U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – AUGUST 2014 

Prices for U.S. imports decreased 0.9 percent in August following a 0.3-percent decline in July, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Both the August and July drops in overall import prices were 

driven by lower fuel prices. U.S. export prices declined 0.5 percent in August, after ticking up 0.1 percent 

the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2013 – August 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: August 2013 – August 2014

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, September 12, 2014 

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

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

USDL-14-1675
2

All Imports: Prices for overall imports declined 0.9 percent in August, the largest monthly drop in import 

prices since a 0.9-percent decrease in November 2013; those were the largest declines since a 2.3-percent 

drop in June 2012. The August 2014 decrease resulted from lower fuel prices which more than offset a 0.1-

percent increase in nonfuel prices. The price index for overall imports fell 0.4 percent for the year ended in 

August, the first 12-month decline since a 0.4-percent decrease in April. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices fell 4.6 percent in August following a 1.7-percent decline in July. The 

August drop in fuel prices was the largest 1-month decrease for the index since an 8.5-percent decline in 

June 2012. Both petroleum and natural gas prices contributed to the decrease in August fuel prices, 

declining 4.4 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively. Prices for imported fuel decreased 4.5 percent over the 

past year, after rising 4.1 percent between August 2012 and August 2013. The 12-month decrease for fuel 

prices in August was led by a 5.3-percent drop in petroleum prices which more than offset a 35.4-percent 

jump in natural gas prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The 0.1-percent advance in nonfuel prices in August was the first monthly 

uptick in the price index for nonfuel imports since a 0.3-percent rise in March. Higher prices for foods, 

feeds, and beverages; nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and automotive vehicles all contributed to 

the August increase. The price index for nonfuel imports rose 0.7 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: August 2013 – August 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: August 2013 – August 2014 

 Percent change

All Exports: Export prices declined 0.5 percent in August following a 0.1-percent uptick in July and a 0.5-

percent drop in June. In August, both agricultural and nonagricultural prices contributed to the decrease. 

Despite declines in August and June, export prices advanced 0.4 percent over the past 12 months as rising 

nonagricultural prices more than offset lower prices for agricultural exports. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports fell 2.8 percent in August, after recording declines of 

2.0 percent and 1.7 percent in July and June. The August decrease was the largest monthly drop since the 

index fell 4.2 percent in August 2013. Declining prices for soybeans, fruit and corn were major contributors 

to the recent drop in agricultural prices; soybean prices fell 8.6 percent in August while the price indexes for 

fruit and corn decreased 5.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. The decline in agricultural prices over the 

past 3 months drove the index down 1.3 percent for the year ended in August. 

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

August following a 0.3-percent rise the previous month. In August, lower prices for nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials and automotive vehicles more than offset higher capital goods prices. 

Despite the August decrease, nonagricultural export prices increased 0.5 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

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Aug'13 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug'14
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SELECTED AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China edged down 0.1 percent in August, 

after decreasing 0.2 percent the previous month. The August decline was driven by the second consecutive 

0.3-percent monthly drop in the price index for computers and other electronic equipment. Despite the 

recent decreases, import prices from China increased 0.2 percent for the year ended in August. Import prices 

from Canada and Mexico also fell in August, decreasing 1.6 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. Both 

indexes were led by lower fuel prices. In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union ticked up 0.1 

percent for the third consecutive month in August. The price index for imports from Japan was unchanged 

in August. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 

ticked up 0.1 percent in August, after rising 0.5 percent in July. The August increase was led by a 0.3-

percent advance in chemical prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories recorded little change in August. 

