Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-09-0635 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 until 8:30 A.M. EDT 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Friday, June 12, 2009 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- MAY 2009 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index increased for the third consecutive month in May, the Bureau of 

Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, rising 1.3 percent. An 8.3 percent 

increase in petroleum prices was the primary contributor to the overall advance. The U.S. Export Price 

Index rose 0.6 percent in May after increasing 0.4 percent in April. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Prices of U.S. imports rose 1.3 percent in May, the third consecutive increase and largest 

monthly advance since a 1.4 percent advance in July 2008. The May increase was led by an 8.3 percent 

gain in petroleum prices which followed a 28.6 percent increase from January through April. Despite 

the recent jump in petroleum prices, the index fell 51.4 percent over the past year. Nonpetroleum prices 

rose 0.2 percent in May, the first increase for the index since July 2008. Prices for nonpetroleum 

imports decreased 5.8 percent for the year ended in May and overall import prices fell 17.6 percent for 

the same period. 

 

The rise in nonpetroleum prices was driven primarily by a 0.6 percent advance in prices for 

nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, the first increase for that index since July 2008. The 

increase was led by higher prices for nonferrous metals and chemicals, which more than offset lower 

iron and steel mill product prices. Overall, nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices 

declined 22.2 percent for the May 2008-2009 period. 

Prices for automotive vehicles and for foods, feeds, and beverages also contributed to the overall 

increase in nonpetroleum prices in May. Automotive vehicle prices advanced 0.3 percent in May, the 

first monthly increase for the index since January. The increase was driven by a 0.4 percent advance in 

passenger vehicle prices. Foods, feeds, and beverages prices also rose 0.3 percent in May after a 1.4 

percent increase in April. 

The price indexes for capital goods and consumer goods were both unchanged in May following 

increases of 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, in April. 

Export Goods 

Export prices rose 0.6 percent in May, the second consecutive advance and largest since a 0.7 

percent increase in January. Despite the rise, export prices decreased 6.5 percent over the past 12 

months. Agricultural prices rose 3.6 percent in May after a 3.7 percent advance the previous month. In 

each month, the increase was led by a jump in soybean prices, which advanced 12.8 percent in May after 

a 12.9 percent rise in April. Overall agricultural prices remained down 14.7 percent over the past 12 

months. Nonagricultural prices increased 0.3 percent in May, but fell 5.6 percent over the past year. 

The increase in nonagricultural prices was led by a 0.5 percent rise in the price index for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. The advance in nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials prices followed a 0.3 percent increase in April, which was the first monthly rise for the index 

since July 2008. Higher prices for nonferrous metals, fuel, and chemicals all contributed to the advance. 

Despite the May rise, prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell 18.7 percent over 

the past 12 months. 

Export prices for both capital goods and consumer goods also rose in May, increasing 0.2 

percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. The increase in capital goods prices followed a 0.4 percent 

advance in April and the May rise in consumer goods prices was an upturn from the previous month 

when the index recorded a 0.9 percent decline. 

The price index for automotive vehicles was unchanged in May after edging down 0.1 percent 

the previous month. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Higher petroleum prices led import prices from Canada and from Mexico to rise in May, 

increasing 1.5 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. Despite the May advances, each index declined 

over the past 12 months—prices of imports from Canada fell 24.5 percent for the May 2008-2009 period 

and import prices from Mexico decreased 12.5 percent. 

 

Import prices from China edged down 0.1 percent, the ninth consecutive month the index 

declined. The price index for imports from China decreased 1.9 percent over the past year, the largest 

12-month decrease for the index, which was first published in 2003. 

Prices of imports from the European Union and from Japan were unchanged in May after each 

index declined 0.1 percent the previous month. The price index for imports from the European Union 

fell 7.0 percent over the past year, while import prices from Japan rose 1.4 percent for the same period. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares continued to trend downward in May, falling 2.1 percent for the 

month and 10.1 percent over the past year. Both the May and 12-month declines were led by declining 

European and Latin American/Caribbean fares, which fell 6.0 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively, for 

the month. European fares fell 14.9 percent for the year ended in May while Latin American/Caribbean 

fares decreased 20.2 percent over the same period. Export air passenger fares also fell in May, declining 

2.4 percent for the month and 14.6 percent for the May 2008-2009 period. 

