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

U.S. import prices advanced 0.6 percent in March, after a 0.9-percent increase in February, the U.S. Bureau 

of Labor Statistics reported today. Higher fuel prices and nonfuel prices each contributed to the rise in 

import prices in March. U.S. export prices increased 0.8 percent in March following a 0.7-percent advance 

the previous month. 

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

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Mar'13 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'14

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, April 10, 2014 

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

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

USDL-14-0566
2

All Imports: Import prices rose 0.6 percent in March and increased 1.9 percent over the first quarter of 

2014. The advance from December 2013 to March 2014 was the largest 3-month rise since the index 

increased 2.5 percent between July and October 2012. Despite the recent advances, import prices fell 0.6 

percent over the past year. Import prices have not recorded a 12-month rise since the index increased 0.9 

percent for the year ended July 2013.

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices advanced 1.2 percent in March following a 5.3-percent rise the previous month. 

The March increase was driven by a 21.7-percent advance in natural gas prices. The price index for natural 

gas rose 177.7 percent for the 6-month period from September 2013 to March 2014. Petroleum prices also 

advanced in March, ticking up 0.1 percent. Overall fuel prices increased 0.8 percent for the year ended in 

March as a 115.3-percent jump in natural gas prices more than offset a 2.4-percent drop in petroleum prices. 

The increase in natural gas prices over the past 12 months was the largest year-over-year advance for the 

index since a 122.3-percent rise in October 2005 in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports also increased in March, rising 0.3 percent, after 

edging down 0.1 percent in February. The March increase was led by a 3.7-percent advance in foods, feeds, 

and beverages prices, although higher nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices and prices for capital 

goods also contributed to the advance. The price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles 

recorded no change in March. Despite the March rise, nonfuel import prices declined 0.8 percent over the 

past 12 months. 

Table A. Percent change in import and export price indexes, selected categories 

 

 
3

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

 Percent change 

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

 Percent change

All Exports: Export prices advanced 0.8 percent in March, the largest monthly increase for the index since 

a 0.8-percent rise in September 2012. Rising prices for both agricultural exports and nonagricultural exports 

each contributed to the advance in export prices. Prices for exports also rose over the past year, increasing 

0.2 percent. The year-over-year advance was the first 12-month rise since a 0.3-percent increase between 

July 2012 and July 2013. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports increased 2.7 percent in March, after a 1.4-

percent advance in February. The March rise was driven by a 6.6-percent increase in soybeans prices, a 7.8-

percent gain in wheat prices, a 2.8-percent advance in meat prices, and a 7.0-percent rise in corn prices. 

Prices for agricultural exports decreased 1.6 percent for the year ended in March, led by falling prices over 

the past year for corn, soybeans, and wheat. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports increased 0.5 percent in March 

following a 0.6-percent rise in February. Higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, 

capital goods, and consumer goods all contributed to the advance. The price index for automotive vehicles 

was unchanged in March. 

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Mar'13 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'14

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Mar'13 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'14
4

SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

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

increasing 0.2 percent the previous month. The March decline was driven by a 1.0-percent decrease in the 

price index for communications equipment manufacturing. Prices for imports from China fell 0.3 percent 

over the past year. The price index for imports from Japan ticked up 0.1 percent in March, the first monthly 

advance for the index since a 0.1-percent increase in October 2012. Import prices from Canada rose 1.7 

percent in March, led by higher natural gas prices. The price indexes for imports from Mexico and the 

