Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, November 10, 2010 

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

USDL-10-1547

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – OCTOBER 2010 

U.S. import prices rose 0.9 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

edging down 0.1 percent in September. Higher fuel and nonfuel prices contributed to the increase in 

October. Export prices advanced for the third consecutive month in October, rising 0.8 percent. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2009 – October 2010 

 Percent change 

0.8

1.5

0.2

1.2

-0.1

0.4

1.1

-0.8

-1.2

0.0

0.4

-0.1

0.9

-2

-1

0

1

2

Oct'09 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct'10

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: October 2009 – October 2010 

 Percent change

-5.6

3.4

8.6

11.4 11.3 11.2 11.2

8.5

4.3 4.9

3.8 3.5 3.6

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Oct'09 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct'10
 

All Imports: The price index for overall imports increased 0.9 percent in October, the largest monthly 

advance for the index since a 1.1 percent advance in April. The October rise was also only the second onemonth upturn since the April increase. Despite the downward trend between May and September, import 

prices rose 3.6 percent over the past 12 months. 

Fuel Imports: A 3.0 percent advance in fuel prices in October accounted for approximately two thirds of 

the increase in overall import prices. The October rise in fuel prices was the largest monthly advance since a 

4.4 percent increase in January, and was driven by a 3.3 percent advance in petroleum prices, which more 

than offset a 2.3 percent drop in the price index for natural gas. Fuel prices increased 7.9 percent for the year 

ended in October, while petroleum and natural gas prices rose 7.6 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively, over 

the same period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel prices rose 0.3 percent for the third consecutive month in October. 

Rising prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages led the advance, 

while prices for finished goods were mixed. The price index for nonfuel imports increased 2.5 percent over 

the past 12 months, driven by an 11.8 percent jump in the nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2009 – October 2010 

 Percent change 

0.0

0.8

0.7

0.8

-0.3

0.7

1.1

0.5

-0.7

-0.2

0.8

0.6

0.8

-1

0

1

2

Oct'09 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct'10

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: October 2009 – October 2010 

 Percent change 

-3.6

0.4

3.4 3.5 3.4

4.9

5.5 5.6

3.7 3.9 4.1

4.9

5.8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

Oct'09 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct'10

All Exports: Export prices increased 0.8 percent in October following similar advances of 0.6 percent and 

0.8 percent in September and August, respectively. Higher prices for agricultural and nonagricultural 

exports contributed to the increases in each of the three months. The price index for overall exports rose 5.8 

percent over the past year, the largest 12-month advance since a 7.0 percent jump between September 2007 

and September 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose for the third consecutive month in October, rising 

2.5 percent following advances of 2.3 percent and 4.2 percent the previous two months. Higher prices for 

corn, soybeans, and cotton, up 8.7 percent, 4.0 percent, and 6.8 percent, respectively, more than offset a 5.3 

percent downturn in wheat prices. Sharp increases in wheat prices had driven the advances in agricultural 

prices in August and September. The price index for agricultural exports rose 15.7 percent for the October 

2009-10 period. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.7 percent in October and 4.8 

percent over the past year. Both increases were led by rising prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies 

and materials, up 1.8 percent in October and 13.8 percent over the past year. 

3

 
4

SELECTED OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials rose 1.9 

percent in October after advancing 1.0 percent the previous month. Rising prices for both unfinished metals, 

up 3.1 percent, and chemicals, up 2.1 percent, each contributed to the October increase. The increase in 

unfinished metals prices was led by higher prices for copper, aluminum, gold, and other precious metals. 

Chemical prices were primarily driven by a 5.6 percent increase in fertilizer prices. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in October. Prices for automotive vehicles rose 0.4 

percent, an increase that was in part attributable to year-end model changeovers. In contrast, consumer 

goods prices fell 0.5 percent, led by falling prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products and 

household goods. Capital goods prices were unchanged as declining computer prices offset higher prices for 

non-computer capital goods. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.1 percent in October 

despite a 4.6 percent downturn in coffee prices. Coffee prices, up 29.9 percent over the past 12 months, 

were the main contributor to a 9.8 percent rise in foods, feeds, and beverages for the year ended in October. 

