U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MARCH 2015 

U.S. import prices fell 0.3 percent in March following a 0.2-percent upturn the previous month, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In March, lower nonfuel prices more than offset a rise in fuel 

prices. The price index for U.S. exports rose in March, ticking up 0.1 percent, after declining 0.2 percent in 

February. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2014 – March 2015 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2014 – March 2015

 Percent change

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Mar'14 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'15

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Mar'14 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'15

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, April 10, 2015 

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

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

USDL-15-0564
2

All Imports: Import prices decreased 0.3 percent in March, after increasing 0.2 percent in February, the 

first monthly advance recorded since a 0.3-percent rise in June 2014. Prior to February, import prices 

decreased 10.3 percent from June 2014 to January 2015. U.S. import prices declined 10.5 percent over the 

past year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 12.0 percent for the year ended September 

2009. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices increased for the second consecutive month in March, rising 0.4 percent, after a 

3.9-percent advance in February. Fuel prices had fallen 47.6 percent between June 2014 and January 2015, 

and despite the recent upturn, declined 45.2 percent over the past 12 months. The increase in March was led 

by a 0.8-percent advance in petroleum prices, which more than offset a 7.5-percent decrease in natural gas 

prices. Both the price indexes for petroleum and natural gas fell for the year ended in March, declining 45.1 

percent and 59.1 percent, respectively. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports continued to trend down in March, 

decreasing 0.4 percent following a 0.3-percent drop the previous month. Nonfuel import prices have not 

recorded a monthly increase since the index rose 0.1 percent in July 2014. In March, lower prices for 

nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and each of the major finished goods 

categories contributed to the overall decline in nonfuel import prices. Prices for nonfuel imports fell 1.9 

percent over the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year decrease since the index declined 3.1 percent 

between October 2008 and October 2009. 

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 2014 – March 2015 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2014 – March 2015 

 Percent change

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports ticked up 0.1 percent in March, after declining 0.2 percent the 

previous month. The March upturn in overall export prices was driven by higher nonagricultural prices, and 

was the first 1-month advance since the index rose 0.1 percent in July 2014. The last time overall export 

prices advanced more than 0.1 percent was a 0.9 percent increase in March 2014. Despite the March 2015 

advance, U.S. export prices fell 6.7 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month drop since the index 

declined 8.3 percent for the year ended July 2009. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports decreased 1.7 percent in March following a 2.1-

percent drop in February. The March decline was led by a 5.9-percent decrease in meat prices, a 5.0-percent 

drop in fruit prices, and a 2.2-percent decline in nut prices. Export agricultural prices fell 13.5 percent over 

the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year decrease since the index declined 16.7 percent between 

September 2008 and September 2009. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices rose 0.2 percent in March, after ticking up 0.1 

percent the previous month. The March increase matched a 0.2-percent rise in July 2014, and those were the 

largest 1-month advances since the index rose 0.7 percent in March 2014. The March 2015 increase was 

driven by higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Despite the recent advances, 

the price index for overall nonagricultural prices declined 5.9 percent for the year ended in March. 

0.9

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0.1

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0.1

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-1.8

-0.2

0.1

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-2

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1

2

Mar'14 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'15

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-0.1

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Mar'14 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'15
4

SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China fell 0.1 percent for the second 

consecutive month in March. Prices for imports from China declined 0.5 percent over the past 12 months. 

Import prices from Japan edged down 0.1 percent in March, after declining 0.2 percent the previous month. 

The price index for imports from Japan has not recorded a monthly advance since the index rose 0.2 percent 

in March 2014, and decreased 2.2 percent over the past year. Import prices from Canada and from Mexico 

also declined in March, decreasing 0.6 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Prices for imports from the 

European Union recorded no change in March. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices declined 1.3 

percent in March following a 1.0-percent decrease in February. The March drop was driven by a 3.0 percent 

decline in unfinished metal prices and a 0.7-percent drop in chemical prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major import finished goods categories recorded decreases in 

March. The price index for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each declined 0.3 percent. Consumer 

goods prices had increased 0.3 percent in February, while in contrast, prices for automotive vehicles fell 0.3 

percent in February. In March, capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent following 0.3-percent declines 

in each of the previous 2 months. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 1.1 percent in March, after 

recording no change in February. The March decline was led by a 6.5-percent decrease in meat prices. 