 

Import air freight prices rose 0.9 percent in May, led by a 1.2 percent increase in European air 

freight prices. Despite the May rise, the index declined 16.1 percent over the past 12 months. Export 

air freight prices fell 3.0 percent in May and decreased 13.5 percent from May 2008 to May 2009. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2009 are scheduled for release on July 10, 2009 at 

8:30 A.M. (EDT). 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 114.8 116.3 -17.6 0.0 0.5 1.1 1.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 86.268 107.1 107.3 -5.8 -0.7 -0.8 -0.2 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 84.794 110.8 111.0 -4.1 -0.4 -0.6 0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.888 138.9 139.3 -3.9 -3.2 -0.6 1.4 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.783 154.4 155.2 -4.3 -3.8 -1.1 2.0 0.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.105 103.7 103.4 -2.4 -1.1 1.2 -0.9 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 29.268 154.0 160.4 -39.5 0.8 3.0 3.2 4.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.535 130.2 131.0 -22.2 -2.2 -2.6 -2.1 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.061 144.1 145.2 -16.8 -0.9 -1.3 -1.0 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.707 134.0 134.2 -20.6 -0.6 -1.8 -0.5 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.353 125.6 127.0 -23.8 -4.1 -3.7 -4.0 1.1

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 15.207 173.9 186.8 -51.9 2.7 7.7 7.3 7.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 13.733 184.9 200.3 -51.4 5.4 11.1 9.8 8.3

Crude.......................................... 10000 9.892 188.1 206.4 -52.5 3.4 13.7 9.7 9.7

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.283 112.5 111.2 -55.2 -12.2 -13.8 -12.2 -1.2

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.070 97.7 96.3 -61.1 -13.7 -15.8 -14.4 -1.4

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.745 104.6 103.5 -11.6 -1.4 -2.0 -1.9 -1.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.691 134.2 137.0 -8.4 -1.2 -0.3 -1.8 2.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.696 115.3 114.4 -1.5 -0.6 -0.3 -0.7 -0.8

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.390 171.3 172.3 -34.6 -0.3 -2.4 -0.2 0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.907 132.5 134.1 -13.7 -1.2 -2.5 -0.2 1.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.632 104.6 103.8 -3.3 -0.8 -0.9 -0.6 -0.8

Capital goods..................................... 2 24.740 92.0 92.0 -1.4 -0.4 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.175 109.9 110.7 -0.9 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.7

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.390 86.8 86.7 -1.9 -0.3 -0.6 0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.175 120.8 120.9 2.8 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.583 107.7 108.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 26.522 104.2 104.2 -0.6 0.0 -0.4 0.2 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.271 108.4 108.2 0.2 0.0 -0.5 0.0 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.965 100.2 100.4 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.286 102.6 101.1 -4.4 1.7 -3.2 1.5 -1.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 116.0 116.7 -6.5 -0.3 -0.7 0.4 0.6

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.696 157.1 162.8 -14.7 -1.7 -3.5 3.7 3.6

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.304 113.1 113.4 -5.6 -0.2 -0.4 0.2 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.184 162.7 166.5 -13.9 -2.0 -3.4 3.9 2.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.506 164.8 169.8 -14.6 -2.1 -3.6 4.2 3.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.678 145.2 138.2 -5.0 -1.5 -1.2 0.8 -4.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 26.754 137.0 138.2 -18.5 -0.8 -0.9 0.2 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.506 142.2 143.3 -17.4 0.6 0.6 -1.0 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.248 134.6 135.8 -19.3 -1.7 -1.8 1.1 0.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.190 123.6 133.2 -15.1 0.5 -2.5 0.5 7.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 25.564 138.0 138.7 -18.7 -0.9 -0.8 0.3 0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.532 157.3 159.4 -42.2 -5.8 -5.8 6.9 1.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 20.992 137.2 137.9 -13.9 0.0 0.1 -0.8 0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.040 113.3 111.7 -1.9 -0.2 -1.1 -0.6 -1.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.654 102.7 102.9 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.765 106.8 107.0 -1.5 -0.6 0.1 0.0 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.854 94.1 94.2 0.3 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 9.035 136.4 136.8 5.6 0.5 0.4 1.0 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.506 108.1 108.1 0.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.902 107.5 107.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.7 -0.9 0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.729 107.3 108.0 -1.8 0.2 -1.8 0.3 0.7

