Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical Information: USDL-06-1586 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of This 

Media contact: Material Is Embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 Until 8:30 A.M. E.D.T. 

Internet Address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Thursday, September 14, 2006 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- AUGUST 2006 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.8 percent in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 

U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The August increase was led by a 2.3 percent advance in 

petroleum prices, although a 0.5 percent rise in nonpetroleum prices was also a contributing factor. 

Export prices increased 0.4 percent for the second consecutive month in August. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

 

United States 

Department News of Labor 

IMPORTS EXPORTS 

Month

2005

August 1.4 7.4 0.1 -0.2 -0.6 -0.1 

September 2.1 6.9 0.9 0.8 -1.4 1.0 

October 0.1 -3.1 1.0 0.7 0.3 0.8 

November -1.9 -9.4 -0.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.7 

December 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.5 0.2 

2006

January 1.2 5.8 0.3 0.7 0.6 0.7 

February -0.8 -1.0 -0.7 0.1 -0.7 0.2 

March -0.1 0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2 

April 2.1 11.3 0.1 0.7 -0.4 0.7 

May 1.8 6.4 0.7 0.7 r 0.6 0.7 

June 0.1 r -1.1 r 0.4 0.7 2.5 0.6 r

July 1.0 r 5.1 r 0.0 r 0.4 1.9 0.3 r

August 0.8 2.3 0.5 0.4 1.0 0.4 

August 2004-05 8.2 45.4 1.9 3.1 6.7 2.8 

August 2005-06 6.6 24.3 2.7 5.2 3.5 5.3 

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

All

Imports

Petroleum

Imports

Non- petroleum

Imports

All

Exports

Agricultural

Exports

Nonagricultural

Exports
2

Import Goods

Import prices increased 0.8 percent in August, compared to a 1.0 percent rise in July. Petroleum 

prices rose 2.3 percent in August, and were up 25.9 percent over the past five months. Nonpetroleum 

prices also increased in August, rising 0.5 percent. For the year ended in August, prices for 

nonpetroleum imports rose 2.7 percent while overall import prices advanced 6.6 percent. 

The August increase in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 1.8 percent rise in the price index for 

nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, which resumed an upward trend following a 0.9 percent 

downturn in July. The index increased 11.4 percent over the past 12 months. The August increase in 

nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices was driven by higher natural gas and unfinished 

metals prices which more than offset declining prices for chemicals and building materials. A 2.5 

percent advance in foods, feeds, and beverages prices in August also contributed to the rise in 

nonpetroleum prices. The increase was the largest one-month jump in the index since March 2005, and 

prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 6.0 percent over the past year. 

 

 Price indexes for each of the major finished goods areas recorded little movement in August. 

Capital goods prices rose a modest 0.1 percent while the price indexes for consumer goods and 

automotive vehicles were both unchanged. For the August 2005-2006 period, consumer goods prices 

and prices for automotive vehicles increased, up 0.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, while capital 

goods prices decreased 0.3 percent. 

Export Goods 

Export prices rose 0.4 percent in August as higher prices for both agricultural exports and 

nonagricultural exports contributed to the increase. Prices for agricultural exports advanced for the 

fourth consecutive month, rising 1.0 percent in August. Higher prices for cotton, corn, and other 

agricultural foods more than offset lower wheat and soybean prices. Led by the increases in the past 

four months, agricultural prices rose 3.5 percent for the year ended in August. Nonagricultural prices 

continued a steady upward trend, rising 0.4 percent in August and 5.3 percent over the past 12 months. 

Overall export prices advanced a similar 5.2 percent for the year ended in August. 

The August increase in nonagricultural prices was mostly driven by a 1.5 percent advance in the 

price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, which was attributable to higher prices 

for metals, fuels, and chemicals. Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices rose 15.4 

percent for the year ended in August. A 0.2 percent increase in consumer goods prices also contributed 

to the August rise in nonagricultural prices. Prices for consumer goods advanced 2.4 percent over the 

past year. 

 

 In contrast, capital goods prices fell 0.3 percent in August as prices for computers, peripherals, 

and semi-conductors declined 1.8 percent. Excluding computers, capital goods prices rose 0.2 percent. 