The October increase was led by higher prices for fruit and food oils. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China rose 0.4 percent in October, the largest onemonth advance for the index since a 0.8 percent increase in July 2008. The price indexes of imports from 

Canada, Mexico, and Japan also rose in October, up 1.4 percent, 0.6 percent, and 0.2 percent, respectively. 

In contrast, prices of imports from the European Union edged down 0.1 percent in October. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 4.8 percent in October, after declining in each of 

the previous three months. Higher European, Asian, and Latin American/Caribbean fares all contributed to 

the October increase. Despite the recent declines prior to October, import air passenger fares rose 14.9 

percent over the past year. Import air freight prices advanced 0.9 percent in October after a 0.2 percent rise 

in September and a 1.3 percent increase in August. 

Export Prices 

 

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

supplies and materials advanced 1.8 percent in October. The increase was led by higher prices for metals, 

fuels, and chemicals, up 4.3 percent, 2.9 percent, and 1.6 percent, respectively. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for consumer goods and automotive vehicles rose in October, increasing 0.9 

percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Those advances were offset in part by a 0.1 percent drop in capital 

goods prices that was driven by a 1.0 percent decline in computer prices. 

Transportation Services: In contrast to import air passenger fares, export air passenger fares fell 1.1 

percent in October. The decrease followed an 8.1 percent drop in September and was led mostly by a 6.2 

percent decline in Asian air passenger fares. The index for overall export air passenger fares jumped 23.1 

percent over the past 12 months despite the recent declines. Export air freight prices increased 0.5 percent 

in October and 4.1 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for November 2010 are scheduled for release on Friday, 

December 10, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 125.6 126.7 3.6 0.0 0.4 -0.1 0.9

All imports excluding petroleum................ 81.209 110.9 111.3 2.7 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 79.830 114.7 115.1 2.5 -0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.956 153.4 155.1 9.8 0.3 2.1 0.7 1.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.837 171.3 173.7 10.4 0.1 2.5 0.5 1.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.119 113.0 112.9 7.6 1.3 1.1 1.1 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.693 199.8 204.8 9.4 0.1 0.7 -0.6 2.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.903 150.8 153.3 11.7 -0.7 -0.3 0.5 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.524 168.8 172.0 11.8 -1.1 0.1 1.0 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.123 162.6 165.7 12.6 -1.8 -0.1 1.2 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.400 136.9 138.7 10.4 0.7 -0.6 -0.5 1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 20.168 246.4 253.8 7.9 1.0 1.0 -1.7 3.0

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 18.789 269.2 278.0 7.6 0.8 1.4 -1.5 3.3

Crude.......................................... 10000 13.913 275.7 284.0 6.1 1.1 1.5 -1.4 3.0

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.130 116.8 114.8 9.3 3.8 -4.8 -5.6 -1.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.817 100.7 98.4 9.5 5.1 -5.2 -7.6 -2.3

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.747 116.5 117.0 16.4 0.9 -0.3 0.3 0.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.731 147.7 150.5 9.3 -0.1 0.4 0.8 1.9

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.340 124.8 125.2 5.6 -4.2 -1.0 -0.2 0.3

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.273 244.4 252.0 21.2 -2.4 0.2 2.2 3.1

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.867 147.6 150.1 9.0 -0.6 0.2 1.2 1.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.566 107.7 108.1 3.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.393 91.8 91.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.986 112.5 112.3 1.4 0.2 0.6 0.2 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.394 86.2 86.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.013 121.6 121.7 -1.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.221 109.3 109.7 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.736 104.2 103.7 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.5

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.653 110.0 109.4 1.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 -0.5

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.856 98.7 98.2 -2.7 -0.7 -0.5 0.1 -0.5

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.227 103.0 103.6 2.0 -0.5 1.2 -0.1 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 123.7 124.7 5.8 -0.2 0.8 0.6 0.8

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.298 175.9 180.3 15.7 -0.2 4.2 2.3 2.5