Lower prices for coffee; fish and shellfish; and feed and grain also contributed to the overall drop. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 2.4 percent in March following a 2.5-percent drop 

the previous month. The March decline was led by lower European fares, while the drop in February was 

driven by lower Asian fares. Despite the recent declines, import air passenger fares rose 0.5 percent over the 

past year. The price index for import air freight increased 3.5 percent in March, the largest 1-month advance 

since the index rose 5.8 percent in May 2011. Despite the March increase, import air freight prices fell 1.6 

percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

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

materials increased 0.7 percent in March, after advancing 0.2 percent the previous month. Both increases 

were driven by higher fuel prices which rose 4.9 percent in March and 3.7 percent in February. 

 

Finished Goods: Export finished goods prices were mostly unchanged in March. Automotive vehicles 

prices ticked up 0.1 percent following a 0.2-percent decline in February. The price indexes for capital goods 

and consumer goods each recorded no change in March. Prices for capital goods had risen 0.2 percent the 

previous month, while consumer goods prices fell 0.5 percent. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 1.6 percent in March following a 13.3-

percent decline the previous month. The March increase was led by a 3.1-percent rise in Latin 

American/Caribbean fares. Overall export air passenger fares fell 6.7 percent over the past year. Export air 

freight prices decreased 1.7 percent in March, after a 1.8-percent drop in February. Despite those declines, 

prices for export air freight rose 4.1 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2015 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 

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

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 126.2 125.8 -10.5 -2.5 -3.2 0.2 -0.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 82.890 100.8 100.4 -1.8 -0.2 -0.6 -0.2 -0.4

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 89.715 113.9 113.4 -2.7 0.0 -0.7 -0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 88.890 117.9 117.4 -1.9 -0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.000 178.9 176.9 -2.9 0.7 -1.8 0.0 -1.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.643 197.0 194.8 -2.1 1.3 -2.1 -0.2 -1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.357 138.1 136.5 -5.1 -1.4 -0.7 0.8 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 24.842 180.6 179.6 -29.5 -8.5 -10.5 1.2 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.557 153.1 150.8 -9.9 0.1 -1.6 -1.6 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.732 172.9 170.6 -5.5 -0.4 -1.3 -1.0 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 8.188 161.2 158.4 -5.7 -0.1 -0.9 -0.9 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.544 143.0 141.3 -14.8 0.5 -2.5 -2.5 -1.2

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 11.110 190.9 191.7 -45.2 -15.0 -20.1 3.9 0.4

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 10.284 206.1 207.8 -45.1 -16.4 -21.2 5.2 0.8

Crude........................................ 10000 7.514 211.4 207.6 -46.6 -18.9 -21.5 8.4 -1.8

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.627 111.8 105.3 -52.4 9.0 -7.6 -12.7 -5.8

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.467 96.9 89.6 -59.1 11.1 -9.0 -16.2 -7.5

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.595 111.9 111.7 -0.9 0.0 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 5.020 162.5 161.3 -5.9 -0.9 -1.9 -1.3 -0.7

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.217 139.8 138.2 -3.4 0.0 0.1 -0.7 -1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.508 221.9 215.2 -10.0 0.0 -1.8 -1.2 -3.0

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.708 154.6 154.2 -2.0 -0.1 -0.8 -0.6 -0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.684 111.2 110.0 -1.3 -0.3 0.2 -0.4 -1.1

Capital goods................................... 2 27.435 91.5 91.4 -1.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.360 119.5 119.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 21.667 83.9 83.9 -1.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.408 137.0 136.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.4

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.217 111.5 111.2 -1.8 0.0 -0.7 -0.3 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 26.506 107.8 107.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 12.569 118.9 119.0 0.9 0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.421 96.2 96.0 -1.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.517 122.3 118.1 -1.9 -1.2 0.0 2.7 -3.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2014 to March

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 125.8 125.9 -6.7 -0.9 -1.8 -0.2 0.1

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.259 195.1 191.8 -13.5 -0.7 -1.3 -2.1 -1.7

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 83.664 100.8 100.6 -1.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.741 120.7 121.0 -5.9 -1.0 -1.9 0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.572 196.3 193.9 -12.2 -0.8 -1.7 -2.2 -1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.879 197.3 193.2 -14.0 -0.9 -2.0 -2.3 -2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.693 193.6 210.0 11.9 1.0 2.4 -0.5 8.5

