U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – SEPTEMBER 2013 

U.S. import prices advanced 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month in September, the U.S. Bureau of 

Labor Statistics reported today. The increase in each of the past two months was led by rising fuel prices. 

The price index for U.S. exports rose 0.3 percent in September after falling the previous six months. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: September 2012 – September 2013 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: September 2012 – September 2013

 Percent change

1.0

0.3

-0.7 -0.6

0.5

0.9

-0.1

-0.7 -0.6

-0.4

0.0

0.2 0.2

-1

0

1

2

Sep'12 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'13

-0.6

0.0

-1.4

-2.0

-1.5

-0.6

-2.1

-2.7

-1.8

0.1

0.8

-0.2

-1.0

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Sep'12 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'13

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, October 23, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-2036
2

 

All Imports: Import prices rose 0.2 percent in September following a 0.2 percent advance the previous 

month. Those were the first monthly increases for the index since a 0.9 percent rise in February. Higher fuel 

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

prices increased as well. Despite the recent advances, import prices declined 1.0 percent over the past 12 

months, the second consecutive month of decreasing year-over-year changes. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel rose 0.6 percent in September, after advancing 1.6 percent in 

August. In September, a 0.8 percent increase in petroleum prices, the largest component of imported fuels, 

more than offset a 6.9 percent drop in natural gas prices. Even with the September increase, fuel prices fell 

0.2 percent over the past 12 months, led by a 0.4 percent drop in petroleum prices. In contrast, natural gas 

prices increased 8.3 percent over the past year. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices ticked up 0.1 percent in September, the first advance 

since a 0.1 percent rise in February. A 0.6 percent increase in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 

prices was the largest contributor to the overall advance, while prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose as 

well. Despite the September increase, the price index for nonfuel imports fell 1.2 percent over the past year. 

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

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: September 2012 – September 2013 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: September 2012 – September 2013 

 Percent change

All Exports: Export prices advanced 0.3 percent in September, the largest monthly rise since a 0.7 percent 

increase in February. Higher nonagricultural and agricultural prices each contributed to the September 

increase. Between September 2012 and September 2013, however, export prices fell 1.6 percent, the largest 

year-over-year decline since the index fell 2.1 percent between June 2011 and June 2012. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports increased 0.7 percent in September after 

declining 4.2 percent and 0.3 percent the previous two months. An 8.7 percent increase in soybean prices 

more than offset a 3.1 percent decline in corn prices and a 4.0 percent drop in the export price index for 

nuts. Prices for agricultural exports fell 6.3 percent for the past 12 months. Falling prices for corn, soybeans, 

and wheat over the past year drove the decline in overall agricultural prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices advanced 0.3 percent in September after 

recording no change the previous month. Rising prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

and capital goods drove the September increase. Despite rising 0.2 percent over the past three months, 

nonagricultural export prices declined 0.9 percent for the September 2012-13 period. 

 

0.8

0.1

-0.6

-0.1

0.4

0.7

-0.5 -0.6 -0.5

-0.1

-0.2

-0.5

0.3

-1

0

1

2

Sep'12 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'13

-0.6

1.5

0.8

1.1 1.2

1.5

0.2

-0.8 -0.8

0.8

0.3

-1.0

-1.6

-2

-1

0

1

2

Sep'12 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep'13
4

SELECTED SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China ticked up 0.1 percent in September, after 

recording no change the previous month. Despite the September upturn, import prices from China declined 

1.0 percent over the past 12 months. The price index for imports from the European Union rose 0.4 percent 

in September, the largest monthly advance for the index since a 0.7 percent increase in February. Prices for 

imports from Canada and Mexico also advanced in September, each rising 0.1 percent. In contrast, import 

prices from Japan resumed a downward trend in September after recording no change in August. Prices for 

imports from Japan fell 0.2 percent in September, and the index decreased 2.8 percent over the past year, the 

largest 12 month drop for the index since a 2.9 percent drop between November 2001 and November 2002. 

