Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, March 16, 2010 

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

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

USDL-10-0315

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

The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.3 percent in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 

The decrease was led by a 1.9 percent downturn in fuel prices, which more than offset a 0.2 percent advance 

in nonfuel prices. Export prices fell 0.5 percent in February after advancing 0.7 percent in each of the 

previous two months. 

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

 Percent change 

0.0

1.1

1.7

2.7

-0.6

1.5

0.2

0.8

1.5

0.2

1.3

-0.3

0.5

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Feb'09 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'10

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

 Percent change 

-12.7

-14.9 -16.4 -17.3 -17.5 -19.1

-15.3

-12.0

-5.6

3.4

8.6

11.5 11.2

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Feb'09 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'10
 

All Imports: In February, import prices decreased for the first time since a 0.6 percent decline in July, 

falling 0.3 percent. The February downturn followed a 1.3 percent advance in January and was driven by a 

turnaround in fuel prices. Despite the February decline, import prices advanced 11.2 percent for the year 

ended in February after decreasing 12.7 percent for the February 2008-09 period. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices countered an upward trend in February, falling 1.9 percent following a 4.9 

percent rise in January. A 2.2 percent decline in petroleum prices was slightly offset by a 2.6 percent 

increase in natural gas prices. Over the past year, the price index for petroleum increased 81.3 percent and 

natural gas prices rose 16.3 percent, driving overall fuel prices up 70.8 percent for the same period. The 12-

month increase in fuel prices followed a 49.8 percent drop for the February 2008-09 period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports rose for the seventh consecutive month, advancing 

0.2 percent. The increase was led by higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. Lower 

prices for foods, feeds, and beverages, capital goods, and consumer goods mitigated the overall advance. 

Over the past 12 months, nonfuel import prices increased 2.0 percent. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

-0.3

0.5 0.4

1.0

-0.3

0.6

-0.2

0.0

0.8 0.7 0.7

-0.5

-0.7

-1

0

1

2

Feb'09 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'10

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

 Percent change 

-4.5

-6.7 -6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.2 -5.6

-3.6

0.4

3.4 3.3 3.1

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Feb'09 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'10

All Exports: Export prices decreased for the first time in five months, falling 0.5 percent in February. The 

February drop was the largest monthly decline since the index fell 0.7 percent in March 2009. Lower 

agricultural prices accounted for approximately 65 percent of the overall decline. Despite the February 

decrease, the price index for overall exports rose 3.1 percent over the past 12 months. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports fell 3.8 percent in February, following a 1.3 

percent advance in January. Lower prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat led the downturn in agricultural 

prices. For the year ended in February, agricultural prices rose 2.3 percent, led by a 33.0 percent rise in nut 

prices and a 28.9 percent increase in cotton prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices declined 0.2 percent in February, the first 

decrease in 11 months. Lower prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and capital goods 

contributed to the overall decline in February. The price index for nonagricultural export prices increased 

3.3 percent for the year ended in February. 

 

3
4

SELECTED FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

1.0 percent in February after rising 1.6 percent in January. Rising prices for metals and lumber led the 

advances this month. 

Finished Goods: Import finished goods prices were virtually unchanged in February, as the price indexes 

for capital goods and consumer goods each decreased 0.1 percent and the price index for automotive 

vehicles was unchanged. The decrease in capital goods prices was led by a 1.4 percent drop in prices for 

measuring, testing, and control instruments. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages decreased for the first time 

since a 1.1 percent decline in July, edging down 0.1 percent. Vegetables and food oils, which fell 2.1 

percent and 2.7 percent, respectively, were the primary contributors to the February decline. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China and Japan declined in February, each falling 0.1 

percent. Lower fuel prices contributed to February decreases in import prices from Mexico and the 