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.702 119.9 120.7 4.8 -0.2 0.5 0.3 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.361 174.6 178.4 14.0 -0.3 4.3 2.0 2.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.778 177.6 181.7 14.3 -0.4 4.7 2.1 2.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.583 149.4 149.8 11.0 0.3 -0.3 1.5 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 31.764 162.6 165.6 14.3 -0.6 1.5 0.9 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.359 167.1 169.6 11.4 -0.5 0.2 1.3 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 19.405 160.7 163.9 16.2 -0.8 2.4 0.6 2.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.520 172.0 177.8 23.6 0.9 1.6 3.2 3.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 30.243 162.4 165.3 13.8 -0.8 1.5 0.7 1.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.976 212.7 218.9 24.7 -2.1 5.4 -0.9 2.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.260 158.2 160.6 12.1 -0.4 0.7 1.2 1.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.007 117.2 116.8 3.8 -0.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 37.884 103.4 103.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.518 108.7 109.2 1.2 -0.7 0.1 0.1 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 27.624 94.2 93.9 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.742 140.2 140.5 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.080 108.7 108.9 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.912 111.7 112.7 3.1 0.4 -0.1 0.9 0.9

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.906 112.9 113.4 3.8 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.699 109.9 111.4 1.6 0.8 -0.8 1.6 1.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 17.711 124.3 127.5 8.6 1.1 1.4 -1.4 2.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.888 154.1 155.6 17.1 -0.7 4.3 0.2 1.0

Crop production................................. 111 1.342 160.4 161.3 15.4 -0.5 5.4 -0.3 0.6

Mining.............................................. 21 15.823 121.1 124.5 7.7 1.2 1.1 -1.7 2.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.551 139.3 138.9 5.6 0.9 -0.8 0.1 -0.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.742 110.1 110.6 2.4 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.376 110.9 111.6 4.0 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.730 132.5 134.3 13.2 1.4 1.6 0.8 1.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.919 108.6 109.2 1.4 0.1 0.5 -0.1 0.6

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.799 103.7 103.9 3.5 1.2 0.1 0.3 0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.983 101.7 102.2 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.5

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.540 108.2 108.5 1.3 0.7 0.2 0.3 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.019 121.3 122.3 6.2 -0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.806 101.9 102.2 8.7 -6.8 -1.2 -0.3 0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.271 109.7 110.3 11.0 0.8 -0.2 0.2 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.910 120.7 125.0 8.9 -0.2 0.4 -2.2 3.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.082 126.4 126.0 4.7 -0.5 0.2 0.5 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.829 116.1 116.8 4.2 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.012 122.5 123.5 3.5 0.8 0.0 0.5 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.348 106.5 106.8 0.9 -0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.963 160.7 165.2 20.2 -2.4 0.2 2.1 2.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.749 119.0 119.8 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.7

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.843 113.8 114.5 1.4 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.6

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.957 86.3 85.8 -3.6 -0.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.6

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.847 112.8 112.5 -0.2 0.0 0.4 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.467 106.3 106.6 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.336 106.4 106.6 -1.6 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.186 112.7 112.7 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.292 144.1 147.4 24.6 -1.6 5.9 3.1 2.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.009 156.4 161.2 22.1 -0.7 7.3 3.6 3.1

Crop production................................. 111 4.650 161.4 166.8 23.0 -0.7 8.0 3.9 3.3

Mining.............................................. 21 2.283 112.3 112.8 28.9 -3.4 2.9 2.3 0.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.835 132.2 133.8 44.8 -1.6 3.4 1.7 1.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.923 112.8 113.6 4.3 -0.1 0.4 0.4 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.756 129.0 130.6 8.3 0.4 0.4 0.9 1.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.581 144.6 146.4 8.4 0.4 0.5 0.9 1.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.547 112.6 113.9 5.5 1.9 1.4 1.2 1.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.379 105.6 105.6 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.815 120.2 122.0 10.4 -0.3 2.0 0.2 1.5