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

percent in September following a 0.8 percent drop the previous month. The September turnaround resulted 

primarily from a 1.9 percent advance in unfinished metal prices, after that index fell 1.1 percent in August. 

Despite the September upturn, unfinished metal prices decreased 7.1 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods categories were mostly unchanged in September. 

Prices for consumer goods edged down 0.1 percent, led by lower prices for imported televisions and video 

receivers. The price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each recorded no change in 

September, after declining 0.1 percent the previous month. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices advanced 0.5 percent in September 

following a 0.3 percent rise in August. The September increase was driven by a 2.6 percent advance in fish 

and shellfish prices, and a 3.6 percent rise in vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares recorded no change in September, after decreases of 

7.9 percent in August and 3.9 percent in July. In September, a 4.7 percent increase in European fares offset 

lower Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. Import air passenger fares advanced 1.1 percent for the 

year ended in September. Prices for import air freight rose 0.6 percent in September and fell 0.6 percent 

over the past year. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices increased 0.8 percent in September following a 0.3 percent advance the previous month. The 

September rise was the largest monthly increase since a 1.4 percent advance in February, and was led by 

higher metals and fuel prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent in September, while the price indexes for 

consumer goods and automotive vehicles were unchanged. Each of the major finished goods indexes 

recorded declines in August. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 10.3 percent in September, the first monthly 

decline for the index since a 2.6 percent drop in April. The decrease in September drove the index for export 

air passenger fares down 0.1 percent over the past year. Export air freight prices rose 0.8 percent in 

September and 0.4 percent over the past 12 months. 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 139.1 139.4 -1.0 -0.4 0.0 0.2 0.2

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 73.420 101.9 101.9 -1.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.339 114.8 114.8 -1.0 -0.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.508 118.9 119.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.088 173.8 174.7 1.8 -1.1 0.6 0.3 0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.866 190.8 191.0 -1.7 -1.5 0.6 -0.2 0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.222 135.0 137.6 14.6 0.4 0.8 1.6 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.400 249.4 250.9 -1.9 -0.8 0.2 0.7 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 13.739 157.0 157.3 -3.6 -1.0 -2.9 -1.1 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 12.908 178.3 179.3 -4.2 -1.0 -1.7 -0.8 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.579 165.8 167.4 -4.3 -1.3 -1.8 -0.7 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.329 146.2 145.2 -2.6 -0.6 -4.1 -1.5 -0.7

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.492 340.2 342.3 -0.2 -0.7 1.5 1.6 0.6

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.661 380.7 383.9 -0.4 -0.7 2.4 1.9 0.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 15.922 397.1 397.9 0.5 -0.7 3.0 1.8 0.2

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.625 103.3 97.6 6.4 -2.4 -19.6 -6.2 -5.5

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.506 89.7 83.5 8.3 -2.8 -22.1 -7.5 -6.9

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.565 113.5 113.4 0.7 -0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.844 168.4 168.3 -4.4 -0.4 -1.8 -1.1 -0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.994 139.9 141.4 0.1 -3.2 -1.8 -0.8 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.419 234.4 238.8 -7.1 -1.8 -2.7 -1.1 1.9

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.560 155.6 156.1 -3.4 -0.4 -1.7 0.0 0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.526 113.0 112.7 -1.3 -0.1 0.2 -0.8 -0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 24.067 92.5 92.5 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.015 119.6 119.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.181 85.2 85.2 -1.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.870 135.8 135.8 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.150 113.4 113.4 -1.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.295 107.4 107.3 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.865 116.0 116.1 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.104 98.5 98.2 -1.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.327 116.4 116.4 0.8 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.0 132.4 -1.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.3

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.201 214.1 215.5 -6.3 0.8 -0.3 -4.2 0.7