European Union. The price index for imports from Mexico declined 0.7 percent while import prices from 

the European Union edged down 0.1 percent. In contrast, import prices from Canada rose 0.1 percent. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 3.5 percent in February after decreasing 3.2 

percent in January. Lower Asian and European fares contributed to the decline. The price index for import 

air freight also decreased in February, falling 0.3 percent. The decline was led by a 0.7 percent decrease in 

Asian air freight prices. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices fell 0.5 percent in February, the first decrease since a 0.1 percent drop in July. Lower prices for 

petroleum were partly offset by higher prices for chemicals. 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods categories were mixed in February. The price indexes 

for consumer goods and automotive vehicles rose 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, while prices for 

capital goods fell 0.3 percent. The drop in capital goods prices was led by a 1.1 percent decline in prices for 

computers, peripherals, and semiconductors. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares decreased 7.7 percent in February following a 3.4 

percent increase the previous month. The decline was led by lower Asian and Latin American fares. In 

contrast, the price index for export air freight rose 0.4 percent in February after advancing 0.3 percent in 

January. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for March 2010 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, April 13, 

2010 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2009 to

February 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 126.0 125.6 11.2 1.5 0.2 1.3 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 80.444 110.3 110.5 2.1 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.634 113.4 113.6 2.0 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.684 145.5 145.3 5.4 1.0 0.8 1.3 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.657 163.8 163.1 6.6 1.4 0.8 1.9 -0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.027 104.1 104.9 1.5 -0.4 0.4 -0.8 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.191 203.4 201.8 39.3 4.2 0.7 3.6 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.634 149.1 150.7 10.3 2.9 2.8 2.7 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.824 161.3 162.9 10.5 1.3 1.9 1.6 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.672 155.1 157.4 14.8 1.3 2.3 1.7 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.152 141.7 142.6 4.9 5.2 3.3 3.9 0.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.367 262.0 257.0 70.8 6.3 -0.2 4.9 -1.9

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 19.557 281.2 274.9 81.3 5.4 -1.1 4.4 -2.2

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.374 285.9 279.1 85.0 4.8 -2.0 4.0 -2.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.564 162.2 165.6 11.3 22.4 12.1 12.6 2.1

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.242 153.7 157.7 16.3 27.3 14.2 17.6 2.6

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.666 104.3 106.4 -2.2 1.9 0.7 1.2 2.0

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.562 142.9 142.8 4.2 1.2 1.0 1.5 -0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.311 122.4 124.7 7.0 -0.1 1.9 1.3 1.9

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.966 227.7 233.2 32.6 2.4 4.0 2.8 2.4

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.784 141.5 141.4 3.9 1.1 0.8 0.9 -0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.535 105.9 106.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.314 91.8 91.7 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.956 111.8 111.7 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.328 86.2 86.1 -1.3 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.030 123.1 122.8 1.8 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.096 108.5 108.5 0.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.716 104.5 104.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.476 108.7 108.5 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.7 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.028 100.5 100.5 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.212 102.1 102.9 -1.4 -0.5 1.0 0.0 0.8

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: February 2009 to

February 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 120.5 119.9 3.1 0.8 0.7 0.7 -0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.054 166.9 160.6 2.3 3.9 1.8 1.3 -3.8

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.946 117.2 117.0 3.3 0.5 0.5 0.7 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.230 167.5 161.2 -0.6 3.5 1.9 1.5 -3.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.668 170.6 163.2 -0.5 3.5 2.0 1.6 -4.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.562 140.3 146.4 0.5 3.6 0.4 -0.1 4.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 30.586 152.5 151.8 10.1 1.8 1.8 1.6 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.111 159.5 158.9 11.3 1.2 2.4 1.1 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 18.475 149.0 148.3 9.4 2.3 1.3 1.9 -0.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.386 152.8 151.7 20.2 5.5 0.5 0.2 -0.7

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 29.200 152.8 152.1 9.7 1.6 1.8 1.7 -0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.778 200.3 191.2 22.4 5.2 2.7 5.6 -4.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.406 148.4 149.2 8.0 1.0 1.7 0.7 0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.016 115.1 116.2 0.8 0.4 0.4 1.4 1.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 38.889 103.4 103.1 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.3