Automotive vehicles prices advanced 0.1 percent in August following a 0.7-percent drop in July that was the 

largest monthly decrease since a 1.1-percent decline in December 1992. The price indexes for capital goods 

and consumer goods each recorded no change in August. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices advanced for the second consecutive 

month in August, rising 0.6 percent following a 1.1-percent increase the previous month. Higher meat prices 

contributed to both monthly advances in overall foods, feeds, and beverages prices, rising 5.5 percent in 

August and 5.6 percent in July. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 4.3 percent in August following a 2.8-percent 

decline the previous month. The August decrease was the largest monthly decline since a 6.4-percent drop 

in January, and was led by a 6.9-percent decrease in European fares. Despite the recent declines, import air 

passenger fares advanced 6.7 percent over the past year. The price index for import air freight rose 0.3 

percent in August and 2.3 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

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

materials decreased 0.8 percent in August following a 0.7-percent increase in July and a 0.9-percent decline 

in June. The August drop was driven by a 3.1-percent decrease in export fuel prices.

 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods areas were mixed in August. Capital goods prices 

ticked up 0.1 percent, after edging down 0.2 percent the previous month. Prices for automotive vehicles fell 

0.2 percent in August, the largest 1-month decline since the index decreased 0.3 percent in August 2012. 

The price index for export consumer goods recorded no change in August following a 0.4-percent increase 

in July. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 5.2 percent in August, driven by higher Asian 

fares. Overall export fares also rose for the year ended in August, increasing 3.6 percent. Export air freight 

prices were unchanged in August and increased 9.4 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for September 2014 are scheduled for release on Friday, October 

10, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2013 to

August 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 140.0 138.8 -0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.3 -0.9

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 74.741 102.3 102.3 0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 81.006 115.8 115.7 0.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 79.999 119.6 119.7 0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.258 178.6 179.7 3.4 -0.7 -1.6 1.1 0.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.016 196.2 198.0 3.7 -0.6 -1.5 1.4 0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.242 138.6 138.2 2.4 -1.3 -1.8 0.3 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 32.974 252.6 245.6 -2.2 0.7 0.8 -0.8 -2.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 13.980 162.0 161.1 2.7 -0.9 -0.2 0.2 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 12.973 181.0 181.1 1.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.5 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.875 170.0 169.9 2.5 0.1 -0.1 1.1 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.098 152.0 150.1 2.8 -2.2 -0.5 -0.7 -1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 20.000 344.3 328.5 -4.5 1.2 1.5 -1.7 -4.6

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 18.993 381.4 364.6 -5.3 1.9 1.7 -1.7 -4.4

Crude........................................ 10000 14.548 397.9 379.5 -5.6 1.4 2.2 -1.4 -4.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.857 147.8 133.6 29.1 -10.4 -1.3 -0.2 -9.6

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.716 137.6 121.6 35.4 -12.4 -1.5 0.0 -11.6

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.535 113.4 113.6 0.2 1.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.633 168.8 169.2 0.6 -0.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.2

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.039 142.2 142.1 1.4 -0.6 0.2 0.4 -0.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.601 244.7 244.0 4.1 0.3 -0.5 2.1 -0.3

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.642 158.3 159.1 2.2 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.5

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.523 112.0 112.2 -0.7 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2

Capital goods................................... 2 24.852 92.5 92.5 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.011 120.3 120.4 0.6 0.4 -0.2 0.5 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 19.919 85.1 85.1 -0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 1.923 135.8 135.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 13.433 112.6 112.7 -0.7 0.0 0.0 -0.7 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 23.483 108.3 108.3 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 11.370 118.6 118.7 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 10.918 97.6 97.5 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.195 121.3 120.8 3.8 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August 2013 to

August 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 133.1 132.4 0.4 0.1 -0.5 0.1 -0.5

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.965 217.4 211.4 -1.3 0.3 -1.7 -2.0 -2.8

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 80.963 102.5 102.5 0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.036 127.0 126.6 0.5 0.0 -0.3 0.3 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 9.194 219.4 213.5 0.0 0.4 -1.5 -1.4 -2.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.570 222.9 216.1 -0.5 0.6 -1.6 -1.6 -3.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.624 189.6 192.8 6.1 -1.8 -1.4 2.1 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 33.327 178.0 176.5 -0.3 -0.1 -1.0 0.5 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.232 172.4 172.4 1.2 -0.2 -0.9 1.2 0.0

