U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MARCH 2017 

U.S. import prices declined 0.2 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

following increases in each of the 3 previous months. The March downturn was driven by lower fuel import 

prices which more than offset rising nonfuel prices. In contrast, the price index for U.S. exports increased 

0.2 percent in March, after advancing 0.3 percent in February. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2016 – March 2017 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2016 – March 2017 

 Percent change 

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, April 12, 2017 

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

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

USDL-17-0417
2

All Imports: Import prices fell 0.2 percent in March, after increasing 1.4 percent over the previous 3 

months. Prior to the March downturn, import prices trended up over most of the past 12 months, advancing 

4.2 percent between March 2016 and March 2017. In contrast, import prices fell 6.1 percent for the previous 

12-month period. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel declined 3.8 percent in March, the largest 1-month drop since 

the index fell 6.8 percent in February 2016. In March, a 3.6-percent decrease in petroleum prices and an 

11.0-percent decline in natural gas prices contributed to the overall fall in fuel prices. The March decrease in 

petroleum prices was the largest monthly decline since the index fell 4.1 percent in August, and the drop in 

natural gas prices was the largest 1-month decrease since the index declined 20.0 percent in March 2016. 

Despite the March downturn, the price index for import fuel increased 50.2 percent over the past year, after 

declining 36.7 percent the previous 12 months. The March 2017 over-the-year increase was driven by a 

52.1-percent advance in petroleum prices and a 53.8-percent rise in natural gas prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: In contrast to fuel prices, prices for nonfuel imports increased in March, 

rising 0.2 percent. The advance followed a 0.4-percent rise in February and was led by higher prices for 

nonfuel industrial supplies and materials and capital goods. Those increases more than offset falling prices 

for consumer goods and foods, feeds, and beverages. The price index for nonfuel imports advanced 1.0 

percent over the past 12 months, the largest over-the-year advance since the index increased 1.3 percent in 

April 2012. The increase from March 2016 to March 2017 was driven by higher prices for nonfuel industrial 

supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages, which more than offset 12-month declines for each 

of the major finished goods categories. 

 

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 2016 – March 2017 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2016 – March 2017 

 Percent change

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports rose 0.2 percent in March, continuing an upward trend since the index 

last fell on a monthly basis in August. Higher prices for agricultural exports and nonagricultural exports 

each contributed to the advance in March. U.S. export prices also increased over the past year, rising 3.6 

percent for the year ended in March. That matched the 12-month advance recorded in December 2011 and 

was the largest over-the-year increase since the index rose 4.8 percent in November 2011. 

Agricultural Exports: Export agricultural prices increased 0.9 percent in March, after rising 1.5 percent in 

February. The March advance was led by a 4.4-percent increase in meat prices and a 4.9-percent rise in nut 

prices. Prices for agricultural exports advanced 5.3 percent for the year ended in March, the largest 12-

month increase since the index rose 9.6 percent in June 2013. Higher soybean prices over the past year were 

the biggest contributor to the March 12-month rise in agricultural export prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.2 percent in March 

following a 0.3-percent advance the previous month. In March, higher prices for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials, consumer goods, capital goods, and nonagricultural foods all contributed to the 

overall advance in nonagricultural prices. Prices for nonagricultural exports rose 3.3 percent over the past 

year, matching the 12-month increase in February; those were the largest over-the-year advances since the 

index rose 4.0 percent in December 2011. 

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4

 SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China increased 0.2 percent in March, after ticking up 

0.1 percent the previous month. The February uptick was the first monthly rise since the index increased 0.1 

percent in December 2014, and the March advance was the largest rise since the index increased 0.3 percent 

in May 2014. Despite the recent advances, prices for imports from China fell 1.2 percent over the past 12 

months. The price index for imports from Japan increased 0.2 percent in March and rose 1.4 percent over 

the past year. Import prices from Mexico and the European Union also advanced in March, rising 0.4 

percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. In contrast, prices for imports from Canada declined 1.3 percent, led 

by lower fuel prices. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices rose 1.6 

percent in March following a 1.5-percent increase in February. Both monthly advances were driven by 

higher prices for metals and chemicals. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in March. The price index for consumer goods declined 

