Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, October 11, 2012 

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

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

USDL-12-2031

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – SEPTEMBER 2012 

U.S. import prices advanced 1.1 percent for the second consecutive month in September, the U.S. Bureau of 

Labor Statistics reported today, after falling the previous four months. The increase in each of the past two 

months was led by rising fuel prices. The price index for U.S. exports rose 0.8 percent in September 

following a 1.0 percent advance in August. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: September 2011 – September 2012 

 Percent change 

-0.1

-0.4

0.7

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.4

-0.1

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.1 1.1

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Sep'11 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'12

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: September 2011 – September 2012

 Percent change

12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.8

-0.8

-2.5 -3.3

-1.9

-0.6

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Sep'11 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'12
 

All Imports: Import prices rose 1.1 percent in September following a 1.1 percent advance the previous 

month. Those were the first monthly increases for the index since a 1.4 percent rise in March. Higher fuel 

prices were the largest contributor to the September advance in overall import prices, although nonfuel 

prices increased as well. Despite the recent advances, import prices declined 0.6 percent over the past 12 

months, the fifth consecutive month of declining year-over-year changes. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuels increased 4.4 percent after rising 5.7 percent in August. The 

September rise in fuel prices was led by a 4.6 percent increase in petroleum prices. In contrast, natural gas 

prices fell 0.3 percent. For the year ended in September, import fuel prices decreased 1.3 percent as 

declining prices prior to the past two months more than offset the increases in August and September. The 

decrease in fuel prices for the September 2011-12 period was driven by a 32.0 percent drop in natural gas 

prices, although petroleum prices also fell, edging down 0.1 percent. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices rose 0.2 percent in September, the first monthly 

advance for the index since a 0.2 percent rise in April, as higher food and finished goods prices more than 

offset declining prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. The price index for nonfuel imports 

declined 0.5 percent for the year ended in September. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: September 2011 – September 2012

 Percent change 

0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.3 0.5

0.8

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

1.0

0.8

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Sep'11 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'12

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: September 2011 – September 2012 

 Percent change

9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.6

1.8

1.1 0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3 -0.8 -0.5

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Sep'11 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'12

All Exports: Prices for overall exports increased for the third consecutive month in September, rising 0.8 

percent following advances of 1.0 percent in August and 0.4 percent in July. Rising prices for both 

agricultural and nonagricultural prices contributed to the September advance. Despite rising 2.2 percent over 

the past three months, export prices fell 0.5 percent between September 2011 and September 2012. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports increased 1.1 percent in September after 

rising 5.2 percent and 6.0 percent the previous two months. The 12.7 percent increase for the third quarter of 

2012 was the largest quarterly advance since agricultural prices rose 12.7 percent during the fourth quarter 

of 2010. The September advance was led by a 4.6 percent increase in soybean prices. Prices for export 

agriculture rose 6.7 percent over the past year, driven by a 24.0 percent jump in prices for soybeans. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.7 percent in September after a 0.4 

percent increase the previous month. Higher prices for both nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

and most of the major finished goods categories contributed to the overall increase in nonagricultural export 

prices in September. Prices for nonagricultural exports, however, fell 1.5 percent for the September 2011-12 

period. 

 

3
4

SELECTED SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent in September, led by a 

0.4 percent drop in the price index for computer and electronics manufacturing. Despite not recording a 

monthly advance since ticking up 0.1 percent in February, import prices from China rose 0.4 percent over 

the past year. The price indexes for imports from Canada and Mexico were each driven upward in 

September by higher fuel prices, rising 1.5 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. Prices for imports from 

Japan also rose in September, advancing 0.2 percent. In contrast, import prices from the European Union 

edged down 0.1 percent. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices declined 0.2 

percent in September following a 0.3 percent decrease the previous month. The September decline was led 

by lower prices for industrial agricultural products which more than offset rising prices for gold and other 

precious metals. 

