U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – SEPTEMBER 2014 

Prices for U.S. imports fell 0.5 percent in September, after declining 0.6 percent in August and 0.3 percent 

in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Each of the 3 monthly decreases was led by 

falling fuel prices. The price index for U.S. exports also declined in September, decreasing 0.2 percent 

following a 0.5-percent drop in August. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: September 2013 – September 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: September 2013 – September 2014

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, October 10, 2014 

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

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

USDL-14-1898
2

All Imports: Overall import prices continued a 3-month downward trend in September, falling 0.5 percent. 

Prices for imports decreased 1.4 percent from June to September, the largest quarterly drop since the index 

declined 1.4 percent during the final quarter of 2013. In September, fuel prices drove the decrease, although 

nonfuel prices also declined. The price index for overall imports fell 0.9 percent for the year ended in 

September, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 1.1 percent in February. 

Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuel decreased 2.1 percent in September following a 3.1-percent drop in 

August and a 1.5-percent decline in July. Lower petroleum and natural gas prices contributed to the 

September decline, falling 2.0 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively. Fuel prices decreased 5.8 percent over 

the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year decline since the index fell 8.1 percent between April 2012 

and April 2013. The decrease in fuel prices over the past year was led by a 6.6-percent drop in petroleum 

prices which more than offset a 35.6-percent increase in natural gas prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices edged down 0.1 percent in September, after recording 

no change the previous month. In September, lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and 

automotive vehicles more than offset an increase in the price index for foods, feeds, and beverages. Despite 

the decline, prices for nonfuel imports rose 0.5 percent over the past year. Higher prices for consumer 

goods; nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the 

advance. 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories 

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: September 2013 – September 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: September 2013 – September 2014 

 Percent change

All Exports: The price index for exports declined 0.2 percent in September, which continued an overall 

downward trend for the index since April. In September, lower prices for both agricultural exports and 

nonagricultural exports contributed to the decline. Export prices decreased 0.2 percent for the year ended in 

September, the first 12-month decline for the index since a 0.1-percent drop in April. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices declined 0.9 percent in September following declines of 3.0 

percent, 1.8 percent, and 1.9 percent over the previous 3 months. In September, the decrease was driven by a 

6.2-percent drop in soybean prices, a 2.1-percent decline in meat prices, and a 3.9-percent fall in corn prices. 

The price index for agricultural exports fell 2.9 percent over the past year, led by lower prices for soybeans 

and corn. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports declined 0.2 percent for the second 

consecutive month in September. Decreasing prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, 

consumer goods, and automotive vehicles all contributed to the drop in overall nonagricultural prices. The 

price index for nonagricultural prices recorded no change for the year ended in September. Each of the 

major finished goods categories rose over the past 12 months, while nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials prices declined. 

 

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4

SELECTED SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

recording no change in August. The September decline was led by lower prices for computers and electronic 

equipment. Prices for imports from Japan also decreased 0.1 percent in September, after remaining 

unchanged the previous month. The price indexes for imports from the European Union, Canada, and 

Mexico all decreased in September, falling 0.9 percent, 0.7 percent, and 0.4 percent, respectively. Lower 

fuel prices contributed to these declines. 

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

0.2 percent in September, after recording no change the previous month. In September, the decrease was 

driven by a 0.5-percent drop in unfinished metals prices, which was led by lower prices for gold and other 

precious metals. 

 

Finished Goods: The price indexes for each of the major finished goods areas were mostly unchanged for 

the second consecutive month in September. Automotive vehicles prices fell 0.1 percent in September, after 

ticking up 0.1 percent in August. In September, prices for capital goods were unchanged for the third 

consecutive month and prices for consumer goods were unchanged for the second consecutive month. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices increased 0.2 percent in September 

following a 0.6-percent advance in August and a 1.1-percent rise in July. The September advance was 

driven by a 2.2-percent rise in fish and shellfish prices and a 2.4-percent increase in vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 0.3 percent in September following a 4.3-

percent decline in August and a 2.8-percent drop in July. The September fall was led by a 7.2-percent 

decrease in Asian fares, after the 2 previous monthly declines were driven mostly by lower European fares. 