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.640 109.5 109.6 2.7 0.9 0.4 0.2 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.410 94.3 94.0 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.839 138.5 138.6 3.0 -0.4 -0.1 1.6 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.306 108.5 108.6 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.989 109.5 109.8 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.961 111.0 111.9 2.7 0.5 0.2 0.9 0.8

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.773 108.4 108.0 -1.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.7 -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

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

February 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.470 130.0 128.0 61.8 6.0 -0.4 4.9 -1.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.754 143.6 144.0 10.2 2.3 1.3 4.4 0.3

Crop production................................. 111 1.268 152.1 152.7 7.8 2.6 1.5 4.5 0.4

Mining.............................................. 21 16.716 128.4 126.1 70.9 6.4 -0.7 5.1 -1.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.505 128.2 128.0 -2.3 -1.0 -1.0 -0.5 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.027 109.6 109.5 4.0 0.6 0.3 0.6 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.060 107.9 107.7 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.503 121.9 121.7 4.7 1.0 1.2 0.6 -0.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.918 108.8 108.3 1.6 0.5 0.6 -0.1 -0.5

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.776 101.2 101.4 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.9 0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.945 101.1 101.0 -1.5 -0.1 -1.0 0.4 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.515 106.8 106.7 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.933 121.2 120.7 13.7 1.9 0.9 2.4 -0.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.775 98.3 101.5 12.4 -0.2 2.3 2.4 3.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.173 101.6 103.3 -3.5 1.1 0.5 0.6 1.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.175 129.3 125.9 69.4 6.2 1.2 4.8 -2.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.920 124.5 124.5 3.9 0.7 0.7 2.0 0.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.795 114.3 113.7 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.9 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.991 120.3 120.6 1.4 -0.1 0.1 0.8 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.035 106.3 106.4 1.8 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.613 149.9 153.3 24.2 2.3 4.0 2.6 2.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.678 116.3 116.6 -1.3 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.788 113.2 112.9 1.4 0.0 0.3 0.0 -0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.236 88.2 88.1 -1.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.842 113.1 112.7 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 -0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.386 106.0 105.9 1.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.349 107.8 107.6 -2.4 -0.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.142 112.1 112.1 1.7 0.3 -0.1 -0.4 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: February 2009 to

February 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.810 131.0 123.2 4.0 3.9 3.3 3.2 -6.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.872 148.1 137.0 -0.8 6.1 2.6 3.1 -7.5

Crop production................................. 111 4.506 152.3 139.9 -1.3 6.3 2.7 2.8 -8.1

Mining.............................................. 21 1.938 92.8 90.8 20.7 -3.1 5.7 3.6 -2.2

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.375 96.4 93.5 10.9 0.2 1.0 3.1 -3.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.483 110.5 110.4 2.8 0.6 0.5 0.5 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.629 123.2 124.0 5.8 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.483 137.8 139.0 7.1 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.537 107.7 107.5 3.3 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.377 102.4 102.4 0.5 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.392 115.0 114.7 5.9 1.7 0.6 1.7 -0.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.443 109.9 111.5 3.0 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.5

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.927 113.1 112.8 0.3 0.2 1.3 0.6 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.698 121.9 112.7 27.5 9.8 0.3 7.7 -7.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.371 115.5 117.4 5.4 1.0 0.8 0.5 1.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.084 106.6 106.8 -1.7 0.1 0.1 -0.7 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.869 115.5 115.7 2.8 0.2 0.2 3.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 60.462 107.5 107.4 1.4 0.2 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.832 139.2 139.4 16.9 2.6 4.2 0.9 0.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.805 121.2 121.3 -0.5 0.0 0.3 -0.5 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.671 113.2 113.1 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.868 92.6 92.1 -1.3 0.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.513 109.5 109.6 3.4 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.370 110.6 110.7 1.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.5 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.041 108.9 108.5 -2.3 0.1 0.0 -1.4 -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