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 31.018 154.5 155.6 -16.3 -2.9 -5.1 0.1 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.175 162.9 161.1 -6.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.9 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 19.843 150.9 153.5 -21.1 -4.4 -7.6 0.7 1.7

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.380 187.2 189.0 -10.0 0.6 3.5 -0.8 1.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 29.637 153.5 154.5 -16.6 -3.1 -5.4 0.2 0.7

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 7.764 176.9 185.5 -37.0 -9.0 -16.5 3.7 4.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.860 158.3 156.9 -6.0 -0.7 -1.1 -1.0 -0.9

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.013 119.9 119.3 -7.4 -0.3 0.2 -1.3 -0.5

Capital goods................................... 2 37.832 107.8 107.8 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.823 114.8 115.4 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.926 95.6 95.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.083 160.5 160.8 3.3 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.124 113.9 114.0 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.455 112.9 112.9 -1.7 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.541 109.0 108.8 -2.0 0.5 -1.2 -1.2 -0.2

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.304 110.7 110.8 -1.2 0.0 -0.5 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2014 to March

2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 10.325 103.3 101.5 -42.4 -14.4 -17.4 5.0 -1.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.048 177.8 176.0 -8.7 2.3 -4.2 0.1 -1.0

Crop production............................... 111 1.639 187.7 183.6 -9.8 3.3 -5.2 0.7 -2.2

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.229 94.3 94.0 – – -2.3 -3.5 -0.3

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.114 67.3 65.8 -24.4 0.3 0.4 -1.6 -2.2

Mining............................................ 21 8.277 94.5 92.7 -46.8 -16.9 -20.3 6.3 -1.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.240 115.4 115.9 -7.1 -0.1 -1.8 -0.3 0.4

Manufactured articles............................ 89.357 112.4 112.2 -3.7 -0.5 -1.3 -0.4 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 11.949 125.6 124.7 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.388 157.9 153.5 -4.3 -0.4 -1.1 0.0 -2.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.073 117.5 118.1 2.3 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.5

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.405 102.3 102.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.884 113.1 112.9 -1.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.320 111.9 112.0 1.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.879 124.3 124.3 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.319 122.3 123.5 -11.3 -1.9 -4.7 -0.6 1.0

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.736 118.7 116.5 -5.1 0.1 0.3 -1.2 -1.9

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.111 110.6 109.6 -0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.9

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.603 91.8 99.1 -40.6 -8.7 -20.4 -2.2 8.0

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.516 134.7 134.5 -2.3 -0.4 -1.6 -0.4 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.181 120.3 119.9 -2.7 -0.1 -0.8 -0.5 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.964 130.3 130.4 0.1 -0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 60.089 106.3 105.9 -1.9 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.227 148.3 144.0 -8.4 -0.2 -1.7 -0.9 -2.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.996 126.5 126.3 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.152 119.2 119.1 -2.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.6 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.638 78.6 78.6 -1.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.698 118.8 118.6 0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.340 110.5 110.2 -1.3 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.566 116.1 116.0 0.7 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.472 121.0 120.6 -1.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2014 to March

2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.485 135.5 138.3 -29.1 0.7 -4.1 -4.0 2.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.263 167.1 167.8 -17.6 0.4 0.0 -2.9 0.4

Crop production............................... 111 4.026 173.3 172.8 -17.9 0.6 -0.2 -3.0 -0.3

Mining............................................ 21 2.222 75.5 79.5 -45.2 1.1 -10.8 -6.0 5.3

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.230 91.2 91.1 -8.8 -0.9 -2.2 -1.8 -0.1

Manufactured articles............................ 91.958 115.5 115.4 -4.8 -1.0 -1.6 0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 7.291 147.9 145.2 -6.0 -1.1 -1.5 -1.0 -1.8

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 5.047 169.1 164.7 -6.9 -1.5 -2.3 -1.5 -2.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.614 117.6 118.2 -5.4 1.3 3.1 0.7 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 24.193 114.4 115.4 -14.5 -3.5 -5.7 0.5 0.9

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.864 124.1 124.0 -1.2 0.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 5.313 104.7 110.4 -38.2 -11.9 -19.0 6.4 5.4

