U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – DECEMBER 2017 

Prices for U.S. imports ticked up 0.1 percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 

today, following a 0.8-percent rise the previous month. Higher fuel prices more than offset a decline in the 

price index for nonfuel prices in December. In contrast, U.S. export prices edged down 0.1 percent in 

December, after advancing 0.5 percent in November.

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2016 – December 2017 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2016 – December 2017 

 Percent change 

0.4

0.6

0.3

-0.2

0.2

-0.1

-0.2 -0.2

0.6

0.8

0.2

0.8

0.1

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

Dec'16 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'17

1.9

3.8

4.7

4.1

3.6

2.3

1.4 1.2

2.0

2.7

2.4

3.3

3.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

Dec'16 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'17

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, January 10, 2018 

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

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

USDL-18-0037
2

All Imports: Import prices rose 0.1 percent in December following 0.8-percent advances in 2 of the 

previous 3 months. The index has not recorded a monthly decline since falling 0.2 percent in July. Prices for 

U.S imports increased 3.0 percent in 2017, after advancing 1.9 percent the previous year. The advance in 

2017 was the largest calendar-year increase since import prices rose 8.5 percent in 2011. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices increased 1.8 percent in December, after rising 8.4 percent in November. 

The price index for import fuel has not recorded a monthly decline since falling 1.0 percent in July. The 

December rise was driven by a 2.0-percent increase in petroleum prices which more than offset a 4.9-

percent decline in natural gas prices. Import fuel prices rose 18.4 percent in 2017 following a 24.7-percent 

advance the previous year. Prior to 2016, import fuel prices had not recorded a calendar-year increase since 

2011. In 2017, a 20.6-percent gain in petroleum prices more than offset a 15.7-percent drop in natural gas 

prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: In contrast, the price index for nonfuel imports edged down 0.1 percent in 

December, the first monthly decline since a 0.1-percent drop in July. The decline in December was led by 

lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages; consumer goods; and nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. 

Despite the December downturn, nonfuel import prices increased 1.4 percent in 2017, after a 0.2-percent 

advance the previous year. The 2017 rise was the largest calendar-year increase since the index advanced 

3.4 percent in 2011. In 2017, rising prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; capital goods; 

consumer goods; and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the advance in nonfuel prices. Of the 

major import areas, only prices for automotive vehicles decreased in 2017. 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2016 – December 2017 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2016 – December 2017 

 Percent change

All Exports: Prices for U.S. exports fell 0.1 percent in December, the first monthly decline for the index 

since a 0.1-percent decrease in June. The December drop was led by falling agricultural prices; the price 

index for nonagricultural prices recorded no change. Export prices rose 2.6 percent in 2017 following a 1.3-

percent rise in 2016. The 2017 advance was the largest calendar-year increase since 2011 when the index 

rose 3.6 percent. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices declined 0.4 percent in December, after decreasing 0.8 

percent in November. The December drop was driven by a 14.4-percent decline in vegetable prices, 

although lower fruit prices also contributed. Despite the December decrease, the price index for agricultural 

exports rose 1.8 percent in 2017, after a 0.3-percent drop the previous year. The 2017 advance was the first 

calendar-year rise since the index increased 13.4 percent in 2012. Higher meat prices were the largest 

contributor to the advance in agricultural prices in 2017. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports recorded no change in December 

following a 0.6-percent advance in November. In December, prices for capital goods and consumer goods 

advanced and prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and automotive vehicles decreased. 

The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 2.7 percent in 2017, the largest calendar-year increase since 

the index advanced 4.0 percent in 2011. The 2017 increase was primarily led by higher prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. 

0.4

0.2 0.3

0.1

0.2

-0.6

-0.1

0.5

0.6

0.8

0.1

0.5

-0.1

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

Dec'16 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'17

1.3

2.4

3.2 3.4

3.1

1.4

0.6

0.9

2.3

2.8 2.7

3.1

2.6

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Dec'16 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'17
4

SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China declined 0.1 percent in December following a 

0.3-percent advance in November. Prices for imports from China fell 0.2 percent in 2017 and have not 

recorded a calendar-year advance since the index rose 3.6 percent in 2011. The price index for imports from 

Japan recorded no change in December, after falling 0.1 percent in November and 0.3 percent in October. 