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

February 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.030 131.3 132.1 6.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.5 0.6

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.228 160.7 167.4 15.1 1.6 0.8 1.0 4.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.537 99.4 99.9 1.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.8 0.5

Vegetable products................................ II 1.475 167.6 167.5 4.6 0.9 1.4 3.5 -0.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.395 305.3 297.0 15.2 1.4 -3.9 6.3 -2.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.406 106.8 108.9 -0.5 -3.4 1.1 7.4 2.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.280 164.4 161.9 9.1 2.4 3.9 -1.7 -1.5

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.210 102.5 99.5 – – – 2.5 -2.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.286 140.5 140.4 4.5 1.0 0.8 0.9 -0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.215 103.2 105.4 – – – 3.2 2.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.242 114.7 113.0 6.6 1.0 0.5 2.0 -1.5

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.289 130.5 130.9 -0.2 0.5 0.1 3.0 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.905 118.4 117.7 2.3 0.9 0.6 -0.3 -0.6

Mineral products.................................... V 21.357 263.9 258.9 67.9 6.1 -0.2 4.9 -1.9

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.187 100.7 99.7 – – – 0.7 -1.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.964 260.9 255.9 70.0 6.2 -0.2 5.0 -1.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.206 137.6 138.1 5.4 1.0 1.0 1.6 0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.861 247.0 261.2 38.4 2.7 1.9 -1.1 5.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.731 132.0 132.0 9.2 1.1 0.9 1.6 0.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.865 119.1 118.9 3.0 1.0 1.0 2.4 -0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.331 107.3 100.6 – – – 7.3 -6.2

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.171 111.7 114.1 8.5 -0.3 3.1 2.5 2.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.416 121.3 120.6 -0.1 -1.8 0.3 0.9 -0.6

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.487 91.4 92.9 -0.4 0.2 0.3 1.0 1.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.904 131.8 132.0 3.9 0.8 1.1 1.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.826 127.4 127.6 2.7 0.6 1.0 0.6 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.078 140.3 140.7 5.9 1.0 1.1 2.1 0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.589 113.7 113.7 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.553 114.8 114.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.798 119.2 123.0 11.3 -0.3 2.3 2.3 3.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.324 106.4 107.5 -3.9 0.9 0.5 0.1 1.0

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.183 103.2 108.4 – – – 3.2 5.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.873 101.4 101.9 -9.7 0.2 0.6 -0.5 0.5

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.267 120.5 120.6 0.7 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

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

February 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.965 102.8 102.8 -0.4 -0.1 -0.7 0.4 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.904 98.1 98.1 -1.9 -0.2 -2.1 0.8 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.866 102.7 102.6 -1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.529 92.9 93.1 1.5 -0.1 0.2 1.1 0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.218 107.1 106.9 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.034 106.1 105.8 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.888 124.5 124.4 0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.315 117.9 117.7 -1.2 -0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.279 139.9 140.0 4.6 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.294 115.6 115.4 -1.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.715 155.5 155.0 17.2 2.1 4.1 -0.2 -0.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.792 170.6 174.1 11.9 1.1 1.3 2.2 2.1

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.232 201.6 210.2 2.9 1.4 0.0 2.4 4.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.749 140.6 141.0 -6.6 0.7 0.9 0.6 0.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.683 329.1 333.4 86.2 2.5 4.7 3.9 1.3

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.152 99.2 107.6 – – – -0.8 8.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.816 133.4 136.3 32.1 1.6 2.3 6.0 2.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.365 118.1 118.1 -0.4 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.414 127.5 129.7 -0.6 -0.4 0.0 0.0 1.7

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.675 87.1 87.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.870 88.2 88.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.805 86.1 86.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.338 110.0 109.8 0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.224 108.9 108.7 0.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.019 115.6 115.6 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.281 101.4 101.5 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -1.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.968 99.0 99.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -1.1 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.234 124.7 124.5 1.8 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.890 107.1 107.1 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.990 110.7 110.8 -1.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.697 101.0 100.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.202 119.7 119.7 6.6 0.3 0.3 2.2 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