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.176 120.5 119.9 -6.1 -1.1 -2.1 -1.3 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.224 118.3 118.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.4 -0.5 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.817 112.7 112.7 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 60.475 112.8 112.6 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.880 144.2 140.8 -5.4 0.8 -0.1 1.3 -2.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.987 129.5 129.3 1.4 0.3 0.8 0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.373 124.9 125.0 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.292 86.8 86.6 -1.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.716 114.7 115.3 0.7 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.296 121.2 121.4 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.381 110.2 107.9 0.7 0.4 0.6 -0.1 -2.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.551 123.5 123.6 -1.1 -0.8 -0.6 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2014 to March

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.396 195.2 189.4 -4.6 -1.6 -1.7 0.3 -3.0

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.339 254.6 232.4 -1.9 -3.0 -2.8 2.7 -8.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.719 137.3 134.6 -9.8 -1.9 -0.9 1.2 -2.0

Vegetable products............................... II 1.956 202.8 199.6 -6.1 4.4 -5.7 0.9 -1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.461 392.2 427.0 18.6 17.1 -20.4 1.8 8.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.507 101.3 99.7 -22.0 -2.1 3.9 0.0 -1.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.393 256.4 245.2 -4.7 1.3 1.6 -3.0 -4.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.275 108.1 108.0 -7.7 -2.7 1.3 -2.2 -0.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.802 162.4 160.6 0.4 0.3 -0.2 0.2 -1.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.187 91.9 91.5 4.3 1.8 -0.2 0.4 -0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.253 112.8 108.5 2.2 -0.8 2.1 0.4 -3.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.280 133.3 133.2 1.5 0.0 0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.344 164.5 162.4 -3.4 0.6 -1.1 -0.6 -1.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.043 127.6 128.2 1.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.5

Mineral products.................................. V 11.037 192.2 192.9 -45.1 -15.1 -20.0 4.0 0.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 10.777 189.0 189.7 -45.6 -15.3 -20.4 4.1 0.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.652 148.4 148.4 -2.6 -0.3 -2.0 -0.5 0.0

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.677 305.7 299.9 -1.6 -0.5 -5.9 -4.1 -1.9

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.438 123.2 123.7 -10.2 -1.4 -5.4 -1.0 0.4

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.465 136.2 136.3 2.6 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.393 114.6 114.4 0.4 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.215 104.5 100.0 -1.4 -0.5 -0.9 0.1 -4.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.548 90.2 90.1 -3.3 -0.5 -1.1 -0.6 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.437 144.2 143.4 -3.7 -0.4 -0.7 -0.5 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.242 149.0 148.3 -1.1 -0.8 0.1 -0.3 -0.5

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.195 137.5 136.3 -8.3 0.4 -2.1 -0.8 -0.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.718 128.4 128.3 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.677 130.7 130.7 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.762 144.0 141.4 -5.0 0.1 0.2 -1.1 -1.8

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.725 99.0 97.2 – – 0.2 -1.2 -1.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.161 113.1 112.7 -0.7 0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.772 106.9 106.5 -0.7 0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.4

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.452 114.7 114.6 0.5 -0.2 -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 2014 to March

2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.171 103.7 103.9 1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.959 120.4 120.3 1.3 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.637 107.0 106.8 -1.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.486 122.9 123.0 1.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.295 122.3 122.2 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.894 132.3 132.4 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.267 138.2 138.7 -1.6 -1.6 -0.4 -0.4 0.4

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.312 129.1 129.0 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 3.118 176.1 172.5 -6.0 0.3 0.4 1.4 -2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.468 174.6 172.1 -5.1 -0.7 -1.7 -1.6 -1.4

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.206 203.1 196.7 -11.3 -1.2 -2.1 -4.4 -3.2

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.699 151.3 150.4 -2.4 -0.8 -0.7 -0.8 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.455 286.5 288.8 -13.6 -1.0 -3.7 -4.8 0.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.777 139.2 135.6 -0.4 -1.4 -2.7 0.7 -2.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.444 128.9 128.9 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.516 138.0 138.4 1.8 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.689 83.2 83.0 -1.7 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.068 88.2 88.1 -1.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 14.621 78.3 78.2 -1.8 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.681 114.6 114.5 -1.3 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.356 113.2 113.1 -1.4 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.232 120.3 119.3 -0.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.8