Import prices from Japan fell 1.2 percent in 2017 following a 1.6-percent rise the previous 12 months. Prices 

for imports from the European Union increased 0.4 percent in December, the largest monthly advance since 

the index rose 0.8 percent in August. The price indexes for imports from Canada and Mexico each recorded 

no change in December following increases of 2.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, in November. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices edged down 

0.1 percent in December. The downturn was led by falling prices for unfinished metals and selected building 

materials. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly unchanged in December. Import consumer goods 

prices fell 0.1 percent and the indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each recorded no change. 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages declined 0.7 percent following a 

decrease of 1.7 percent in November. Both drops were driven by lower prices for fruit which fell 3.4 percent 

in December and 11.4 percent the previous month.

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 6.5 percent in December, after falling 2.3 

percent in November. The December advance was led by higher fares from Asia and the Latin 

America/Caribbean region. The index for import air passenger fares rose 4.2 percent in 2017 following a 

4.2-percent drop the previous year. The 2017 increase was the first calendar-year advance since the index 

rose 2.7 percent in 2014 and the largest since an 8.2-percent increase in 2013. Import air freight prices 

advanced 3.4 percent in December and 17.1 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials fell 0.3 percent in December following a 2.1-percent increase in November. Lower 

prices for fuel and chemicals each contributed to the decline.

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in December. The price indexes for capital goods and 

consumer goods rose 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Capital goods prices increased 1.5 percent in 

2017, the largest calendar-year advance since the index rose 1.8 percent in 2009. Prices for consumer goods 

advanced 0.5 percent over the past year, the first calendar-year rise since the index increased 3.5 percent in 

2011. In contrast, automotive vehicle prices edged down 0.1 percent in December. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 2.9 percent in December, after rising 0.5 percent 

in November. The December advance was led by a 12.5-percent rise in Asian fares which more than offset 

declining European fares. The index for export air passenger fares decreased 6.1 percent in 2017 following a 

4.7-percent increase the previous year. Export air freight prices declined 1.4 percent in December and 

advanced 8.2 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January are scheduled for release on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 

8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2016 to

December 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

All commodities................................... 100.000 125.1 125.2 3.0 0.8 0.2 0.8 0.1

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 83.667 99.6 99.5 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 90.433 112.7 112.5 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.2 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 89.826 116.8 116.7 1.4 0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.103 181.5 180.3 0.6 1.8 -0.4 -1.7 -0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.798 200.0 198.5 1.1 2.3 -0.7 -1.9 -0.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.306 139.6 138.9 -1.3 -0.4 0.5 -0.9 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 24.005 182.6 183.8 12.3 3.2 0.6 4.0 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.621 153.3 152.9 7.1 1.2 0.7 1.5 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.865 174.4 174.2 8.1 1.5 0.8 1.0 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 8.682 165.8 164.5 9.2 2.2 0.2 0.7 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.756 137.7 138.4 4.3 -0.2 1.3 2.6 0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 10.174 196.9 200.4 18.4 5.7 0.3 8.4 1.8

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 9.567 214.7 219.1 20.6 6.5 0.5 8.1 2.0

Crude........................................ 10000 6.789 220.1 225.5 21.4 5.6 3.0 7.4 2.5

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.457 97.6 93.9 -13.1 -7.8 -2.6 18.4 -3.8

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.361 81.8 77.8 -15.7 -9.7 -2.4 24.3 -4.9

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.545 109.3 110.1 4.3 -0.1 0.9 0.6 0.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.669 158.5 160.1 6.5 0.7 1.7 1.4 1.0

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.504 153.5 151.3 10.2 -0.5 2.1 0.6 -1.4

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.657 227.5 224.3 12.8 4.4 -0.8 1.5 -1.4

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.781 157.0 157.2 8.7 2.0 0.8 0.3 0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.674 110.2 110.3 2.3 -0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Capital goods................................... 2 27.080 89.3 89.3 0.7 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.274 117.2 116.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 21.285 81.8 81.8 0.9 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.521 134.8 135.0 -1.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.951 110.2 110.2 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 26.861 106.8 106.7 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.194 121.4 121.5 1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.380 93.0 92.8 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.287 114.6 114.8 -0.4 0.2 0.3 -0.3 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2016 to

December 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

All commodities................................... 100.000 124.6 124.5 2.6 0.8 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.321 179.0 178.3 1.8 -0.7 2.0 -0.8 -0.4