Despite the recent drops, the index for import air passenger fares increased 6.3 percent for the year ended in 

September. Import air freight prices declined 0.5 percent in September, the largest monthly drop since a 0.5-

percent decline in April. Prices for import air freight rose 1.3 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

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

supplies and materials declined 0.5 percent in September following a 0.7-percent drop the previous month. 

Falling fuel and gold prices contributed to both decreases. 

 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent in September, after recording no change in 

August. In contrast, the price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each declined in 

September, falling 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. Consumer goods prices were unchanged the 

previous month while automotive vehicles prices decreased 0.2 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 11.1 percent in September, the largest monthly 

drop since the index declined 12.5 percent in February. The September decrease was caused by a 23.0-

percent decline in Asian fares. Despite the September drop, export air passenger fares increased 2.9 percent 

over the past 12 months. Export air freight prices edged down 0.1 percent in September and advanced 8.6 

percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for October 2014 are scheduled for release on Friday, November 

14, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 139.3 138.6 -0.9 0.3 -0.3 -0.6 -0.5

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 75.178 102.4 102.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 81.418 115.8 115.6 0.7 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 80.491 119.7 119.6 0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.313 179.5 179.9 2.9 -1.6 1.1 0.6 0.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.068 197.7 197.2 3.2 -1.5 1.4 0.7 -0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.245 138.2 140.5 1.7 -1.9 0.2 -0.1 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 32.562 248.2 244.8 -3.3 0.8 -0.7 -1.9 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 13.980 161.1 160.4 2.0 -0.2 0.4 -0.7 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.053 181.2 180.8 0.9 -0.2 0.6 0.0 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.923 170.1 169.7 1.4 -0.1 1.1 0.0 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.130 149.9 149.0 2.5 -0.4 -0.6 -1.6 -0.6

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 19.509 334.2 327.2 -5.8 1.6 -1.5 -3.1 -2.1

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 18.582 371.3 363.7 -6.6 1.7 -1.5 -2.8 -2.0

Crude........................................ 10000 14.225 387.1 380.8 -6.7 2.2 -1.3 -2.9 -1.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.777 133.2 128.1 29.7 -1.2 0.1 -10.2 -3.8

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.634 121.1 115.1 35.6 -1.4 0.3 -12.3 -5.0

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.538 113.6 112.8 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.661 169.0 168.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.044 142.1 142.6 0.8 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.610 244.2 243.1 1.8 -0.6 2.2 -0.3 -0.5

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.663 159.5 158.7 1.7 0.5 0.4 0.6 -0.5

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.537 112.5 112.6 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.1

Capital goods................................... 2 25.010 92.6 92.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.033 120.6 120.6 0.9 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 20.043 85.2 85.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 1.934 135.9 136.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 13.511 112.7 112.6 -0.7 0.0 -0.7 0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 23.604 108.3 108.3 0.9 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 11.450 118.8 118.8 2.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 10.958 97.5 97.5 -0.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.196 120.8 121.0 4.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 132.4 132.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.5 -0.2

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.717 210.9 209.1 -2.9 -1.9 -1.8 -3.0 -0.9

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 81.396 102.5 102.3 0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.282 126.7 126.4 0.0 -0.3 0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.986 213.4 211.5 -1.7 -1.5 -1.4 -2.7 -0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.348 216.0 213.9 -2.2 -1.6 -1.6 -3.1 -1.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.638 192.8 193.0 4.7 -1.4 2.1 1.7 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 33.235 176.6 175.7 -1.5 -1.0 0.6 -0.8 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.293 172.4 171.2 -0.8 -0.9 1.2 0.0 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 21.943 179.7 179.1 -1.9 -1.1 0.2 -1.2 -0.3