European Union also advanced in March, rising 1.0 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials increased 0.6 

percent in March, after ticking up 0.1 percent in February. The March advance was driven by a 1.0-percent 

rise in chemicals prices and a 0.8-percent increase in unfinished metals prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Import finished goods prices were mostly unchanged in March. The price index for capital 

goods ticked up 0.1 percent, led by a 0.8-percent rise in semiconductor prices. Despite the advance, prices 

for capital goods fell 0.6 percent over the past 12 months. Consumer goods prices and prices for automotive 

vehicles each recorded no change in March. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 3.7 percent in March, the largest 

monthly gain for the index since a 4.3-percent increase in March 2011. The March 2014 advance was driven 

by a 14.0-percent rise in fruit prices, the largest one-month increase for that index since the index was first 

published monthly in December 1993. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 3.4 percent in March, led by a 5.1-percent 

drop in European fares and a 3.4-percent decrease in Asian fares. Despite the March decrease, import air 

passenger fares rose 4.8 percent over the past year. Import air freight prices increased 0.4 percent in March, 

after decreasing 0.6 percent in February. The price index for import air freight advanced 1.2 percent for the 

year ended in March. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices advanced 1.3 percent in March following a 1.6-percent increase the previous month. A 2.5-percent 

rise in fuel prices was the largest contributor to the advance in March. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly up in March. Capital goods prices increased 0.2 

percent following a 0.3-percent advance in February and a 0.2-percent rise in January. Prices for consumer 

goods advanced 0.3 percent, after falling 0.4 percent the previous month. The price index for automotive 

vehicles was unchanged in March. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 4.3 percent in March, as higher Asian fares, 

Latin American/Caribbean fares, and European fares all contributed to the advance. Despite the March rise, 

export air passenger fares declined 3.0 percent over the past 12 months. The price index for export air 

freight was unchanged in March and rose 1.5 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2014 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, May 13, 

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

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 139.6 140.4 -0.6 0.1 0.4 0.9 0.6

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 74.723 102.0 102.2 -1.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.2

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 81.244 115.9 116.6 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.6

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 79.909 119.2 119.6 -0.8 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.186 175.7 182.2 4.9 0.5 0.6 -0.7 3.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 3.895 189.9 199.1 2.4 0.7 -0.1 -1.0 4.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.291 143.7 143.8 13.8 -0.3 3.1 0.3 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 32.949 251.8 254.1 -1.4 0.3 0.7 3.2 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.193 164.5 168.0 0.5 1.0 1.3 1.4 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 12.858 178.9 179.9 -4.6 -0.4 0.2 0.1 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.758 167.0 168.0 -5.6 -0.5 -0.6 0.7 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.099 160.6 167.0 8.5 2.9 3.6 2.2 4.0

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 20.092 345.1 349.1 0.8 0.7 1.0 5.3 1.2

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 18.757 375.8 376.2 -2.4 -0.2 0.3 4.7 0.1

Crude........................................ 10000 14.017 382.5 387.5 -2.5 -1.0 0.5 4.4 1.3

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 1.162 199.9 236.4 90.8 26.4 17.2 17.1 18.3

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 1.011 193.7 235.8 115.3 31.2 21.4 18.9 21.7

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.537 113.6 112.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.3 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.636 168.5 169.7 -3.0 -0.3 1.3 -1.0 0.7

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.049 143.2 143.0 -4.0 -0.1 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.492 236.8 238.8 -9.4 -1.0 -0.7 1.2 0.8

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.625 156.3 157.5 -1.9 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.519 111.4 111.6 -2.4 -0.2 -1.1 0.3 0.2

Capital goods................................... 2 24.854 92.3 92.4 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 2.995 119.4 119.4 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 19.926 85.0 85.1 -0.8 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 1.932 136.2 136.2 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 13.523 113.1 113.1 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 23.488 108.1 108.1 0.4 -0.2 0.7 0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 11.326 117.9 117.8 1.7 0.0 1.3 0.1 -0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 10.975 97.9 97.9 -1.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.187 120.2 120.4 3.4 0.0 1.2 1.4 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 133.6 134.7 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.8

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.842 215.6 221.4 -1.6 0.3 -0.1 1.4 2.7

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 80.355 102.2 102.5 -0.6 -0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.158 127.7 128.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.965 214.8 220.7 -2.1 0.5 -0.4 1.2 2.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.350 218.1 224.4 -2.2 0.5 -0.3 1.2 2.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.615 187.5 187.1 -2.1 1.1 -2.5 1.5 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 34.044 182.6 184.8 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.7 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.046 170.2 171.4 -6.2 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 22.997 190.1 193.0 4.8 2.0 1.4 2.5 1.5