Despite the August decline, overall capital goods prices increased 0.5 percent over the past 12 months. 

 The price index for automotive vehicles was unchanged in August and up 1.4 percent for the 

August 2005-2006 period. 
3

Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Import prices from Canada and from Mexico both rose 1.7 percent in August. In each case, the 

increase was led by higher fuel prices. The price index for imports from Canada rose 8.3 percent for the 

year ended in August, while prices for imports from Mexico increased 9.5 percent over the same period. 

Prices for imports from Japan and from China also advanced in August, each rising 0.1 percent 

for the month. The upturn in import prices from Japan partially offset a 0.2 percent decrease in July, 

although the index was down 1.3 percent over the past 12 months. Import prices from China recorded a 

second consecutive 0.1 percent increase after trending downward over most of the past year. The index 

declined 1.0 percent over the August 2005-2006 period. 

The price index for imports from the European Union was unchanged in August after rising in 

each of the previous three months. Prices for imports from the European Union increased 5.9 percent 

over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares declined 0.8 percent in August, the first monthly decrease for the 

index since February. Despite the August decrease, import air passenger fares rose 5.6 percent over the 

past year. In contrast, export air passenger fares increased 5.2 percent for the second consecutive 

month. The August rise was driven by a sharp advance in Japanese fares. Notwithstanding the recent 

increases, overall export air passenger fares fell 0.5 percent for the year ended in August. 

 The price indexes for import air freight and export air freight moved in opposite directions in 

August, declining 0.7 percent in the case of import air freight prices while prices for export air freight 

increased 0.9 percent. The August movement for both indexes followed declines in July. 

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 September are scheduled for release on October 13 at 

8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.). 
4

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Aug. April May June July

END Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

USE July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 ALL COMMODITIES............................................................ 100.000 118.5 119.5 6.6 1.8 0.1 1.0 0.8

 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......................... 78.820 104.2 104.7 2.7 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.5

 ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS 

 (Dec. 2001=100)........................................................... 76.719 107.2 107.4 2.8 0.8 0.6 0.0 0.2

0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..................................... 4.184 118.0 120.9 6.0 1.6 -0.1 0.0 2.5

00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, 

 excluding distilled beverages................................ 3.127 126.4 130.3 6.5 2.0 -0.2 -0.3 3.1

01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)........... 1.057 99.4 100.1 4.7 0.5 0.4 0.9 0.7

1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................... 38.088 182.3 186.0 17.7 4.8 0.0 2.3 2.0

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 

 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...................................... 16.908 132.7 135.1 11.4 2.8 1.2 -0.9 1.8

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 

 EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 14.807 142.3 143.0 12.7 3.2 2.4 -1.0 0.5

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 DURABLE................................................................. 9.606 136.7 138.3 17.2 4.7 3.1 -1.8 1.2

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM............ 7.303 126.8 130.3 4.2 0.6 -1.2 0.1 2.8

10 Fuels & lubricants........................................................ 23.281 240.7 248.0 21.2 5.8 -1.5 4.5 3.0

100 Petroleum & petroleum products............................. 21.180 255.0 260.9 24.3 6.4 -1.1 5.1 2.3

10000 Crude............................................................... 15.521 257.7 259.3 20.5 5.3 -0.7 6.0 0.6

11 Paper & paper base stocks.......................................... 0.914 111.6 112.5 7.9 1.0 0.8 0.3 0.8

12 Materials associated with nondurable 

 supplies & materials............................................. 4.380 121.2 120.2 4.4 0.4 0.9 0.5 -0.8

13 Selected building materials.......................................... 1.965 116.8 115.3 0.6 1.6 -2.3 -0.4 -1.3

14 Unfinished metals related to durable goods................. 4.419 184.8 190.0 38.6 8.9 7.3 -4.4 2.8

15 Finished metals related to durable goods.................... 1.615 128.4 128.9 10.0 2.1 1.8 2.5 0.4

16 Nonmetals related to durable goods............................ 1.514 101.1 101.3 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

2 CAPITAL GOODS............................................................. 20.702 91.3 91.4 -0.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

20 Electric generating equipment..................................... 2.482 102.2 102.1 3.7 0.6 1.2 0.1 -0.1

21 Nonelectrical machinery............................................... 16.597 87.9 88.0 -1.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