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.447 113.8 113.5 5.4 -0.6 -0.9 -0.4 -0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 2.054 123.9 123.4 11.4 1.5 -0.1 1.0 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.590 121.6 127.3 23.8 -1.5 8.8 -2.9 4.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.842 122.6 124.1 9.9 -0.3 1.0 0.9 1.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.053 107.9 108.1 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.830 113.3 114.3 2.3 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.9

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 59.352 108.4 108.7 1.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.022 148.6 152.3 18.2 0.2 -0.9 1.6 2.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.737 121.5 121.9 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.512 114.8 114.9 1.9 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.246 91.4 90.9 -2.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.383 108.3 108.7 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.074 111.4 111.6 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.029 111.6 113.1 2.4 0.7 -0.6 1.3 1.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.162 147.7 147.9 12.2 0.1 1.7 1.4 0.1

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.262 183.8 183.7 18.3 -1.6 1.7 0.3 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.611 112.8 113.3 12.5 1.8 1.5 2.0 0.4

Vegetable products................................ II 1.579 179.0 180.5 14.1 0.1 4.8 0.6 0.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.408 314.2 302.6 2.8 -7.8 9.6 -4.6 -3.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.427 112.0 114.0 12.0 -1.2 2.8 3.2 1.8

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.351 206.0 199.5 27.0 9.2 3.2 6.8 -3.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.228 110.8 116.2 – 1.8 6.3 0.9 4.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.338 143.3 145.0 6.0 1.1 0.6 -0.2 1.2

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.197 94.3 93.4 – 0.0 -1.4 -2.0 -1.0

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.264 124.7 127.6 15.3 6.9 -0.2 0.0 2.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.287 129.4 136.2 8.1 -0.6 0.4 0.0 5.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.905 118.0 118.8 1.5 0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.7

Mineral products.................................... V 20.189 248.8 255.7 7.7 1.0 0.9 -1.7 2.8

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.190 102.4 103.1 – 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 19.746 245.1 252.1 7.6 1.0 0.9 -1.8 2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.357 139.8 140.1 5.5 -0.6 0.3 0.6 0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.999 286.1 308.3 29.2 -0.9 -0.3 4.3 7.8

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.776 133.8 134.4 5.5 -0.5 0.5 0.0 0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.852 118.2 114.4 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 -3.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.310 100.0 101.6 – -1.6 -0.6 1.2 1.6

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.164 106.6 106.8 0.8 -0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.408 118.6 119.5 -2.1 -1.5 2.3 0.7 0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.502 93.9 95.8 6.4 0.4 0.2 0.8 2.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.045 137.8 139.4 9.0 0.4 0.2 0.2 1.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.900 132.2 132.4 6.3 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.145 148.6 152.9 13.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 2.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.598 115.1 115.1 1.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.542 115.2 115.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.825 122.9 123.3 8.0 -6.6 -1.7 -0.4 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.415 113.4 113.9 8.6 0.6 -0.2 0.4 0.4

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.226 127.1 128.0 – 1.2 -2.5 -0.2 0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.916 106.0 106.5 5.3 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.5

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.273 122.4 122.4 1.9 -0.1 0.2 0.7 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.019 103.7 104.2 1.0 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.5

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.928 99.1 99.7 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.6

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.875 102.9 103.4 0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.547 95.8 96.2 4.8 1.6 0.1 0.3 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.234 108.3 108.6 1.0 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.3

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.051 107.6 107.8 1.1 0.9 0.2 0.3 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.890 124.5 126.1 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.4 1.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.317 118.3 119.0 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.6

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.278 139.3 139.4 -0.1 -0.4 -0.4 0.9 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.295 115.8 119.5 2.8 0.3 0.4 0.1 3.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.823 161.3 166.4 13.6 -0.4 -0.6 0.9 3.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.170 181.3 183.5 12.6 -1.6 0.6 1.6 1.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.404 229.3 227.0 17.0 -2.2 -2.1 0.2 -1.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.895 151.9 152.4 10.8 0.0 0.5 0.9 0.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.693 333.1 351.0 18.9 -1.9 2.4 5.6 5.4

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.188 122.3 126.4 – -10.4 1.4 3.3 3.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.832 135.6 139.1 14.9 -2.3 2.7 1.8 2.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.366 118.2 119.3 2.1 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.9

