despite the modest upturn, the index declined 3.3 

percent for the February 2008-2009 period. The February increase was driven by a 0.3 percent rise in 

capital goods prices that was led in turn by higher semiconductor prices. The February increase in 

capital goods prices followed a 0.5 percent advance the previous month. 

In contrast, the price indexes for consumer goods, automotive vehicles, and nonagricultural 

supplies and materials all declined in February. Consumer goods prices and prices for automotive 

vehicles each decreased 0.3 percent. The 0.3 percent drop in automotive vehicles prices was the largest 

one-month drop since the index was first published monthly in December 1988. Nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials prices fell 0.1 percent in February, the seventh consecutive month the 

index was down. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Prices for imports from China fell 0.5 percent in February after decreasing in each of the 

previous five months. Despite the recent downward trend, import prices from China rose 1.0 percent for 

the year ended in February. 

 

Import prices from Canada and from Mexico also continued to decline in February, falling 1.6 

percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. Prices for imports from Canada fell for the seventh consecutive 

month, and decreased 14.4 percent over the past year, the largest annual decline since January 2002. 

The price index for imports from Mexico fell 8.6 percent for the February 2008-2009 period. 

In contrast, prices for imports from Japan rose for the fifth consecutive month in February, 

advancing 0.2 percent for the month. The index increased 1.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

The price index for imports from the European Union was unchanged in February and declined 

2.5 percent over the past year. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares decreased 4.6 percent in February following a 5.6 percent drop the 

previous month. The February decrease was led by lower European fares which fell 5.7 percent after 

rising 5.3 percent in January. Despite the recent drop, the index for import air passenger fares rose 8.1 

percent for the year ended in February. Export air passenger fares also decreased in February, falling 

10.7 percent as lower fares from Asia, Europe, and the Latin America/Caribbean region all contributed 

to the overall decrease. Fares for export air passengers decreased 1.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import air freight prices fell 1.1 percent in February, partially attributable to a 2.3 percent drop in 

European air freight prices. The price index for import air freight decreased 4.8 percent over the past 

year. Prices for export air freight declined 3.3 percent in February and 4.0 percent for the February 

2008-2009 period. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Import and Export Price Index data for March 2009 are scheduled for release on April 9, 2009 at 

8:30 A.M. (EDT). 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to

February 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 113.1 112.9 -12.8 -7.4 -4.6 -1.2 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum................ 89.109 109.0 108.3 -1.9 -1.7 -1.1 -0.8 -0.6

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 86.981 111.9 111.5 -1.2 -1.7 -1.1 -0.7 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.096 142.6 138.1 0.2 -4.5 2.2 0.0 -3.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.966 159.5 153.6 0.7 -5.2 3.4 -0.1 -3.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.130 104.4 103.2 -1.1 -2.0 -1.9 0.6 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 27.753 143.8 144.3 -34.1 -18.2 -13.9 -4.4 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 16.862 139.5 136.7 -11.5 -5.2 -4.8 -4.5 -2.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.734 148.8 147.8 -8.7 -5.4 -5.4 -4.1 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.108 138.1 137.6 -9.8 -6.8 -6.2 -2.6 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.626 141.0 135.5 -13.1 -3.1 -3.0 -6.5 -3.9

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 13.018 146.7 148.9 -50.4 -27.8 -22.2 -4.6 1.5

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 10.890 144.5 150.1 -52.4 -30.2 -25.2 -4.2 3.9

Crude.......................................... 10000 7.842 146.9 153.0 -53.8 -31.1 -23.7 -4.6 4.2

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.920 165.8 146.2 -27.6 -3.4 -0.1 -7.2 -11.8

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.726 155.2 134.7 -32.1 -3.8 -0.1 -8.5 -13.2

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.799 110.5 108.9 -4.0 -1.1 -1.7 -2.4 -1.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.925 138.8 137.2 -6.4 -3.2 -4.2 -6.5 -1.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.749 117.1 116.6 2.5 -1.3 -0.6 -0.8 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.543 176.4 176.5 -21.4 -11.6 -11.4 -4.9 0.1

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 2.022 138.4 137.4 -2.3 -5.5 -4.5 -1.7 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.696 107.0 106.4 0.5 -0.5 -1.1 -2.0 -0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 25.318 92.7 92.3 0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.269 111.4 110.9 2.0 -0.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.836 87.5 87.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.5

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.213 121.1 121.0 4.9 0.3 0.0 0.7 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.853 108.1 108.3 1.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 26.980 104.4 104.4 0.9 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.522 108.9 108.9 2.0 -0.1 0.2 0.6 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 13.152 100.1 99.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.4 -0.6 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.306 102.7 104.4 0.3 -2.5 0.4 -0.9 1.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to