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 82.645 99.9 99.9 1.7 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.679 120.4 120.4 2.7 0.9 -0.1 0.6 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.679 181.3 180.3 2.2 -0.6 2.1 -1.0 -0.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.056 180.2 179.2 1.7 -0.7 2.1 -1.0 -0.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.623 203.9 202.9 8.0 0.5 1.7 -0.7 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 30.709 154.6 154.2 5.8 2.8 -1.0 2.0 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.693 162.1 162.0 4.9 2.5 -0.5 0.2 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 20.041 151.3 150.9 6.3 2.8 -1.2 3.0 -0.3

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.265 176.9 178.4 2.8 -0.4 0.6 1.0 0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 29.445 153.9 153.5 5.9 2.8 -1.0 2.1 -0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 8.700 185.4 184.5 12.1 6.1 -3.0 5.1 -0.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 19.696 155.0 154.8 3.5 1.6 -0.3 0.8 -0.1

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.049 123.9 123.8 5.4 0.5 1.7 0.2 -0.1

Capital goods................................... 2 37.821 108.4 108.5 1.5 0.0 0.5 -0.1 0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.984 115.5 115.9 3.7 0.1 1.9 0.1 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 24.670 94.1 94.1 0.5 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 9.167 171.6 172.1 3.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.149 113.3 113.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.642 109.1 109.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 6.137 105.3 105.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.128 107.6 107.5 0.5 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected industries: December 2016 to December

2017

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Nonmanufacturing................................ 9.462 106.2 107.5 14.5 4.6 1.8 4.9 1.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.033 186.0 183.2 0.1 4.9 -1.5 -3.8 -1.5

Crop production............................... 111 1.646 201.3 197.8 0.3 6.5 -1.2 -4.9 -1.7

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.191 74.9 73.3 -1.9 -6.6 -3.0 2.3 -2.1

Mining............................................ 21 7.428 97.3 99.2 19.1 4.6 2.8 7.6 2.0

Oil and gas extraction........................ 211 7.152 97.2 99.2 19.2 4.8 2.9 8.1 2.1

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.276 110.9 107.9 11.6 -1.0 1.7 -1.8 -2.7

Manufacturing..................................... 90.245 111.1 111.0 1.8 0.5 -0.1 0.5 -0.1

Manufacturing, part 1......................... 31 11.733 124.3 124.3 0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.431 155.9 155.5 0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.052 119.4 119.5 1.4 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.397 99.5 100.0 2.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.5

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.921 109.2 109.4 0.6 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.122 110.8 110.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.810 122.7 122.7 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Manufacturing, part 2......................... 32 17.734 123.8 124.3 6.1 1.2 -0.2 1.8 0.4

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.949 136.7 133.6 15.1 -0.8 3.0 1.0 -2.3

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.017 106.0 106.4 1.8 -0.1 0.5 0.2 0.4

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2016=100)........................... 323 0.216 98.9 98.9 -1.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.497 93.3 94.0 17.5 8.4 -6.4 10.7 0.8

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.861 137.2 138.0 5.2 0.2 0.7 0.7 0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.200 118.2 118.3 1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.994 128.8 129.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.4

Manufacturing, part 3......................... 33 60.778 104.3 104.1 0.9 0.3 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.380 150.9 148.7 12.9 4.0 -0.1 1.3 -1.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.124 126.0 126.1 4.0 1.0 0.7 0.1 0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.039 117.7 117.8 1.4 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 17.239 75.6 75.5 -0.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.864 115.5 115.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.183 109.3 109.3 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.709 115.8 115.8 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.241 117.8 117.8 0.0 0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected industries: December 2016 to December

2017

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Nonmanufacturing................................ 7.555 137.6 138.6 6.5 0.6 3.3 0.0 0.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.509 154.5 153.3 1.0 -0.9 4.1 -1.6 -0.8

Crop production............................... 111 4.149 160.3 158.9 0.3 -1.0 4.2 -1.7 -0.9

Mining............................................ 21 3.046 89.7 92.3 15.4 3.0 2.1 2.4 2.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.281 108.1 108.1 15.4 2.8 0.6 0.8 0.0

Manufacturing..................................... 90.877 114.2 114.1 2.3 0.8 -0.1 0.4 -0.1

Manufacturing, part 1......................... 31 7.013 138.9 139.1 2.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.723 157.7 157.8 3.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.3 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.715 115.4 115.6 6.2 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2016=100)............... 313 0.660 101.2 101.7 1.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.5

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2016=100)........................... 316 0.271 95.8 96.4 -3.6 -0.5 -0.7 0.2 0.6