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 6.043 107.6 107.9 2.7 0.1 0.1 -2.1 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 13.583 90.1 95.9 -49.5 0.3 6.4 7.0 6.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.884 138.4 136.1 0.7 -5.8 -1.7 7.7 -1.7

Crop production................................. 111 1.368 147.7 143.8 3.9 -7.4 -3.7 8.3 -2.6

Mining.............................................. 21 11.699 85.1 91.7 -53.0 1.4 7.9 6.9 7.8

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.471 129.7 129.5 5.4 0.4 -1.1 0.1 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 85.912 105.2 105.7 -7.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.860 106.3 106.4 -2.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.6 0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.487 113.8 114.7 -9.6 -1.5 -0.6 -1.5 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.983 107.0 107.0 1.3 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.466 111.4 111.5 -1.3 0.7 -0.2 -1.5 0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.836 98.7 98.7 -3.6 -0.1 -0.2 -2.0 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.436 102.5 102.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.652 107.6 107.5 2.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.704 107.9 109.6 -15.9 0.7 0.6 1.0 1.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.001 89.1 88.1 -5.6 -1.2 -0.4 -0.9 -1.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.327 103.5 103.0 -7.4 -1.0 -1.7 -1.6 -0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.233 87.0 91.9 -48.0 7.2 7.1 9.3 5.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.858 118.0 119.6 -3.5 -0.4 -0.8 -0.8 1.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.957 112.8 112.2 1.4 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.214 119.1 119.4 6.7 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 57.349 104.1 104.2 -5.0 -0.3 -0.5 0.1 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.052 119.7 119.7 -33.5 -0.8 -2.4 -0.6 0.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.951 116.3 116.4 -1.3 -0.6 -1.0 -0.5 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 7.208 111.1 110.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.1 -0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.972 89.1 89.2 -4.7 -0.3 -0.6 0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.245 112.9 113.1 0.7 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.782 104.9 105.2 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.672 110.3 110.0 0.5 0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.466 110.5 111.0 0.5 -0.6 -0.2 0.5 0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.114 118.8 123.1 -21.4 -3.1 -5.5 6.1 3.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.855 138.4 144.4 -18.0 -3.5 -6.6 7.3 4.3

Crop production................................. 111 4.496 142.3 149.3 -18.8 -3.8 -7.0 8.0 4.9

Mining.............................................. 21 1.259 75.5 76.2 -32.6 -1.6 -1.2 1.6 0.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.984 88.6 87.0 -13.0 -0.4 3.0 2.1 -1.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 92.260 107.2 107.4 -4.2 -0.2 -0.4 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.483 116.5 117.9 -4.5 0.2 -0.3 -0.3 1.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.313 129.3 131.7 -5.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 1.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.518 105.4 105.8 -0.8 0.6 1.2 0.0 0.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.396 102.5 102.5 1.5 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.598 107.4 107.8 -13.3 -1.2 -1.6 0.8 0.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.462 106.0 101.3 -9.6 -0.6 -1.0 -1.0 -4.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.937 111.5 109.9 -4.6 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4 -1.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.034 90.4 92.4 -49.2 -7.8 -8.7 12.0 2.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.071 109.9 110.4 -8.1 -0.4 -0.9 -0.5 0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.217 108.6 108.7 0.5 -1.2 -0.5 0.5 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.877 113.2 113.2 4.3 -0.5 0.2 0.4 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 64.179 106.0 106.1 -0.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.232 120.0 119.3 -21.0 -0.5 2.1 -1.4 -0.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.869 120.8 120.8 4.7 0.2 -1.0 0.1 0.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.863 111.6 111.8 2.3 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.749 93.5 93.6 -1.9 0.5 -0.2 0.4 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.647 106.6 106.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.519 109.9 110.2 3.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.953 108.8 109.0 2.3 -0.1 0.1 -2.1 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.156 126.0 126.6 -9.2 -1.4 2.2 -0.3 0.5

