Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, September 13, 2011 

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

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

USDL-11-1325

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

U.S. import prices declined 0.4 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, led by 

a 1.8 percent decrease in fuel prices. The August drop in import prices followed a 0.3 percent rise the 

previous month. In contrast, prices for U.S. exports rose 0.5 percent after declining 0.4 percent in July. 

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

 Percent change 

0.4

0.0

1.1

1.7

1.4 1.5 1.7

3.0

2.6

0.1

-0.7

0.3

-0.4

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

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

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

 Percent change

3.8 3.6 3.9 4.1

5.3 5.6

7.6

10.3

11.9

12.9 13.5 13.8

13.0

0

4

8

12

16

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

All Imports: The price index for overall imports fell for the second time in three months in August, 

decreasing 0.4 percent following a 0.3 percent upturn in July and a 0.7 percent drop in June. Import prices 

declined 0.6 percent over the past four months after rising 13.7 percent between September 2010 and April 

2011. Overall, the index increased 13.0 percent for the year ended in August, compared to a 13.8 percent 

advance for the July 2010-11 period. 

Fuel Imports: The August drop in overall import prices was driven by a 1.8 percent decline in fuel prices. 

The decrease was led by a 2.1 percent drop in petroleum prices which more than offset a 3.3 percent 

advance in the price index for natural gas. Despite declines in three of the past four months, fuel prices rose 

41.1 percent over the past year. Prices for petroleum and natural gas each increased over the past 12 months, 

rising 43.5 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: In contrast, nonfuel prices advanced 0.2 percent for the second consecutive 

month in August. The price indexes for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, consumer goods, and 

capital goods all increased in August, while foods, feeds, and beverages prices declined and prices for 

automotive vehicles remained unchanged. Nonfuel prices rose 5.3 percent for the year ended in August, 

primarily driven by a 17.1 percent advance in the prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

0.8

0.6

0.8

1.5

0.7

1.3 1.3

1.5

0.8

0.4

0.2

-0.4

0.5

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

4.1

4.9

5.8

6.5 6.5 7.0

8.7

9.5

9.2 9.1

10.1 9.9 9.6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

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

All Exports: Export prices resumed an upward trend in August, rising 0.5 percent following a 0.4 percent 

downturn in July. Higher prices for agricultural and nonagricultural exports each contributed to the overall 

advance in August. The price index for overall exports also increased over the past year, increasing 9.6 

percent. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices advanced 2.2 percent in August after declining 3.9 

percent the previous month. In August, rising prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat, up 8.1 percent, 2.3 

percent, and 5.6 percent, more than offset an 11.3 percent drop in cotton prices. The price index for 

agricultural exports advanced 23.9 percent over the past 12 months, primarily led by a 73.7 percent increase 

in corn prices, although higher prices for soybeans, cotton, meat, and wheat also contributed to the overall 

increase. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural prices rose 0.3 percent in August 

after ticking up 0.1 percent in July. A 0.6 percent advance in nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials prices was the largest contributor to the increase. Prices for consumer goods and automotive 

vehicles also rose, while capital goods prices recorded no change. Nonagricultural export prices increased 

8.1 percent for the year ended in August. 

 

3
4

SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 0.9 

percent in August following a 0.6 percent rise in July. The August increase was led by higher prices for 

unfinished metals, notably a 3.2 percent increase in nonmonetary gold prices and a 5.4 percent advance in 

the price index for other precious metals. 

Finished Goods: Prices for finished goods were mostly up in August. Consumer goods prices rose 0.3 

percent and were driven by a 1.8 percent increase in the price index for cotton apparel and household goods, 

which also increased 13.1 percent over the past year. Capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent despite a 0.4 

percent drop in computer, peripheral, and semiconductor prices. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices fell 0.8 percent in August, led by a 12.9 

percent drop in coffee prices. Prior to the August downturn, coffee prices had trended up since early 2010, 

rising 102.2 percent from March 2010 to July 2011. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China ticked up 0.1 percent in August, 

the smallest monthly increase since the index was unchanged in September 2010. Import prices from China 

rose 3.6 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month advance since a 4.3 percent increase in October 

2008. Import prices from Japan also rose in August, increasing 0.2 percent after a 0.2 percent drop the 

previous month. In contrast, the price indexes for imports from Mexico, Canada, and the European Union all 

decreased in August, down 0.9 percent, 0.2 percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares declined 3.0 percent in August, led by a 

6.6 percent drop in European fares. Despite the decline, import air passenger fares advanced 7.4 percent 

over the past 12 months. Import air freight prices increased 0.6 percent in August and 13.9 percent over the 

past year. 

