Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 15, 2011 

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

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

USDL-11-0201

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

The price index for U.S. imports increased 1.5 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

reported today, as higher prices for fuel and nonfuel imports each contributed to the advance. U.S. export 

prices rose 1.2 percent in January, following increases of 1.5 percent in November and 0.6 percent in 

December. 

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

 Percent change 

1.2

-0.1

0.4

1.1

-0.8

-1.2

0.0

0.4

0.0

1.1

1.6

1.2

1.5

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

11.4 11.3 11.2 11.2

8.5

4.3

4.9

3.8 3.6 3.9 4.0

5.1 5.3

0

5

10

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

All Imports: Import prices advanced 1.5 percent in January, and for the first time since July 2008 the index 

advanced at least 1.0 percent for four consecutive months. Import prices increased 5.3 percent over the past 

year, the largest 12-month advance for the index since an 8.5 percent rise between May 2009 and May 2010. 

In addition to contributing to the January price increases, higher fuel and nonfuel prices also both 

contributed to the 12 month advance in overall imports. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices rose 3.9 percent in January, after rising 14.1 percent over the previous three 

months. Rising prices for petroleum and natural gas led the overall increase in fuel prices in January. 

Petroleum prices advanced 3.4 percent in January and prices for natural gas surged 13.0 percent, the largest 

monthly rise for that index since a 17.7 jump in January 2010. Fuel prices advanced 12.4 percent over the 

past year, led by a 14.3 percent increase in petroleum prices. Despite the January rise, natural gas prices fell 

18.8 percent over the past year. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports increased 0.8 percent in January, with 

higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, finished goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages 

all contributing to the overall advance. The January increase matched a similar 0.8 percent rise in 

November, the largest one-month advances for the index since a 1.1 percent increase in April 2008. Nonfuel 

import prices rose 3.4 percent for the year ended in January, led by a 13.0 percent advance in nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials prices and a 14.8 percent increase in foods, feeds, and beverages prices. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

0.8

-0.3

0.7

1.1

0.5

-0.7

-0.2

0.8

0.6

0.8

1.5

0.6

1.2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change 

3.5 3.4

4.9

5.5 5.6

3.7 3.9

4.1

4.9

5.8

6.5 6.4

6.8

0

2

4

6

8

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

All Exports: Export prices increased 1.2 percent in January, led up by rising prices for both agricultural and 

nonagricultural export prices. Overall export prices have not recorded a decline since July, and rose 6.8 

percent over the past year. The 12-month increase in January was the largest year-over-year advance since a 

7.0 percent increase between September 2007 and September 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices rose 3.2 percent in January, and increased 23.9 percent 

since July. The January advance was driven by higher prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat, up 5.8 percent, 

8.0 percent, and 8.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, cotton prices, which rose 111.8 percent over the past 

year, fell 0.2 percent in January, the first monthly decline for the index since February 2010. The price index 

for agricultural exports increased 22.6 percent for the year ended in January. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports advanced 0.9 percent in 

January, the largest monthly increase for the index since a 1.3 percent rise in April 2010. Higher prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and automotive vehicles more than offset a 

0.4 percent drop in prices for consumer goods. Nonagricultural prices rose 5.3 percent over the past year, 

led mostly by a 13.9 percent advance in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. 

 

 

3
4

SELECTED JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices increased 2.3 

percent in January after a 1.1 percent advance the previous month. Following a recent trend, the January 

increase was led by higher prices for unfinished metals and chemicals, up 3.2 percent and 2.3 percent, 

respectively. The price index for unfinished metals rose 20.5 percent over the past year, while chemicals 

prices advanced 13.7 percent for the same period. 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories increased in January. Consumer goods prices 

advanced 0.3 percent; the largest contributors to the increase were a 0.9 percent advance in apparel, 

footwear, and household goods prices and a 4.0 percent jump in jewelry prices. Prices for automotive 

vehicles rose 0.5 percent, led by a 1.2 percent increase in parts prices. The price index for capital goods 

ticked up 0.1 percent as a 0.8 percent increase in capital goods prices, excluding computers more than offset 