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.135 101.7 102.0 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.799 126.0 126.4 -0.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.434 213.3 214.8 -7.3 0.8 -0.4 -4.3 0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.767 216.9 218.3 -7.5 1.0 -0.5 -4.7 0.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.667 182.2 184.3 -4.5 -2.0 0.7 1.4 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 33.878 177.1 178.4 -2.8 -0.5 -0.5 0.2 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.547 170.4 172.8 -5.8 -1.1 -2.2 -0.7 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.330 181.5 182.3 -1.2 -0.2 0.4 0.7 0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.434 203.8 205.5 2.1 -0.9 1.1 -1.1 0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.444 176.2 177.6 -3.0 -0.5 -0.6 0.3 0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.431 258.7 260.4 -4.6 -0.2 0.9 2.3 0.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.958 165.1 166.5 -3.0 -0.6 -1.3 -0.5 0.8

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.055 124.5 125.3 5.5 0.2 1.1 0.5 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 35.715 106.5 106.6 0.9 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.551 115.7 115.6 1.5 -0.3 0.7 0.3 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.924 95.3 95.4 0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.240 151.8 152.0 1.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.017 113.4 113.4 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.956 114.6 114.6 -1.8 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.474 114.1 114.1 -1.0 0.1 0.1 -0.8 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.121 111.7 111.7 -2.8 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.834 169.0 169.8 1.3 -1.0 1.3 1.4 0.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.816 171.2 171.0 -0.9 -1.7 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.277 176.5 176.2 -2.8 -2.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100). . . . .. 113 0.183 94.0 93.8 – -0.1 -6.6 -4.4 -0.2

Mining.............................................. 21 17.018 168.5 169.3 1.5 -0.9 1.6 1.6 0.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.315 130.0 129.8 -10.2 -1.1 -1.6 -0.2 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.694 115.8 116.1 -1.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.552 123.7 124.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.895 155.6 157.7 1.7 -0.4 0.5 -0.1 1.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.878 113.4 113.9 1.9 -0.3 0.4 -0.2 0.4

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.388 101.0 101.0 -1.4 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.786 114.7 114.6 -0.9 0.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.941 110.2 110.4 -0.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.665 121.5 121.5 0.7 0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.823 136.4 136.8 -2.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.586 118.8 120.8 0.8 -4.9 -2.5 -0.9 1.7

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.040 110.8 110.7 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.241 162.7 165.6 -5.4 -0.2 1.1 2.5 1.8

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.103 133.7 133.4 -0.7 -0.2 -0.6 -0.5 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.931 125.0 124.3 -2.5 -0.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.839 129.3 129.5 -0.6 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.319 107.9 108.0 -1.5 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 3.995 153.9 156.3 -7.8 -1.8 -2.8 -1.1 1.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.637 126.8 126.7 -2.7 -0.2 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.615 121.1 121.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.017 80.8 80.6 -2.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.025 119.4 119.4 0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.920 111.5 111.6 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.253 113.8 114.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.856 120.9 120.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.355 158.2 159.9 -11.6 -0.1 -1.8 -6.3 1.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.392 195.1 198.7 -12.0 0.7 -0.7 -7.6 1.8

Crop production................................. 111 4.964 202.2 205.9 -12.5 1.2 -1.0 -8.1 1.8

Mining.............................................. 21 1.963 85.8 85.0 -9.8 -2.0 -5.1 -2.5 -0.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.364 100.5 100.5 -14.3 -0.9 -2.2 -2.5 0.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.292 120.4 120.7 -0.6 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.104 151.8 151.6 0.9 0.5 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.989 173.9 173.3 0.8 0.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.572 126.3 128.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.6 1.5

