Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, August 10, 2012 

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

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

USDL-12-1590

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

U.S. import prices declined 0.6 percent in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

decreasing 2.4 percent in June and 1.5 percent in May. In each of the past three months, falling prices for 

both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the overall drop. In contrast, U.S. export prices rose 0.5 percent 

in July following a 1.7 percent decline the previous month. 

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

 Percent change 

0.1

-0.4

-0.1

-0.4

0.7

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.4

-0.1

-1.5

-2.4

-0.6

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

13.7 12.9 12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.8

-0.8

-2.5 -3.2

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

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

All Imports: Prices of U.S. imports fell 0.6 percent in July, the fourth consecutive monthly decline for the 

index following a 1.4 percent increase in March. Import prices also fell over the past 12 months, declining 

3.2 percent after increasing 13.7 percent between July 2010 and July 2011. The July 2011-12 drop was the 

largest year-over-year decline in import prices since the index fell 5.6 percent for the year ended October 

2009. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel decreased 1.2 percent in July following declines of 8.8 

percent, 5.6 percent, and 0.9 percent, respectively, in the previous three months. The July drop was led by a 

1.6 percent decrease in petroleum prices. Fuel prices declined 13.0 percent over the past year after 

advancing 44.8 percent over the previous 12 months. A 12.3 percent drop in petroleum prices and a 34.5 

percent decrease in natural gas prices each contributed to the decline in fuel prices for the July 2011-12 

period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel prices also fell in July, declining 0.4 percent following a 0.3 percent 

decrease in June and a 0.1 percent drop in May. The July decline was the largest monthly drop since a 0.4 

percent decrease in June 2010, and was driven by lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 

and foods, feeds, and beverages. Despite the decline over the past three months, nonfuel import prices were 

unchanged for the year ended in July as higher finished goods prices offset falling prices for nonfuel 

industrial supplies and materials and foods, feeds, and beverages. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

-0.4

0.4 0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.3 0.5

0.8

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.5

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

9.8 9.4 9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.6 1.8

1.1 0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.2

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

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

All Exports: Export prices rose 0.5 percent in July after declining 1.7 percent in June and 0.5 percent in 

May. For July, higher agricultural prices more than offset declining nonagricultural prices. Despite the July 

upturn, the price index for U.S. exports fell 1.2 percent between July 2011 and July 2012, following a 9.8 

percent increase for the July 2010-11 period. The decline for the year ended in July was led by a 1.9 percent 

drop in nonagricultural prices. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports increased 6.4 percent in July following a 3.6 percent 

decline the previous month. The advance was driven by rising prices for soybeans, corn, and wheat: up 16.2 

percent, 19.2 percent, and 18.0 percent, respectively. Led by the July increase, agricultural prices also 

increased over the past year, rising 4.3 percent. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 0.3 percent in 

July after falling 1.5 percent in June and 0.5 percent in May. The July decline was led by lower prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, consumer goods, and capital goods. The 1.9 percent 

decline in nonagricultural prices over the past year was the largest 12-month drop for the index since a 2.9 

percent decrease between October 2008 and October 2009. 

 

3
4

SELECTED JULY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Import Highlights: The 0.4 percent drop in nonfuel prices in July was led by a 1.8 percent 

decrease in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. A 2.4 percent decline in chemicals prices and a 2.0 

percent decrease in unfinished metals prices each contributed to the drop in nonfuel industrial supplies and 

materials prices. Foods, feeds, and beverages prices fell 1.2 percent in July; the primary factor for the 

decline was a 9.5 percent drop in vegetable prices. The price indexes for capital goods and consumer goods 

also fell in July, each edging down 0.1 percent. In contrast, automotive vehicles prices rose 0.4 percent in 

July. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China fell 0.2 percent in July, resuming a recent 

downward trend after ticking up 0.1 percent in June. The decrease was led by a 0.7 percent drop in import 

apparel prices from China. Despite declining in four of the past five months, prices for imports from China 

advanced 0.8 percent over the past 12 months. The price indexes for imports from Canada, Mexico, and the 

European Union also fell in July, decreasing 0.7 percent, 0.4 percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. Prices 

for imports from Japan were unchanged in July after ticking up 0.1 percent in each of the previous two 

months. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 3.2 percent in July, led by a 7.1 percent 

drop in European fares. The July decrease for import air passenger fares followed a 10.3 percent increase 

the previous month. The index for import air passenger fares advanced 5.2 percent over the past year. 