Export Prices 

 

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

materials rose 0.6 percent in August after edging down 0.1 percent in July. The August increase was driven 

by a 3.0 percent increase in nonferrous metals prices which more than offset lower fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: The price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each increased in August. 

The 0.2 percent increase in consumer goods prices followed a 0.6 percent increase in July. Automotive 

vehicles prices advanced 0.4 percent in August, led by a 0.6 percent rise in passenger cars. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 9.7 percent in August after increasing a similar 

9.8 percent in July. The August advance was driven by a 24.8 percent jump in Asian fares, while increases 

in European, Asian, and Latin American/Caribbean fares all contributed to the increase in July. The index 

for export air passenger fares rose 19.4 percent for the year ended in August. Export air freight prices fell 

0.6 percent in August, but increased 16.4 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

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

14, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2010 to

August 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.5 142.0 13.0 0.1 -0.7 0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 67.016 103.0 103.3 – 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 74.155 116.4 116.8 5.5 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 72.730 120.3 120.5 5.3 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.714 175.7 174.3 14.4 -0.7 -1.7 0.5 -0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.449 197.6 196.0 15.1 -1.1 -2.4 0.3 -0.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.265 126.2 125.1 11.8 0.8 0.5 1.4 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 40.413 267.5 265.0 31.8 0.0 -1.7 0.5 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.568 172.7 174.5 16.3 1.5 -0.5 0.1 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.143 194.0 195.7 17.1 1.5 -0.4 0.6 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.990 185.5 188.3 17.2 1.7 -1.2 0.5 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.154 157.7 158.4 15.1 1.2 0.4 -0.3 0.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 27.270 360.6 354.0 41.1 -0.6 -2.3 0.4 -1.8

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 25.845 400.7 392.4 43.5 -0.8 -2.4 0.7 -2.1

Crude.......................................... 10000 19.161 408.2 392.4 40.3 -0.9 -2.2 -0.3 -3.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.087 129.8 133.6 7.7 2.8 -0.6 -2.6 2.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.965 114.4 118.2 8.0 3.1 -0.6 -3.3 3.3

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.641 120.4 118.3 1.8 0.6 -0.1 0.8 -1.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.592 175.0 175.2 19.6 1.1 1.0 1.2 0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.041 130.6 131.1 4.9 -0.5 -1.6 1.1 0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.902 296.2 302.9 26.6 3.1 -2.5 -0.2 2.3

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.563 162.0 164.8 12.9 0.9 0.6 0.5 1.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.404 115.3 115.7 7.5 0.4 0.9 0.9 0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 20.696 92.8 92.9 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.655 118.3 118.8 5.9 0.3 0.2 0.9 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.238 86.3 86.4 0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.803 126.1 126.0 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.148 112.8 112.8 3.4 0.9 0.4 -0.4 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.029 105.9 106.2 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.766 111.8 112.2 2.1 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.234 99.6 99.8 1.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.028 114.3 114.0 10.6 -0.1 2.2 2.2 -0.3

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: August 2010 to

August 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.1 134.8 9.6 0.4 0.2 -0.4 0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.442 208.6 213.1 23.9 -1.1 0.7 -3.9 2.2