0.2 percent, after rising 0.3 percent in February and 0.4 percent in January. In contrast, capital goods prices 

ticked up 0.1 percent following a 0.2-percent advance the previous month. Prices for import automotive 

vehicles recorded no change for the second consecutive month in March. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for import foods, feeds, and beverages declined 0.7 percent 

in March, after rising 1.0 percent the previous month. In March, the decrease was led by lower prices for 

food oils, fruits, and vegetables. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 4.0 percent in March, the largest monthly 

decline since a 6.0-percent drop in August. The March decrease was driven by an 8.6-percent decline in 

European fares. The index for import air passenger fares fell 2.7 percent for the year ended in March, led by 

a 5.9-percent drop in European fares. Prices for import air freight rose 0.6 percent in March and 7.6 percent 

over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices advanced 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month in March. The March increase was driven by 

rising prices for nonferrous metals and chemicals. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices increased overall in March. Consumer goods prices advanced 0.3 

percent, the largest rise since a 0.5-percent advance in July 2016. Despite the increase in March, export 

consumer goods prices fell 2.2 percent over the past year. Prices for capital goods rose 0.1 percent following 

0.2-percent increases in each of the past 3 months. The price index for export automotive vehicles recorded 

no change in March. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 4.3 percent in March following an 11.6-

percent decline in February. Higher Latin American/Caribbean, Asian, and European fares all contributed to 

the March advance in export air passenger fares. The index for export air passenger fares fell 0.3 percent for 

the year ended in March. Export air freight prices increased 1.9 percent in March and 3.7 percent over the 

past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2017 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 

8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March

2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

All commodities................................... 100.000 122.8 122.6 4.2 0.4 0.6 0.4 -0.2

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.368 98.5 98.8 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 91.178 111.5 111.7 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 90.487 115.5 115.7 1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.119 178.7 177.4 4.1 -1.6 -1.3 1.0 -0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.764 195.0 193.3 3.9 -2.0 -2.0 1.3 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.355 142.3 141.7 5.0 -0.1 1.0 0.1 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 22.791 170.2 169.1 20.9 2.6 2.9 1.1 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 13.970 145.8 147.5 7.8 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.279 164.4 167.1 6.8 0.6 0.6 1.5 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 8.248 154.7 157.3 8.9 0.6 0.7 2.0 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.031 134.7 135.3 6.3 1.1 1.9 -0.4 0.4

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 9.512 180.8 173.9 50.2 5.8 6.1 0.7 -3.8

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 8.821 194.4 187.4 52.1 5.9 5.7 1.3 -3.6

Crude........................................ 10000 6.258 199.2 190.2 53.4 8.3 4.4 2.7 -4.5

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.537 112.8 103.6 48.6 5.4 13.7 -8.1 -8.2

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.416 92.5 82.3 53.8 6.1 11.6 -10.2 -11.0

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.533 104.9 104.7 -2.6 1.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.566 152.2 154.7 4.2 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.6

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.398 140.1 141.9 5.7 0.6 1.1 0.9 1.3

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.416 208.6 214.8 19.3 1.0 1.3 3.6 3.0

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.685 145.8 146.9 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.681 108.7 109.3 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.8 0.6

Capital goods................................... 2 27.407 88.8 88.9 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.307 116.2 116.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 21.491 81.1 81.3 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.609 137.1 137.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 16.234 110.1 110.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 27.448 107.2 107.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.3 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.442 121.5 121.5 1.3 0.2 1.0 0.3 0.0

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.653 93.3 93.3 -1.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.353 118.4 114.9 -3.3 -2.6 0.1 2.6 -3.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March

2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

All commodities................................... 100.000 122.0 122.3 3.6 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.494 178.5 180.1 5.3 -0.2 0.5 1.5 0.9

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 83.259 98.6 98.9 0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.507 117.7 117.9 3.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.803 180.0 181.7 5.3 -0.5 0.6 1.4 0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.212 179.9 181.4 5.2 -0.3 0.5 1.6 0.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.591 189.5 193.7 5.9 -2.4 1.7 -0.8 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 29.878 147.3 147.7 11.5 1.8 0.6 0.4 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.610 157.4 159.5 6.3 -0.5 0.5 1.4 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 19.270 142.7 142.2 14.7 3.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.282 175.6 177.6 6.0 0.6 0.1 1.0 1.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 28.597 146.3 146.7 11.7 1.9 0.6 0.3 0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 7.939 165.6 163.4 39.7 7.4 2.9 -2.2 -1.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 19.644 151.4 152.6 4.2 -0.1 -0.2 1.5 0.8