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.805 133.8 134.6 -0.8 -0.1 0.5 0.6 0.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.432 119.9 121.1 6.0 0.3 2.1 -0.3 1.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.836 121.6 122.1 2.0 0.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 7.214 168.5 171.3 -3.5 0.3 2.6 2.9 1.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.276 130.1 130.2 -0.9 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.250 120.2 121.0 1.9 -0.4 -0.6 0.3 0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.797 111.9 112.4 0.6 0.0 0.5 0.4 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 56.384 112.1 112.3 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.596 147.8 151.7 -10.1 -2.3 -3.2 -1.7 2.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.769 130.9 131.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.6 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.786 122.5 122.6 1.4 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.283 88.5 88.4 -0.7 0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.367 114.8 114.4 1.6 -0.2 0.5 0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.295 118.0 118.0 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.325 107.9 107.6 4.4 0.2 2.1 0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.963 121.0 121.2 -1.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.6 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.190 184.3 186.5 15.4 1.2 0.8 2.0 1.2

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.261 226.0 221.3 1.0 0.1 1.5 1.3 -2.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.669 138.2 141.7 25.8 2.0 0.3 2.4 2.5

Vegetable products................................ II 1.565 200.0 201.9 -5.8 -4.1 -1.1 -0.9 1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.365 353.6 372.9 -0.2 -1.6 1.7 0.1 5.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.421 113.0 113.7 -1.6 -10.0 0.8 1.5 0.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.356 229.5 225.9 -10.6 -1.9 -2.0 -0.6 -1.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.247 115.1 115.5 -9.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.9 0.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.426 158.4 158.6 0.7 -0.7 0.7 0.4 0.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)....................................... 17 0.192 90.7 89.9 – -3.9 2.8 -3.9 -0.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.226 100.0 99.5 17.8 2.7 1.2 9.6 -0.5

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.239 130.6 130.6 1.4 -0.3 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.317 164.8 164.9 -2.8 0.2 0.4 -0.7 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.867 124.2 124.5 2.1 -0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 21.451 342.9 344.3 -0.3 -0.7 1.6 1.6 0.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 21.172 339.7 341.2 -0.2 -0.7 1.6 1.6 0.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.531 148.2 148.0 -1.6 -0.2 -0.8 -0.5 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.729 322.3 314.9 -20.7 -1.5 -3.9 -3.3 -2.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.607 134.7 135.7 -2.0 -0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.427 125.5 125.6 7.4 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.352 110.7 105.5 -22.4 0.1 -7.8 -4.8 -4.7

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.165 93.9 94.0 -9.2 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.471 98.9 98.6 -3.1 -0.8 -1.1 -0.2 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.175 150.0 149.7 -1.3 -0.2 -0.8 -0.6 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.973 148.0 148.5 3.3 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.202 155.0 153.4 -8.1 -0.7 -1.9 -1.7 -1.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.598 125.5 125.5 -0.6 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.566 126.9 126.9 -0.1 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.620 144.1 146.7 1.0 -4.9 -2.9 -1.5 1.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.140 113.9 113.9 0.4 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.180 103.5 102.7 2.9 -0.3 -0.3 -0.6 -0.8

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.759 107.8 107.9 -0.3 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.964 113.7 113.8 -0.7 0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.939 102.9 103.1 -1.8 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.843 118.1 118.2 0.7 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.550 107.9 107.7 -0.7 0.2 -0.6 0.0 -0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.366 120.8 120.9 0.7 0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.170 119.9 119.9 0.3 0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.773 132.6 132.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.250 126.3 126.3 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.6 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.242 140.9 140.9 -0.8 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.281 128.5 128.5 1.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.977 179.5 183.4 -8.1 -2.5 -3.3 -0.3 2.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.915 178.7 179.3 -2.6 -0.2 -1.1 -0.3 0.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.138 215.4 214.0 -5.7 -0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.477 153.7 153.5 -3.7 -0.7 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.444 320.5 330.2 -5.3 2.3 -5.2 -0.5 3.0

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.126 85.5 87.3 -8.1 -4.5 -4.0 -2.5 2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.666 135.2 135.7 2.2 0.8 -1.0 -0.7 0.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.387 129.2 129.3 0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.432 135.4 135.6 -0.9 -0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.455 84.8 84.7 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.719 89.6 89.6 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.736 80.2 80.0 -2.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.714 115.8 115.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.834 114.5 114.5 -0.6 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.880 120.2 120.3 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.361 104.0 104.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.049 100.9 101.0 -0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.253 140.8 141.1 6.7 -0.6 0.9 -0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... XX 3.471 112.8 113.1 0.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.3