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.638 103.4 103.7 – 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.559 128.8 129.2 8.1 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.269 203.5 210.4 23.0 -0.4 1.5 -3.4 3.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.516 205.9 213.3 22.7 -0.8 1.4 -4.1 3.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.753 186.5 187.8 27.6 5.9 3.4 6.0 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.230 191.5 192.2 19.2 0.8 -0.5 -0.3 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.398 189.8 192.9 16.9 0.9 0.4 -0.4 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.834 193.3 192.7 20.6 0.7 -1.0 -0.2 -0.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.926 226.9 215.9 29.6 -2.3 -2.3 -3.4 -4.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 33.305 190.2 191.4 18.7 1.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.094 286.1 284.4 32.5 0.2 -1.3 0.7 -0.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.354 178.0 180.1 15.3 1.2 -0.1 -0.4 1.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.857 116.0 115.7 -1.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.376 104.7 104.7 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.374 114.0 114.0 5.0 1.7 0.2 0.4 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 23.982 94.3 94.3 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.020 145.0 144.8 3.4 0.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.683 110.7 111.1 2.3 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.442 117.0 117.2 5.9 0.5 1.2 0.6 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.711 114.6 114.8 2.3 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.353 112.9 113.1 4.5 -0.9 1.2 0.2 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

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

August 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 23.419 176.3 170.6 35.2 -0.9 -2.5 -0.3 -3.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.128 181.3 176.2 14.6 -3.2 -5.8 0.9 -2.8

Crop production................................. 111 1.550 188.2 181.7 12.9 -3.6 -7.0 1.2 -3.5

Mining.............................................. 21 21.291 175.4 169.7 37.7 -0.6 -2.2 -0.5 -3.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.374 155.5 158.3 13.7 1.0 -0.1 0.3 1.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 76.088 117.9 118.5 7.8 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.837 122.8 123.5 11.7 0.5 1.0 0.8 0.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.273 156.4 157.2 19.6 0.6 1.0 0.1 0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.887 112.2 111.8 2.9 -0.2 0.1 1.4 -0.4

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.859 117.6 117.7 13.8 0.7 0.0 1.0 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.994 110.2 111.5 9.6 0.5 1.6 1.1 1.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.451 114.2 114.2 5.8 0.7 0.5 0.9 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.845 140.0 141.6 16.4 -0.1 -0.6 1.4 1.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.637 108.3 108.8 6.5 -1.0 -2.7 1.1 0.5

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.166 114.0 113.1 3.3 0.4 0.4 0.8 -0.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.506 183.6 190.2 54.1 -1.2 -2.5 4.6 3.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.950 132.4 132.6 5.4 0.5 0.3 -0.2 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.729 125.1 125.4 8.2 0.6 0.5 1.4 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.766 127.5 127.7 4.8 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 46.406 110.0 110.4 4.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.610 190.8 195.0 23.9 2.7 -1.8 -0.3 2.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.454 126.6 127.6 7.2 0.9 0.5 0.6 0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.296 118.8 119.4 5.2 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.5

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.270 83.3 83.2 -3.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.427 116.2 116.4 3.3 0.3 0.0 0.7 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.215 109.4 109.4 3.1 0.8 0.4 -0.5 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.187 111.3 111.7 5.2 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.946 121.8 122.1 8.5 0.3 0.7 0.7 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

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

August 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 9.189 177.3 180.6 29.3 -0.3 0.2 -4.0 1.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.654 199.3 204.5 35.4 -1.8 0.7 -6.3 2.6

Crop production................................. 111 6.220 206.5 211.6 36.2 -2.0 0.7 -6.9 2.5

Mining.............................................. 21 2.535 127.8 127.5 16.0 3.8 -0.8 2.4 -0.2

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.701 150.4 152.8 17.5 1.9 1.1 5.0 1.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.198 120.8 121.1 7.6 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.324 144.4 145.6 13.9 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.8

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.079 162.3 164.4 14.7 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.541 115.5 114.6 3.0 0.3 2.2 -2.9 -0.8

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.408 114.2 114.2 9.1 0.6 2.4 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.875 136.1 136.3 13.6 0.7 -0.5 0.3 0.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.380 114.3 113.8 -0.5 -2.2 -0.9 -0.7 -0.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.969 126.0 126.7 3.3 0.1 0.2 -1.2 0.6