Import air freight prices fell 1.4 percent in July, the first monthly decline for the index since a 1.1 percent 

decrease in February. Prices for import air freight declined 4.2 percent for the July 2011-12 period.

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Export Highlights: The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

fell 0.4 percent in July, while prices for each of the major finished goods areas were mixed. The July drop in 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials was driven by a 1.0 percent decline in chemicals prices. 

Prices for consumer goods and capital goods fell in July, decreasing 0.6 percent and 0.1 percent, 

respectively. In contrast, automotive vehicles prices increased 0.2 percent in July. 

 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 3.5 percent in July after rising 2.1 percent in 

June and 6.6 percent in May. The July advance was driven by a 4.8 percent increase in Asian fares. The 

index for export air passenger fares also rose over the past 12 months, advancing 2.4 percent as higher Latin 

American/Caribbean and Asian fares more than offset lower European fares. Export air freight prices fell 

2.1 percent in July, the largest decline since a 3.0 percent decrease in May 2009. The price index for export 

freight decreased 1.0 percent for the year ended in July. 

Announcement 

Beginning with the July Import-Export Price Indexes data release this month, the import price indexes by 

locality of origin have been expanded to include price indexes for select industry areas. These new indexes 

are available at http://www.bls.gov/web/ximpim/ippsloor.htm. In total, 249 indexes have been added across 

the various localities, including 31 new price indexes for imports from China, and 20 new price indexes for 

imports from the European Union. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for August 2012 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

September 12, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2011 to July

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 138.6 137.8 -3.2 -0.1 -1.5 -2.4 -0.6

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 72.594 103.7 103.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding petroleum................ 78.676 116.3 115.9 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 77.779 120.8 120.3 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.185 171.8 169.8 -3.4 0.1 -0.7 -0.8 -1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.016 193.3 190.7 -3.5 0.1 -0.6 -1.0 -1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.169 123.1 122.3 -3.1 0.2 -1.4 0.0 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.791 244.9 241.4 -9.5 -0.4 -3.7 -6.1 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.467 165.3 163.3 -5.3 -0.1 -0.2 -1.1 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.570 191.2 187.7 -3.1 0.5 0.0 -1.4 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.890 176.7 175.1 -5.6 -1.1 -0.7 -1.8 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.680 151.8 149.5 -5.0 1.1 0.5 -0.1 -1.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 22.220 316.4 312.5 -13.0 -0.9 -5.6 -8.8 -1.2

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 21.323 355.6 350.0 -12.3 -0.6 -5.8 -9.3 -1.6

Crude.......................................... 10000 16.284 369.5 365.4 -10.0 -1.2 -4.9 -9.1 -1.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.598 79.9 88.9 -31.5 -11.9 -2.6 5.5 11.3

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.492 65.9 74.9 -34.5 -14.3 -3.2 7.9 13.7

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.603 114.1 114.0 -5.3 -0.8 1.1 -0.3 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 5.169 183.3 177.2 1.5 3.1 0.9 -0.8 -3.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.046 138.2 138.8 6.4 0.5 1.0 1.2 0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.667 263.7 258.5 -12.8 -2.2 -1.5 -3.5 -2.0

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.560 161.7 161.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 -1.1 0.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.525 115.0 114.5 -0.4 0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.641 93.3 93.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.927 118.7 119.2 0.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.033 86.3 86.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.681 133.8 134.0 6.2 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.780 114.3 114.8 1.6 0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.603 107.6 107.5 1.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.823 114.9 114.8 2.4 0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.450 99.8 99.6 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.329 119.5 118.6 3.8 1.0 0.4 -0.2 -0.8

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: July 2011 to July

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 131.7 132.4 -1.2 0.4 -0.5 -1.7 0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.877 204.4 217.4 4.3 2.0 0.5 -3.6 6.4