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.254 144.8 148.5 -7.0 -1.0 -0.8 0.3 2.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.581 98.8 98.2 -5.8 -1.7 2.1 -1.7 -0.6

Vegetable products................................ II 1.583 166.2 163.4 4.1 -6.8 -4.1 8.3 -1.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.516 336.4 316.5 52.0 -25.6 5.4 23.9 -5.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.444 101.1 103.8 -2.9 -2.3 -5.0 -2.8 2.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.258 146.8 153.1 -8.0 -1.0 -6.3 5.5 4.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.373 133.4 133.6 -2.8 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3 0.1

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.248 105.7 106.7 -0.4 -0.9 0.3 -0.6 0.9

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.290 124.0 124.0 -12.7 -0.5 -2.6 -3.0 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.983 115.7 115.8 -1.9 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 15.479 177.3 189.9 -50.5 2.6 7.5 7.0 7.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 15.076 173.8 186.5 -51.7 2.7 7.7 7.2 7.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.035 129.2 132.2 -4.0 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 2.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.742 197.3 252.3 -0.2 -2.1 1.3 3.2 27.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.509 121.9 121.7 -7.4 0.5 0.3 0.5 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.846 113.0 113.0 -1.1 0.3 -2.1 0.0 0.0

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.179 103.9 103.7 -0.9 -0.1 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.435 117.0 117.1 -6.1 -1.1 -1.7 -1.4 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.451 90.9 90.6 -10.5 -2.1 -0.9 -1.7 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.038 126.1 125.7 -4.8 -1.3 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.975 123.6 122.7 -5.1 -1.5 -0.5 0.0 -0.7

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.063 131.1 131.5 -4.3 -1.0 -0.3 -1.0 0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.657 113.6 114.0 1.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.4

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

various materials................................ 42 0.610 114.5 115.0 2.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.035 109.3 108.2 -5.3 -1.1 -0.5 -0.6 -1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.523 109.1 108.8 -5.6 -0.8 -1.4 -1.1 -0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.071 109.4 108.8 -2.1 -0.9 -1.8 -1.4 -0.5

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.299 119.7 119.9 1.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.541 102.8 102.6 -1.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.095 99.8 99.6 -0.9 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.138 103.8 103.4 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.4

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.566 90.3 90.3 -6.0 -0.2 -1.3 -0.2 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.347 108.0 107.8 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.138 107.4 107.1 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.083 124.2 124.6 8.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.405 118.0 117.3 9.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.9 -0.6

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.335 135.7 137.7 10.2 1.1 0.8 0.5 1.5

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.343 118.1 118.4 4.4 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.669 135.6 136.2 -12.4 0.2 1.7 0.8 0.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.678 150.3 151.0 -24.8 -1.3 -2.9 -0.5 0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.280 183.6 173.7 -39.2 -2.6 -6.1 -4.3 -5.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.942 145.3 144.0 -6.7 -1.6 -2.8 -1.0 -0.9

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.495 198.7 224.0 -32.9 3.0 1.6 9.2 12.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.688 100.7 104.9 -33.6 -4.8 -2.4 0.0 4.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.416 118.0 118.2 3.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.500 130.2 130.3 1.6 -1.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.238 86.7 86.9 -2.5 -0.3 -0.5 0.1 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.696 87.7 87.8 -2.0 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 13.542 85.9 86.0 -2.9 -0.5 -0.5 0.2 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.492 109.5 109.7 0.5 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 12.245 108.4 108.7 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.138 115.8 115.8 3.8 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.364 101.6 101.6 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.022 99.4 99.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.261 122.9 123.1 1.3 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.481 107.9 107.8 1.7 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.452 112.9 112.7 1.2 0.1 0.2 -0.3 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.804 100.7 100.7 2.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.225 115.7 115.7 4.0 -0.3 -0.5 3.6 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.533 156.4 155.5 -8.6 -0.8 -0.3 0.8 -0.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.778 122.9 123.4 -13.1 -0.1 1.4 0.1 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.415 149.6 146.2 -1.9 -2.3 -2.4 3.4 -2.3