February 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 116.4 116.3 -4.5 -3.2 -2.2 0.5 -0.1

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.827 160.0 157.3 -15.2 -6.9 -6.2 6.2 -1.7

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.173 113.3 113.4 -3.3 -2.8 -1.9 0.1 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.337 166.3 163.3 -13.5 -5.8 -5.9 7.3 -1.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.623 168.0 164.6 -15.1 -6.4 -6.2 7.3 -2.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.714 153.4 153.7 6.2 0.3 -3.1 6.8 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 26.909 138.3 138.2 -13.1 -8.4 -5.9 -0.9 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.402 141.3 141.9 -14.3 -6.6 -5.4 0.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.507 137.2 136.6 -12.5 -9.3 -6.2 -1.4 -0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.204 125.5 126.2 -16.2 -9.6 -6.0 -0.5 0.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 25.705 139.2 139.0 -13.1 -8.3 -5.9 -0.9 -0.1

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.741 167.2 163.9 -27.3 -19.1 -14.0 0.5 -2.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 20.911 137.2 137.4 -10.8 -6.4 -4.7 -1.2 0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.053 115.2 115.2 1.2 -0.9 -0.6 0.3 0.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.194 102.0 102.3 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.5 0.3

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.787 107.8 107.5 -0.7 -0.5 -0.3 -1.0 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.527 93.4 93.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.4

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.880 134.5 135.0 5.7 -0.1 0.5 2.1 0.4

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.489 108.4 108.1 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.071 109.3 109.0 1.5 -0.7 -0.1 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.801 109.0 109.0 0.7 -1.4 -0.2 1.7 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 6.138 109.7 109.5 3.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to

February 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 12.107 79.1 79.7 -46.3 -26.3 -16.4 -4.8 0.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.920 139.0 130.7 4.5 -6.6 12.0 -1.1 -6.0

Crop production................................. 111 1.448 153.9 142.6 11.6 -5.1 20.3 -0.6 -7.3

Mining.............................................. 21 10.187 73.0 74.5 -50.5 -28.3 -20.1 -5.4 2.1

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.467 126.5 127.2 16.9 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2 0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.362 105.4 105.1 -3.9 -2.9 -2.5 -0.7 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 11.141 107.5 107.2 0.0 -1.4 -0.4 0.2 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.613 117.8 115.8 -4.1 -5.2 -2.3 -0.7 -1.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.995 106.7 106.7 1.7 -0.3 0.5 0.4 0.0

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.479 112.7 113.8 2.2 -1.1 -1.3 1.9 1.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.869 101.1 100.9 -0.4 0.1 -0.3 -0.7 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.501 102.5 102.7 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.1 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.683 108.0 108.1 4.1 0.2 0.1 1.4 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.553 105.4 104.7 -12.1 -7.4 -7.2 -2.0 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.040 91.2 90.5 0.3 -1.9 -0.9 -1.8 -0.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.408 108.2 106.7 -1.5 -1.0 -1.3 -1.5 -1.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.601 69.0 68.5 -48.7 -26.2 -30.6 -1.8 -0.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.167 120.3 119.6 -1.7 -1.8 -2.4 -2.9 -0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.004 113.8 113.2 4.6 -0.3 0.0 0.4 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.218 117.6 117.6 6.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 58.669 104.9 104.7 -1.9 -1.7 -1.4 -0.4 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.274 124.4 124.1 -20.1 -10.8 -10.8 -4.4 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 3.074 119.3 118.6 3.9 -1.0 -1.2 0.2 -0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 7.324 111.2 111.1 2.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.9 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.341 89.8 89.5 -4.4 -0.5 -0.5 -1.1 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.347 113.9 113.5 3.7 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 16.057 105.1 105.3 1.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.678 109.0 108.9 4.7 -0.9 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.573 111.0 110.4 1.3 -0.5 0.3 0.3 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to

February 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.275 122.3 118.4 -24.4 -6.6 -6.9 7.2 -3.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.004 143.0 138.0 -23.3 -6.0 -7.3 11.1 -3.5

Crop production................................. 111 4.639 147.2 141.7 -24.4 -6.4 -7.6 11.7 -3.7

Mining.............................................. 21 1.271 76.5 74.9 -27.9 -8.7 -5.6 -6.1 -2.1