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.014 117.2 119.3 5.0 0.4 -0.4 0.2 1.8

Capital goods................................... 2 38.238 107.3 107.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.941 111.9 112.5 0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.3 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.056 93.6 93.6 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 9.242 169.4 169.6 3.7 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.344 113.1 113.1 0.0 -0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.737 107.7 108.0 -2.2 -1.0 -1.0 0.0 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 6.146 103.3 103.4 -1.9 -0.7 -2.0 0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.196 106.7 107.1 -1.6 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected industries: March 2016 to March 2017

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

Nonmanufacturing................................ 9.020 99.4 94.9 38.7 5.2 3.6 2.2 -4.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.070 185.9 180.2 8.1 -2.9 -1.4 3.0 -3.1

Crop production............................... 111 1.639 196.9 190.2 7.3 -4.9 -3.1 3.0 -3.4

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.208 80.0 79.2 -5.1 4.6 5.9 1.1 -1.0

Mining............................................ 21 6.950 89.4 85.0 51.5 7.8 5.3 1.9 -4.9

Oil and gas extraction........................ 211 6.683 89.1 84.5 53.4 8.2 5.0 1.9 -5.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.267 105.3 108.2 16.2 1.0 9.2 -0.3 2.8

Manufacturing..................................... 90.695 109.6 109.9 1.7 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3

Manufacturing, part 1......................... 31 11.899 123.7 123.6 0.7 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.1

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.454 154.1 153.5 3.6 -0.1 -0.9 0.9 -0.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.057 117.9 118.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.398 98.0 98.3 -0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.929 108.1 108.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.4

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.212 111.1 111.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.849 123.1 123.0 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Manufacturing, part 2......................... 32 17.450 119.6 120.4 7.2 0.2 2.0 0.2 0.7

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.850 120.2 122.5 9.8 1.1 1.6 2.0 1.9

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.018 104.1 104.1 -1.5 0.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2016=100)........................... 323 0.222 100.1 100.1 – – -0.1 0.2 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.282 83.7 83.6 47.4 -0.4 8.1 -3.2 -0.1

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.855 134.6 135.6 4.0 0.3 1.6 1.0 0.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.212 116.7 118.0 0.8 -0.5 0.0 0.0 1.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 1.011 128.6 128.3 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Manufacturing, part 3......................... 33 61.346 103.3 103.5 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.104 138.9 142.7 17.5 0.9 1.7 3.7 2.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.060 121.2 121.3 -1.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.067 116.0 116.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.616 75.9 75.9 -1.3 0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.899 114.2 113.9 -1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.531 109.4 109.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.731 115.2 115.3 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.338 117.8 117.9 -1.6 -1.1 -0.4 0.4 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected industries: March 2016 to March 2017

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

Nonmanufacturing................................ 7.497 133.6 131.8 17.5 6.5 2.2 0.5 -1.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.673 156.7 158.1 7.3 -0.5 0.7 2.6 0.9

Crop production............................... 111 4.328 163.5 164.7 7.7 -0.3 0.4 2.8 0.7

Mining............................................ 21 2.824 81.3 77.3 41.1 20.3 4.6 -2.9 -4.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.290 106.5 103.1 36.6 6.2 8.4 4.8 -3.2

Manufacturing..................................... 91.006 111.9 112.1 2.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Manufacturing, part 1......................... 31 7.010 135.8 137.0 3.4 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.9

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.698 153.4 154.5 4.5 0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.690 109.0 111.2 4.1 0.4 -1.4 1.5 2.0

Textile mills (Dec. 2016=100)............... 313 0.677 101.5 101.9 – – 1.1 0.4 0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2016=100)........................... 316 0.290 100.3 100.3 – – 0.1 0.2 0.0

Manufacturing, part 2......................... 32 23.981 107.3 107.2 7.1 0.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.1

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.641 117.5 114.6 -5.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.6 -2.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 5.260 94.6 93.8 42.6 4.6 1.9 -2.1 -0.8