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.880 104.0 104.2 -0.4 0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.558 100.8 100.9 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.260 142.9 143.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.7 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.027 113.6 113.4 0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.431 118.5 118.1 0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.339 105.0 104.9 -0.6 0.0 -0.8 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.257 134.9 134.9 -0.4 0.0 0.6 -0.6 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2014 to March

2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 2.025 214.9 209.7 -10.5 -4.6 -4.5 -2.8 -2.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.230 172.9 163.3 -5.2 -5.1 -4.5 -2.5 -5.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.408 213.7 234.3 15.4 2.4 1.6 -0.6 9.6

Vegetable products............................... II 4.067 215.9 212.6 -17.1 1.1 -1.0 -3.2 -1.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.163 182.5 174.3 -8.4 4.3 -1.7 -1.0 -4.5

Cereals............................................ 10 1.042 207.5 206.0 -20.1 3.4 -3.5 -5.6 -0.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.439 215.6 215.4 -24.0 -2.8 1.4 -4.1 -0.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.203 97.0 96.3 -16.3 0.7 -0.4 -6.9 -0.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 3.062 161.8 159.5 -5.0 0.7 -0.1 -0.3 -1.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.400 118.4 118.5 1.5 0.0 0.9 -0.1 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.510 110.3 110.2 -0.6 -1.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.808 244.1 237.9 -15.0 5.0 0.5 -0.3 -2.5

Mineral products.................................. V 7.616 203.2 211.3 -39.1 -8.7 -16.2 2.6 4.0

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.493 88.7 88.5 -4.4 -2.1 -3.9 -1.2 -0.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 6.936 195.5 204.2 -41.2 -9.4 -17.3 2.9 4.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.789 143.0 142.3 -4.8 -0.6 -1.6 -0.9 -0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.832 172.6 168.8 -3.4 1.0 -0.3 -0.1 -2.2

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.928 146.1 145.8 -10.3 -3.5 -4.3 -1.6 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.563 111.4 110.9 -3.9 0.9 -1.0 -1.9 -0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.782 135.9 136.2 2.1 0.0 2.5 -0.3 0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.475 113.7 114.5 -4.4 0.0 -0.1 -2.9 0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.897 153.1 151.2 -4.3 0.7 -1.4 0.8 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.172 144.0 144.0 -4.3 -0.7 -1.3 -1.6 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.218 139.5 139.6 -3.9 -0.8 -1.5 -1.5 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.954 162.9 162.4 -6.1 -0.7 -0.7 -1.9 -0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.442 148.6 148.2 -5.6 -3.1 -2.0 -0.8 -0.3

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.275 96.4 96.0 – – -2.9 -0.7 -0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.629 99.9 99.3 – – 0.7 -0.8 -0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.222 123.4 123.0 -2.5 0.3 -0.9 -1.2 -0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.612 122.7 121.8 -7.2 0.5 -1.9 -3.6 -0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.201 123.7 123.3 -1.3 0.2 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.409 100.3 100.3 – – 0.3 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.788 123.4 123.0 -10.2 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2014 to March

2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2014 to

Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan.

2015

Jan.

2015 to

Feb.

2015

Feb.

2015 to

Mar.

2015

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.456 119.8 119.5 -24.8 -1.5 -0.3 -1.8 -0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.816 122.6 122.7 2.7 0.2 1.7 0.2 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.422 99.6 99.8 1.9 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.859 240.7 236.9 -5.0 0.4 -0.2 1.9 -1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.226 154.6 153.9 -5.8 -0.7 -1.3 -2.0 -0.5

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.241 167.9 165.8 -12.5 -2.5 -0.3 -5.9 -1.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.494 183.2 187.4 -19.6 -2.3 -4.5 -4.9 2.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.898 119.5 118.3 -1.3 0.1 -3.2 -1.0 -1.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.329 147.7 147.7 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 28.913 97.6 97.6 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.374 114.0 113.9 1.2 0.0 0.4 0.4 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.539 79.9 79.9 -1.4 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.412 130.5 130.6 0.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.976 114.9 114.9 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.154 107.4 107.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.476 111.3 110.9 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4 -0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.838 123.3 122.5 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.5 -0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.477 89.8 89.8 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2014 to March 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2014

to Mar.

2015

Nov. 2014

to Dec.

2014

Dec. 2014

to Jan.