Vegetable products................................ II 4.675 186.4 194.2 -16.8 -3.6 -5.3 6.8 4.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.580 101.2 99.8 -18.3 -1.5 -3.7 1.2 -1.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.040 202.7 205.4 -29.7 -6.6 -5.2 8.6 1.3

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.410 200.7 220.5 -7.5 -1.6 -7.5 9.3 9.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.468 135.6 137.8 2.1 1.0 -0.7 0.5 1.6

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.374 118.7 118.9 -1.2 0.1 0.0 -0.8 0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.283 99.8 100.5 – -0.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.7

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.505 184.7 198.4 0.4 3.9 -5.7 3.5 7.4

Mineral products.................................... V 3.429 181.6 184.0 -45.0 -6.8 -6.2 7.4 1.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 2.924 174.1 176.7 -46.9 -7.6 -8.0 8.4 1.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.823 135.0 135.9 -4.8 0.1 -0.4 -0.2 0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.328 197.7 197.0 4.0 -0.8 -0.8 -2.3 -0.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.246 134.8 137.6 -14.6 1.5 1.7 0.6 2.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.692 114.7 115.6 -3.5 1.4 -3.0 0.3 0.8

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.539 111.9 112.3 -1.8 0.4 0.4 -1.8 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.728 121.8 123.9 1.6 -5.1 -0.3 0.2 1.7

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.411 113.4 113.9 -3.2 -1.4 -0.9 -1.7 0.4

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.804 129.6 128.4 2.6 -1.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.9

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.241 128.7 128.8 -7.7 -0.9 -1.9 -1.2 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.249 123.6 123.8 -8.4 -0.7 -2.1 -0.2 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.992 150.9 150.3 -5.5 -1.9 -0.9 -5.4 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.264 77.4 75.9 -35.5 0.4 -4.3 -4.0 -1.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.581 103.6 101.2 -10.0 -0.1 -1.9 -0.8 -2.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.388 106.3 106.0 -9.4 0.8 -0.4 0.0 -0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.499 89.7 89.6 -29.4 1.7 1.1 1.0 -0.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.356 112.5 111.8 -0.4 0.6 -0.5 -0.4 -0.6

Printed material.................................... 49 0.533 114.4 115.0 -5.0 0.1 -1.0 0.0 0.5

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.971 101.0 102.7 -4.6 -1.4 -1.1 -0.3 1.7

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.532 89.1 94.4 -13.2 -1.5 -5.5 3.5 5.9

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.852 115.7 115.9 4.4 0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.453 100.3 100.6 1.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.794 168.1 166.1 -10.8 2.6 3.6 -3.6 -1.2

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2008 to May

2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May

2008 to

May

2009

Jan.

2009 to

Feb.

2009

Feb.

2009 to

Mar.

2009

Mar.

2009 to

Apr. 2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.011 141.3 144.4 -19.7 -0.4 -1.5 -0.6 2.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.259 156.1 152.4 -35.6 -0.5 -3.2 -5.5 -2.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.531 164.0 163.9 7.7 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.388 140.4 179.0 -33.0 2.3 0.5 16.6 27.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.656 93.9 100.3 -35.2 -0.8 -0.4 -1.9 6.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.408 121.9 121.9 2.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.337 119.4 119.3 -7.6 0.8 -7.6 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.708 95.2 95.1 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.228 104.9 105.0 1.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.480 84.7 84.5 -1.2 0.4 -0.1 0.6 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 16.019 119.9 120.3 3.4 0.1 0.3 0.6 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.211 107.5 107.7 0.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.303 106.7 107.5 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.588 106.8 106.8 -1.8 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.777 116.4 116.4 -0.5 -0.1 0.6 0.2 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.687 92.7 92.7 -2.5 0.0 0.1 -0.4 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: May 2008 to May 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May 2008

to May

2009

Jan. 2009

to Feb.

2009

Feb. 2009

to Mar.