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

February 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.618 155.5 161.5 3.7 0.7 1.3 1.5 3.9

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.894 124.2 131.1 8.3 0.2 2.0 0.8 5.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.298 139.4 147.3 -0.7 3.2 0.8 2.0 5.7

Vegetable products................................ II 4.548 192.1 175.7 -4.6 5.0 1.3 2.8 -8.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.771 125.6 124.2 19.7 -3.0 4.2 11.7 -1.1

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.822 197.0 177.9 -9.7 9.0 3.1 1.9 -9.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.410 209.6 189.2 -4.7 5.4 0.0 0.0 -9.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.298 102.7 99.5 – – – 2.7 -3.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.537 141.8 140.5 3.4 0.9 0.9 0.1 -0.9

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.339 100.9 102.4 – – – 0.9 1.5

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.419 119.2 119.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.3 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.340 104.4 104.1 3.5 0.3 0.0 0.6 -0.3

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.619 197.0 188.4 -0.4 2.6 1.4 -0.8 -4.4

Mineral products.................................... V 5.715 238.1 226.3 25.5 4.2 2.5 6.0 -5.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 5.081 232.4 220.7 26.5 5.1 2.7 6.2 -5.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.731 138.4 140.2 3.2 1.0 1.0 0.6 1.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.976 165.2 164.9 -19.2 0.4 0.7 -2.0 -0.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.976 145.6 146.7 11.4 3.0 1.6 0.5 0.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.964 120.8 122.5 4.0 0.6 0.3 2.8 1.4

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.534 112.6 113.9 0.4 0.2 -0.3 -1.9 1.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.730 124.3 125.1 2.5 0.6 0.0 -2.0 0.6

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.439 117.4 117.8 1.1 0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 2.002 134.2 134.6 3.5 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 4.996 133.0 134.4 1.2 0.1 0.3 -0.8 1.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.023 126.0 127.8 1.0 0.0 0.3 -1.6 1.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.973 165.6 164.1 2.0 0.5 0.2 3.0 -0.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.347 109.0 113.2 34.4 2.6 5.1 2.4 3.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.560 108.0 109.7 3.1 0.6 1.0 3.1 1.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.438 112.3 112.7 5.6 0.6 1.3 1.6 0.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.639 117.3 120.0 36.7 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.289 110.3 109.6 -3.5 -0.1 0.1 0.5 -0.6

Printed material.................................... 49 0.509 116.1 116.2 0.5 0.6 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.952 109.6 109.0 6.4 3.4 0.1 0.4 -0.5

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.601 114.8 113.0 24.0 11.1 0.4 0.4 -1.6

See footnotes at end of table.

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

February 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2009 to

Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.819 118.1 117.7 1.3 0.0 0.0 3.1 -0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.436 100.1 100.0 -0.6 0.0 0.0 2.6 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.757 196.8 195.5 16.2 2.7 5.4 -0.1 -0.7

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.822 157.5 157.2 8.9 0.3 0.8 2.4 -0.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.653 179.4 179.8 5.5 -1.3 0.2 3.9 0.2

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.529 157.3 157.8 -4.0 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.584 224.0 215.8 80.1 4.4 4.8 4.9 -3.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.905 123.4 123.3 28.3 1.2 2.1 6.3 -0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.418 123.9 124.2 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.314 122.4 122.4 -5.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 30.701 95.7 95.3 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.4

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.901 106.1 105.7 0.7 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.4

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.800 84.3 84.1 -0.2 0.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.400 120.5 120.7 1.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.638 108.0 108.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.297 100.1 100.1 – – – 0.1 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.058 106.7 106.9 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -1.7 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.552 108.5 108.5 2.1 0.1 -0.6 0.7 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.761 117.3 117.2 1.5 0.2 -1.4 -0.3 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.676 95.3 95.3 2.5 0.1 0.1 2.1 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