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.862 102.5 102.2 -1.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.124 126.6 126.2 -1.9 0.2 -0.5 -1.5 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.045 205.6 219.6 8.1 2.3 0.7 -3.1 6.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.318 207.9 223.1 8.4 2.3 0.8 -3.4 7.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.727 189.8 189.3 3.0 2.8 -1.6 0.8 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.719 178.6 178.0 -7.0 0.5 -1.7 -3.9 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.245 184.1 182.6 -3.5 -0.8 -0.6 -2.3 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.474 176.3 176.3 -8.8 1.2 -2.4 -4.8 0.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.559 189.2 190.4 -16.1 0.1 -1.7 -4.6 0.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.160 178.4 177.7 -6.5 0.5 -1.8 -3.8 -0.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.094 248.3 250.6 -12.3 1.8 -4.7 -8.7 0.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.116 171.3 169.9 -4.4 0.1 -0.7 -2.2 -0.8

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.950 117.3 116.7 0.9 0.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.971 105.8 105.7 1.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.603 114.3 113.2 -0.8 0.1 0.8 0.2 -1.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.323 95.0 95.0 0.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.046 149.1 149.2 2.9 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.327 113.0 113.2 2.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.939 117.0 116.3 -0.5 -0.4 0.5 0.1 -0.6

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.988 114.9 114.7 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.456 114.9 114.6 1.6 -0.3 1.1 -0.2 -0.3

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: July 2011 to July

2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 19.214 156.0 154.3 -12.1 -1.4 -4.9 -8.6 -1.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.865 171.7 168.4 -7.1 1.9 -1.0 -2.0 -1.9

Crop production................................. 111 1.324 178.3 174.6 -7.2 2.7 -0.7 -2.5 -2.1

Mining.............................................. 21 17.349 154.1 152.6 -12.6 -1.7 -5.2 -9.2 -1.0

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.333 144.0 143.4 -7.7 -0.3 -0.2 -1.0 -0.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.324 117.5 117.0 -0.8 0.3 -0.6 -0.7 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 11.119 125.7 124.6 1.5 0.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.9

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.150 162.9 158.4 1.1 2.0 -0.6 -0.5 -2.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.859 111.9 111.4 -0.6 -0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.4

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.409 101.5 101.5 – 0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.886 116.0 115.7 -1.6 0.3 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.155 112.0 111.9 1.7 0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.660 119.7 119.7 4.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.953 136.7 135.2 -3.6 1.2 -1.9 -2.3 -1.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.634 116.5 117.9 9.0 0.8 1.5 1.6 1.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.108 111.2 111.2 -2.4 -0.6 0.6 -0.2 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.388 158.5 155.7 -15.2 2.2 -8.0 -7.3 -1.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.953 135.5 133.6 0.5 1.2 0.4 -0.8 -1.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.929 127.7 127.3 2.0 0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.850 129.9 130.1 2.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 51.252 109.8 109.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.273 174.1 171.2 -10.3 -1.7 -1.6 -3.2 -1.7

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.588 129.4 129.6 2.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.726 121.1 120.9 1.9 0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.707 82.3 82.2 -1.3 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.900 118.3 118.6 2.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.460 111.4 111.9 2.1 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.4

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.339 114.1 113.4 1.8 0.0 0.1 0.7 -0.6

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.259 122.5 122.3 0.4 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -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

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2011 to July

2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.023 158.4 171.0 -3.2 1.6 0.2 -5.7 8.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.138 190.3 209.5 5.1 3.0 0.6 -5.8 10.1

Crop production................................. 111 5.712 197.0 218.5 5.8 2.8 1.1 -6.3 10.9

Mining.............................................. 21 1.885 94.3 95.2 -24.4 -2.7 -1.0 -4.9 1.0

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.376 120.1 119.6 -18.8 -3.1 -2.0 -2.3 -0.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.014 120.2 119.9 -0.7 0.3 -0.5 -1.2 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.229 146.9 147.4 2.4 0.8 0.4 -0.3 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.040 168.1 168.7 4.3 1.2 0.5 -0.4 0.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.577 120.2 123.7 7.1 0.3 0.5 0.4 2.9

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.429 121.7 121.7 6.6 0.1 0.0 1.5 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.239 131.5 130.9 -3.8 1.2 -1.8 -3.2 -0.5