1.4 percent drop in computers, peripherals, and semiconductor prices. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices advanced 2.6 percent in January 

following a 1.4 percent increase in December. Higher prices for food oils, fish, coffee, meat, and fruit all 

contributed to the January rise. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China rose 0.3 percent for the fourth consecutive 

month in January, driving the index up 1.4 percent over the past year. The advance between January 2010 

and January 2011 was the largest 12-month increase since a 1.5 percent rise in import prices from China in 

January 2009. The price index for imports from Japan rose 0.4 percent in January, the largest monthly 

increase since a 0.7 percent advance in June 2009. Higher fuel prices contributed to rising prices for imports 

from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico, up 2.8 percent, 1.0 percent, and 1.2 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 2.6 percent in January, led by lower Asian 

and Latin American/Caribbean fares. Despite the downturn, import air passenger fares rose 12.2 percent 

over the past 12 months. The price index for import air freight fell 1.6 percent in January, but advanced 6.7 

percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

 

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

supplies and materials rose 2.3 percent in January after a 1.4 percent increase the previous month. The 

January advance was led by higher prices for fuel, metals, and chemicals. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in January. Prices for capital goods and automotive 

vehicles increased 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. In contrast, consumer goods prices declined 0.4 

percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 7.9 percent in January, driven by a 12.4 percent 

increase in Asian fares and a 7.7 percent advance in Latin American/Caribbean fares. The index for overall 

export fares increased 15.6 percent over the past 12 months. Export air freight prices advanced 3.8 percent 

in January and 7.9 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for February 2011 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, March 

15, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2010 to

January 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 130.7 132.6 5.3 1.1 1.6 1.2 1.5

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 70.969 100.0 100.6 – – – – 0.6

All imports excluding petroleum................ 78.239 112.6 113.8 3.2 0.3 0.8 0.4 1.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 76.747 116.4 117.3 3.4 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.8

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.778 162.9 167.1 14.8 2.1 2.6 1.4 2.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.492 183.0 187.8 14.6 2.2 3.0 1.6 2.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.286 117.6 120.2 15.4 1.8 1.0 1.3 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 36.417 221.1 228.4 12.7 3.2 3.8 3.1 3.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.656 159.3 164.6 10.5 1.5 2.4 1.5 3.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.164 178.1 182.2 13.0 1.7 2.5 1.1 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.040 171.1 174.8 12.6 1.8 2.6 0.8 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.124 145.5 152.2 7.6 1.0 2.1 2.6 4.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 23.254 281.9 292.8 12.4 4.3 4.7 4.4 3.9

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 21.762 309.3 319.7 14.3 4.7 5.0 4.3 3.4

Crude.......................................... 10000 16.185 316.0 325.2 14.8 4.8 4.3 4.5 2.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.140 124.9 139.6 -13.9 -2.5 1.2 6.7 11.8

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.016 110.4 124.8 -18.8 -3.5 1.7 9.2 13.0

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.682 117.5 117.9 13.0 -0.5 0.5 0.0 0.3

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.508 157.4 161.8 13.5 1.9 2.5 2.0 2.8

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.105 127.0 129.6 5.8 0.6 1.0 0.3 2.0

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.821 265.9 274.5 20.5 2.9 4.5 1.2 3.2

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.604 152.4 153.6 8.5 1.6 1.3 0.3 0.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.444 108.6 110.0 3.8 0.2 0.6 0.1 1.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.368 92.0 92.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.782 113.7 114.4 2.4 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.685 86.2 86.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.900 121.9 121.9 -0.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.680 109.4 109.9 1.4 0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.5

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 25.757 104.1 104.4 0.0 -0.5 0.4 0.0 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.661 110.3 110.4 1.8 -0.5 0.5 0.3 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.079 98.2 98.6 -1.9 -0.6 0.4 -0.3 0.4

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.017 103.7 105.9 3.7 0.6 0.0 0.1 2.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2010 to

January 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 127.4 128.9 6.8 0.8 1.5 0.6 1.2

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.443 198.2 204.5 22.6 2.8 7.6 1.7 3.2

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 82.057 100.0 100.5 – – – – 0.5

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.556 122.4 123.5 5.3 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.9