2015

Jan. 2015

to Feb.

2015

Feb. 2015

to Mar.

2015

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 120.8 120.3 -11.0 -2.2 -2.9 -0.8 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles................... 7.735 133.6 132.2 -51.1 -17.7 -17.4 -2.8 -1.0

Manufactured articles........................ 91.819 119.3 119.0 -4.3 -0.3 -1.5 -0.6 -0.3

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 123.8 123.5 -10.8 -2.5 -3.3 -0.2 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles................... 10.956 201.3 197.0 -43.3 -13.2 -17.5 -0.2 -2.1

Manufactured articles........................ 88.809 106.5 106.5 -3.2 -0.3 -1.2 -0.3 0.0

Canada.......................................... 100.000 125.4 124.6 -22.2 -5.9 -5.6 -1.4 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles................... 21.497 127.2 126.4 -51.9 -18.3 -17.9 -3.0 -0.6

Manufactured articles........................ 77.795 129.3 128.4 -5.9 -0.8 -1.4 -0.8 -0.7

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 133.5 133.5 -3.1 -0.4 -1.5 -1.1 0.0

Manufactured articles........................ 99.395 130.0 130.1 -3.0 -0.4 -1.5 -1.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 122.4 122.4 0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.6 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 117.4 117.1 -1.3 -0.3 0.1 -0.7 -0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 120.0 120.6 -6.9 0.1 -5.7 0.0 0.5

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 148.2 147.1 -15.2 -3.8 -4.8 0.3 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles................... 17.983 218.7 212.4 -42.5 -13.2 -19.0 4.3 -2.9

Manufactured articles........................ 81.588 125.5 125.2 -4.6 -0.6 -1.3 -0.6 -0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 130.9 130.6 -8.3 -1.9 -2.6 -0.2 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 9.666 117.7 118.3 -41.6 -12.4 -19.1 0.7 0.5

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 90.026 91.6 91.3 -1.6 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 101.2 101.0 -1.8 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.4 103.3 -0.5 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 97.1 97.0 -2.2 -0.5 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 87.6 86.9 -2.7 -0.2 -0.9 0.0 -0.8

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 100.0 99.8 -4.5 -0.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 170.7 168.1 -37.1 -11.7 -11.3 -4.2 -1.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2014

to March 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20151

Index Percent change

Feb.

2015

Mar.

2015

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2014

to Mar.

2015

Nov.

2014 to

Dec.

2014

Dec.

2014 to

Jan. 2015

Jan. 2015

to Feb.

2015

Feb. 2015

to Mar.

2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 168.0 173.8 -1.6 -1.7 0.2 0.3 3.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 25.408 153.9 150.0 -17.3 -2.3 -2.7 -5.1 -2.5

Asia.................................................. 69.263 151.0 160.0 5.1 -1.6 1.5 2.4 6.0

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 160.1 157.4 4.1 -1.6 4.6 -1.8 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 36.354 151.5 149.0 9.8 -1.3 9.4 -1.8 -1.7

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 159.5 160.5 -2.6 -1.9 1.1 -0.6 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 25.676 142.8 141.0 -11.7 -2.0 -1.3 -3.7 -1.3

Asia.................................................. 61.207 146.3 148.5 1.2 -2.1 2.3 0.7 1.5

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 150.6 149.5 0.6 -0.3 -0.7 -0.5 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 33.119 170.5 168.7 1.7 0.0 -0.9 -0.1 -1.1

Asia.................................................. 43.665 141.0 140.4 -0.8 -0.6 -1.1 -0.8 -0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 196.0 191.3 0.5 7.9 -6.8 -2.5 -2.4

Europe............................................... 50.325 241.8 232.5 9.5 0.8 3.1 2.7 -3.8

Asia.................................................. 23.229 138.3 141.3 -4.5 16.2 -14.4 -6.2 2.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.903 166.0 167.0 -1.0 10.6 -11.2 0.4 0.6

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 164.0 166.7 -6.7 8.3 0.4 -13.3 1.6

Europe............................................... 30.280 209.8 210.2 -2.9 4.2 -5.4 -1.7 0.2

Asia.................................................. 26.852 137.3 136.6 -8.5 7.2 2.5 -17.9 -0.5

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 24.320 179.7 185.3 -8.7 10.6 -0.8 -9.4 3.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."
16 

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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