Finished Goods: Prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles rose in September, advancing 0.2 percent 

and 0.3 percent, respectively. The increase in capital goods prices followed a 0.1 percent decline in August, 

and was driven by a 1.0 percent rise in computer prices. The advance in the prices for automotive vehicles 

was led by a 1.2 percent rise in parts prices. Consumer goods prices remained unchanged in September. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 1.7 percent in September after 

falling 0.8 percent in August. An 18.9 percent advance in import vegetable prices was the largest contributor 

to the overall increase in prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 1.6 percent in September following declines 

of 5.5 percent in August and 3.2 percent in July. A 5.4 percent decrease in Asian fares and a 9.1 percent 

drop in Latin American/Caribbean fares drove the September decline. Lower European fares had been the 

primary factor for decreasing import air passenger fares in August and July. Import air freight prices 

increased 0.3 percent in September. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural supplies and materials 

increased 1.8 percent in September after rising 1.3 percent in August. Both advances were driven by higher 

fuel prices, although nonferrous metal prices and prices for chemicals each rose in September as well. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices increased overall in September. Prices for consumer goods 

advanced 0.2 percent, led by rising prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. Higher parts 

prices drove the price index for automotive vehicles up 0.3 percent. However, capital goods prices were 

unchanged in September. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger prices fell 11.0 percent in September. A 25.9 percent drop 

in Asian fares and a 10.0 percent decline in European fares each contributed to the decline. In contrast, the 

price index for export air freight increased 2.7 percent in September. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for October 2012 are scheduled for release on Friday, November 

9, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to

September 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 139.2 140.8 -0.6 -2.3 -0.7 1.1 1.1

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 71.914 103.1 103.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

All imports excluding petroleum................ 77.951 115.7 115.9 -0.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 76.976 120.1 120.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.062 168.5 171.3 -1.9 -0.8 -1.2 -0.8 1.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.924 189.7 194.0 -1.3 -0.9 -1.1 -0.8 2.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.138 120.5 120.1 -4.2 -0.1 -1.3 -0.7 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 36.252 249.1 255.9 -2.5 -6.0 -1.9 3.4 2.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.204 163.1 162.8 -6.7 -1.1 -1.3 0.0 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.229 187.1 186.8 -5.0 -1.4 -1.8 -0.3 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.740 174.1 174.8 -7.7 -1.8 -1.0 -0.5 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.489 149.9 148.7 -5.5 -0.2 -1.6 0.5 -0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 23.023 329.1 343.6 -1.3 -8.5 -2.0 5.7 4.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 22.048 369.2 386.1 -0.1 -8.9 -2.3 5.8 4.6

Crude.......................................... 10000 16.577 377.7 393.4 0.8 -9.0 -3.6 5.8 4.2

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.678 90.9 91.3 -28.7 5.6 10.2 3.8 0.4

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.573 76.9 76.7 -32.0 7.9 12.4 4.5 -0.3

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.597 113.4 112.8 -3.7 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.982 177.3 175.5 -0.2 -0.8 -3.4 0.2 -1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.054 139.8 141.3 7.7 1.2 0.5 0.7 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.540 255.6 256.9 -15.7 -3.6 -2.0 -1.0 0.5

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.549 161.2 161.6 -2.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.5 0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.507 114.2 114.0 -2.0 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.520 93.1 93.3 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.925 119.1 119.2 0.7 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.917 86.1 86.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.678 134.0 133.8 5.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.772 114.7 115.0 1.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.393 107.2 107.2 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.749 114.6 114.5 1.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.364 99.4 99.6 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.279 115.4 115.5 0.5 -0.3 -0.8 -2.5 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: September 2011 to

September 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 133.5 134.6 -0.5 -1.7 0.4 1.0 0.8

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.968 228.0 230.4 6.7 -3.5 6.0 5.2 1.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.498 102.2 102.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.4