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.413 127.1 127.5 -0.4 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.3

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.483 86.2 86.1 -1.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.915 88.3 88.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.568 84.2 83.8 -2.9 -0.8 -0.4 0.0 -0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.420 110.5 110.8 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.316 109.5 109.9 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.4

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.006 113.7 113.7 -1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.277 101.0 101.0 -1.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.968 98.7 98.7 -1.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.230 122.4 123.1 -1.2 0.1 0.9 -0.3 0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.885 106.7 106.7 -0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.979 109.7 109.9 -1.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.702 101.0 100.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.205 120.7 121.0 4.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.781 175.7 178.4 18.7 0.2 -0.1 1.9 1.5

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.010 143.9 146.9 21.8 1.4 -0.7 -0.4 2.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.327 156.7 157.0 19.6 0.9 -0.7 2.6 0.2

Vegetable products................................ II 4.513 195.6 200.4 14.1 -0.3 7.6 2.7 2.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.705 117.8 122.2 9.9 -7.9 -1.1 -1.3 3.7

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.951 216.6 222.6 29.3 1.8 13.0 9.9 2.8

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.362 207.9 215.5 8.5 1.5 8.0 -3.4 3.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.311 110.0 116.0 – -1.3 0.4 1.5 5.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.490 142.9 143.8 3.3 0.9 1.3 0.4 0.6

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.339 103.8 104.4 – 0.1 0.0 -1.7 0.6

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.405 118.4 118.8 -0.7 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.327 103.1 103.6 0.1 -0.5 0.7 0.6 0.5

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.608 198.7 203.7 6.6 4.5 4.1 1.2 2.5

Mineral products.................................... V 5.949 254.4 261.5 24.2 -2.3 5.8 -0.8 2.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 5.221 245.1 252.3 24.3 -2.2 6.0 -1.2 2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.047 145.9 148.2 9.9 -0.4 0.7 0.7 1.6

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.071 186.0 188.8 13.3 0.5 -0.3 0.1 1.5

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.079 154.6 158.3 14.3 -1.3 1.3 0.6 2.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.967 124.1 125.1 7.5 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.8

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.539 116.8 117.1 1.9 2.3 0.1 0.3 0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.714 124.7 125.3 -0.7 -1.0 1.3 0.5 0.5

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.447 122.9 120.0 2.9 0.4 0.8 3.1 -2.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 2.078 143.1 142.9 7.4 0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.074 138.7 138.3 3.5 -0.2 0.9 0.7 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.116 132.3 131.9 3.3 -0.4 0.9 0.9 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.958 167.5 167.1 4.7 0.8 0.4 0.1 -0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.374 120.7 121.5 23.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.552 109.4 109.2 5.8 -0.4 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.581 122.1 122.7 13.2 1.9 0.7 1.2 0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.739 139.1 141.7 37.8 2.9 0.4 3.6 1.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.347 118.3 117.8 7.3 2.2 1.1 0.4 -0.4

Printed material.................................... 49 0.495 116.0 116.9 1.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.8

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.083 120.1 123.3 16.9 0.1 1.2 2.5 2.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.745 145.9 157.2 53.5 0.2 3.6 6.3 7.7

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: October 2009 to

October 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June

2010 to

July 2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.785 116.1 116.0 1.3 -0.3 0.2 0.3 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.417 98.0 98.2 0.6 -0.2 0.4 0.5 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.079 215.6 225.6 24.0 0.9 -1.5 2.8 4.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.904 163.9 164.8 8.3 -0.7 1.3 1.6 0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.757 195.7 192.1 10.0 -2.1 0.8 2.0 -1.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.511 159.6 159.4 1.5 0.4 -0.1 0.7 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.605 238.4 248.4 27.3 -0.4 6.9 3.2 4.2

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.881 123.3 126.9 12.9 -0.3 2.2 2.7 2.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.408 124.1 125.5 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.310 124.2 124.8 2.2 0.2 -0.4 -0.5 0.5

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 29.752 95.1 95.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.488 106.4 106.3 0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.264 82.9 82.8 -1.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.176 121.7 121.9 1.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.462 108.5 108.8 0.9 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.3

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.294 101.9 102.0 – 0.3 0.7 0.8 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.904 106.8 106.7 -1.7 0.4 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.499 107.6 107.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.748 118.2 118.3 -0.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.639 92.5 92.1 -1.1 0.1 -0.6 0.1 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: October 2009 to October 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June 2010

to July

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug. 2010

to Sept.