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.492 206.9 209.6 2.2 0.0 0.9 2.7 1.3

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 32.552 181.8 184.1 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.6 1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 10.680 281.5 288.5 9.1 4.5 1.9 4.1 2.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.847 166.1 167.2 -3.0 -0.4 0.3 0.5 0.7

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.025 128.8 128.8 6.7 0.4 1.7 0.1 0.0

Capital goods................................... 2 36.031 107.0 107.2 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.2

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.640 114.9 115.6 0.6 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.6

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.463 95.3 95.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 6.928 155.6 156.0 2.9 0.1 0.8 1.6 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 9.366 113.6 113.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 11.594 114.4 114.7 -0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.325 111.1 110.8 -3.7 -0.1 -1.6 -1.2 -0.3

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 4.949 112.3 112.1 -0.2 0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 17.399 171.4 176.7 3.2 0.6 1.4 4.7 3.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 1.733 171.0 191.8 8.4 1.7 -0.1 -1.9 12.2

Crop production............................... 111 1.297 174.4 203.1 11.1 2.8 -0.7 -2.8 16.5

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.158 90.1 87.0 -17.2 -3.5 1.2 -1.9 -3.4

Mining............................................ 21 15.666 171.2 174.7 2.6 0.5 1.6 5.5 2.0

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.253 126.0 124.9 -6.8 0.4 -4.8 1.5 -0.9

Manufactured articles............................ 82.200 116.3 116.4 -1.0 -0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 10.433 124.7 125.4 1.5 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.6

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.056 158.8 160.8 4.7 -0.6 1.1 0.6 1.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.921 115.3 115.4 1.7 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.355 102.1 102.1 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.0

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.763 114.4 114.3 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 3.699 110.2 110.6 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.4

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.638 122.3 122.8 1.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.702 138.9 138.0 -1.1 0.4 1.0 1.2 -0.6

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.634 122.9 122.8 -5.5 -0.2 0.1 0.6 -0.1

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 0.978 110.7 110.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 323 0.188 100.2 100.2 – – 0.2 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 4.227 167.9 163.1 -3.7 1.7 -0.9 6.1 -2.9

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 8.890 136.7 136.9 0.4 0.0 2.5 -0.2 0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 1.949 123.4 123.2 -3.0 0.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.836 130.4 130.3 1.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 54.065 107.8 107.9 -1.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.105 156.0 157.2 -9.0 -0.9 -0.4 1.0 0.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.659 126.2 126.5 -2.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 6.879 121.4 121.6 0.0 -0.1 0.6 -0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 15.943 80.1 80.1 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.075 118.4 118.3 -1.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 14.374 111.6 111.6 -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.342 114.8 115.1 0.7 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 4.688 121.4 122.2 1.1 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 7.972 178.8 187.1 7.5 1.3 5.2 5.9 4.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.964 196.1 202.9 -5.8 0.4 -0.1 1.2 3.5

Crop production............................... 111 4.569 202.7 209.8 -6.3 0.3 0.2 1.4 3.5

Mining............................................ 21 3.008 123.1 131.1 40.2 3.8 16.6 14.6 6.5

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.338 100.4 100.1 -6.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.8 -0.3

Manufactured articles............................ 90.134 120.8 121.4 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.4 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.958 152.5 154.2 1.4 0.5 0.0 0.7 1.1

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.856 174.2 176.7 1.1 0.5 -0.2 0.6 1.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.550 125.1 125.1 -2.4 -0.6 -2.1 2.9 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 316 0.277 102.2 104.9 – – 1.4 0.8 2.6

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 26.390 134.3 135.2 0.1 1.1 -0.4 0.5 0.7

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.454 123.8 127.1 9.6 0.1 0.8 -0.3 2.7

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.812 125.0 125.6 3.9 0.1 0.5 1.3 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 7.724 175.3 178.8 4.6 5.0 -0.6 1.9 2.0