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.032 126.7 127.6 -1.5 -1.5 -0.2 0.4 0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 11.087 230.1 232.2 8.6 -3.0 6.5 5.0 0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 10.359 234.3 236.7 8.9 -3.3 7.0 5.3 1.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.728 192.7 192.3 4.2 1.0 -0.2 1.5 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.579 180.2 183.5 -4.8 -3.9 -0.4 1.4 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.904 181.4 183.3 -6.8 -2.5 -0.7 -0.5 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.676 180.4 184.4 -3.8 -4.8 -0.2 2.6 2.2

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.609 197.9 200.7 -5.6 -4.6 -0.2 4.8 1.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 31.970 179.8 183.1 -4.8 -3.9 -0.4 1.3 1.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.415 261.6 273.0 -4.1 -8.7 0.6 4.7 4.4

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.607 169.8 171.5 -5.4 -2.3 -0.8 0.1 1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.948 118.7 118.9 2.7 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.424 105.6 105.6 1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.533 113.6 113.9 -0.2 0.2 -0.7 0.1 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.923 94.8 94.8 0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.968 149.2 149.2 3.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.209 112.9 113.2 1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.701 116.4 116.6 -0.7 0.1 -0.5 0.0 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.910 114.9 115.3 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.367 114.6 114.6 0.9 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: September 2011 to

September 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 19.633 160.1 166.8 -1.7 -7.8 -3.0 4.8 4.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.804 166.8 172.7 -3.6 -1.9 -1.5 -1.4 3.5

Crop production................................. 111 1.289 174.3 182.1 -1.8 -2.4 -1.5 -0.7 4.5

Mining.............................................. 21 17.829 159.1 165.8 -1.5 -8.5 -3.1 5.6 4.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.331 143.5 145.0 -7.1 -1.0 -0.3 0.0 1.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 79.910 117.4 117.9 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2 0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.934 124.2 123.6 0.2 -0.2 -0.9 -0.2 -0.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.028 157.3 155.4 -0.9 -0.5 -2.9 -0.6 -1.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.850 111.3 111.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.4

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.408 101.9 102.5 – -0.3 0.2 0.2 0.6

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.879 115.8 115.7 -2.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.118 111.5 111.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.649 119.5 119.5 4.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.140 138.8 140.7 0.4 -2.4 0.0 1.7 1.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.643 118.7 120.1 9.9 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.100 110.8 110.6 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.724 171.5 180.1 -0.8 -8.0 2.7 6.1 5.0

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.822 134.2 134.2 0.4 -0.8 -1.3 0.4 0.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.914 127.3 127.5 1.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.846 130.1 130.3 1.8 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 50.835 109.4 109.6 -0.9 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.124 168.8 169.5 -13.7 -3.3 -1.8 -1.1 0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.579 129.6 130.0 0.6 -0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.684 120.8 121.1 1.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.615 82.2 82.3 -1.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.888 118.5 118.5 1.8 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.449 111.9 112.1 2.1 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.323 113.3 113.5 1.1 0.7 -0.4 -0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.174 121.1 121.1 -1.1 0.1 -0.1 -1.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: September 2011 to

September 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.989 179.6 180.3 -1.1 -5.6 8.0 5.0 0.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 7.088 222.3 224.7 7.8 -5.8 10.1 6.0 1.1

Crop production................................. 111 6.606 230.6 234.2 8.3 -6.3 11.0 5.5 1.6

Mining.............................................. 21 1.901 96.3 94.3 -24.8 -4.8 1.0 1.5 -2.1

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.346 118.9 117.2 -20.6 -2.0 -0.3 -0.2 -1.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.151 120.4 121.4 0.1 -1.2 -0.2 0.5 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.283 149.8 150.9 3.3 -0.3 -0.1 2.1 0.7

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.091 171.8 173.1 4.6 -0.4 -0.1 2.4 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.598 126.2 129.2 11.7 0.3 1.0 4.1 2.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.424 121.7 121.7 6.5 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.213 133.0 135.5 -0.4 -3.2 -0.6 1.8 1.9

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.402 114.2 114.2 -0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.5 0.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.840 119.7 119.8 -3.9 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.218 167.8 177.7 1.8 -9.1 0.4 5.5 5.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.824 130.0 131.0 -1.5 -1.7 -1.1 0.7 0.8