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.187 113.2 113.7 1.4 0.0 -1.8 1.1 0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.310 114.5 114.9 -0.3 -0.2 0.9 0.0 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.841 112.5 113.3 1.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.3 0.7

Manufacturing, part 3......................... 33 60.015 111.4 111.6 0.5 -0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 3.971 135.2 137.2 4.2 -2.8 0.5 1.4 1.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.311 137.3 137.1 5.6 -0.2 2.8 2.5 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 10.270 125.1 125.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.192 82.5 82.5 -1.7 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.963 112.2 112.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 18.506 124.0 124.1 1.9 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.457 117.6 117.4 3.9 -0.6 0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.346 118.4 118.8 -2.3 -1.5 0.1 0.3 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March

2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.484 191.9 191.5 4.9 -0.2 0.6 1.2 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.432 238.3 240.7 10.1 -1.3 -1.7 3.5 1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.762 145.5 143.5 6.7 -0.6 1.5 -0.8 -1.4

Vegetable products............................... II 2.080 218.4 211.7 10.1 -4.5 -3.2 3.1 -3.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.368 419.6 402.4 -5.2 -1.4 -16.5 2.8 -4.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.854 126.6 124.8 32.6 -9.0 -1.1 2.4 -1.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.371 238.7 236.8 5.3 -4.4 2.2 -0.2 -0.8

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.313 119.7 110.8 8.0 3.5 -1.3 2.9 -7.4

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.669 159.2 159.5 0.2 0.1 -0.8 0.1 0.2

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.185 86.1 85.7 -0.5 0.5 -2.7 0.1 -0.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.199 98.0 98.8 -10.7 -1.6 -3.8 -2.8 0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.340 158.1 157.9 1.8 -0.1 -1.0 -0.5 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.998 127.5 127.8 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 9.356 179.7 173.1 49.4 5.8 6.3 0.3 -3.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 9.114 177.6 170.9 51.6 5.9 6.4 0.3 -3.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 9.327 151.7 152.6 4.0 0.3 2.0 1.2 0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.533 267.8 285.4 7.4 1.6 3.8 2.1 6.6

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.370 122.6 123.5 3.2 0.4 1.0 0.8 0.7

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 4.372 149.7 149.9 5.5 0.6 3.1 1.3 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.285 80.7 80.6 4.7 0.9 2.4 5.2 -0.1

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.182 101.8 101.9 4.8 -0.8 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2016=100)..................................... 33 0.547 100.2 100.0 – – 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.682 103.5 104.2 1.6 0.1 0.8 0.4 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.426 138.7 139.7 2.9 -0.1 0.4 0.7 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.156 139.3 140.4 0.5 -0.6 0.1 0.2 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.270 139.1 139.9 7.4 1.0 1.0 1.5 0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.685 123.4 123.3 -1.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.644 128.6 128.5 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.881 146.0 148.8 9.4 1.1 1.6 1.7 1.9

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.856 100.4 102.5 9.9 1.0 1.6 1.7 2.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.082 109.6 109.5 -0.6 1.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.724 103.5 103.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)............... 49 0.220 106.0 106.0 5.6 1.8 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.350 113.1 113.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March

2017 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.201 103.7 103.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.837 119.2 119.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.650 103.3 103.7 0.3 0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artificial flowers,

etc................................................. XII 1.524 122.4 122.3 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.290 121.5 121.4 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.943 130.1 129.8 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.326 96.3 95.8 -3.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.8 -0.5

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.273 137.1 136.6 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.344 129.6 129.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.780 167.8 169.8 1.1 -4.6 0.0 1.8 1.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.439 163.7 166.2 9.7 2.3 1.0 1.4 1.5

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.314 190.3 197.0 31.4 4.8 5.1 3.0 3.5

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.631 138.5 139.0 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.388 273.5 277.1 11.4 8.6 -2.0 3.4 1.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.784 125.1 128.8 6.8 0.5 0.3 2.2 3.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.434 122.7 122.8 -1.5 -0.2 0.8 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.517 135.3 135.4 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.810 80.4 80.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 14.788 85.6 85.7 -0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 15.022 75.5 75.4 -1.3 0.3 -0.7 0.0 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.602 113.9 113.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 13.104 112.6 112.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.365 118.8 118.5 -1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.872 101.8 101.8 -1.6 0.0 -0.9 0.2 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.545 98.5 98.5 -1.8 -0.1 -0.8 0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.268 142.2 141.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.8 1.3 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.300 111.3 111.3 -0.7 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.647 116.3 116.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.377 102.7 102.7 -0.9 0.1 -0.7 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.276 129.7 129.7 -4.1 -0.1 -1.5 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March