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.138 190.9 197.7 18.0 2.4 6.0 0.7 3.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.454 194.4 201.3 18.0 2.4 6.4 0.5 3.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.684 160.9 166.8 18.4 2.3 0.3 5.0 3.7

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.391 172.4 176.4 15.4 1.7 2.5 1.7 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.017 174.8 178.8 12.0 1.5 1.7 1.4 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.374 172.0 175.9 17.7 1.8 3.1 2.0 2.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.989 222.6 225.5 48.3 4.8 13.7 7.8 1.3

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 31.402 170.4 174.4 13.9 1.5 1.9 1.4 2.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 7.804 233.2 243.8 21.9 3.1 3.6 2.6 4.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.693 164.3 167.1 12.2 1.2 1.6 1.2 1.7

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.905 116.4 116.2 1.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.7 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 35.881 103.8 104.0 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.425 109.9 110.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.0 0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.265 94.3 93.9 -0.6 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.4

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.192 141.1 144.2 4.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 2.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.932 109.1 109.2 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.657 112.9 112.5 2.7 0.6 0.4 0.0 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 7.036 114.1 113.9 2.7 0.4 0.8 -0.2 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.550 111.1 110.6 2.6 1.0 0.1 0.0 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

January 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 20.416 140.9 146.1 13.1 4.1 3.9 4.5 3.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.126 166.1 173.6 20.9 2.5 2.5 3.0 4.5

Crop production................................. 111 1.534 170.8 176.8 16.3 2.6 2.3 2.1 3.5

Mining.............................................. 21 18.290 138.1 143.2 12.3 4.2 4.2 4.6 3.7

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.368 140.5 145.2 13.1 -0.1 0.8 0.1 3.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 79.086 112.3 113.4 3.6 0.5 1.0 0.4 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.989 114.2 115.8 7.3 0.9 1.3 0.8 1.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.243 142.0 146.4 20.0 2.3 3.0 1.6 3.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.951 110.2 109.8 0.9 0.5 1.0 0.0 -0.4

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.850 106.7 107.8 6.7 0.3 1.0 1.6 1.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.074 103.1 104.2 3.0 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.505 108.6 109.0 2.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.679 127.2 129.8 7.5 0.9 2.5 1.3 2.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.673 104.8 108.4 10.2 0.6 1.9 0.4 3.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.234 110.6 111.4 9.6 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 0.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.550 139.1 145.0 11.8 4.1 6.8 3.6 4.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.558 129.6 130.8 5.8 0.0 1.7 0.9 0.9

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.755 116.5 120.2 5.3 -0.3 0.3 0.3 3.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.809 123.4 125.5 4.3 0.7 0.2 0.1 1.7

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 49.418 107.4 107.9 1.5 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.574 173.6 178.4 18.9 2.7 4.0 1.2 2.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.564 121.3 122.1 5.0 0.8 0.4 0.7 0.7

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.577 114.8 115.8 2.2 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.9

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.900 85.1 84.5 -4.2 -0.7 -0.2 -0.5 -0.7

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.658 113.7 114.0 0.8 -0.1 0.4 0.4 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.836 106.4 106.4 0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.246 107.2 107.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.063 114.3 117.3 4.6 0.3 0.8 0.3 2.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

January 2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 9.013 165.1 175.3 34.0 2.7 10.1 1.0 6.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.667 189.6 199.5 34.9 3.6 13.5 2.8 5.2

Crop production................................. 111 6.412 198.0 208.4 36.8 4.0 14.5 2.8 5.3

Mining.............................................. 21 2.346 112.3 122.2 32.1 0.4 2.5 -3.4 8.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.547 129.9 131.1 35.7 1.3 1.6 -5.1 0.9

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.472 115.1 115.7 4.6 0.6 0.9 0.5 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.228 135.3 136.7 11.0 1.6 1.8 1.4 1.0

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.017 152.3 152.7 10.8 1.5 2.0 1.7 0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.567 114.8 113.9 5.7 2.0 0.3 -0.3 -0.8

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.397 105.6 108.3 5.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 25.911 124.5 125.7 9.1 1.1 1.6 0.8 1.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.408 116.5 113.0 2.8 -0.3 4.9 -2.2 -3.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 2.019 122.7 124.1 9.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.6 1.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.178 139.6 144.0 18.5 4.7 5.1 4.3 3.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.603 125.4 125.9 8.4 0.7 1.1 0.5 0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.970 107.5 107.7 0.9 0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.734 112.5 110.7 -3.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 -1.6