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.192 175.8 174.4 39.3 -0.4 -1.6 0.2 -0.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.658 132.6 133.3 9.7 1.3 -0.2 0.2 0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.993 114.6 115.4 7.1 1.1 0.4 2.7 0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.683 110.3 110.2 -2.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.999 112.6 112.8 4.3 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.149 179.3 182.3 24.7 1.9 0.3 0.1 1.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.465 127.8 128.0 5.6 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.367 117.6 117.7 2.4 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.619 89.6 89.5 -2.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.063 113.1 113.2 4.9 1.6 0.1 0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.867 114.2 114.4 2.8 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.171 124.3 124.6 13.1 1.0 4.0 0.6 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: August 2010 to

August 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.328 169.1 167.2 14.8 -0.2 -1.4 1.0 -1.1

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.307 209.6 214.6 17.5 -1.5 -2.2 0.1 2.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.712 128.0 125.5 13.3 0.7 -0.2 0.9 -2.0

Vegetable products................................ II 1.837 213.3 209.6 17.8 -2.6 -5.3 1.3 -1.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.299 298.0 312.7 -5.1 -11.3 -18.8 -0.6 4.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.546 128.7 129.1 19.0 -0.4 -3.6 3.3 0.3

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.502 297.3 268.0 39.0 0.1 -3.1 2.0 -9.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.313 144.0 142.9 30.1 0.7 1.2 -7.9 -0.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.575 158.2 158.3 10.3 0.5 1.4 0.9 0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.213 99.1 99.6 3.5 2.0 -2.7 0.0 0.5

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.258 127.9 128.4 3.0 1.7 0.3 -0.7 0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.369 161.1 162.5 25.6 0.5 2.1 0.4 0.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.861 122.7 122.1 3.4 -0.3 0.1 1.8 -0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 26.812 361.9 355.4 40.3 -0.6 -2.2 0.5 -1.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 26.469 358.0 351.2 40.6 -0.7 -2.2 0.5 -1.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.586 146.5 146.8 5.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.100 375.0 373.8 36.2 1.4 0.1 -1.6 -0.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.758 136.4 137.5 2.8 0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.016 110.5 110.5 -6.5 -0.4 -0.4 -0.8 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.301 150.0 151.6 53.4 1.5 10.3 7.9 1.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.420 126.8 126.3 7.2 1.1 -0.3 1.2 -0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.495 108.9 108.7 16.6 1.0 -0.6 1.0 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.909 152.8 152.9 11.2 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.789 141.9 142.2 7.7 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.120 173.7 173.6 17.2 -0.6 0.5 1.3 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.527 122.0 121.9 6.2 0.5 0.7 0.9 -0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.483 122.3 122.1 6.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 -0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.670 130.9 131.4 6.3 -0.8 -2.3 1.1 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.271 116.5 115.4 2.1 0.4 0.2 0.6 -0.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.844 109.5 109.3 3.4 0.0 0.6 0.7 -0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.129 114.1 115.5 11.4 0.5 1.2 1.1 1.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.002 107.3 106.8 7.8 0.6 2.1 1.1 -0.5

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.870 112.2 116.9 13.5 0.5 0.9 1.3 4.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.642 111.7 111.6 16.9 0.4 -0.4 0.9 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.202 113.5 113.5 5.1 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

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

August 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.027 112.6 112.7 5.0 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.696 129.0 129.3 4.3 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.239 122.0 122.5 3.9 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.4

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.202 141.2 141.2 2.3 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.255 123.0 123.2 6.5 0.5 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.040 198.4 204.6 28.0 3.6 -0.5 0.2 3.1

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.111 200.7 202.2 13.3 1.0 -1.1 0.3 0.7

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.960 263.9 262.8 14.9 1.2 -0.3 0.4 -0.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.529 160.3 161.0 6.8 0.8 0.7 0.1 0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.589 405.3 417.9 32.5 -1.4 -3.5 3.3 3.1

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.156 126.4 132.5 11.9 -2.5 -6.4 -5.4 4.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.900 155.8 154.9 16.3 3.1 -1.3 -0.7 -0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.313 123.5 123.5 4.6 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.357 131.1 132.0 3.9 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.7