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.222 127.9 128.0 -3.0 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.139 118.6 118.0 -1.3 -0.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.761 112.4 112.6 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 56.786 112.5 112.8 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.561 146.3 148.7 -11.2 -1.7 -1.7 1.2 1.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.759 131.5 130.5 -1.1 0.4 0.0 -0.2 -0.8

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.575 123.4 123.5 1.2 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 13.665 87.7 87.9 -1.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.441 114.4 115.0 1.1 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 15.452 119.4 119.5 1.4 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.353 106.1 106.1 0.6 0.0 0.3 -1.4 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 4.979 123.7 125.2 2.4 0.3 0.9 0.5 1.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.294 195.6 198.7 15.3 -0.2 2.8 1.2 1.6

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.276 231.9 242.7 11.7 0.8 0.9 3.2 4.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.736 149.0 149.1 19.1 -0.6 4.1 0.4 0.1

Vegetable products............................... II 1.615 195.7 211.1 -1.6 2.7 -0.1 -3.2 7.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.348 328.0 352.9 -6.7 4.4 2.1 -18.2 7.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.439 109.0 127.7 7.7 2.0 -1.4 -1.4 17.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.331 235.6 254.4 1.6 3.8 -2.7 7.1 8.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.240 111.3 119.7 0.3 -0.4 -2.2 -1.2 7.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.473 159.4 160.4 1.9 -0.5 0.2 0.3 0.6

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.162 86.4 87.6 -13.1 -2.1 -1.9 0.8 1.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.217 99.2 106.2 23.1 -0.9 0.4 -1.7 7.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.244 131.3 131.2 -0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.306 169.1 169.0 4.9 -2.6 1.9 2.7 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.937 126.0 125.8 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 -0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 19.931 346.6 351.0 0.7 0.6 0.9 5.5 1.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 19.667 343.7 348.1 0.8 0.6 1.0 5.6 1.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.118 151.8 152.0 0.4 0.1 2.3 0.0 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.594 301.7 305.1 -16.5 -0.7 -0.4 -2.3 1.1

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.428 137.4 137.0 -0.8 0.9 0.1 0.4 -0.3

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.332 133.0 132.6 7.5 -0.1 5.5 0.2 -0.3

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.313 108.1 114.1 -12.2 -0.5 3.7 -1.0 5.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.171 100.2 100.4 6.9 -0.3 6.6 -0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.465 93.4 93.4 -9.1 -1.1 -2.3 -0.1 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.152 147.7 147.4 -3.8 -0.4 0.5 -1.1 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 1.986 147.5 147.5 -0.4 -0.3 1.3 -1.3 0.0

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.166 149.7 148.5 -9.3 -0.7 -0.7 -0.6 -0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.613 127.6 128.5 1.7 0.1 1.0 0.1 0.7

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.566 128.8 129.8 1.9 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.8

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.664 149.0 148.9 -5.9 -0.3 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.044 114.0 113.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.686 107.2 107.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

Printed matter (Dec. 2013=100)............... 49 0.194 99.8 99.7 – – 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 4.698 113.7 113.9 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 1.826 102.1 102.8 -1.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.6 0.7

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.708 118.8 118.8 1.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.548 107.8 107.7 -0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.2 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.316 120.9 121.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.135 120.2 120.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.775 133.2 133.1 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 68 0.256 126.3 126.1 0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.237 140.9 140.9 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.282 130.2 130.2 1.4 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.595 178.6 183.6 -8.8 -1.9 -1.0 1.2 2.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.295 181.1 181.3 -2.4 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.1

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.263 221.1 220.7 0.2 0.9 0.3 1.1 -0.2