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 22.096 181.9 179.6 -1.0 -0.1 -1.0 0.1 -1.3

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.395 192.7 190.5 -6.2 -1.3 -2.6 -4.2 -1.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 31.933 177.6 176.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.9 0.7 -0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 9.844 258.4 250.5 -3.1 0.2 -1.5 0.5 -3.1

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 21.102 167.4 167.8 1.6 -0.1 -0.7 1.0 0.2

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.987 123.5 122.2 -1.8 -0.8 -2.0 -1.8 -1.1

Capital goods................................... 2 36.272 107.2 107.3 0.8 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.687 115.9 115.9 0.6 0.6 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.608 95.5 95.6 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 6.977 156.1 156.1 2.8 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 9.452 114.1 113.9 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 11.755 115.6 115.6 1.0 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.412 112.4 112.6 -1.2 -0.1 0.0 1.3 0.2

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 4.952 111.9 111.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.4 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August 2013 to

August 2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 17.548 173.3 165.8 -2.9 0.1 1.0 -1.0 -4.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 1.800 178.1 178.2 4.0 -3.3 -5.5 2.2 0.1

Crop production............................... 111 1.369 184.7 184.9 4.6 -3.5 -6.6 2.4 0.1

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.138 78.8 76.2 -19.0 -6.0 2.2 -2.1 -3.3

Mining............................................ 21 15.748 172.5 164.2 -3.6 0.5 1.7 -1.3 -4.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.247 123.3 124.2 -4.5 -1.8 0.4 -0.3 0.7

Manufactured articles............................ 82.051 116.4 116.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 10.504 125.9 126.7 2.4 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.6

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.088 160.9 163.8 5.3 -0.4 0.3 0.8 1.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.936 117.4 117.5 3.5 -0.2 0.1 1.6 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.356 102.5 102.7 1.8 0.0 -0.1 0.5 0.2

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.761 114.3 114.4 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 3.713 110.9 111.3 0.9 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.650 123.6 123.7 1.8 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.471 137.5 136.5 -0.1 0.9 0.1 -0.9 -0.7

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.626 121.8 121.5 2.2 -0.8 0.2 0.9 -0.2

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 0.978 111.0 111.3 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.3

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 323 0.186 99.6 99.6 – -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 4.050 161.3 155.0 -5.7 4.2 0.7 -2.7 -3.9

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 8.883 136.9 137.3 2.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 1.915 121.6 121.5 -2.9 -0.2 0.0 -1.1 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.833 130.3 130.4 0.8 -0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 54.077 108.1 108.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.225 161.0 160.7 4.4 0.6 -0.2 2.0 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.665 126.8 127.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 6.854 121.3 121.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 15.881 80.0 79.9 -1.0 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.085 119.0 119.3 -0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 14.295 111.3 111.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.5 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.354 116.2 116.4 2.3 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 4.719 122.5 122.4 1.2 0.2 -0.1 0.3 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August 2013 to

August 2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 7.079 157.5 150.6 -4.7 -0.2 -2.0 -4.4 -4.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.830 189.3 180.1 -7.6 -0.1 -3.0 -4.6 -4.9

Crop production............................... 111 4.617 197.1 187.2 -7.4 0.4 -2.9 -4.8 -5.0

Mining............................................ 21 2.249 91.3 88.2 2.8 -0.3 0.1 -3.8 -3.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.315 97.9 98.5 -2.0 -0.6 0.5 -0.8 0.6

Manufactured articles............................ 90.971 121.0 120.7 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 7.305 158.8 157.8 4.1 0.3 0.1 0.6 -0.6

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 5.217 185.6 184.4 6.0 0.7 0.5 1.0 -0.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.510 115.0 111.6 -10.9 -1.9 -3.0 -2.7 -3.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 316 0.299 109.4 109.8 – 0.5 0.1 2.1 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 26.186 132.2 131.4 -1.8 0.1 -0.6 0.7 -0.6