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.369 188.2 187.4 -7.3 -3.7 -2.8 -2.6 -0.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 31.866 176.4 175.5 -1.2 -0.9 0.7 -0.7 -0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 9.617 251.2 250.5 -4.2 -1.5 0.5 -2.8 -0.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 21.268 167.9 166.9 0.3 -0.7 1.0 0.3 -0.6

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.981 122.2 121.6 -2.8 -2.0 -1.8 -1.1 -0.5

Capital goods................................... 2 36.486 107.3 107.4 0.8 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.715 116.2 116.3 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.751 95.5 95.6 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 7.020 156.2 156.2 2.8 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 9.489 114.0 113.9 0.5 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 11.803 115.4 115.2 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.439 112.4 112.0 -1.7 0.0 1.3 0.0 -0.4

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 4.977 111.9 111.7 0.0 0.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 17.141 168.5 165.9 -4.2 1.0 -0.9 -2.9 -1.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 1.803 177.5 177.7 3.7 -5.6 2.2 -0.2 0.1

Crop production............................... 111 1.371 184.0 185.0 4.6 -6.6 2.3 -0.3 0.5

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.134 76.2 71.5 -23.9 2.2 -2.1 -3.3 -6.2

Mining............................................ 21 15.338 167.2 164.3 -5.0 1.7 -1.1 -3.2 -1.7

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.248 123.0 123.5 -4.9 0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.4

Manufactured articles............................ 82.465 116.4 116.1 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 10.607 126.5 126.6 1.9 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.1

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.133 162.4 162.1 2.7 0.3 0.8 0.9 -0.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.941 117.5 117.6 3.2 0.1 1.6 0.1 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.358 102.7 102.8 1.9 -0.1 0.5 0.2 0.1

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.764 114.2 114.1 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 3.751 111.5 111.9 1.4 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.4

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.659 123.6 123.5 1.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.477 136.9 135.7 -0.4 0.2 -0.9 -0.6 -0.9

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.628 121.5 122.1 1.0 0.2 0.9 -0.2 0.5

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 0.985 111.3 111.0 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 -0.3

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 323 0.187 99.6 99.6 – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 3.964 157.0 151.4 -7.2 0.7 -2.4 -3.0 -3.6

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 8.949 137.3 137.1 2.9 0.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 1.926 121.7 121.8 -2.2 0.0 -1.0 0.0 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.838 130.5 130.5 0.6 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 54.381 108.2 108.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.242 160.9 159.6 2.0 -0.2 2.1 -0.2 -0.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.692 127.5 127.5 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 6.893 121.4 121.2 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 15.953 79.9 79.9 -0.9 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.124 119.5 119.5 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 14.375 111.4 111.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 0.1 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.366 116.6 116.7 2.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 4.737 122.4 122.2 1.1 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.798 150.4 148.6 -7.5 -2.3 -4.1 -4.5 -1.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.599 179.3 176.4 -11.1 -3.4 -4.3 -5.3 -1.6

Crop production............................... 111 4.388 186.3 183.1 -10.9 -3.2 -4.4 -5.5 -1.7

Mining............................................ 21 2.199 88.8 88.3 1.7 0.1 -3.8 -2.7 -0.6

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.331 98.5 98.0 -2.6 0.5 -0.8 0.6 -0.5

Manufactured articles............................ 91.231 120.6 120.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 7.298 157.8 157.0 3.8 0.1 0.6 -0.6 -0.5

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 5.212 184.4 182.8 5.3 0.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.497 111.6 113.3 -9.2 -3.0 -2.7 -3.0 1.5

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 316 0.301 109.8 110.7 – 0.1 2.1 0.4 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 26.163 131.4 130.9 -2.7 -0.6 0.7 -0.6 -0.4

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.462 124.1 125.4 3.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 1.0