22 Transportation equipment excluding 

 motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)........................... 1.624 108.1 108.2 1.6 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1

3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES.............. 14.092 104.1 104.1 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING 

 AUTOMOTIVES......................................................... 22.934 100.2 100.2 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.0

40 Nondurables, manufactured......................................... 10.851 102.6 102.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

41 Durables, manufactured............................................... 10.952 97.7 97.5 1.6 0.5 0.0 0.8 -0.2

42 Nonmanufactured consumer goods............................. 1.132 99.7 100.1 1.2 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
5

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Aug. April May June July

END Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

USE July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 ALL COMMODITIES................................................................. 100.000 111.6 112.1 5.2 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.4

 AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES............................................ 7.656 126.2 127.5 3.5 0.6 2.5 1.9 1.0

 NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................... 92.344 110.6 111.0 5.3 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.4

0 FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES......................................... 6.952 128.2 129.1 3.4 0.8 2.7 2.3 0.7

00 Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, 

 excluding distilled beverages..................................... 6.204 128.5 129.4 3.6 0.9 2.8 2.6 0.7

01 Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)................ 0.748 125.2 126.2 1.3 0.3 1.7 0.2 0.8

1 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS............................... 30.558 139.4 141.6 14.7 1.9 1.7 0.4 1.6

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 DURABLE..................................................................... 11.054 145.4 147.7 20.5 2.4 2.7 -0.5 1.6

 INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS, 

 NONDURABLE.............................................................. 19.504 136.4 138.5 11.8 1.7 1.2 1.0 1.5

10 Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........................ 1.452 116.5 119.0 3.4 -0.7 0.8 -0.7 2.1

 NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES 

 & MATERIALS........................................................... 29.107 141.0 143.1 15.4 2.1 1.7 0.5 1.5

11 Fuels & lubricants............................................................. 4.994 198.9 207.6 32.5 4.2 0.7 1.3 4.4

12 Nonagricultural supplies & materials 

 excluding fuels & building materials........................... 22.969 135.2 136.5 12.8 1.7 2.0 0.4 1.0

13 Selected building materials............................................... 1.144 109.8 110.1 4.1 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.3

2 CAPITAL GOODS.................................................................. 39.531 98.4 98.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3

20 Electrical generating equipment........................................ 3.829 104.8 105.0 2.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

21 Nonelectrical machinery................................................... 29.148 92.6 92.1 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.5

22 Transportation equipment excluding 

 motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................................ 6.554 117.1 117.4 4.6 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.3

3 AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES................... 10.693 105.1 105.1 1.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

4 CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING 

 AUTOMOTIVES.............................................................. 12.265 103.8 104.0 2.4 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.2

40 Nondurables, manufactured.............................................. 6.015 103.7 103.8 2.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.1

41 Durables, manufactured................................................... 5.240 102.5 102.8 1.3 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
6

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2005=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Aug. April May June July

NAICS Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 Nonmanufactured Articles...................................................... 19.236 116.5 119.2 n.a. 4.7 -1.2 4.9 2.3

11 AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS........... 1.352 99.4 105.8 n.a. 5.1 2.0 0.9 6.4

111 Agricultural products.................................................. 0.903 91.3 101.5 n.a. 6.3 -0.1 -0.3 11.2

21 OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES................................ 17.884 118.1 120.4 n.a. 4.7 -1.4 5.3 1.9

 Manufactured Articles............................................................ 80.141 103.5 104.1 n.a. 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.6

31 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................. 10.256 101.1 101.3 n.a. 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

311 Food and kindred products......................................... 2.450 102.7 103.2 n.a. 0.7 -0.1 0.3 0.5

312 Beverages and tobacco products............................... 0.799 101.6 101.8 n.a. 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2

313 Textiles and fabrics.................................................... 0.510 103.5 103.7 n.a. 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.2

314 Textile mill products................................................... 0.722 100.8 101.0 n.a. 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.2

315 Apparel and accessories............................................ 4.322 99.9 100.0 n.a. -0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.1

316 Leather and allied products........................................ 1.454 100.9 100.9 n.a. 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.0

32 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................. 17.727 106.8 109.0 n.a. 3.0 -0.7 0.8 2.1