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.177 117.3 119.1 3.4 0.0 -0.4 0.0 1.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.751 111.5 111.3 0.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.655 112.8 113.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.614 165.5 168.6 -10.2 -3.0 -0.6 -1.4 1.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.667 132.0 132.0 3.4 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.088 120.6 120.7 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.282 89.3 89.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.201 112.2 112.6 -0.6 0.1 -0.6 0.1 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.387 116.8 117.0 2.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.298 102.9 103.1 – 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.119 121.7 122.0 -2.1 0.2 -0.9 -0.1 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: September 2011 to

September 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.134 160.1 161.4 -3.1 0.0 -1.2 -1.7 0.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.277 218.5 220.3 5.3 0.8 1.2 0.9 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.583 114.0 113.0 -9.7 -0.5 -2.4 -1.6 -0.9

Vegetable products................................ II 1.684 211.4 214.7 0.7 -2.0 -3.4 -0.9 1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.301 296.8 373.5 19.0 0.9 -6.1 -1.9 25.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.458 114.2 113.4 -8.2 -3.8 -0.8 -2.2 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.419 270.3 260.0 -11.7 -1.8 2.2 -1.0 -3.8

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.247 124.8 127.2 -8.7 -4.7 -2.6 -2.0 1.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.398 156.8 157.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.6 0.2 0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.182 83.6 84.5 -14.4 -1.2 -4.8 3.9 1.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.232 127.9 128.5 1.3 -0.2 1.2 0.2 0.5

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.348 170.1 171.0 7.1 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.802 121.5 121.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Mineral products.................................... V 22.729 331.3 345.8 -1.1 -8.3 -2.0 5.6 4.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 22.419 327.6 342.1 -1.0 -8.4 -2.0 5.6 4.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.392 150.2 150.3 1.7 -0.3 -0.7 0.3 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.995 395.1 397.7 5.4 3.6 1.8 1.2 0.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.476 139.0 138.4 0.1 -1.4 0.1 0.7 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.055 116.9 117.0 4.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.438 136.4 136.4 -9.5 -2.6 -12.6 0.1 0.0

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.182 103.3 103.2 – -0.8 -1.8 -0.2 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.418 124.5 123.5 -2.4 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.475 101.9 102.1 -4.4 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.112 151.2 151.0 -1.4 -0.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.888 142.5 142.8 0.4 -0.3 -1.1 0.1 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.224 167.9 166.9 -4.0 -0.8 -0.8 -0.2 -0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.594 126.3 126.3 3.4 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.546 127.1 127.1 3.8 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.677 143.8 145.8 10.5 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.205 113.7 113.5 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.184 101.9 99.8 – 0.4 -0.1 -1.9 -2.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.803 108.2 108.3 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.259 114.9 114.6 -0.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.036 105.7 104.9 -1.7 -0.2 0.3 -0.6 -0.8

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to

September 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.935 117.4 117.3 0.9 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.636 108.4 108.8 -3.8 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.353 119.0 119.1 4.6 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.150 118.0 118.0 4.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.766 132.1 132.5 2.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.247 125.7 126.6 3.7 0.6 0.3 -0.1 0.7

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.230 142.1 142.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.290 126.8 127.1 1.8 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.217 195.5 199.4 -7.2 -2.6 -0.2 -1.6 2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.820 185.1 183.9 -7.4 -1.6 -1.4 -0.5 -0.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.087 231.8 227.2 -13.1 -2.4 -2.5 -1.7 -2.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.428 160.6 159.8 -0.7 -0.6 0.2 -0.3 -0.5

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.440 339.6 342.9 -13.3 -4.0 -4.2 1.5 1.0

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.128 97.4 95.0 -24.9 -3.3 -2.3 -1.2 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.684 133.4 132.6 -12.0 -2.1 -2.0 -1.1 -0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.368 128.5 129.0 3.9 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.417 136.0 136.1 3.4 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.999 85.6 85.8 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.613 89.7 90.1 1.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.4