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.665 152.8 154.8 -1.7 -0.1 -0.6 0.1 1.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.461 345.9 334.3 -6.2 0.2 3.3 0.3 -3.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.700 136.0 136.1 -3.4 -1.2 0.3 0.9 0.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.392 129.0 128.7 -0.7 0.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.440 135.8 135.9 -0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.088 84.5 84.5 -1.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 14.057 89.4 89.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 13.031 79.7 79.7 -1.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 12.062 116.0 115.9 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 11.044 114.7 114.6 -0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 0.918 120.4 120.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.409 103.9 104.2 0.5 -0.2 0.3 -0.6 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.110 100.7 101.0 0.5 -0.1 0.2 -0.6 0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.241 143.5 144.0 1.3 -0.3 1.6 -0.3 0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 3.537 113.1 113.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.053 116.9 117.2 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.250 105.6 105.7 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.234 136.1 135.7 -2.0 0.1 -2.0 0.1 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 2.034 226.5 234.3 7.4 0.8 -1.7 1.8 3.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.146 166.9 172.4 1.9 0.5 -1.6 0.8 3.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.352 203.6 202.6 -0.3 2.3 -2.6 2.4 -0.5

Vegetable products............................... II 4.580 246.7 255.7 -6.5 0.0 0.5 0.4 3.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.214 190.6 187.6 20.5 -0.6 6.9 1.5 -1.6

Cereals............................................ 10 1.090 241.8 257.9 -17.7 -0.7 -2.9 1.8 6.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.834 267.9 283.3 -4.4 3.8 -1.6 0.6 5.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.241 111.2 115.4 -14.6 0.3 -1.6 -3.0 3.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.888 167.2 167.9 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.7 0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.338 114.9 114.6 1.8 1.4 1.1 -0.2 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.478 110.6 110.9 -2.2 -0.4 -0.5 -1.3 0.3

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.749 276.0 281.5 5.7 1.8 -0.9 4.8 2.0

Mineral products.................................. V 10.565 330.5 339.5 9.8 4.3 2.3 4.2 2.7

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.429 92.7 92.5 -5.3 -1.3 3.3 -1.4 -0.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 9.958 329.7 339.3 10.8 4.6 2.3 4.5 2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.716 149.5 149.6 -3.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.6 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.891 175.9 175.3 -5.2 -0.6 -0.7 0.6 -0.3

Organic chemicals............................... 29 3.105 163.6 163.6 -2.7 0.2 1.6 -0.1 0.0

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.539 114.9 114.8 -7.1 -0.3 -2.7 -2.3 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100).................... 31 0.257 72.3 74.3 -23.5 -4.1 -7.8 3.7 2.8

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.700 133.3 133.4 -3.8 0.3 -0.1 -1.8 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.464 121.4 118.8 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.784 157.2 158.1 3.5 1.0 1.0 -0.1 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.145 150.1 150.5 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.5 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.180 145.0 145.3 1.7 -0.2 0.3 0.6 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.965 172.0 172.9 -5.8 0.1 -0.9 -0.2 0.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.430 153.7 157.0 8.7 1.2 1.5 1.3 2.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.274 125.6 126.2 4.6 -0.5 1.0 1.6 0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.685 130.9 131.5 4.2 -1.6 1.0 2.5 0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.163 124.1 124.9 5.4 -0.1 1.2 1.6 0.6

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.940 136.8 136.8 5.4 0.1 2.6 1.3 0.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.634 157.0 158.2 9.1 -0.8 5.2 3.9 0.8

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.732 119.1 119.4 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.3

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.375 97.7 97.7 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2013 to

Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan.

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.262 241.9 249.6 -9.9 -1.8 -0.8 1.3 3.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.307 165.5 165.2 -2.5 0.2 0.8 -0.8 -0.2

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.381 186.7 190.3 -2.4 0.9 1.7 -2.0 1.9

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.609 232.7 229.4 -8.6 -1.3 2.1 -2.5 -1.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.838 121.9 119.8 -4.1 -0.9 0.5 1.1 -1.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.399 138.7 139.3 5.8 0.9 1.2 -0.1 0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.309 146.9 147.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.546 97.2 97.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.621 112.3 112.5 1.0 -0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 10.925 80.9 81.1 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.289 129.3 129.5 1.3 0.0 0.5 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.664 114.8 114.8 1.0 -0.1 0.7 -0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 5.948 107.4 107.5 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.403 110.4 110.3 -0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.776 121.5 121.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.474 89.6 89.6 -1.5 0.0 1.4 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2013 to March 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2013

to Mar.