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 22.843 85.8 85.8 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.326 88.5 88.6 0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.517 83.1 83.1 -1.3 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 8.535 114.2 114.3 3.6 1.1 0.5 -0.3 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.586 113.3 113.4 3.7 1.2 0.6 -0.5 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.860 115.5 115.5 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.088 105.1 105.2 4.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.849 102.7 102.8 4.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.177 128.2 128.6 4.7 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.446 110.4 110.6 3.8 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.695 113.9 114.2 4.2 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.548 103.3 103.4 2.5 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.203 133.0 133.0 9.6 0.2 3.3 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

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

August 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.990 201.4 213.5 23.8 0.4 -2.0 3.4 6.0

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.201 161.8 163.9 13.4 1.5 -1.7 1.3 1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.439 203.4 205.2 34.4 6.4 2.6 7.2 0.9

Vegetable products................................ II 5.802 239.4 248.9 30.7 -1.1 2.1 -6.5 4.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.944 129.6 129.8 8.7 -2.4 2.2 -1.1 0.2

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.207 279.0 301.4 52.9 -1.4 3.2 -12.6 8.0

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.099 258.3 263.8 22.6 -1.3 2.3 -3.6 2.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.539 160.1 160.5 48.1 -1.2 2.4 -0.6 0.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.636 150.8 151.0 6.0 0.8 1.2 -0.8 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.341 108.5 109.2 3.4 0.4 0.1 1.0 0.6

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.433 117.7 117.8 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.330 105.4 105.7 3.1 -0.4 0.2 0.4 0.3

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.709 223.7 219.3 11.7 2.3 3.1 -4.6 -2.0

Mineral products.................................... V 9.082 340.5 338.9 32.2 0.4 -1.4 0.9 -0.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.449 336.2 333.9 34.6 0.6 -1.5 0.8 -0.7

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.879 155.0 155.5 7.3 0.9 0.0 0.8 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.002 195.4 196.4 5.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.0 0.5

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.346 168.5 169.5 10.2 1.0 -0.4 0.2 0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.879 125.9 125.9 2.4 0.5 0.0 0.6 0.0

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.565 126.9 127.1 9.1 4.1 -0.6 -0.3 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.759 133.2 133.7 7.7 0.8 1.9 1.5 0.4

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.462 121.7 122.6 2.9 -0.9 0.3 -0.9 0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.853 152.8 152.7 6.6 1.9 0.7 1.4 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.284 152.2 153.7 11.7 2.4 -0.5 0.5 1.0

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.207 142.3 143.2 9.3 2.6 -1.2 -0.1 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.077 199.8 204.0 21.9 2.1 2.8 3.4 2.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.427 135.6 135.8 12.3 1.0 -0.6 -1.3 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.498 108.7 108.8 -0.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.6 0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.715 128.5 129.0 6.9 -0.4 0.5 0.1 0.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.966 157.6 158.5 18.0 -1.2 1.8 0.4 0.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.265 119.7 120.2 2.0 0.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.4

Printed material.................................... 49 0.484 119.2 119.2 2.7 0.1 -0.1 0.9 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.229 144.8 139.9 19.4 -1.8 -3.7 -2.6 -3.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.953 215.2 197.0 43.6 -4.9 -8.5 -6.2 -8.5

See footnotes at end of table.

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

August 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2010 to

Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.673 115.9 115.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.377 99.0 99.0 1.5 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.399 280.4 288.2 37.4 3.6 4.2 0.7 2.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.819 183.9 184.3 14.3 -0.4 0.0 -1.7 0.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.853 229.3 230.2 20.0 -0.8 0.4 -6.1 0.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.260 170.6 170.4 7.5 0.4 -0.6 0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.759 289.8 291.1 26.0 -3.2 0.7 4.2 0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.955 138.0 138.5 15.3 1.6 -0.8 -0.8 0.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.335 127.4 127.4 2.7 0.0 0.2 1.4 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.305 135.7 135.7 8.7 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.190 96.4 96.4 1.2 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.388 108.5 108.5 1.7 0.1 0.6 -0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 10.802 83.1 83.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.585 123.7 123.8 1.8 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 5.935 110.2 110.5 1.8 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.734 105.4 105.6 -0.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.374 109.3 109.6 1.8 0.9 0.0 -0.6 0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.652 119.6 120.6 1.8 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.8