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.333 109.6 110.0 2.2 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.849 160.3 164.9 18.1 2.5 3.4 1.9 2.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.485 122.3 123.0 1.7 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.702 115.2 115.5 1.6 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.634 91.4 91.0 -1.7 -0.4 0.1 0.2 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.139 110.0 110.6 0.9 0.5 0.9 0.2 0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.273 111.9 113.2 2.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 1.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.941 112.7 110.7 1.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 -1.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2010 to

January 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.334 155.8 160.2 21.7 1.8 1.3 2.2 2.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.303 189.4 195.8 21.0 0.5 -0.1 2.9 3.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.725 119.5 122.3 22.9 2.9 1.1 1.6 2.3

Vegetable products................................ II 1.788 190.3 195.8 16.8 2.5 2.1 2.0 2.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.356 325.1 330.7 8.3 -1.2 -0.8 5.6 1.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.529 114.3 117.7 10.2 3.8 -2.2 0.5 3.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.402 218.3 230.6 39.6 -1.0 9.3 0.1 5.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.321 135.4 152.8 49.2 5.0 7.1 7.5 12.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.651 149.3 150.5 7.0 1.5 2.4 0.3 0.8

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.226 96.3 98.8 -4.3 -1.0 2.5 0.6 2.6

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.292 132.9 133.2 16.1 2.9 7.7 -3.6 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.369 147.9 149.9 14.9 6.5 5.5 1.6 1.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.923 120.5 119.9 1.3 0.6 1.3 0.2 -0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 22.864 283.0 293.5 11.8 4.0 4.5 4.3 3.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 22.540 279.5 289.9 11.7 4.1 4.6 4.4 3.7

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 9.192 143.8 145.2 5.8 0.4 1.6 0.9 1.0

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.046 327.0 341.6 38.3 7.3 5.2 1.3 4.5

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.022 137.1 136.8 4.0 0.4 0.9 1.3 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.440 115.5 115.7 -2.0 -3.0 0.5 0.2 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.245 112.1 120.3 11.9 2.5 5.0 4.2 7.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.448 124.1 122.6 1.5 1.0 3.8 -0.2 -1.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.498 100.5 104.3 14.0 2.4 2.9 1.5 3.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.947 142.0 145.8 10.7 0.5 0.9 1.4 2.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.843 134.1 135.1 6.1 -0.2 0.6 0.8 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.104 157.0 166.4 18.8 1.5 1.3 2.3 6.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.545 115.5 116.4 2.4 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.8

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

various materials................................ 42 0.498 115.6 116.6 1.7 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.705 126.3 130.3 9.3 0.6 1.5 0.4 3.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.359 114.3 114.6 7.7 -0.1 0.4 0.0 0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.898 106.8 107.4 5.9 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.6

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.196 105.9 107.3 4.3 0.5 0.8 0.8 1.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.047 100.6 101.6 3.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 1.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.898 104.4 105.6 2.7 0.5 0.4 0.6 1.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.630 100.6 101.8 9.9 0.5 1.7 2.5 1.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.257 108.8 109.1 1.9 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

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

January 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.073 107.9 108.1 1.9 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.743 126.3 126.5 1.6 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.255 119.4 119.2 1.1 0.7 -0.4 0.8 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.216 138.3 138.3 -1.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.272 120.3 121.1 4.8 3.1 1.0 -0.2 0.7

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.944 176.2 181.3 16.6 3.0 3.7 2.3 2.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.212 187.7 191.4 12.2 1.2 2.2 0.2 2.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.916 231.0 240.0 19.1 -1.2 1.6 0.7 3.9

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.588 152.7 153.1 8.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.602 379.8 405.5 23.3 5.7 5.8 2.0 6.8

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.173 128.0 131.8 32.9 3.4 5.9 -4.3 3.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.908 144.1 145.1 8.8 2.4 3.9 -0.1 0.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.332 120.3 121.8 3.1 0.6 0.3 0.8 1.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.379 127.8 128.8 1.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.8