2010

Sept. 2010

to Oct.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 124.5 125.3 3.0 0.5 0.2 -0.3 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 189.9 195.0 8.2 3.4 -0.5 -1.8 2.7

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 119.1 119.5 2.5 0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.3

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 123.6 124.6 3.1 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 253.4 259.6 8.7 0.7 2.1 -0.9 2.4

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 105.3 105.6 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.3

Canada............................................ 15.923 140.3 142.2 7.2 0.4 0.4 0.0 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 183.6 188.5 9.6 4.0 -0.8 -1.8 2.7

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 132.5 133.8 6.5 -0.8 0.7 0.5 1.0

European Union4

............................... 16.799 128.4 128.3 1.7 -0.2 0.6 0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 251.6 256.4 4.9 -1.6 2.3 -0.2 1.9

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 125.9 125.7 1.7 -0.2 0.6 0.2 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 121.4 121.1 -1.6 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 111.7 112.3 1.3 -0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 126.0 126.7 3.0 -0.3 0.6 0.3 0.6

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 155.8 157.1 3.9 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 280.2 284.4 7.1 2.1 2.1 -0.2 1.5

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 129.6 130.3 2.0 -0.8 -0.2 0.2 0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 136.1 136.9 1.2 -0.8 0.1 0.2 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 147.6 150.2 5.7 0.3 2.4 0.2 1.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 95.9 96.2 -0.3 -1.1 -0.5 0.2 0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 101.4 101.2 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 100.5 100.9 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4

Japan.............................................. 6.678 99.0 99.2 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 88.6 87.7 2.2 0.5 0.0 0.1 -1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 97.3 97.7 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 202.5 207.3 3.9 -2.0 0.9 0.0 2.4

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2009 to October 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Sept.

20101

Index Percent change

Sept.

2010

Oct.

2010

Annual Monthly

Oct. 2009

to Oct.

2010

June 2010

to July

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug. 2010

to Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 163.2 164.7 12.7 -1.1 1.3 0.2 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.535 131.7 135.5 -0.3 -1.3 4.3 1.0 2.9

Asia.................................................... 75.434 151.7 152.2 17.2 -0.3 0.6 0.1 0.3

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 125.7 126.3 4.1 -1.3 0.5 0.4 0.5

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 32.849 114.3 115.0 3.6 -1.7 0.1 -0.5 0.6

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 147.2 149.4 10.8 -1.4 1.2 0.3 1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.397 124.5 127.0 0.5 -1.3 3.8 1.4 2.0

Asia.................................................... 67.497 137.1 137.9 14.8 -0.6 0.6 0.1 0.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 122.8 124.3 10.6 -0.7 0.1 0.9 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.962 141.3 143.8 11.1 -0.7 0.2 -0.2 1.8

Asia.................................................... 41.978 111.6 112.9 9.6 -0.7 0.1 1.3 1.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 160.9 168.6 14.9 -1.3 -4.1 -3.1 4.8

Europe................................................. 42.960 177.0 187.2 17.3 -3.9 -5.9 -3.0 5.8

Asia.................................................... 28.162 140.1 145.5 12.4 0.8 -4.5 -6.4 3.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.746 142.8 150.0 24.7 3.5 1.0 -2.8 5.0

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 172.9 171.0 23.1 5.4 1.2 -8.1 -1.1

Europe................................................. 33.549 216.2 214.6 23.8 3.1 -6.6 -6.8 -0.7

Asia.................................................... 32.132 165.4 155.2 35.8 5.5 19.4 -15.4 -6.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.590 168.2 176.4 23.6 2.1 -2.3 -0.5 4.9

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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