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.854 126.2 125.3 2.6 -0.9 0.9 0.9 -0.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 7.135 159.8 158.9 -7.2 -2.3 1.4 -2.7 -0.6

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.474 128.6 128.1 -1.5 0.1 0.5 0.2 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.180 119.3 119.3 -1.0 0.2 -0.4 0.4 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.777 113.2 113.2 1.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 57.770 112.9 112.8 0.4 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.748 150.3 148.6 -1.9 -1.7 3.1 -0.4 -1.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.721 128.0 128.0 -2.4 0.1 0.4 -0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.791 124.0 124.0 1.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 13.813 87.5 87.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.6 0.0 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.507 115.1 114.9 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 15.720 119.8 119.8 1.5 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.368 109.0 108.7 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.9 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.103 125.1 125.3 3.4 0.1 -0.4 0.2 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.336 201.6 203.5 8.8 -1.7 1.7 1.2 0.9

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.326 273.8 276.7 25.1 2.2 5.5 3.2 1.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.679 137.2 139.9 -1.8 -3.6 -1.1 -1.1 2.0

Vegetable products............................... II 1.641 198.5 199.4 -1.3 -6.8 1.2 -0.2 0.5

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.380 357.6 373.6 -0.4 -13.3 3.2 -2.1 4.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.408 101.2 99.3 -12.8 -8.5 -3.2 3.4 -1.9

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.356 253.3 254.2 12.9 -5.1 3.8 1.4 0.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.253 117.3 109.9 -4.9 0.3 0.4 0.9 -6.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.542 163.6 163.3 2.9 0.9 0.6 0.6 -0.2

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.172 92.0 91.1 1.6 3.5 -2.1 1.8 -1.0

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.256 116.8 114.8 14.3 6.5 0.1 2.3 -1.7

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.245 131.7 131.6 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.305 168.2 168.6 2.2 0.7 -0.6 -0.2 0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.955 128.2 128.1 2.9 -0.1 1.7 0.2 -0.1

Mineral products.................................. V 19.414 337.0 329.9 -5.7 1.6 -1.5 -3.1 -2.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 19.153 334.1 327.0 -5.7 1.7 -1.5 -3.2 -2.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.167 152.5 152.1 2.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.607 307.8 312.9 0.3 -1.2 -5.0 -0.5 1.7

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.410 136.1 135.2 0.0 -0.3 1.0 -0.2 -0.7

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.372 134.3 134.1 6.8 0.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.313 108.1 110.9 3.4 -2.4 1.2 -1.4 2.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.180 105.3 105.3 11.1 -0.2 1.4 2.6 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.464 93.2 93.2 -5.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.135 146.7 146.5 -2.1 0.1 -0.6 -0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.022 149.9 150.3 1.3 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.113 142.6 141.3 -7.7 0.2 -2.0 -0.6 -0.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.615 127.7 127.6 1.7 -0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.579 130.1 130.0 2.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.658 147.3 147.9 0.8 0.1 0.9 -0.3 0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.043 113.7 113.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.687 107.2 106.9 -0.8 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Printed matter (Dec. 2013=100)............... 49 0.194 99.8 99.8 – 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 4.742 114.5 114.8 0.8 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 1.843 102.9 103.6 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.7

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.732 120.2 120.3 1.7 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.550 107.9 107.6 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.333 122.2 122.1 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.151 121.7 121.6 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.775 133.1 133.2 0.4 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 68 0.255 125.9 126.2 0.0 0.9 -0.6 0.2 0.2

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.239 141.8 141.6 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.281 129.6 129.5 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.682 184.2 181.9 -0.8 -1.3 3.1 -0.9 -1.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.401 184.4 184.6 3.0 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.1

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.274 222.7 223.9 4.8 -0.2 0.5 -0.4 0.5