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.930 85.9 85.7 -1.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.348 88.5 88.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.582 83.3 83.2 -3.3 -0.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 9.011 110.5 110.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.999 109.6 109.5 0.6 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.925 113.8 113.8 -1.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.259 101.8 104.3 2.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 2.5

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.006 99.4 102.0 2.9 0.3 0.2 0.2 2.6

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.187 124.2 125.1 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.1 0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.651 107.2 107.4 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.792 110.4 110.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.4 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.652 101.0 101.4 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.208 124.9 127.3 7.2 1.3 0.4 0.3 1.9

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

January 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.868 179.3 181.0 16.0 2.2 -0.7 0.7 0.9

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.135 144.9 145.6 17.2 2.1 -0.9 -0.3 0.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.394 173.1 184.2 30.5 3.3 0.0 6.9 6.4

Vegetable products................................ II 5.763 225.6 239.4 24.6 2.8 10.9 1.2 6.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.994 129.4 134.6 7.1 4.2 3.5 1.9 4.0

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.135 256.1 277.1 40.7 2.8 16.4 -1.2 8.2

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.150 251.0 263.6 25.8 3.7 11.9 4.1 5.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.498 140.2 150.8 46.8 4.6 8.0 12.3 7.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.710 147.1 146.6 3.3 1.0 1.2 0.5 -0.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.346 104.5 103.9 3.0 0.3 -0.7 1.1 -0.6

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.462 119.1 120.6 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.1 1.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.346 104.6 103.6 -0.7 2.1 0.1 -0.8 -1.0

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.734 219.9 216.8 10.1 2.7 6.4 1.3 -1.4

Mineral products.................................... V 7.795 277.3 289.1 21.7 2.9 3.7 2.0 4.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.154 270.1 282.6 21.9 3.1 4.0 2.6 4.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.984 148.2 148.8 7.1 0.3 1.1 0.3 0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.046 194.1 197.4 17.6 1.6 1.7 1.0 1.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.225 154.6 156.6 7.2 -1.1 0.9 0.6 1.3

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 4.076 125.9 125.7 4.2 0.7 1.1 -0.4 -0.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.552 118.1 118.4 5.1 1.6 1.6 -3.4 0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.758 126.6 126.4 1.9 0.5 1.0 0.1 -0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.484 121.1 121.4 4.8 -2.4 0.9 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.829 143.5 144.4 5.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.133 140.3 141.2 6.0 0.1 0.8 0.6 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.175 134.0 134.6 6.7 0.2 0.9 0.7 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.958 168.6 170.5 3.0 0.1 0.4 0.1 1.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.409 123.0 124.5 14.2 0.4 0.7 0.7 1.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.530 109.8 108.8 1.6 -0.2 1.3 -0.7 -0.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.758 123.8 125.4 11.7 0.7 0.7 0.0 1.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.947 146.5 149.2 27.2 1.9 3.0 0.4 1.8

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.309 117.5 118.9 7.9 0.0 -0.4 -0.3 1.2

Printed material.................................... 49 0.502 117.3 118.0 1.6 1.0 -0.1 0.0 0.6

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.330 143.6 145.2 32.5 3.8 9.7 4.5 1.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 1.049 224.9 226.0 96.9 10.6 24.9 10.1 0.5

See footnotes at end of table.

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

January 2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.711 116.0 115.6 -1.6 0.1 0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.394 98.2 99.1 -0.9 0.3 0.4 -0.5 0.9

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.801 236.6 240.6 21.6 4.0 3.3 2.1 1.7

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.598 167.9 174.7 10.8 0.5 0.6 1.5 4.1

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.693 198.8 213.5 18.2 -1.8 -0.7 4.2 7.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.244 159.8 162.7 3.6 -0.3 0.5 0.1 1.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.715 259.0 278.2 24.2 4.2 2.1 2.6 7.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.941 128.9 132.3 7.2 2.9 2.1 -0.5 2.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.348 125.4 125.4 1.2 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.296 124.8 121.9 -0.4 0.4 -0.4 0.5 -2.3

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.386 95.6 96.1 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.5

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.969 106.9 107.6 1.1 -0.1 0.5 0.0 0.7

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.417 83.4 83.5 -1.1 -0.1 0.2 0.4 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.024 122.2 122.6 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 6.181 108.9 108.9 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.137 107.1 105.5 -0.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 -1.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.420 107.2 107.3 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.680 118.3 118.2 0.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.632 91.6 91.5 -3.9 -0.4 0.1 -0.7 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: January 2010 to January 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2010

to Jan.