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.935 84.5 84.3 -16.2 -4.6 -0.9 -6.9 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 92.152 107.4 107.3 -1.8 -2.5 -1.6 0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.533 117.8 118.4 1.1 -3.4 -2.7 0.6 0.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.349 130.8 131.9 2.1 -4.8 -3.6 1.3 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.507 103.5 103.2 -1.2 -0.6 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.391 101.6 101.6 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.891 109.2 108.4 -7.5 -7.0 -4.4 -0.5 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.473 108.8 108.7 -3.2 -1.4 -0.5 -1.4 -0.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.951 112.7 112.3 -1.2 -0.7 -1.2 -1.4 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.179 97.1 93.0 -34.7 -23.3 -18.6 -0.3 -4.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.175 111.1 110.9 -4.6 -5.7 -3.3 -0.6 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.239 110.0 108.9 2.1 -1.3 -1.2 0.6 -1.0

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.874 113.1 111.8 2.6 0.5 0.3 0.8 -1.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 63.728 105.6 105.6 0.0 -0.8 -0.5 0.3 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.211 119.7 118.8 -13.8 -8.1 -5.3 0.1 -0.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.848 120.3 120.4 5.1 -0.2 -0.3 1.6 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.835 111.7 111.8 3.7 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.439 92.1 92.5 -3.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9 0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.659 107.3 107.1 0.5 -0.5 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.334 109.1 109.3 3.1 0.1 0.2 1.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.054 111.3 110.8 4.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to

February 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.172 125.6 123.7 -3.8 -6.3 -3.4 0.0 -1.5

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.264 148.3 148.2 -1.1 -7.9 -4.9 -0.3 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.598 100.0 98.1 -2.1 -2.7 -2.8 0.6 -1.9

Vegetable products................................ II 1.671 172.7 160.9 10.5 -4.6 17.3 -2.0 -6.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.539 346.3 257.9 26.5 -1.1 49.3 -2.3 -25.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.515 115.2 112.4 16.2 -5.7 13.7 -1.5 -2.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.268 150.7 149.2 -6.2 -4.1 -1.7 4.0 -1.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.439 135.0 134.4 1.0 -2.1 0.2 0.3 -0.4

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.255 107.0 106.1 3.7 -3.4 -1.7 0.1 -0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.314 131.9 131.4 -5.2 -3.1 -1.7 -0.8 -0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.995 115.2 115.2 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.4 0.0

Mineral products.................................... V 13.319 150.2 152.2 -48.6 -26.9 -21.2 -4.6 1.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 12.908 146.5 148.5 -50.0 -27.6 -22.0 -4.6 1.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.295 131.3 131.1 -3.2 -2.4 -3.3 -3.7 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.735 192.4 186.4 -26.8 -2.6 -9.7 -25.5 -3.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.500 119.6 121.3 -8.5 -4.4 -4.4 -1.8 1.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.944 115.0 115.2 3.5 -0.2 0.1 1.5 0.2

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.185 105.5 105.5 2.3 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.461 122.1 121.0 0.0 -2.2 -1.3 1.2 -0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.486 96.5 95.5 -3.0 -1.2 -0.9 -1.1 -1.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.155 128.9 127.6 -1.1 -2.6 -1.8 -1.1 -1.0

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 2.049 126.2 125.1 -1.3 -1.9 -0.8 -1.7 -0.9

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.106 134.2 132.4 -0.7 -3.9 -3.6 0.1 -1.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.670 114.0 114.0 2.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.622 114.9 114.8 2.9 0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.074 111.6 110.7 0.0 -1.9 -0.9 -1.7 -0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.601 112.9 111.7 -1.2 -0.8 -1.0 -0.7 -1.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.134 114.1 113.0 4.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.4 -1.0

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.304 119.8 119.8 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.652 103.2 103.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.136 100.2 100.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.5 0.4 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.164 103.4 103.9 1.2 0.0 1.1 -0.2 0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.585 91.8 91.7 -1.9 -0.2 -0.3 -3.5 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.373 108.4 108.4 3.8 0.4 0.0 1.5 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.160 107.8 107.8 4.7 0.4 0.1 1.7 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

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

February 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.085 122.5 122.3 6.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.3 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.416 119.3 119.1 11.8 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.332 132.4 132.3 6.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.337 114.1 114.1 0.6 -0.5 -1.0 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.645 132.2 132.3 -11.6 -5.0 -1.2 1.1 0.1

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.055 157.7 155.8 -11.2 -8.6 -7.7 -3.6 -1.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.483 209.4 203.8 -10.5 -8.6 -14.3 -4.3 -2.7

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 2.091 153.9 152.2 7.9 -2.4 -2.7 -2.0 -1.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.435 171.7 177.4 -37.4 -23.2 -12.7 -8.7 3.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.752 108.4 103.2 -27.0 -12.0 -6.3 -8.4 -4.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.428 119.4 119.4 5.6 -0.3 -0.3 2.6 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.514 131.8 129.5 2.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -1.7