321 Wood products........................................................... 1.298 97.4 95.2 n.a. 2.5 -4.2 -0.8 -2.3

322 Paper......................................................................... 1.445 104.2 104.7 n.a. 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5

324 Petroleum and coal products...................................... 4.840 123.4 130.6 n.a. 10.0 -2.3 2.1 5.8

325 Chemicals.................................................................. 7.397 101.7 102.9 n.a. 0.3 0.4 0.5 1.2

326 Plastics and rubber products...................................... 1.572 101.7 102.3 n.a. 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.6

327 Nonmetallic mineral products..................................... 1.072 103.5 103.5 n.a. 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.0

33 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................. 52.158 102.8 103.1 n.a. 1.0 0.8 -0.1 0.3

331 Primary metals........................................................... 5.083 128.7 132.0 n.a. 9.7 7.1 -3.2 2.6

332 Fabricated metal products, nesoi............................... 2.414 103.5 104.2 n.a. 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.7

333 Machinery, except electrical....................................... 6.201 102.4 102.3 n.a. 0.4 0.5 0.1 -0.1

334 Computer and electronic products.............................. 13.797 97.8 97.7 n.a. -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

335 Electrical equipment, appliances, and components.... 3.470 102.7 102.6 n.a. 0.6 1.0 0.2 -0.1

336 Transportation equipment.......................................... 14.965 100.5 100.5 n.a. 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0

337 Furniture and fixtures................................................. 1.458 100.4 100.5 n.a. -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

339 Miscellaneous manufactured commodities................. 4.771 104.5 104.5 n.a. 1.1 0.3 2.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
7

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2005=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

 ance Aug. April May June July

NAICS Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

 Nonmanufactured Articles...................................................... 5.986 105.4 107.3 n.a. -0.2 2.6 0.0 1.8

11 AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS........... 4.176 106.7 107.3 n.a. 0.4 3.9 1.7 0.6

111 Agricultural products.................................................. 3.736 106.6 107.1 n.a. 0.4 4.5 1.8 0.5

21 OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES................................ 1.810 102.3 107.2 n.a. -1.2 0.1 -4.1 4.8

211 Oil and gas................................................................. 0.447 80.6 95.7 n.a. -5.0 -2.2 -0.5 18.7

212 Minerals and ores....................................................... 1.363 112.2 112.5 n.a. 0.2 0.8 -5.2 0.3

 Manufactured Articles............................................................ 91.689 102.9 103.3 n.a. 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.4

31 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................. 6.542 100.3 101.5 n.a. 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.2

311 Food and kindred products......................................... 3.728 101.1 103.2 n.a. 0.7 0.9 1.3 2.1

312 Beverages and tobacco products............................... 0.569 101.1 101.2 n.a. 0.1 -0.5 0.5 0.1

313 Textiles and fabrics.................................................... 1.044 96.6 96.7 n.a. 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1

315 Apparel and accessories............................................ 0.623 100.0 100.2 n.a. 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

32 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................. 24.234 106.7 107.7 n.a. 1.6 1.1 0.9 0.9

321 Wood products........................................................... 0.558 103.3 104.0 n.a. 1.0 0.8 0.4 0.7

322 Paper......................................................................... 2.139 106.6 107.0 n.a. 0.3 0.9 0.9 0.4

324 Petroleum and coal products...................................... 2.929 125.0 129.6 n.a. 5.3 0.2 0.7 3.7

325 Chemicals.................................................................. 15.167 104.7 105.4 n.a. 1.4 1.4 1.0 0.7

326 Plastics and rubber products...................................... 2.443 103.0 103.5 n.a. 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.5

327 Nonmetallic mineral products..................................... 0.895 102.4 102.4 n.a. 0.3 2.9 0.1 0.0

33 MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................. 60.913 101.8 101.8 n.a. 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.0

331 Primary metals........................................................... 3.879 116.7 119.6 n.a. 4.7 4.9 -1.8 2.5

332 Fabricated metal products, nesoi............................... 2.760 106.7 106.9 n.a. 0.3 0.2 1.3 0.2

333 Machinery, except electrical....................................... 12.079 102.1 102.2 n.a. 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.1