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.460 124.2 124.1 3.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.828 125.1 126.3 3.9 0.0 -0.9 0.9 1.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 7.296 164.3 159.7 -5.4 0.6 -2.3 1.4 -2.8

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.391 128.5 128.7 -0.9 -0.2 0.1 0.6 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.159 118.8 119.3 -0.7 0.2 0.2 -0.4 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.773 113.3 113.3 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 57.481 113.0 113.0 0.8 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.741 150.9 150.5 1.8 -0.9 -1.7 3.1 -0.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.713 128.3 128.0 -2.2 0.0 0.1 0.4 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.740 124.1 124.2 1.4 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 13.731 87.5 87.5 -1.2 0.1 0.0 -0.6 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.476 114.7 114.8 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 15.642 119.9 119.8 1.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.362 108.0 109.0 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.076 125.1 125.3 3.6 -0.2 0.2 -0.4 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August 2013 to

August 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.318 199.8 201.2 9.2 -1.0 -1.5 1.8 0.7

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.315 265.6 272.3 20.5 -0.5 2.4 5.4 2.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.687 139.4 137.0 -0.9 -1.4 -3.4 -0.9 -1.7

Vegetable products............................... II 1.635 198.9 199.6 -0.2 0.3 -6.8 1.3 0.4

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.386 365.3 362.8 2.6 15.3 -13.3 3.2 -0.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.392 97.7 100.4 -11.4 -13.1 -8.8 -3.1 2.8

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.351 250.7 256.1 11.8 6.6 -4.9 3.9 2.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.249 116.1 117.8 2.2 -0.3 0.3 0.3 1.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.515 162.6 163.8 3.4 -0.1 0.9 0.6 0.7

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.169 90.4 92.0 1.4 1.7 3.5 -2.1 1.8

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.249 114.2 116.8 16.7 -1.2 6.5 0.1 2.3

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.243 131.4 131.7 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.304 168.6 168.2 2.1 0.3 0.7 -0.6 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.948 127.9 128.2 3.2 -0.1 -0.1 1.7 0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 19.899 347.1 331.3 -4.5 1.3 1.6 -1.7 -4.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 19.639 344.3 328.3 -4.5 1.4 1.7 -1.7 -4.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.127 152.5 152.4 2.9 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.607 309.3 307.8 -3.0 2.5 -1.2 -5.0 -0.5

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.399 136.2 136.2 1.1 -1.0 -0.3 0.8 0.0

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.353 134.2 134.3 7.0 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.316 109.6 108.0 -2.8 -1.2 -2.4 1.2 -1.5

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.175 102.6 105.3 11.5 -0.4 -0.2 1.4 2.6

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.462 93.2 93.2 -6.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.125 147.0 146.6 -2.3 -0.4 0.1 -0.7 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.012 149.9 149.8 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.113 143.3 142.5 -8.1 -1.2 0.2 -2.1 -0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.613 127.8 127.9 1.9 0.5 -0.9 0.1 0.1

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.577 130.3 130.3 2.7 0.5 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.656 147.7 147.3 2.2 -0.9 0.1 0.9 -0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.037 113.6 113.6 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.684 107.3 107.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Printed matter (Dec. 2013=100)............... 49 0.193 99.5 99.5 – -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 4.699 114.1 114.3 0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 1.833 102.9 102.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2013 to

August 2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.706 119.0 119.7 1.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.6

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.548 108.0 108.0 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.325 122.1 122.2 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.144 121.5 121.7 1.5 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.770 132.9 133.0 0.3 -0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 68 0.253 125.4 125.5 -0.6 -0.4 0.9 -0.8 0.1

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.238 141.6 141.8 0.6 -0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.279 129.6 129.5 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.691 185.8 184.3 2.7 -0.7 -1.3 3.1 -0.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.348 183.5 184.2 3.1 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.4

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.271 223.3 222.3 3.3 0.5 -0.3 0.4 -0.4