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.936 116.6 116.9 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.339 105.1 105.2 0.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.196 139.0 139.1 2.5 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.071 216.5 217.9 5.1 0.4 1.4 -0.6 0.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.182 166.4 166.1 -0.3 0.8 1.0 -1.5 -0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.381 189.4 192.4 -8.6 -2.9 1.1 2.1 1.6

Vegetable products................................ II 4.949 246.6 250.1 -13.0 1.4 -1.4 -8.0 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 1.034 160.2 159.1 15.1 -1.3 -0.5 3.9 -0.7

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.847 268.9 263.9 -21.4 0.5 -4.7 -8.1 -1.9

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.566 264.0 281.7 -16.0 4.4 1.8 -13.4 6.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.287 124.8 125.8 -14.5 -3.1 -0.8 -5.0 0.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 3.040 167.4 167.8 0.7 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.335 112.7 112.8 0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.610 112.6 112.8 2.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.771 274.0 276.2 -1.9 3.1 2.7 -0.2 0.8

Mineral products.................................... V 9.312 301.0 304.3 -4.9 -0.1 0.9 1.9 1.1

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)........... 26 0.428 87.1 89.4 – -0.7 -2.3 -4.1 2.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.702 299.5 302.6 -4.6 0.0 1.0 2.3 1.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.503 152.9 152.5 -1.5 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.025 182.8 178.9 -3.8 -1.5 -0.2 -1.3 -2.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.275 165.1 166.4 0.3 -0.3 -0.5 1.2 0.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.666 120.8 120.5 -3.3 -0.6 -0.2 -0.8 -0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)...................... 31 0.364 91.1 86.5 – -1.1 -0.9 -3.4 -5.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.717 135.7 135.7 -0.8 0.0 -0.1 -2.0 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.458 120.8 120.9 -1.7 0.1 1.2 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.780 154.2 154.3 0.3 0.1 -1.6 0.1 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.287 148.6 149.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.293 142.6 143.5 2.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.6

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.994 174.7 174.7 -7.7 -0.2 -1.6 -3.0 0.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.404 144.6 141.6 7.4 0.0 -0.4 -1.0 -2.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.597 114.9 115.6 4.8 -0.2 1.1 0.3 0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.287 122.0 122.4 6.5 0.7 0.3 -0.9 0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.611 125.7 126.2 12.5 2.4 -1.4 -3.5 0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.219 120.4 121.0 3.2 -0.1 1.1 0.1 0.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.457 132.0 132.0 8.1 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.863 131.9 132.8 5.1 0.3 0.7 -0.3 0.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.517 146.2 149.4 11.2 -1.5 2.9 -0.9 2.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.767 118.3 118.4 0.5 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2012 to

September 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May

2013 to

June

2013

June

2013 to

July 2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug.

2013 to

Sept.

2013

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.392 97.4 97.5 -1.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.592 241.2 248.4 -11.3 -2.8 -3.7 -1.3 3.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.289 164.4 164.6 -3.6 0.1 -1.1 0.3 0.1

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.458 183.8 185.0 -7.0 -0.1 -2.1 0.5 0.7

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.334 169.1 168.0 -2.9 -0.4 -0.7 0.5 -0.7

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.592 231.9 234.9 -5.0 2.6 -2.6 0.5 1.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.841 121.7 121.4 -2.3 -0.3 -0.7 0.0 -0.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.410 133.2 133.5 1.4 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.329 147.2 147.3 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 28.185 97.2 97.2 0.4 0.0 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.865 111.4 111.4 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.320 81.9 81.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.6 -0.4 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.122 128.2 128.3 1.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.215 113.9 114.0 0.9 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.936 106.9 107.1 0.9 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles.......... XX 1.355 110.9 110.5 0.2 -0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.739 122.7 121.9 1.6 0.6 0.7 0.1 -0.7

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.508 89.3 89.3 -1.8 -1.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept. 2012

to Sept.