Manufacturing, part 2......................... 32 24.607 112.5 111.9 3.9 2.4 -0.7 1.7 -0.5

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.711 125.4 125.5 6.1 0.6 1.9 1.3 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 5.847 107.5 105.3 11.1 8.2 -5.0 6.3 -2.0

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.184 115.7 115.5 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.3 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.251 114.1 114.0 0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.839 114.7 114.5 1.8 0.6 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Manufacturing, part 3......................... 33 59.257 112.5 112.5 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.015 139.8 139.5 5.2 3.4 -2.2 0.5 -0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.249 137.8 137.6 5.7 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 10.068 125.4 125.5 0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 13.998 83.2 83.2 0.4 -0.1 0.7 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.996 115.6 115.7 3.2 -0.1 1.8 -0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 18.220 124.8 124.9 1.7 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.447 117.5 117.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.263 119.2 119.1 0.9 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2016 to

December 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.450 190.8 189.1 0.4 -1.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.9

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.437 245.0 244.8 4.5 0.2 0.5 -1.1 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.708 137.6 135.9 -6.0 -0.7 0.5 -1.7 -1.2

Vegetable products............................... II 2.088 223.1 219.5 0.3 6.1 -0.9 -4.3 -1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.438 491.6 498.3 2.0 3.0 -3.1 8.3 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.914 133.4 128.5 2.8 13.5 -0.3 -11.9 -3.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.350 222.0 216.5 -7.5 -1.7 -2.0 -1.2 -2.5

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.301 117.2 116.2 -1.4 1.7 -1.0 0.0 -0.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.667 161.9 162.0 1.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.182 86.6 86.6 -2.0 0.1 1.3 -0.7 0.0

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.191 95.6 94.4 -9.9 -0.5 0.0 0.6 -1.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.363 171.8 171.4 6.8 0.9 0.6 0.4 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.992 129.1 129.3 1.2 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 10.048 196.4 199.4 18.3 5.4 0.4 8.3 1.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 9.786 194.1 197.3 18.6 5.6 0.3 8.6 1.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 9.287 153.7 155.1 5.5 0.1 0.7 0.8 0.9

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.552 282.4 306.5 21.3 -3.9 4.5 3.8 8.5

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.426 127.8 130.0 8.0 1.1 0.9 1.6 1.7

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 4.250 148.2 148.1 3.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.282 81.4 80.9 8.0 2.9 9.0 3.6 -0.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.185 105.4 106.3 4.7 -2.1 -0.7 -0.5 0.9

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2016=100)..................................... 33 0.550 102.6 102.3 2.3 0.9 0.2 0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.684 105.8 105.9 3.5 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.407 140.4 140.3 2.3 0.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.180 143.3 142.8 2.8 0.2 0.6 0.2 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.228 136.8 137.2 1.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.677 124.1 124.1 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.647 129.5 129.4 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.985 166.3 162.4 14.9 -0.7 2.9 1.0 -2.3

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.961 114.8 112.1 15.4 -0.6 3.0 1.0 -2.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.080 111.2 111.6 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.707 103.0 103.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)............... 49 0.214 104.9 104.8 -1.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.261 113.2 113.5 0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2016 to

December 2017 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.153 103.5 103.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.789 118.4 118.7 -0.3 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.641 103.9 104.4 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artificial flowers,

etc................................................. XII 1.489 121.7 121.9 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.261 120.8 120.9 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.932 130.9 131.2 0.5 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.323 97.2 98.2 1.1 0.1 0.5 0.0 1.0

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.267 136.5 136.7 -0.3 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.342 131.1 130.5 0.5 0.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.5

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.800 172.0 171.0 3.7 2.5 -2.5 0.8 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.727 175.5 174.3 9.1 2.4 0.9 0.7 -0.7

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.384 204.1 202.9 15.4 1.7 1.7 0.0 -0.6

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.729 149.4 149.6 8.5 1.9 1.4 0.2 0.1

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.420 301.2 293.6 8.8 5.3 -2.9 3.2 -2.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.846 137.5 135.6 11.1 2.9 2.6 0.9 -1.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.424 121.9 121.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.8 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.517 137.8 137.8 1.8 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.372 80.7 80.6 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 14.693 86.6 86.6 1.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 14.679 75.1 74.9 -1.4 -0.4 -0.3 0.1 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.324 113.7 113.8 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.885 112.7 112.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.309 115.9 116.0 -2.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.802 101.8 101.8 -0.7 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.477 98.4 98.3 -0.9 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.266 143.9 144.4 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.228 111.4 111.3 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.622 117.3 117.1 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.3 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.335 101.3 101.4 -1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.271 129.7 129.6 -1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2016 to