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.407 114.1 113.4 -0.7 0.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.850 118.9 119.4 -4.5 0.9 -1.2 0.5 0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.934 158.3 159.2 -9.4 3.2 -5.3 -9.1 0.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.069 130.6 129.3 -2.6 0.6 -0.8 -1.7 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.213 117.8 117.3 2.7 0.5 0.1 0.0 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.766 112.4 112.4 1.9 -0.2 0.0 0.8 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.545 113.3 113.0 0.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.792 169.9 168.8 -5.9 -1.8 -1.3 -2.4 -0.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.673 130.8 131.9 3.2 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.201 120.4 120.5 2.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.544 89.9 89.6 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.255 112.8 111.9 -1.1 0.3 0.4 0.1 -0.8

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.546 116.8 117.0 2.4 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.301 103.0 103.0 – 0.9 0.0 0.4 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.233 122.9 121.7 -1.5 -0.6 1.0 0.2 -1.0

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

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2011 to July

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.174 165.0 164.1 -3.0 -1.4 -2.0 0.2 -0.5

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.273 214.7 217.5 3.7 -4.5 0.0 1.1 1.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.610 118.8 117.2 -8.6 -0.4 -2.5 -0.3 -1.3

Vegetable products................................ II 1.768 221.1 212.7 -0.4 6.0 -0.9 -2.1 -3.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.330 322.8 296.3 -0.6 7.6 0.7 0.7 -8.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.475 117.7 116.9 -9.2 0.0 -4.2 -3.8 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.417 266.8 272.9 -8.2 0.8 -1.6 -1.7 2.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.258 129.7 126.3 -12.7 0.9 0.9 -5.4 -2.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.416 157.3 156.3 -1.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.6

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.184 84.4 80.3 -18.6 -1.6 -1.4 -1.2 -4.9

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.230 126.2 128.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.2 1.5

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.351 170.7 170.3 5.6 -0.7 -0.6 -1.2 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.811 122.3 121.6 -0.8 -0.2 0.6 -0.2 -0.6

Mineral products.................................... V 22.033 319.8 315.8 -12.4 -0.8 -5.4 -8.4 -1.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 21.719 316.1 312.0 -12.5 -0.8 -5.5 -8.5 -1.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.457 150.7 149.6 1.7 1.3 0.9 -0.4 -0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.971 383.9 391.2 4.5 3.5 5.3 3.6 1.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.463 137.7 137.7 0.5 0.0 -0.2 -1.6 0.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.081 117.4 116.9 4.7 1.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.503 155.8 136.2 -7.7 5.8 6.7 -2.6 -12.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.188 106.3 102.4 – 3.6 -0.2 -0.4 -3.7

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.421 124.9 124.4 -1.9 0.6 -0.4 0.0 -0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.480 102.4 102.1 -6.2 -0.1 -0.1 -1.2 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.158 152.8 151.6 -0.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.5 -0.8

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.916 144.0 142.9 1.2 0.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.8

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.242 169.6 168.2 -3.1 0.7 -0.3 -0.8 -0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.599 127.0 126.9 4.0 -0.2 0.5 0.2 -0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.551 127.8 127.7 4.4 -0.1 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.666 140.9 142.8 9.2 0.8 1.4 1.5 1.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.212 114.0 113.7 -2.4 -0.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.3

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.188 104.0 103.9 – -1.6 4.3 0.4 -0.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.806 108.2 108.1 -1.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.304 115.4 115.2 1.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.050 106.0 106.4 -0.7 0.2 -0.5 -0.3 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.957 118.3 117.6 5.0 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.6

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.640 108.7 108.4 -3.0 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.355 118.8 119.0 4.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.152 117.8 118.1 4.8 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.768 132.0 132.1 2.2 -0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.247 125.4 125.4 2.9 -0.1 0.2 0.6 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.230 142.1 142.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.291 126.9 127.2 2.9 0.0 0.8 -0.3 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.292 199.2 198.7 0.2 -1.9 -1.4 -2.5 -0.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.938 188.8 186.2 -7.2 -0.1 -0.5 -1.6 -1.4

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.141 242.2 237.2 -10.3 0.4 0.3 -2.2 -2.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.437 161.0 160.9 0.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.455 349.4 334.6 -17.4 -1.8 -1.3 -4.0 -4.2