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.676 154.4 154.7 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.431 324.9 333.6 4.1 1.7 -0.5 -0.7 2.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.726 141.7 143.9 6.4 1.0 2.2 0.6 1.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.391 129.1 129.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.442 136.8 138.3 2.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 26.974 84.4 84.4 -0.5 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 14.024 89.5 89.5 0.0 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 12.950 79.5 79.4 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 11.963 115.4 115.5 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.6 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 10.952 114.1 114.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.7 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 0.911 120.0 119.8 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.425 104.8 105.1 1.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.128 101.6 102.0 1.1 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.4

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.240 143.1 143.1 1.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 3.551 113.9 114.0 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.070 118.3 118.4 1.5 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.249 105.9 105.9 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.231 135.1 135.2 -2.7 -0.3 0.3 -0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August 2013 to

August 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 2.276 251.9 253.6 17.0 0.0 -1.2 4.0 0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.376 199.1 200.7 20.4 2.1 1.2 5.3 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.360 206.8 212.1 11.9 -2.7 -1.6 3.3 2.6

Vegetable products............................... II 4.533 242.7 229.0 -7.1 0.7 -2.9 -3.9 -5.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.076 167.9 163.6 2.1 0.4 -4.8 -3.5 -2.6

Cereals............................................ 10 1.075 237.0 225.7 -16.1 1.7 -8.7 -3.9 -4.8

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.933 280.5 258.3 -2.2 0.3 1.1 -4.6 -7.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.250 114.7 112.7 -10.2 0.2 -1.0 -1.3 -1.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.907 167.2 163.8 -2.0 -0.2 -0.2 -1.4 -2.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.349 118.1 118.1 4.8 0.0 0.0 -0.8 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.483 110.8 110.8 -1.8 0.1 -0.8 0.1 0.0

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.721 264.3 244.0 -10.1 -0.7 -0.8 -5.4 -7.7

Mineral products.................................. V 9.551 296.9 288.7 -4.1 0.3 -1.7 0.3 -2.8

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.450 96.6 99.2 13.8 2.1 1.6 1.7 2.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 8.919 293.5 284.4 -5.0 0.1 -1.9 0.3 -3.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.866 150.7 150.8 -1.3 -0.1 0.5 0.7 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.870 170.7 170.7 -6.6 0.5 -0.8 -0.6 0.0

Organic chemicals............................... 29 3.241 169.7 169.9 3.2 0.2 0.3 4.1 0.1

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.579 116.0 116.2 -3.8 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100).................... 31 0.308 86.1 87.0 -5.0 -0.2 -0.4 1.5 1.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.706 133.6 133.6 -1.5 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.448 116.5 117.1 -3.1 0.3 0.4 -3.4 0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.747 152.9 151.9 -1.6 -1.2 2.3 -2.6 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.183 150.3 151.0 1.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.211 145.2 145.8 2.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.972 172.1 173.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.7 0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.454 161.1 162.4 12.3 0.1 0.2 1.3 0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.286 125.4 126.4 3.6 -0.4 -1.0 1.3 0.8

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.686 130.2 131.9 4.9 -1.2 -2.8 2.7 1.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.176 124.7 125.5 4.2 0.2 -0.1 1.1 0.6

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.874 131.2 131.1 -0.4 -0.3 -1.2 -1.9 -0.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.569 140.1 139.9 -4.3 -1.0 -3.7 -6.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.744 120.2 120.3 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.381 98.7 98.9 1.5 0.5 -0.1 0.0 0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: August 2013 to

August 2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

May

2014 to

June

2014

June

2014 to

July

2014

July

2014 to

Aug.

2014

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.482 252.8 251.7 4.4 -1.3 -1.7 2.6 -0.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.321 164.9 165.4 0.8 0.6 -0.1 1.0 0.3

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.426 190.1 191.8 4.9 1.1 -0.7 -0.8 0.9

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.615 231.9 229.9 -0.9 0.2 0.5 3.1 -0.9

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.864 124.0 126.1 3.6 2.0 0.3 3.5 1.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.413 141.6 141.7 6.6 0.3 -0.1 2.2 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.313 147.1 147.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.734 97.3 97.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.786 112.7 112.6 1.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 10.948 80.5 80.6 -1.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.447 130.0 129.9 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.756 115.3 115.0 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 5.994 107.5 107.9 0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.412 110.5 111.0 0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.783 121.8 123.0 0.3 -0.6 0.1 0.0 1.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.476 89.5 89.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August 2013 to August 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug. 2013

to Aug.