2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.831 196.7 201.2 9.8 0.2 1.6 0.4 2.3

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.030 150.3 158.2 8.3 0.6 0.9 0.3 5.3

Fish and crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic

invertebrates (Dec. 2016=100).............. 03 0.385 102.9 105.6 – – 4.3 -1.3 2.6

Vegetable products............................... II 4.439 200.8 202.7 7.6 -1.0 0.5 4.0 0.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.841 140.7 142.6 -9.3 -3.8 1.0 -4.5 1.4

Cereals............................................ 10 1.223 178.2 182.3 3.2 -1.8 3.9 2.2 2.3

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.719 207.1 207.2 14.2 3.7 -1.7 1.8 0.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 3.051 146.3 146.6 1.0 0.1 -0.9 -0.3 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.382 116.4 116.6 -1.9 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.541 109.3 109.2 3.8 0.6 -1.7 -1.4 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.733 199.2 197.1 3.0 0.6 -2.0 0.4 -1.1

Mineral products.................................. V 8.233 195.9 193.3 42.4 7.7 2.8 -1.4 -1.3

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.559 93.8 92.5 29.4 4.4 -1.8 6.6 -1.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 7.482 187.2 184.6 45.2 8.2 3.1 -1.9 -1.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.870 134.3 134.9 0.4 0.0 -2.1 0.9 0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.856 178.5 178.2 3.4 1.6 0.7 -0.7 -0.2

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.583 133.9 135.8 4.5 0.3 -4.5 4.1 1.4

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.131 103.2 103.4 -2.5 -1.0 -3.5 -0.1 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2016=100).................... 31 0.230 99.5 103.4 – – 0.0 -0.5 3.9

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints

varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100). . .. 32 0.523 97.9 98.3 -0.6 0.5 -0.7 0.7 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.810 131.2 131.2 -2.4 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.519 116.8 116.0 -0.2 0.2 0.5 -0.2 -0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.775 145.9 145.5 1.3 0.5 -0.7 0.0 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.122 137.6 138.7 2.1 -0.4 0.0 0.8 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.120 131.7 132.2 0.8 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.002 163.3 167.7 7.7 -0.4 1.1 3.7 2.7

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.351 123.2 123.8 5.2 0.1 0.7 0.9 0.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.597 92.1 93.1 -1.1 -0.7 0.6 -1.9 1.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.133 126.0 129.0 6.7 0.8 0.9 0.7 2.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.696 139.6 149.3 24.2 3.0 3.2 0.4 6.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.086 119.3 119.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3 1.1 0.1

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.351 100.6 101.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.771 121.6 121.6 2.4 0.2 1.2 0.5 0.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.464 128.5 129.9 18.2 -0.3 3.4 1.7 1.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2016 to March

2017 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2016 to

Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan.

2017

Jan.

2017 to

Feb.

2017

Feb.

2017 to

Mar.

2017

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.834 122.3 122.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.275 99.5 100.2 -0.3 0.0 -1.8 0.0 0.7

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.432 99.8 99.9 0.5 -0.2 0.6 -0.4 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.137 227.7 231.7 0.3 -5.2 -0.1 1.9 1.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 4.919 150.8 152.6 8.2 1.9 1.6 0.8 1.2

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.028 154.9 158.7 17.9 5.2 4.2 -2.3 2.5

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.479 169.0 171.2 12.7 9.0 -2.8 1.7 1.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.828 109.5 112.7 10.0 0.5 0.1 2.4 2.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100). . . .. 82 0.349 99.5 99.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.347 147.7 148.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 28.743 95.8 95.8 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.896 113.3 113.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.847 76.8 77.0 -0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.992 132.3 132.3 1.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.718 115.1 115.1 0.5 -0.3 0.6 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.063 106.3 106.4 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.497 112.8 112.7 1.1 -0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.902 128.4 128.2 2.6 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.440 89.5 89.3 -0.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2016 to March 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2016

to Mar.

2017

Nov. 2016

to Dec.