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.133 101.1 98.6 -21.9 -6.4 -5.5 -3.2 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.709 137.7 134.9 -13.4 0.4 -1.8 -2.1 -2.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.368 128.2 128.2 3.8 0.7 0.5 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.417 135.4 135.6 3.4 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.135 85.8 85.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.681 89.8 89.7 1.4 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.454 81.9 81.9 -1.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.384 115.7 116.2 1.6 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.572 114.8 115.2 1.4 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.716 118.2 118.7 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.4

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.263 104.3 104.6 -0.7 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.004 101.8 102.0 -0.9 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.197 129.7 130.4 1.7 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.763 112.8 112.5 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.4 -0.3

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.004 116.5 116.2 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.4 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.551 105.4 105.0 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.207 136.7 136.5 2.6 0.0 -0.1 2.7 -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: July 2011 to July

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.916 202.7 203.2 1.9 0.9 -1.1 0.0 0.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.102 165.6 166.6 3.3 -0.8 0.3 -1.4 0.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.417 207.5 207.0 4.0 4.3 -1.0 0.5 -0.2

Vegetable products................................ II 5.739 241.3 267.9 11.9 3.0 1.8 -5.3 11.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.883 139.4 136.5 5.2 2.2 -0.3 1.8 -2.1

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.068 264.3 310.2 11.2 0.6 -2.1 -5.8 17.4

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.194 267.6 305.0 18.1 6.1 4.4 -7.8 14.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.478 148.0 147.5 -7.9 1.8 2.0 -6.1 -0.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.756 157.7 159.7 6.0 1.2 0.6 0.4 1.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.326 111.0 111.0 2.3 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.407 110.1 110.0 4.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.838 238.5 249.7 11.6 3.8 2.7 2.9 4.7

Mineral products.................................... V 8.141 295.5 295.7 -12.8 2.2 -4.9 -8.0 0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.528 290.7 291.0 -13.5 2.4 -5.2 -8.4 0.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.341 154.5 153.5 -1.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.037 189.3 190.6 -3.2 0.1 -0.4 2.9 0.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.430 165.0 161.4 -4.4 -0.2 -1.3 -1.7 -2.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.179 124.1 123.8 -1.8 -0.3 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.769 136.0 135.8 1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.472 123.2 123.1 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.784 153.0 153.0 0.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.497 148.2 146.3 -4.1 1.9 -0.5 -3.1 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.397 138.6 137.2 -3.9 1.6 -0.4 -3.0 -1.0

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.100 193.8 189.1 -5.2 2.8 -0.7 -3.6 -2.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.372 130.0 129.9 -4.2 2.1 0.9 -2.8 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.547 109.6 109.2 0.6 2.4 -0.6 0.3 -0.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.340 117.8 117.7 -7.8 0.8 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.649 126.1 124.4 -19.7 0.2 -0.9 0.0 -1.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.234 116.5 116.6 -2.6 1.0 -1.4 -0.1 0.1

Printed material.................................... 49 0.457 120.3 121.6 2.1 0.7 0.1 -0.1 1.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.909 124.9 124.3 -14.1 -0.1 -1.7 -3.1 -0.5

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.535 132.0 129.4 -39.9 -1.2 -5.4 -11.1 -2.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.751 117.8 117.8 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.405 98.6 98.5 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May

2012 to

June

2012

June

2012 to

July 2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.273 277.4 274.7 -1.9 -2.8 -0.8 -1.6 -1.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.547 173.1 172.2 -6.4 0.0 -0.2 -3.4 -0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.680 210.0 202.7 -11.6 -0.6 0.3 -6.6 -3.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.377 172.8 174.2 2.2 0.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.639 242.4 246.0 -15.1 -0.3 -1.7 -7.3 1.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.827 124.9 123.7 -10.3 0.1 -1.0 -2.2 -1.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.382 129.2 134.7 5.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.343 145.8 145.8 7.4 2.8 2.7 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.943 97.2 97.0 0.6 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.233 110.6 110.6 1.9 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.710 82.7 82.4 -1.0 -0.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.081 126.8 127.0 2.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.325 113.0 113.3 2.8 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.860 106.0 105.9 0.5 0.2 0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.362 110.4 110.4 1.8 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.703 119.9 120.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.525 91.2 91.2 2.0 0.0 0.0 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

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: July 2011 to July 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar. 2012

to Apr.