2014

Nov. 2013

to Dec.

2013

Dec. 2013

to Jan.

2014

Jan. 2014

to Feb.

2014

Feb. 2014

to Mar.

2014

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 133.1 134.1 1.2 -0.2 0.9 1.5 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 12.986 251.5 263.2 18.2 -0.3 5.5 10.9 4.7

Manufactured articles........................ 86.449 123.7 123.9 -1.0 -0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 138.4 138.6 -1.6 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles................... 19.771 343.3 350.5 -3.9 0.5 -0.2 1.7 2.1

Manufactured articles........................ 79.972 110.3 109.9 -0.8 0.0 0.2 0.3 -0.4

Canada.......................................... 100.000 155.0 157.7 3.8 -0.1 1.9 3.3 1.7

Nonmanufactured articles................... 33.436 243.6 255.5 20.3 -0.1 6.4 11.1 4.9

Manufactured articles........................ 65.700 135.2 135.5 -3.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 137.7 137.8 1.5 -0.2 0.9 0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 123.3 122.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.4 -0.9

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 118.3 118.6 2.3 -0.2 1.0 -0.2 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 129.1 129.5 0.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Latin America5................................. 100.000 172.8 173.5 -3.0 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles................... 28.554 362.3 371.7 -4.8 1.8 -0.3 1.2 2.6

Manufactured articles........................ 71.032 131.5 130.9 -1.9 0.0 0.2 0.3 -0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 140.5 141.9 -2.9 0.1 0.1 -0.4 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 16.227 187.9 200.5 -6.4 2.4 0.4 -1.6 6.7

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 83.525 92.7 92.7 -1.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 102.8 102.8 -1.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.9 103.8 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 99.0 99.1 -2.9 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 89.5 89.4 -0.7 -1.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

.................... 100.000 104.3 104.5 0.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 264.6 268.4 -3.6 -0.7 1.1 3.3 1.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2013

to March 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20141

Index Percent change

Feb.

2014

Mar.

2014

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2013

to Mar.

2014

Nov.

2013 to

Dec.

2013

Dec.

2013 to

Jan. 2014

Jan. 2014

to Feb.

2014

Feb. 2014

to Mar.

2014

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 176.1 176.8 1.2 -0.6 0.0 -0.6 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 28.367 181.4 182.1 7.3 -0.8 1.6 -0.5 0.4

Asia.................................................. 67.368 151.6 152.2 -0.7 -0.5 -0.6 -0.7 0.4

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 151.2 151.2 1.5 -0.2 2.4 0.2 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 35.753 135.9 135.7 1.7 -0.2 2.3 0.4 -0.1

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 163.0 164.9 0.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.7 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.580 159.6 160.2 5.3 -0.6 1.9 -0.2 0.4

Asia.................................................. 61.889 144.4 146.8 -1.0 -0.4 -1.4 -1.0 1.7

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 147.6 148.2 -0.2 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 33.207 164.4 164.4 2.0 0.0 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Asia.................................................. 47.308 140.5 141.5 -0.9 0.2 0.8 0.1 0.7

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 197.1 190.4 4.8 7.1 -6.4 0.3 -3.4

Europe............................................... 43.675 223.7 212.4 3.0 -2.5 -0.7 3.2 -5.1

Asia.................................................. 23.740 153.1 147.9 0.2 15.6 -8.2 -3.4 -3.4

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.502 165.7 168.7 0.5 10.0 -10.4 -1.4 1.8

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 172.4 179.8 -3.0 8.5 2.5 -12.5 4.3

Europe............................................... 27.468 210.2 216.6 -2.3 -2.4 -2.7 0.0 3.0

Asia.................................................. 28.409 143.4 149.3 -6.9 9.5 11.9 -21.3 4.1

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 21.111 199.4 208.4 4.9 9.3 2.9 -7.6 4.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."
16 

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp). For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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