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

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb. 2009

to Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Jan. 2010

to Feb.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 125.6 125.6 6.6 1.2 0.7 1.3 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 211.8 211.5 49.9 8.6 2.0 6.1 -0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 118.8 118.7 3.0 0.6 0.5 0.8 -0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 123.8 123.0 12.6 1.1 0.0 1.4 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 257.4 252.0 63.3 5.2 -1.5 3.9 -2.1

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 105.1 104.8 2.8 -0.1 0.5 0.6 -0.3

Canada............................................ 15.923 142.8 143.0 14.6 2.8 1.0 3.7 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 205.3 205.0 49.7 9.9 1.9 6.6 -0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 130.5 130.7 5.6 0.7 0.6 2.5 0.2

European Union4

............................... 16.799 127.6 127.5 2.7 0.6 0.4 0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 248.4 244.8 30.6 1.6 1.2 -1.3 -1.4

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 125.1 125.0 2.5 0.7 0.3 0.2 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 124.7 122.2 2.8 0.7 0.1 0.5 -2.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 114.1 113.5 3.9 1.1 1.0 0.8 -0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 125.0 124.6 5.8 0.6 0.8 0.2 -0.3

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 157.5 156.7 18.5 2.1 -0.3 2.3 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 286.4 282.6 57.3 5.4 -2.3 4.7 -1.3

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 130.5 130.4 5.2 0.5 0.6 0.9 -0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 137.3 136.3 8.4 0.8 -1.0 1.6 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 150.6 147.2 59.8 5.1 -4.2 5.2 -2.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 96.5 96.2 -1.6 -0.5 0.1 0.4 -0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 100.4 100.3 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 100.3 100.2 -1.3 0.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 6.678 97.9 97.8 1.5 0.0 0.3 0.1 -0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 87.2 87.0 0.9 0.0 0.7 0.9 -0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 96.9 97.1 1.8 0.4 0.6 -0.6 0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 203.6 199.9 51.3 1.2 -1.4 2.3 -1.8

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: February

2009 to February 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Jan.

20101

Index Percent change

Jan.

2010

Feb.

2010

Annual Monthly

Feb. 2009

to Feb.

2010

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Jan. 2010

to Feb.

2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 151.4 151.0 11.2 4.4 7.5 -7.6 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.399 138.4 136.8 6.0 1.4 2.1 -1.6 -1.2

Asia.................................................... 69.737 135.7 134.8 12.0 5.5 10.1 -10.1 -0.7

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 123.3 123.8 -2.5 0.4 0.9 0.3 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 33.185 113.3 113.5 -4.3 0.0 2.1 0.0 0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 141.0 140.1 6.6 4.1 5.0 -4.3 -0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.402 128.8 127.3 0.2 1.0 1.4 -0.5 -1.2

Asia.................................................... 66.154 127.5 126.7 10.6 5.7 7.1 -6.3 -0.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 114.8 116.0 -5.1 0.8 1.1 0.2 1.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.969 132.2 133.0 -7.1 0.2 1.6 0.3 0.6

Asia.................................................... 42.482 105.7 107.4 -0.4 1.1 1.0 0.6 1.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 147.4 142.2 0.4 0.5 3.3 -3.2 -3.5

Europe................................................. 40.657 153.5 147.9 1.3 0.0 -2.3 -1.6 -3.6

Asia.................................................... 29.148 132.9 122.8 -4.3 -2.3 11.0 -5.3 -7.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.743 130.8 132.3 8.5 8.2 12.6 -10.8 1.1

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 161.4 149.0 1.0 1.9 10.2 3.4 -7.7

Europe................................................. 33.228 187.7 184.7 11.7 2.7 5.3 0.1 -1.6

Asia.................................................... 30.055 135.6 121.7 -4.9 0.4 10.9 6.5 -10.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.620 176.4 160.3 -1.1 3.6 16.1 2.7 -9.1

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. 

16