334 Computer and electronic products.............................. 18.011 98.2 97.3 n.a. -0.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.9

335 Electrical equipment, appliances, and components.... 3.472 101.4 101.8 n.a. 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.4

336 Transportation equipment.......................................... 16.162 101.8 101.9 n.a. 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

339 Miscellaneous manufactured commodities................. 4.230 102.2 102.3 n.a. 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
8

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Aug. April May June July

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................. 1.193 120.0 120.6 4.6 2.0 0.3 1.5 0.5

02 Meat and edible meat offal........................................... 0.336 138.6 140.7 1.2 0.3 -0.7 1.0 1.5

03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and 

 other aquatic invertebrates................................... 0.628 97.9 98.7 6.9 1.2 0.9 1.3 0.8

 2/ Other live animals; animal products............................. 0.230 156.5 153.6 3.5 6.8 -0.1 3.0 -1.9

II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS................................................ 1.041 109.4 119.4 8.6 4.2 -0.3 0.7 9.1

07 Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............................ 0.272 137.2 162.4 14.9 12.0 3.7 -4.5 18.4

08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus 

 fruit or melons....................................................... 0.265 79.7 89.0 1.9 2.6 -1.9 -2.4 11.7

09 Coffee, tea, mate and spices....................................... 0.224 116.9 123.5 11.4 0.8 -4.7 3.1 5.6

 2/ Other vegetable products............................................. 0.280 116.8 117.3 6.8 1.2 1.5 7.9 0.4

IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND 

 TOBACCO............................................................... 2.015 119.8 119.5 4.3 0.1 0.6 0.0 -0.3

 2/ Other prepared foodstuffs............................................ 0.782 128.6 127.8 2.6 -0.1 0.8 -0.6 -0.6

20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, 

 nuts, or other parts of plants................................. 0.251 117.6 118.2 16.3 0.4 0.9 -0.3 0.5

22 Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................................... 0.768 111.1 110.9 3.5 0.0 0.5 0.8 -0.2

V MINERAL PRODUCTS...................................................... 23.090 239.9 246.4 20.5 5.7 -1.6 4.6 2.7

27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, 

 bituminous substances and mineral wax............... 22.760 239.8 246.4 20.7 5.8 -1.6 4.6 2.8

 2/ Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 0.330 140.1 140.9 13.0 0.1 1.5 1.7 0.6

VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED 

 INDUSTRIES........................................................... 6.791 114.5 114.1 1.2 0.5 1.0 -0.1 -0.3

28 Inorganic chemicals..................................................... 0.690 154.1 152.9 8.7 -0.1 0.1 1.6 -0.8

29 Organic chemicals....................................................... 2.746 119.2 117.6 4.6 1.1 2.2 0.8 -1.3

30 Pharmaceutical products............................................. 1.888 105.0 105.0 -5.6 0.1 0.5 -1.4 0.0

32 Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & 

 pigments; varnish & paints; putty.......................... 0.167 98.7 98.4 -2.4 -2.0 0.3 -0.1 -0.3

33 Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100).............. 0.370 107.9 108.5 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.9 0.6

38 Miscellaneous chemical products................................ 0.385 92.9 93.8 1.2 0.1 0.7 0.5 1.0

VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER 

 AND ARTICLES THEREOF..................................... 2.791 121.1 121.4 7.2 0.2 1.5 0.8 0.2

39 Plastics and articles thereof......................................... 1.799 117.1 118.4 4.9 0.0 0.3 0.1 1.1

40 Rubber and articles thereof.......................................... 0.992 129.0 127.1 11.7 0.6 3.8 2.1 -1.5

VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, 

 TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................................... 0.610 105.5 105.6 1.7 0.6 0.6 0.3 0.1

42 Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, 

 etc. of various materials........................................ 0.523 105.5 105.6 1.7 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.1

IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, 

 BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK..................... 1.384 119.9 117.5 -1.1 2.2 -3.3 -0.7 -2.0

X WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND 

 PAPER PRODUCTS................................................... 1.634 108.6 109.1 5.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5

47 Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic 

 material; waste paper/paperboard......................... 0.216 119.4 123.4 20.5 3.8 1.0 2.8 3.4

48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 

 pulp, paper or paperboard..................................... 1.155 106.7 106.7 3.9 0.2 0.7 0.2 0.0