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.692 155.0 154.9 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.3 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.445 333.6 327.7 -1.3 -0.5 -0.7 2.7 -1.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.742 143.9 144.8 6.7 2.2 0.6 1.6 0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.393 129.1 129.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.450 138.4 138.6 2.4 0.0 0.1 1.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.130 84.5 84.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 14.098 89.5 89.4 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 13.032 79.6 79.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 12.030 115.4 115.3 -0.6 0.0 -0.6 0.0 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 11.013 114.1 114.0 -0.6 0.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 0.917 120.1 120.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.447 104.9 104.6 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.148 101.7 101.4 0.4 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.241 143.4 143.1 1.4 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 3.574 114.0 114.1 1.0 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.085 118.5 118.6 1.5 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.257 106.0 106.1 0.9 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.232 135.0 134.8 -2.7 0.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 2.301 253.3 254.2 15.7 -1.2 4.0 0.6 0.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.391 200.2 194.9 16.0 1.2 5.3 0.6 -2.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.372 212.1 213.8 10.0 -1.6 3.3 2.6 0.8

Vegetable products............................... II 4.300 229.0 226.8 -9.2 -2.9 -3.9 -5.6 -1.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.054 163.6 174.6 10.5 -4.8 -3.5 -2.6 6.7

Cereals............................................ 10 1.029 225.7 219.6 -16.8 -8.7 -3.9 -4.8 -2.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.789 258.3 245.5 -12.9 1.1 -4.6 -7.9 -5.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.247 112.4 107.3 -12.3 -1.0 -1.3 -2.0 -4.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.864 163.9 164.0 -1.8 -0.2 -1.4 -2.0 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.351 118.1 117.7 4.3 0.0 -0.8 0.0 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.485 110.9 110.7 -2.1 -0.8 0.1 0.1 -0.2

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.670 244.0 245.5 -9.0 -0.8 -5.4 -7.7 0.6

Mineral products.................................. V 9.352 289.1 287.6 -5.7 -1.7 0.3 -2.6 -0.5

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.464 99.2 98.9 9.8 1.6 1.7 2.7 -0.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 8.705 284.9 283.4 -6.6 -1.9 0.3 -2.9 -0.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.910 150.5 150.1 -1.6 0.5 0.6 -0.1 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.875 170.7 171.8 -4.8 -0.8 -0.6 0.0 0.6

Organic chemicals............................... 29 3.252 169.4 167.7 1.3 0.3 4.0 -0.1 -1.0

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.594 116.0 115.5 -4.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 -0.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100).................... 31 0.311 86.5 86.4 -1.9 -0.5 1.4 0.7 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.710 133.6 133.1 -1.5 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.4

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.450 116.4 116.1 -4.0 0.4 -3.6 0.2 -0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.745 152.0 153.4 -0.7 2.3 -2.6 -0.6 0.9

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.245 151.3 151.1 1.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.7 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.263 146.1 146.2 2.0 -0.1 0.0 0.6 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.982 173.1 171.8 -1.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.6 -0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.462 163.1 164.8 16.1 0.3 1.4 1.0 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.315 126.4 124.9 2.0 -1.0 1.3 0.8 -1.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.698 131.9 129.8 2.9 -2.8 2.6 1.4 -1.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.190 125.5 123.9 2.4 -0.1 1.1 0.6 -1.3

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.861 129.6 128.8 -2.7 -2.1 -0.9 -1.3 -0.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.550 134.6 131.4 -11.9 -6.6 -3.2 -4.0 -2.4

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.747 120.1 120.1 1.5 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.383 98.6 98.6 1.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2013 to

September 2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.479 251.3 248.1 -0.1 -2.0 2.7 -0.4 -1.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.352 165.0 164.3 0.1 -0.1 1.0 0.1 -0.4

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.432 191.5 189.1 3.0 -0.7 -0.8 0.7 -1.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.608 229.7 226.5 -3.6 0.5 3.1 -0.9 -1.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.877 126.1 126.0 3.9 0.3 3.5 1.7 -0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.401 138.0 136.3 2.5 -0.1 0.6 -1.0 -1.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.313 147.1 147.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.888 97.3 97.3 0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.855 112.6 112.7 1.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.033 80.7 80.7 -1.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.516 130.0 130.0 1.3 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.794 115.1 115.1 1.1 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.050 108.0 108.1 0.9 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.427 111.0 110.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.795 123.0 122.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 1.0 -0.7

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.479 89.5 89.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: September 2013 to September

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept. 2013

to Sept.