2009

Mar. 2009

to Apr.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 116.7 117.2 -14.5 -0.5 -0.3 -0.6 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 146.7 153.4 -52.7 -3.6 1.6 2.3 4.6

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 113.8 113.9 -7.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.9 0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 112.3 114.0 -19.8 0.1 1.1 1.7 1.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 181.7 194.8 -47.2 0.5 8.2 8.9 7.2

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 102.0 102.2 -7.4 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Canada............................................ 15.963 123.0 124.8 -24.5 -2.1 -0.5 -1.0 1.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 140.6 146.6 -54.5 -4.5 1.7 1.0 4.3

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 120.7 121.4 -10.1 -1.6 -1.0 -1.5 0.6

European Union4

............................... 17.447 123.5 123.5 -7.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 195.5 206.3 -47.0 -15.5 0.4 3.8 5.5

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 121.4 121.3 -6.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 120.0 120.0 1.0 -0.8 0.3 0.6 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 108.3 108.2 -4.3 -0.1 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 118.5 118.8 -15.7 -0.5 0.3 0.3 0.3

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 136.6 140.1 -24.7 -1.3 0.2 3.2 2.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 209.1 222.5 -40.8 -3.0 5.3 10.5 6.4

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 122.6 123.9 -14.1 -0.8 -1.6 0.6 1.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 128.2 130.9 -12.5 -1.6 -0.7 2.7 2.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.947 113.6 120.7 – -6.4 7.1 15.2 6.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.788 95.9 96.9 – -0.5 -2.4 0.4 1.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 99.1 99.1 -3.1 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 100.4 100.3 -1.9 -0.5 -0.6 -0.5 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 7.488 96.2 96.2 1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 84.9 84.7 -6.9 -0.7 -0.8 -0.7 -0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.729 95.6 95.7 -6.5 -0.6 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 161.4 171.5 -41.7 1.1 15.1 6.2 6.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: May 2008 to

May 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20091

Index Percent change

Apr.

2009

May

2009

Annual Monthly

May 2008

to May

2009

Jan. 2009

to Feb.

2009

Feb. 2009

to Mar.

2009

Mar. 2009

to Apr.

2009

Apr. 2009

to May

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 130.8 132.0 -16.1 -1.1 -2.1 -1.6 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.888 121.4 122.9 -29.2 -2.3 -3.5 -2.6 1.2

Asia.................................................... 69.341 116.8 117.3 -9.1 -0.1 -1.7 -1.4 0.4

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 122.5 118.8 -13.5 -3.0 -2.3 -1.3 -3.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 37.355 113.3 108.1 -17.4 -4.5 -2.9 -1.6 -4.6

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 125.3 125.5 -16.4 -1.9 -2.9 -1.8 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.105 117.8 118.7 -26.9 -2.2 -4.4 -3.0 0.8

Asia.................................................... 64.163 110.6 110.9 -9.6 -2.1 -1.9 -1.6 0.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 115.4 114.1 -16.8 -2.4 -2.4 -3.3 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.317 134.0 132.1 -15.5 -2.7 -1.7 -4.8 -1.4

Asia.................................................... 40.573 103.7 103.6 -15.5 -0.4 -2.5 -1.3 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 133.1 130.3 -10.1 -4.6 -4.7 -1.3 -2.1

Europe................................................. 41.772 132.9 124.9 -14.9 -5.7 -7.8 -1.3 -6.0

Asia.................................................... 28.741 122.8 127.5 3.1 -4.6 -4.1 -0.2 3.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.337 120.6 112.9 -20.2 -3.9 -3.0 2.0 -6.4

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 138.5 135.2 -14.6 -10.6 -3.9 -2.3 -2.4

Europe................................................. 29.214 153.9 150.6 -22.1 -9.9 -7.1 0.1 -2.1

Asia.................................................... 35.534 123.7 127.8 -4.3 -13.9 0.2 -3.6 3.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.003 152.1 132.8 -17.4 -10.2 -7.6 1.6 -12.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods 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 excluded from both indexes. 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".

14
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 IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP 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 IPP-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 IPP 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. 

15