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.595 91.0 91.0 -1.5 0.3 0.0 -1.8 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: August 2010 to August 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2010

to Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May 2011

to June

2011

June 2011

to July

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 134.3 134.1 7.4 0.8 -0.7 0.3 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 252.8 246.7 27.6 0.5 -3.5 0.0 -2.4

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 124.5 124.9 4.7 0.8 -0.2 0.4 0.3

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 142.2 141.2 14.2 -0.8 -0.4 0.7 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 366.3 353.4 38.2 -1.3 -2.1 -0.3 -3.5

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 111.8 112.3 7.0 -0.5 0.3 1.1 0.4

Canada............................................ 14.271 160.2 159.8 13.9 0.9 -2.0 0.2 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 241.7 236.7 26.5 0.6 -4.1 -0.4 -2.1

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 142.5 143.6 9.0 1.1 -0.9 0.4 0.8

European Union4

............................... 17.186 136.4 136.2 6.2 0.9 0.4 0.5 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 370.8 359.3 42.5 -1.2 6.0 1.0 -3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 132.8 132.6 5.5 1.0 0.2 0.5 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 120.6 120.5 -0.7 0.5 0.5 0.5 -0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 116.1 115.9 4.1 0.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 135.4 135.3 7.7 0.1 0.8 0.1 -0.1

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 181.6 179.5 15.4 -1.2 -1.2 0.1 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 389.1 375.7 33.8 -2.7 -2.6 -0.6 -3.4

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 136.8 137.2 6.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.5 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 148.6 147.3 8.5 -1.2 -2.0 -0.3 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 211.4 203.7 38.3 -4.7 -3.6 1.0 -3.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 96.5 96.5 0.9 0.1 -1.4 -0.7 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 104.6 104.6 3.5 0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 104.0 104.1 3.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1

Japan.............................................. 6.198 101.3 101.5 2.7 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.555 91.9 92.0 4.0 0.4 -0.3 -0.5 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 104.9 105.5 9.0 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.795 277.8 270.3 33.4 0.1 -0.5 1.4 -2.7

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: August

2010 to August 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20111

Index Percent change

July

2011

Aug.

2011

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2010

to Aug.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May 2011

to June

2011

June 2011

to July

2011

July 2011

to Aug.

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 184.4 185.5 13.9 5.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.627 169.2 169.3 29.8 6.5 -0.9 0.5 0.1

Asia.................................................... 73.405 165.2 166.4 9.8 5.7 0.2 -0.4 0.7

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.6 145.7 16.4 3.6 -0.1 -0.8 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.734 132.5 131.8 14.7 3.7 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 164.1 164.4 12.1 3.8 0.0 -0.6 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.467 153.1 152.6 24.3 5.1 -0.7 0.3 -0.3

Asia.................................................... 64.263 147.7 148.6 8.5 3.9 0.3 -0.6 0.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 141.8 141.4 16.2 2.8 -0.8 -0.4 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 36.115 158.4 158.2 11.7 0.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1

Asia.................................................... 45.347 134.1 133.9 21.5 4.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 183.9 178.3 7.4 5.6 6.8 -0.1 -3.0

Europe................................................. 38.852 195.8 182.9 0.3 8.3 11.4 -5.0 -6.6

Asia.................................................... 26.346 160.9 157.3 5.1 5.3 11.7 0.6 -2.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 14.500 177.8 181.9 23.8 -1.2 -1.2 6.1 2.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 204.9 224.8 19.4 4.4 1.8 9.8 9.7

Europe................................................. 33.582 267.7 264.4 14.0 6.7 13.9 10.6 -1.2

Asia.................................................... 28.546 176.8 220.7 12.7 12.9 -7.4 8.4 24.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 18.902 199.8 198.0 17.1 -4.4 0.5 8.9 -0.9

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