2013

May 2013

to June

2013

June 2013

to July

2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug. 2013

to Sept.

2013

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 132.1 132.3 0.8 -0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.848 252.6 251.9 12.4 -0.7 2.1 3.4 -0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 86.561 122.6 122.9 -0.7 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Other Countries3

............................... 100.000 138.4 138.5 -1.6 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 22.432 345.6 346.6 -2.6 -1.0 1.1 0.8 0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 77.226 110.0 110.0 -1.2 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Canada............................................ 100.000 154.9 155.1 2.9 -0.5 -0.1 1.4 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 31.800 242.9 241.9 15.0 -0.7 2.4 3.6 -0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 67.200 135.8 136.2 -1.9 -0.3 -1.2 0.4 0.3

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.2 135.7 1.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.031 355.8 357.6 -5.3 -0.3 2.2 -0.1 0.5

Manufactured articles......................... 98.794 131.6 132.0 1.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 121.5 121.8 1.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 115.8 116.2 1.7 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.3

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 127.4 128.0 -4.8 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.5

Latin America5

.................................. 100.000 175.3 175.5 -1.6 -0.3 0.4 0.6 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 32.800 382.4 383.8 0.1 -0.6 1.9 1.8 0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 66.824 130.9 130.8 -2.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 144.0 144.1 -1.1 -0.8 0.3 0.3 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 19.442 205.7 207.5 0.2 -3.5 2.2 2.4 0.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 80.259 93.6 93.5 -1.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 100.000 103.0 103.0 -1.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 103.6 103.7 -1.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Japan.............................................. 100.000 100.2 100.0 -2.8 -0.3 -0.4 0.0 -0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 90.8 90.6 -0.4 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 100.000 104.4 104.7 0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.3

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 100.000 267.5 268.1 -1.1 -2.0 0.6 2.5 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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: September

2012 to September 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20131

Index Percent change

Aug.

2013

Sept.

2013

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2012 to

Sept.

2013

May 2013

to June

2013

June 2013

to July

2013

July 2013

to Aug.

2013

Aug. 2013

to Sept.

2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 171.8 172.8 -0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.874 163.2 167.0 5.9 -0.2 0.9 -1.1 2.3

Asia.................................................... 73.784 151.7 151.9 -2.4 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.2 147.3 0.4 -0.9 -0.1 0.0 0.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.988 131.8 132.5 0.2 -0.7 -0.2 0.2 0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 160.6 161.5 -1.3 -0.8 0.0 0.0 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.972 147.0 149.6 3.0 -0.4 0.3 -0.8 1.8

Asia.................................................... 67.322 145.6 146.0 -2.8 -1.0 0.0 0.1 0.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 145.6 145.8 -0.7 -1.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 27.964 159.9 160.3 -2.4 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.3

Asia.................................................... 52.404 139.1 139.1 0.3 -1.8 0.3 0.2 0.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 181.8 181.8 1.1 10.7 -3.9 -7.9 0.0

Europe................................................. 42.683 201.9 211.3 10.5 14.6 -8.0 -8.1 4.7

Asia.................................................... 26.864 156.4 146.3 -4.1 11.4 -3.5 -6.3 -6.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 9.871 173.2 162.3 3.5 5.0 1.5 -1.5 -6.3

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 209.1 187.6 -0.1 3.2 3.4 3.2 -10.3

Europe................................................. 28.622 251.6 225.3 2.3 16.8 1.9 -4.6 -10.5

Asia.................................................... 32.786 207.4 156.0 -10.4 0.5 -0.8 24.9 -24.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.730 206.3 191.1 -11.3 4.1 8.2 0.5 -7.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 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. 

16