December 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.882 206.6 207.3 7.5 -1.8 0.1 -1.1 0.3

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.104 164.5 166.6 12.1 -2.7 0.0 -1.3 1.3

Fish and crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic

invertebrates (Dec. 2016=100).............. 03 0.410 112.2 111.2 11.2 0.5 2.5 -0.6 -0.9

Vegetable products............................... II 4.234 195.7 192.9 0.4 -0.6 4.9 -2.2 -1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.868 148.3 146.0 0.1 1.4 1.9 2.6 -1.6

Cereals............................................ 10 1.209 180.0 180.7 7.7 -3.8 2.7 0.7 0.4

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.625 200.0 204.6 -1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.3 2.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 3.042 149.0 148.9 0.5 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.377 117.1 117.1 0.3 -0.4 0.6 -0.1 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.530 109.3 107.5 -4.6 0.4 -0.2 -2.7 -1.6

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.715 198.5 201.6 -0.4 1.5 0.4 1.9 1.6

Mineral products.................................. V 9.148 222.4 221.9 14.8 6.3 -2.5 5.1 -0.2

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.612 105.1 105.0 17.2 6.4 1.5 2.1 -0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 8.346 213.3 212.8 14.9 6.4 -2.8 5.4 -0.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.737 135.5 136.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.748 158.7 162.7 -8.9 -3.4 0.6 0.4 2.5

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.621 138.4 139.7 3.8 2.1 1.0 0.9 0.9

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.122 104.8 105.3 -1.7 0.1 0.0 -0.6 0.5

Fertilizers (Dec. 2016=100).................... 31 0.242 106.4 106.3 6.3 -1.3 0.0 1.7 -0.1

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints

varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100). . .. 32 0.535 101.9 101.4 3.6 1.1 2.6 -0.1 -0.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.804 132.6 132.7 1.3 0.2 -0.3 0.4 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.553 126.6 126.6 8.8 -0.6 -2.2 0.4 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.726 144.4 144.4 -1.7 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.116 140.4 138.8 1.7 1.0 1.4 0.4 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.193 137.0 135.2 2.5 1.1 1.4 0.8 -1.3

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.923 153.7 153.3 -1.5 0.6 1.5 -1.5 -0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.321 114.9 116.2 -4.1 -0.7 -1.4 0.2 1.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.664 104.5 103.8 11.3 1.6 3.0 0.7 -0.7

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.136 128.8 129.1 4.1 -2.6 -3.9 6.4 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.668 136.8 139.0 3.2 -7.9 -15.6 21.2 1.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.109 124.4 123.6 4.5 0.1 1.7 0.0 -0.6

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.359 105.1 105.1 4.5 0.0 0.0 3.5 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.711 120.1 120.2 0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.3 0.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.443 125.4 127.0 4.0 -1.8 -1.5 1.9 1.3

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2016 to

December 2017 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct.

2017

Oct.

2017 to

Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.824 123.5 123.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.274 101.3 101.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.419 99.0 99.1 -0.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.188 235.4 235.0 5.1 2.9 -2.5 0.3 -0.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 4.992 156.3 156.6 6.3 2.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.2

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.030 158.5 160.5 5.5 5.4 -2.0 -4.2 1.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.543 195.8 197.4 15.5 5.2 1.0 2.7 0.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.881 119.0 118.1 10.6 3.7 0.1 2.7 -0.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100). . . .. 82 0.342 99.5 99.5 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.341 148.2 148.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 28.382 96.6 96.6 1.2 -0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.609 113.8 113.8 1.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.773 78.0 78.0 1.3 -0.1 1.0 -0.1 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.786 133.3 133.4 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.550 115.3 115.2 0.7 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 5.972 107.0 106.9 0.9 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.456 112.0 111.8 -0.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.880 127.9 128.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.428 88.8 88.1 -1.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: December 2016 to December 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2016

to Dec.

2017

Aug. 2017

to Sept.

2017

Sept. 2017

to Oct.

2017

Oct. 2017

to Nov.

2017

Nov. 2017

to Dec.