2014

Apr. 2014

to May

2014

May 2014

to June

2014

June 2014

to July

2014

July 2014

to Aug.

2014

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 134.0 133.2 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles................... 13.232 257.8 245.3 -2.0 -0.4 1.4 0.0 -4.8

Manufactured articles........................ 86.191 124.1 124.2 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 138.5 137.2 -1.4 0.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles................... 20.109 349.3 335.1 -4.7 0.3 1.0 -1.0 -4.1

Manufactured articles........................ 79.640 109.9 109.7 -0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Canada.......................................... 100.000 156.8 154.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.6 0.3 -1.6

Nonmanufactured articles................... 33.850 249.5 237.2 -1.4 -0.4 1.4 -0.2 -4.9

Manufactured articles........................ 65.290 135.9 136.1 0.2 -0.3 0.4 0.4 0.1

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 139.2 139.3 3.0 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1

Manufactured articles........................ 99.305 135.3 135.5 3.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 123.1 123.1 1.3 0.6 0.3 -0.2 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 119.0 118.9 2.7 0.2 0.4 -0.8 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 132.2 132.0 3.4 0.5 0.2 0.7 -0.2

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 172.5 170.6 -2.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.5 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles................... 29.339 371.7 357.0 -6.4 0.3 0.7 -1.0 -4.0

Manufactured articles........................ 70.252 129.9 129.9 -0.8 0.3 -0.6 -0.2 0.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 141.4 141.0 -2.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 16.793 195.7 190.3 -7.3 -0.1 -0.4 -2.7 -2.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 82.955 92.7 92.9 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 102.5 102.5 -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.9 103.8 0.2 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 98.6 98.6 -1.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 88.9 89.2 -1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 103.7 103.7 -0.7 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 266.2 254.6 -4.4 -1.0 0.1 0.2 -4.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: August

2013 to August 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

July

20141

Index Percent change

July

2014

Aug.

2014

Annual Monthly

Aug.

2013 to

Aug.

2014

Apr. 2014

to May

2014

May 2014

to June

2014

June

2014 to

July 2014

July 2014

to Aug.

2014

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 175.2 175.8 2.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 28.566 179.5 179.1 9.7 0.1 0.2 -0.7 -0.2

Asia.................................................. 68.262 151.0 152.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.7

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 159.9 159.9 9.4 5.8 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 37.048 143.0 143.0 8.5 5.4 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 165.0 165.1 2.8 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.428 159.2 158.7 8.0 0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Asia.................................................. 62.998 147.4 147.7 1.4 0.8 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 153.2 153.2 5.2 3.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 33.478 172.0 172.0 7.6 3.6 0.2 0.0 0.0

Asia.................................................. 47.139 145.2 145.2 4.4 2.9 0.1 0.0 0.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 202.7 193.9 6.7 2.1 6.9 -2.8 -4.3

Europe............................................... 42.454 223.7 208.2 3.1 3.8 8.7 -5.3 -6.9

Asia.................................................. 24.769 164.3 159.0 1.7 8.3 5.8 -1.9 -3.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.585 172.1 173.4 0.1 -3.3 0.5 1.7 0.8

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 203.6 214.1 3.6 2.0 4.8 3.6 5.2

Europe............................................... 33.179 261.9 240.1 -4.0 4.3 13.2 -0.6 -8.3

Asia.................................................. 32.954 171.5 218.0 7.7 8.8 1.4 1.9 27.1

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 19.241 187.4 193.9 -4.4 -2.3 1.3 -4.8 3.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."
16 

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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