2011

Sept. 2010

to Oct.

2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov. 2010

to Dec.

2010

Dec. 2010

to Jan.

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 127.6 129.3 3.0 -0.1 1.8 0.7 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 211.8 222.1 5.9 1.0 6.8 4.3 4.9

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 120.8 121.7 2.4 -0.2 1.3 0.2 0.7

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 128.7 130.4 5.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 285.8 294.9 14.9 4.8 3.6 3.7 3.2

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 106.8 107.6 2.5 0.3 0.8 0.4 0.7

Canada............................................ 14.271 146.8 150.9 5.7 0.6 2.6 1.7 2.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 204.6 215.0 5.2 0.6 7.0 4.4 5.1

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 135.5 137.9 5.6 0.5 1.2 0.6 1.8

European Union4

............................... 17.186 129.1 130.4 2.1 -0.1 0.6 0.0 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 270.9 272.8 10.4 0.0 4.2 3.2 0.7

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 126.4 127.6 1.9 -0.2 0.6 -0.1 0.9

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 121.4 121.8 -1.9 0.0 0.3 -0.3 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 112.4 112.7 -1.2 0.5 0.4 -0.3 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 128.3 129.8 3.8 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.2

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 163.0 166.6 5.8 1.7 1.9 1.1 2.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 309.4 318.9 11.6 4.1 3.5 3.0 3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 131.9 134.1 2.7 0.6 1.1 0.2 1.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 139.9 141.6 2.8 1.3 0.8 0.8 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 167.4 173.1 12.9 5.3 2.4 5.3 3.4

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 95.7 96.3 -0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.5 0.6

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 102.0 102.3 1.9 -0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 101.4 101.7 1.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Japan.............................................. 6.198 99.8 100.2 2.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.555 88.4 89.0 1.9 -1.0 -0.2 1.0 0.7

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 100.4 102.5 5.9 0.3 0.9 1.9 2.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.795 223.3 227.9 11.8 2.4 2.4 4.5 2.1

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2010 to January 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Dec.

20101

Index Percent change

Dec.

2010

Jan.

2011

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2010

to Jan.

2011

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nov. 2010

to Dec.

2010

Dec. 2010

to Jan.

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 170.0 167.2 6.7 1.0 2.9 0.2 -1.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.167 142.5 141.4 2.2 3.2 4.6 0.3 -0.8

Asia.................................................... 74.272 156.4 153.2 7.6 0.3 2.5 0.3 -2.0

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 127.9 132.8 7.9 0.5 0.7 0.6 3.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 39.289 117.2 120.7 6.5 0.6 0.2 1.7 3.0

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 153.5 153.1 6.3 1.6 2.1 0.5 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.632 132.5 132.4 2.8 2.2 3.8 0.4 -0.1

Asia.................................................... 65.649 141.1 140.6 6.7 0.7 2.1 0.2 -0.4

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 126.4 129.8 12.4 1.3 0.2 1.4 2.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 37.653 147.3 149.4 11.5 1.8 0.3 2.1 1.4

Asia.................................................... 43.312 114.2 118.3 11.8 1.3 0.2 0.8 3.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 169.9 165.4 12.2 4.8 -1.3 2.1 -2.6

Europe................................................. 36.664 170.7 176.9 15.2 5.8 -3.2 -5.8 3.6

Asia.................................................... 27.808 156.8 142.1 6.9 3.9 -1.9 9.8 -9.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 15.109 171.1 157.7 20.6 5.0 4.5 9.2 -7.8

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 169.0 182.3 15.6 -2.3 -3.2 3.7 7.9

Europe................................................. 28.787 189.3 185.9 -0.2 -0.9 -13.6 2.2 -1.8

Asia.................................................... 30.859 157.6 177.1 31.3 -6.1 3.9 -1.1 12.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.673 189.0 203.5 15.4 -1.5 3.8 9.9 7.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16