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.887 87.4 87.2 -1.4 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.982 88.1 87.9 -0.8 -0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 13.905 86.8 86.5 -1.8 -0.5 -0.3 -0.9 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.712 109.5 109.5 0.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.4 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 12.429 108.3 108.3 0.4 -0.6 -0.2 0.3 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.163 116.4 116.1 5.0 0.2 -0.1 0.8 -0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.412 101.4 101.6 2.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.067 99.3 99.4 1.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.264 122.2 122.8 4.0 -0.7 -0.4 0.9 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.530 107.4 107.4 4.4 -0.3 -0.3 0.5 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.472 112.0 112.0 5.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.835 100.8 100.9 3.5 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.223 112.8 112.7 4.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2008 to

February 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.545 158.4 157.0 -0.1 -9.8 -3.6 1.9 -0.9

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.766 121.5 119.9 -3.7 -14.8 -4.8 1.9 -1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.434 157.1 157.3 6.1 -0.5 -1.7 3.9 0.1

Vegetable products................................ II 4.771 191.1 184.0 -21.1 -5.4 -8.6 11.4 -3.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.601 105.3 103.8 -15.0 -2.0 -2.3 -1.8 -1.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.113 210.9 197.0 -33.0 -10.4 -12.8 18.7 -6.6

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.412 201.8 198.5 -18.1 -4.0 -8.4 13.1 -1.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.458 135.7 137.0 3.1 -0.6 -0.8 2.6 1.0

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.390 124.4 124.8 5.0 -0.3 0.1 2.1 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.284 100.7 100.1 – – – 0.7 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.498 183.2 191.7 0.1 -2.7 -4.1 8.1 4.6

Mineral products.................................... V 3.685 196.1 191.6 -30.2 -18.5 -13.7 -3.0 -2.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.208 191.8 187.4 -29.7 -19.6 -15.3 -0.4 -2.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.749 134.8 134.6 -2.7 -4.6 -2.0 -0.3 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.441 204.7 204.6 13.1 -1.6 -2.5 1.4 0.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.199 126.8 127.6 -16.6 -12.9 -5.2 -4.2 0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.871 116.8 118.6 1.6 -2.2 -0.6 2.7 1.5

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.569 112.9 113.0 -2.5 -1.0 0.2 -1.1 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.799 127.5 119.7 0.6 0.1 1.1 2.2 -6.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.448 118.0 116.7 1.0 -0.7 -0.1 -3.1 -1.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.912 131.2 128.8 5.1 0.3 -1.5 1.7 -1.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.439 134.2 133.3 -2.7 -4.5 -3.9 -1.3 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.371 127.7 127.7 -3.9 -4.6 -3.9 -1.1 0.0

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.068 163.3 157.8 2.3 -3.9 -4.1 -1.9 -3.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.284 83.9 83.6 -28.1 -2.6 -14.4 -11.2 -0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.592 106.1 106.3 -4.8 -2.1 -0.8 -2.5 0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.367 105.8 106.7 -8.3 -5.4 -2.5 -1.4 0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.477 86.1 88.2 -31.0 -18.4 -8.4 -5.3 2.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.355 112.9 113.4 2.3 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.4

Printed material.................................... 49 0.535 115.4 115.5 -4.1 -1.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.023 104.1 103.8 -2.7 -2.6 -0.5 0.2 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.549 92.5 91.1 -15.2 -7.5 -2.8 0.2 -1.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.853 116.3 117.3 5.1 0.4 0.4 1.7 0.9

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.453 100.7 100.7 1.4 0.0 0.2 1.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.687 164.1 167.5 -6.2 -5.3 -2.8 1.9 2.1

See footnotes at end of table.

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

February 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2008 to

Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.086 144.0 143.4 -15.2 -7.0 -6.0 -0.6 -0.4

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.372 171.0 170.8 -21.9 -10.2 -8.2 1.0 -0.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.513 162.8 161.3 7.5 -0.1 -0.5 2.6 -0.9

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.322 117.1 119.6 -51.5 -20.4 -29.1 -8.3 2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.674 96.9 96.1 -31.5 -13.7 -6.4 -4.8 -0.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.405 121.7 121.9 3.6 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.360 128.3 127.2 -1.8 -1.1 -0.8 0.2 -0.9

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.395 94.7 95.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.162 105.0 105.2 1.5 0.1 -0.2 0.7 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.233 83.5 83.9 -2.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.8 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.807 118.9 119.1 3.2 0.1 0.3 0.7 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.177 107.6 107.5 1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.308 107.2 107.2 1.2 -0.7 0.1 1.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.576 106.4 106.3 -0.9 -0.8 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.771 116.1 115.7 -0.7 -0.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.683 92.6 92.6 0.0 -0.8 -0.7 -0.5 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: February 2008 to February 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb. 2008

to Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Dec. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Jan. 2009

to Feb.