2014

May 2014

to June

2014

June 2014

to July

2014

July 2014

to Aug.

2014

Aug. 2014

to Sept.

2014

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 133.4 132.5 0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles................... 12.677 246.0 242.0 -1.6 1.5 -1.9 -2.8 -1.6

Manufactured articles........................ 86.761 124.4 123.6 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.6

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 137.7 137.2 -1.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles................... 19.931 344.3 339.2 -5.5 1.0 -0.7 -1.9 -1.5

Manufactured articles........................ 79.824 109.5 109.4 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Canada.......................................... 100.000 154.5 153.4 -0.4 0.7 -0.4 -0.8 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles................... 32.756 237.9 234.3 -0.7 1.5 -2.1 -2.9 -1.5

Manufactured articles........................ 66.384 136.2 135.7 -0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 -0.4

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 139.4 138.1 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.9

Manufactured articles........................ 99.305 135.5 134.3 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.9

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 123.1 122.9 0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 119.0 118.5 2.0 0.4 -0.8 0.0 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 132.1 131.8 2.6 0.2 0.7 -0.1 -0.2

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 170.7 169.7 -3.4 -0.2 -0.6 -0.9 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles................... 28.498 357.3 352.6 -8.5 0.7 -1.8 -3.2 -1.3

Manufactured articles........................ 71.094 130.1 129.7 -0.8 -0.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 141.2 140.7 -2.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 16.490 191.9 189.3 -8.7 -0.2 -2.9 -1.9 -1.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 83.258 92.9 92.7 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 102.5 102.4 -0.7 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.9 103.8 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 98.6 98.5 -1.4 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 89.2 89.3 -1.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

.................... 100.000 103.7 103.3 -1.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 100.000 271.4 268.9 0.5 0.1 2.1 0.0 -0.9

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2013 to September 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20141

Index Percent change

Aug.

2014

Sept.

2014

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2013 to

Sept.

2014

May 2014

to June

2014

June

2014 to

July 2014

July 2014

to Aug.

2014

Aug.

2014 to

Sept.

2014

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 175.9 175.1 1.3 0.1 -0.3 0.4 -0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 28.418 179.4 176.6 5.7 0.3 -0.6 -0.2 -1.6

Asia.................................................. 68.421 152.0 152.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.7 0.0

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 160.1 160.0 8.6 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 37.056 143.3 143.2 8.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 165.2 164.5 1.9 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.376 159.0 157.0 4.9 0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -1.3

Asia.................................................. 63.058 147.7 147.5 1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 153.1 153.1 5.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 33.470 171.9 171.9 7.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Asia.................................................. 47.144 145.2 145.1 4.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 193.9 193.3 6.3 6.9 -2.8 -4.3 -0.3

Europe............................................... 41.299 208.2 215.5 2.0 8.7 -5.3 -6.9 3.5

Asia.................................................. 25.062 159.0 147.6 0.9 5.8 -1.9 -3.2 -7.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.045 173.4 163.8 0.9 0.5 1.7 0.8 -5.5

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 214.7 190.9 2.9 4.8 3.6 5.5 -11.1

Europe............................................... 25.061 238.8 233.3 4.1 13.2 -0.6 -8.8 -2.3

Asia.................................................. 32.544 204.5 157.5 1.5 1.4 1.9 19.2 -23.0

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 16.381 192.7 189.2 1.5 1.3 -4.8 2.8 -1.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

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."
16 

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). 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.