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.386 81.7 81.8 -1.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.386 116.2 116.3 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.575 115.3 115.4 1.2 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.716 118.7 118.2 2.0 0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.4

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.237 103.9 104.0 -1.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.6 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.979 101.4 101.4 -1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.6 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.197 129.9 129.8 0.2 -0.1 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.736 112.5 112.5 1.4 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.991 116.2 116.4 1.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.539 105.0 104.8 1.3 0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.206 136.6 136.7 2.5 2.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: September 2011 to

September 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.974 211.4 206.8 0.6 0.0 -0.9 5.2 -2.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.125 165.2 165.8 -1.1 -1.4 -1.3 1.1 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.435 211.5 210.2 5.6 0.7 -0.1 1.9 -0.6

Vegetable products................................ II 6.637 282.4 287.5 12.0 -5.3 11.1 5.3 1.8

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.828 132.9 136.7 11.6 1.8 -2.4 -2.4 2.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.610 339.4 335.8 3.2 -5.8 17.4 9.4 -1.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.590 321.4 335.4 23.4 -7.8 14.0 5.4 4.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.468 146.7 151.8 -5.9 -5.5 -0.9 -0.1 3.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.885 167.1 169.1 10.7 0.5 1.0 4.9 1.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.326 112.3 112.5 3.0 -0.1 0.5 0.7 0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.401 109.7 109.7 3.8 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.976 281.3 289.2 28.0 3.0 3.6 13.6 2.8

Mineral products.................................... V 8.380 307.8 319.8 -5.1 -8.0 -0.1 4.4 3.9

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.792 304.6 317.3 -5.0 -8.4 -0.1 4.9 4.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.157 154.0 154.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6 0.5 0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.005 185.7 186.0 -4.6 -0.4 1.3 0.1 0.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.380 164.6 166.0 -1.5 -1.7 -2.1 1.9 0.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.135 123.9 124.4 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.760 136.0 136.1 1.3 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.466 123.0 123.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.755 152.4 153.0 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.380 146.7 149.0 -2.9 -3.1 -1.7 0.8 1.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.315 137.6 140.3 -2.2 -3.0 -1.7 1.0 2.0

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.065 190.0 189.6 -5.7 -3.6 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.374 132.1 131.8 -1.1 -2.8 -0.1 1.6 -0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.543 110.0 110.9 1.4 0.9 -0.3 0.0 0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.273 115.8 114.7 -9.6 -0.1 -0.2 -1.5 -0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.592 116.5 111.5 -26.6 0.0 -1.3 -6.4 -4.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.226 117.1 117.5 -1.9 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.455 121.2 121.3 1.8 -0.1 0.7 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.896 125.5 125.6 -8.8 -3.1 -0.3 0.8 0.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.569 133.0 132.5 -30.4 -11.1 -2.0 2.8 -0.4

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.742 117.8 117.8 1.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.400 98.5 98.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2011 to

September 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug.

2012 to

Sept.

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.106 271.8 287.5 -5.6 -1.5 -0.9 -1.2 5.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.433 171.6 170.6 -7.1 -3.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.606 203.3 197.7 -15.2 -6.9 -3.5 0.6 -2.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.363 173.1 173.0 1.5 -0.5 0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.632 242.3 247.2 -12.3 -7.3 1.5 -1.5 2.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.806 123.2 124.0 -8.6 -2.2 -1.0 -0.4 0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.392 134.4 134.5 5.7 0.0 3.9 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.339 146.0 146.0 7.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.521 96.9 97.0 0.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.016 110.4 110.5 1.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.505 82.3 82.4 -1.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.954 126.8 126.9 2.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.238 113.0 113.1 2.3 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.789 106.0 106.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.344 110.2 110.3 1.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.694 119.8 120.0 -0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.518 90.9 90.9 1.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: September 2011 to September

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept. 2011

to Sept.