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 118.3 118.1 -7.6 -5.5 -2.9 -0.7 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 145.0 139.5 -44.7 -18.5 -15.7 -6.1 -3.8

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 115.5 115.6 -2.4 -3.8 -1.7 -0.2 0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 108.9 108.9 -15.8 -8.6 -5.2 -2.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 152.4 154.7 -46.5 -28.3 -15.4 -4.9 1.5

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 101.9 101.6 -4.7 -2.2 -2.8 -1.5 -0.3

Canada............................................ 15.963 127.4 125.4 -14.4 -9.0 -4.4 -1.8 -1.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 143.1 136.2 -45.2 -19.8 -15.8 -5.1 -4.8

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 125.7 124.7 -2.0 -5.3 -1.5 -0.9 -0.8

European Union4

............................... 17.447 124.4 124.4 -2.5 -2.6 -1.5 0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 221.8 229.1 -23.2 -10.6 3.4 -3.9 3.3

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 121.9 122.0 -2.1 -2.4 -1.6 0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 119.9 118.6 3.9 -1.7 -0.8 1.6 -1.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 109.4 109.4 -1.5 -1.5 -0.7 1.0 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 118.3 119.4 -9.4 -5.4 -2.7 0.0 0.9

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 133.9 132.4 -19.7 -11.1 -6.1 -1.2 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 184.8 180.5 -39.1 -28.0 -7.0 1.6 -2.3

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 124.8 123.9 -9.4 -2.8 -6.0 -2.2 -0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 127.6 125.9 -8.6 -7.5 0.5 -1.5 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.947 98.5 92.7 – – – -1.5 -5.9

Manufactured articles......................... 8.788 98.2 97.8 – – – -1.8 -0.4

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 100.2 99.8 -0.7 -0.7 -0.9 -0.6 -0.4

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 102.0 101.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4 -0.5

Japan.............................................. 7.488 96.2 96.4 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 86.8 86.4 -3.0 -0.5 -3.2 -2.6 -0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 5.729 95.9 95.6 -4.3 -1.6 -1.3 -1.4 -0.3

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 130.6 133.6 -44.2 -22.7 -16.3 -7.4 2.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: February

2008 to February 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Jan.

20091

Index Percent change

Jan.

2009

Feb.

2009

Annual Monthly

Feb. 2008

to Feb.

2009

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Dec. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Jan. 2009

to Feb.

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 137.4 135.9 -4.8 -4.1 -4.5 -1.2 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.683 132.1 129.0 -13.8 -10.4 -6.8 0.2 -2.3

Asia.................................................... 68.211 120.7 120.6 -0.9 -0.9 -2.8 -1.3 -0.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 130.6 126.3 -4.0 -1.6 -3.1 -3.3 -3.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.674 125.1 120.8 -1.9 -3.3 -4.1 0.2 -3.4

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 133.7 131.1 -6.0 -3.3 -4.0 -2.5 -1.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.919 130.0 127.0 -13.0 -8.4 -6.6 -1.4 -2.3

Asia.................................................... 63.416 116.7 114.1 -2.4 -0.4 -2.2 -2.2 -2.2

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 126.8 122.8 -3.4 -2.5 -4.3 -4.4 -3.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.476 147.8 144.2 -0.4 -2.2 -3.7 -2.8 -2.4

Asia.................................................... 39.559 111.0 110.6 -2.4 -2.9 -4.2 -6.6 -0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 148.5 141.6 8.1 -5.0 -0.2 -5.6 -4.6

Europe................................................. 43.587 154.8 146.0 17.6 -7.0 -10.2 5.3 -5.7

Asia.................................................... 28.223 134.5 128.3 10.0 1.5 10.1 -11.7 -4.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.632 126.9 121.9 -5.1 -0.2 22.1 -19.7 -3.9

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 167.9 149.9 -1.9 -1.5 3.1 1.9 -10.7

Europe................................................. 28.734 182.7 165.0 -5.9 -5.7 -3.4 -2.3 -9.7

Asia.................................................... 36.759 154.4 128.3 -0.9 3.9 4.5 8.4 -16.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.642 180.5 153.3 0.1 -1.2 9.2 0.9 -15.1

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2007 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, 

with a two-year lag in the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More 

detailed index series and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by 

calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. 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".

14
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at 

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For IPP data requests, send e-mail to (mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

15