2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May 2012

to June

2012

June 2012

to July

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 130.7 130.3 -2.8 -0.8 -0.1 -0.8 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 11.740 210.7 212.4 -15.0 -5.4 -2.4 -0.6 0.8

Manufactured articles......................... 87.608 124.1 123.6 -0.8 -0.2 0.2 -0.7 -0.4

Other Countries3

............................... 100.000 138.3 137.7 -2.9 0.1 -1.7 -3.0 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 24.263 333.9 332.7 -8.8 -0.4 -5.0 -9.5 -0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 75.395 111.1 110.6 -0.8 0.3 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5

Canada............................................ 100.000 148.7 147.6 -7.3 -1.4 -0.7 -1.1 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 27.552 198.5 199.6 -16.3 -5.5 -2.9 -0.3 0.6

Manufactured articles......................... 71.356 139.3 137.7 -3.1 0.2 0.1 -1.3 -1.1

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.4 135.2 -1.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 2.365 381.2 376.5 -0.8 0.0 -5.5 0.0 -1.2

Manufactured articles......................... 97.424 131.7 131.5 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 120.8 120.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 114.5 114.4 -1.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 134.5 134.1 -0.2 0.0 -1.2 -0.4 -0.3

Latin America5

.................................. 100.000 173.4 172.2 -5.2 -0.6 -1.7 -4.3 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 33.743 354.2 349.2 -10.2 -1.4 -4.6 -10.0 -1.4

Manufactured articles......................... 65.821 133.5 133.2 -2.8 0.1 -0.1 -1.1 -0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 143.2 142.6 -4.2 -0.3 -1.2 -2.7 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 20.056 188.3 183.5 -13.2 -1.5 -5.0 -11.0 -2.5

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 79.612 94.9 95.0 -1.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 100.000 104.6 104.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 105.0 104.8 0.8 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Japan.............................................. 100.000 102.6 102.6 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 90.8 90.9 -1.1 0.3 -0.2 0.2 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 100.000 105.0 104.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 100.000 271.4 266.7 -2.9 2.0 -1.4 -7.5 -1.7

1 Relative importance 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: July 2011 to

July 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

June

20121

Index Percent change

June

2012

July

2012

Annual Monthly

July 2011

to July

2012

Mar. 2012

to Apr.

2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

May 2012

to June

2012

June 2012

to July

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 178.6 176.1 -4.2 1.9 0.3 0.6 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.549 162.0 157.6 -6.9 -1.9 1.3 -2.1 -2.7

Asia.................................................... 72.054 160.3 158.6 -3.6 3.4 0.1 1.6 -1.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 148.1 145.0 -1.0 0.9 0.3 -1.7 -2.1

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.122 133.5 131.3 -0.9 1.1 0.2 -1.8 -1.6

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 161.6 158.8 -2.9 1.5 0.2 0.0 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.271 145.7 140.9 -8.0 -0.3 0.7 -3.1 -3.3

Asia.................................................... 64.438 147.3 145.4 -1.3 2.3 0.1 1.4 -1.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 149.0 145.0 2.3 2.5 0.2 -0.9 -2.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.422 164.9 163.0 2.9 0.2 0.7 -1.1 -1.2

Asia.................................................... 49.987 142.5 136.5 1.8 4.6 0.0 -0.7 -4.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 199.8 193.4 5.2 0.7 0.6 10.3 -3.2

Europe................................................. 41.856 222.3 206.6 5.5 3.8 -1.2 20.0 -7.1

Asia.................................................... 26.627 169.3 167.2 3.9 0.8 6.1 7.3 -1.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 10.874 173.9 176.1 -1.0 2.1 -6.0 1.7 1.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 202.8 209.8 2.4 0.7 6.6 2.1 3.5

Europe................................................. 29.253 253.9 257.1 -4.0 7.7 -0.7 13.7 1.3

Asia.................................................... 27.537 178.9 187.5 6.1 0.7 6.7 -0.2 4.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.799 224.0 225.7 13.0 -7.7 5.3 -2.5 0.8

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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