2012

May 2012

to June

2012

June 2012

to July

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 130.0 131.1 -1.4 -1.1 -0.6 0.5 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 11.920 212.7 220.7 -5.3 -4.4 -2.2 7.3 3.8

Manufactured articles......................... 87.429 123.1 123.7 -1.0 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.5

Other Countries3

............................... 100.000 139.1 140.7 -0.3 -2.7 -0.7 1.0 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 24.399 337.7 351.9 -1.2 -8.5 -3.3 3.6 4.2

Manufactured articles......................... 75.263 111.6 111.7 -0.1 -0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1

Canada............................................ 100.000 148.2 150.4 -3.0 -1.9 -1.7 2.3 1.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 27.988 200.9 208.8 -6.4 -3.6 -2.6 7.4 3.9

Manufactured articles......................... 70.931 138.0 138.8 -1.6 -1.2 -1.4 0.4 0.6

European Union4

............................... 100.000 134.2 134.0 -1.8 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 2.123 338.9 350.4 0.0 -10.7 -0.4 -0.1 3.4

Manufactured articles......................... 97.664 130.8 130.5 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 119.8 119.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5 -0.3 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 114.0 114.2 -1.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.4 0.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 131.4 132.5 -0.8 -2.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.8

Latin America5

.................................. 100.000 175.5 178.5 -0.7 -4.3 -0.3 1.6 1.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 34.694 368.8 383.7 1.3 -9.9 -0.3 4.4 4.0

Manufactured articles......................... 64.879 133.3 133.8 -2.2 -1.0 -0.4 0.2 0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 144.0 145.9 -1.2 -2.7 -0.1 0.6 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 20.824 195.9 206.9 2.1 -10.5 -0.5 4.4 5.6

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 79.176 94.6 94.8 -2.3 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 100.000 104.4 104.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.9 104.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 100.000 102.7 102.9 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 90.9 91.1 -0.8 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 100.000 104.4 104.5 -1.1 -0.8 -0.2 -0.4 0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 100.000 251.8 257.7 -7.1 -7.9 -5.1 -1.8 2.3

1 Relative figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2011 to September 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20121

Index Percent change

Aug.

2012

Sept.

2012

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2011 to

Sept.

2012

May 2012

to June

2012

June 2012

to July

2012

July 2012

to Aug.

2012

Aug. 2012

to Sept.

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 173.3 173.9 -6.3 0.6 -1.4 -1.6 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.407 156.2 157.7 -12.3 -2.1 -2.7 -0.9 1.0

Asia.................................................... 72.043 155.5 155.7 -4.4 1.6 -1.1 -2.0 0.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 143.2 147.0 0.4 -1.8 -2.2 -1.0 2.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.367 130.0 132.2 0.0 -1.8 -1.6 -1.0 1.7

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 161.0 163.2 -0.6 1.0 -1.0 -0.3 1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.940 143.2 145.2 -7.9 -2.5 -1.4 -1.0 1.4

Asia.................................................... 64.839 147.6 149.7 2.3 2.8 -0.9 -0.1 1.4

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 144.8 147.0 2.2 -0.9 -2.8 0.0 1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.973 163.2 164.3 2.4 -1.1 -1.2 0.1 0.7

Asia.................................................... 49.198 136.3 138.9 1.2 -0.7 -4.2 -0.1 1.9

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 182.7 179.8 3.0 10.3 -3.2 -5.5 -1.6

Europe................................................. 39.143 190.1 191.2 4.5 20.0 -7.1 -8.0 0.6

Asia.................................................... 27.728 161.3 152.6 0.5 7.3 -1.2 -3.5 -5.4

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 11.791 172.5 156.8 -6.4 1.7 1.3 -2.0 -9.1

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 218.5 194.4 0.9 2.1 4.8 2.8 -11.0

Europe................................................. 26.047 243.5 219.2 -5.1 13.7 1.1 -5.2 -10.0

Asia.................................................... 33.348 233.3 172.8 -4.5 -0.2 3.2 26.4 -25.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.540 228.0 225.4 17.6 -2.5 6.0 -4.0 -1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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