2017

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 121.5 121.7 3.0 0.7 0.0 0.8 0.2

Nonmanufacturing........................... 9.071 147.2 149.4 14.3 2.2 0.9 6.2 1.5

Manufacturing................................ 90.455 118.9 119.0 2.1 0.5 -0.1 0.3 0.1

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 121.7 121.7 2.2 0.8 -0.1 1.1 0.0

Nonmanufacturing........................... 9.688 218.4 221.6 14.3 6.3 1.1 3.9 1.5

Manufacturing................................ 90.109 103.9 103.8 1.0 0.2 -0.2 0.8 -0.1

Canada.......................................... 100.000 129.6 129.6 6.2 1.0 0.7 2.3 0.0

Nonmanufacturing........................... 24.596 140.3 142.6 13.8 1.9 0.8 6.4 1.6

Manufacturing................................ 74.624 130.5 129.7 3.8 0.7 0.7 1.0 -0.6

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 134.2 134.7 2.4 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.4

Manufacturing................................ 99.394 130.9 131.3 2.4 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 125.9 125.9 3.3 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 115.2 115.3 3.3 0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 118.9 119.3 1.5 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 148.3 148.7 4.4 1.6 0.4 1.0 0.3

Nonmanufacturing........................... 19.567 249.9 252.9 12.1 7.9 -0.9 3.1 1.2

Manufacturing................................ 80.100 122.1 122.2 2.7 0.1 0.8 0.5 0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 129.0 129.0 3.6 1.5 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Nonmanufacturing (Dec. 2008=100). . . . .. 9.390 133.3 135.5 15.6 14.1 -6.2 -2.6 1.7

Manufacturing (Dec. 2008=100)........... 90.307 89.1 89.0 2.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 -0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 98.3 98.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 100.1 100.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.1

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.4 95.4 -1.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Asian NICs7

..................................... 100.000 87.2 87.7 3.9 0.7 0.2 -0.3 0.6

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

.................... 100.000 98.0 98.1 0.8 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 168.9 170.3 11.6 4.0 5.1 4.1 0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 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 3 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: December

2016 to December 2017

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20171

Index Percent change

Nov.

2017

Dec.

2017

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2016 to

Dec.

2017

Aug.

2017 to

Sept.

2017

Sept.

2017 to

Oct. 2017

Oct. 2017

to Nov.

2017

Nov.

2017 to

Dec.

2017

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 187.0 193.4 17.1 0.4 -4.3 6.9 3.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 22.646 143.9 144.0 5.2 2.1 -3.0 0.5 0.1

Asia.................................................. 66.102 183.3 192.5 25.3 0.0 -5.5 10.5 5.0

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 169.9 167.5 8.2 0.5 5.4 1.8 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 31.332 150.1 148.9 2.2 0.7 1.5 0.0 -0.8

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 170.8 176.8 14.1 0.5 -2.6 5.5 3.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 23.423 127.3 131.6 0.2 1.6 -5.1 -1.7 3.4

Asia.................................................. 64.384 170.5 177.6 22.5 0.1 -2.3 9.5 4.2

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 142.4 141.1 3.4 -1.4 1.0 1.4 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 30.607 147.5 144.6 1.0 -1.5 0.0 2.6 -2.0

Asia.................................................. 46.525 136.8 136.1 5.7 -2.4 0.2 2.1 -0.5

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 182.2 194.0 4.2 8.5 8.8 -2.3 6.5

Europe............................................... 44.308 218.9 216.8 10.3 18.8 9.9 3.2 -1.0

Asia.................................................. 20.594 129.2 152.0 3.8 4.4 0.3 -4.6 17.6

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.758 162.4 180.0 2.7 -5.7 1.6 4.7 10.8

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 153.7 158.2 -6.1 -8.2 3.6 0.5 2.9

Europe............................................... 33.069 214.7 203.5 -6.6 13.6 3.1 1.0 -5.2

Asia.................................................. 23.753 119.3 134.2 -5.0 -20.5 -2.4 2.8 12.5

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 24.435 163.8 169.5 -0.8 -3.6 -1.7 2.4 3.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2015 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 

the export air passenger fares 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 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. 

Relative Importance - A relative importance is a specific index’s price-updated value share (expressed 

as a percentage) of overall imports or exports at a specific point in time. Relative importance values are 

affected by the trade weights at the point indexes are reweighted and index changes relative to other 

indexes since the reweight point. If an index is rising in value relative to other indexes over time, the 

relative importance will increase as well. 

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

may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 

revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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. 

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 

email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 

 

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

page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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.