2016

Dec. 2016

to Jan.

2017

Jan. 2017

to Feb.

2017

Feb. 2017

to Mar.

2017

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 119.5 118.9 4.2 0.5 0.5 0.7 -0.5

Nonmanufacturing........................... 8.884 141.8 134.9 36.7 6.2 5.2 3.1 -4.9

Manufacturing................................ 90.677 117.3 117.2 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 119.5 119.3 3.5 0.8 -0.1 0.4 -0.2

Nonmanufacturing........................... 9.182 203.4 194.5 39.5 7.2 2.4 2.5 -4.4

Manufacturing................................ 90.621 102.7 102.9 0.7 0.3 -0.3 0.2 0.2

Canada.......................................... 100.000 126.2 124.5 12.9 1.8 2.0 1.4 -1.3

Nonmanufacturing........................... 24.534 136.3 129.4 39.1 6.5 5.5 3.1 -5.1

Manufacturing................................ 74.728 127.3 127.0 6.6 0.5 0.9 1.0 -0.2

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 132.1 132.2 1.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1

Manufacturing................................ 99.419 128.7 128.8 0.9 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 120.9 121.3 -1.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 113.3 113.3 -0.1 -0.4 1.3 0.2 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 117.6 117.6 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 143.4 142.8 6.1 2.4 0.0 0.7 -0.4

Nonmanufacturing........................... 18.848 232.8 222.2 37.5 9.7 1.1 2.0 -4.6

Manufacturing................................ 80.830 119.2 119.8 0.9 0.9 -0.3 0.5 0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 123.5 124.0 0.0 0.0 -1.2 0.4 0.4

Nonmanufacturing (Dec. 2008=100). . . . .. 8.536 116.0 118.0 36.6 -1.2 -2.4 1.4 1.7

Manufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)........... 91.147 86.1 86.3 -2.8 0.2 -1.2 0.3 0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 98.3 98.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 100.0 100.2 -1.2 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Japan............................................ 100.000 96.3 96.5 1.4 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 84.8 85.2 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

.................... 100.000 97.7 97.8 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 162.1 157.1 28.1 2.2 3.4 2.7 -3.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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 3 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 2016

to March 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20171

Index Percent change

Feb.

2017

Mar.

2017

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2016

to Mar.

2017

Nov.

2016 to

Dec.

2016

Dec.

2016 to

Jan. 2017

Jan. 2017

to Feb.

2017

Feb. 2017

to Mar.

2017

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 161.7 162.6 7.6 -0.5 -1.9 -0.2 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 24.862 136.5 136.7 -2.7 -1.4 -0.7 0.4 0.1

Asia.................................................. 61.925 148.4 150.0 13.5 -0.3 -2.6 -0.8 1.1

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 156.5 159.4 3.7 0.1 0.6 0.5 1.9

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 33.379 147.3 147.0 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.5 -0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 153.0 153.4 6.0 -0.2 -0.9 -0.4 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.265 132.8 132.2 -1.8 -1.6 0.8 0.4 -0.5

Asia.................................................. 58.831 139.6 140.6 10.7 0.4 -2.8 -1.0 0.7

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 138.9 139.4 -1.1 0.1 2.4 -0.6 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 30.528 143.6 144.4 -4.7 -0.1 1.9 -1.6 0.6

Asia.................................................. 46.705 134.0 134.4 2.1 0.1 4.0 0.1 0.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 181.6 174.3 -2.7 1.3 -1.7 -0.8 -4.0

Europe............................................... 43.901 216.2 197.5 -5.9 -9.9 9.7 0.3 -8.6

Asia.................................................. 20.554 128.5 128.0 -1.9 17.4 -8.5 -4.0 -0.4

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.545 158.3 162.1 9.3 8.3 -11.7 2.3 2.4

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 149.6 156.1 -0.3 7.9 0.5 -11.6 4.3

Europe............................................... 35.580 215.1 221.1 -1.0 6.9 -6.3 5.4 2.8

Asia.................................................. 26.412 123.6 127.5 -0.8 4.8 10.1 -20.5 3.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 25.354 158.3 171.7 9.8 4.8 2.6 -9.6 8.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 

the export air passenger fares indexes. 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 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 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 

revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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. 

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 

email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 

 

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

page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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.