49 Printed matter.............................................................. 0.263 113.9 113.9 1.3 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.0

XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES.................................. 5.360 100.9 101.1 0.7 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.2

61 Articles of apparel and clothing 

 accessories, knitted or crocheted......................... 1.946 100.0 100.4 0.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.4

See footnotes at end of table

July

2006
9

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Aug. April May June July

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

62 Articles of apparel and clothing 

 accessories, not knitted or crocheted................. 2.161 99.6 99.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.1

63 Made-up or worn textile articles................................. 0.483 94.8 94.8 2.4 0.1 0.0 1.1 0.0

 2/ Other textile & textile articles..................................... 0.770 110.0 110.3 2.8 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.3

XII HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, 

 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC................................... 1.218 100.8 100.8 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0

64 Footwear and parts of such articles.......................... 1.025 101.3 101.3 0.7 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0

 2/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas, 

 whips, art. flowers, etc......................................... 0.193 97.7 97.7 0.4 0.6 0.5 -0.5 0.0

XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, 

 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC......................................... 0.944 109.0 109.1 3.7 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.1

68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, 

 asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 0.314 103.5 103.4 4.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.1

69 Ceramic products...................................................... 0.300 113.1 113.1 1.6 0.2 0.4 1.2 0.0

70 Glass and glassware................................................. 0.330 109.3 109.5 5.4 0.0 0.4 -0.4 0.2

XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, 

 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................ 2.670 123.4 125.5 27.2 6.3 2.2 -1.4 1.7

XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....... 6.302 157.2 159.7 22.3 5.2 5.1 -0.4 1.6

72 Iron and steel............................................................ 1.635 178.9 181.3 11.4 2.8 4.7 2.9 1.3

73 Articles of iron or steel............................................... 1.405 125.9 126.1 2.4 0.2 0.7 0.7 0.2

74 Copper and articles thereof....................................... 0.807 288.2 303.8 95.0 22.0 15.1 -1.2 5.4

76 Aluminum and articles thereof................................... 1.016 142.7 141.3 25.6 3.8 5.4 -4.9 -1.0

82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and 

 forks, of base metal; parts thereof...................... 0.369 106.8 106.8 2.1 0.2 0.3 -0.8 0.0

83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal......................... 0.445 119.4 120.5 7.9 0.3 0.9 0.7 0.9

 2/ Other base metals and articles of base metals.......... 0.623 203.5 216.1 72.3 17.2 9.7 -3.6 6.2

XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV 

 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC....... 22.982 88.1 88.0 -1.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 11.937 88.4 88.4 -1.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

85 Electrical machinery and equip, sound 

 and TV recorders & reproducers, parts............... 11.045 87.9 87.7 -1.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.2

XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND 

 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.............. 13.015 105.0 105.0 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

87 Motor vehicles and their parts.................................... 11.991 104.4 104.4 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts 

 thereof (Dec. 2002=100)..................................... 0.889 106.6 106.7 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.1

XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & 

 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES............. 3.048 99.4 99.4 -0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0

90 Optical, photographic, measuring and 

 medical instruments........................................... 2.710 98.0 98.0 -0.8 0.0 0.2 -0.3 0.0

91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof....................... 0.243 111.9 111.8 4.6 1.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 3.700 99.6 99.6 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0

94 Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps & 

 lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg...................... 2.148 103.4 103.4 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0

95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts 

 and accessories thereof..................................... 1.342 94.4 94.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles......................... 0.210 102.8 102.9 2.0 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

2 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
10

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

 Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Aug. April May June July

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

I LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................. 1.338 130.2 135.0 2.3 1.5 2.6 4.2 3.7

03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and 

 other aquatic invertebrates................................... 0.450 122.7 123.9 2.6 0.2 1.2 0.0 1.0

II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS................................................ 3.699 133.3 135.9 5.3 0.5 4.5 1.9 2.0

08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus 

 fruit or melons....................................................... 0.706 122.3 121.5 -0.3 -0.8 3.0 7.4 -0.7

10 Cereals........................................................................ 1.653 140.1 138.6 17.6 0.5 5.4 2.3 -1.1

12 Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, 

 fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............................. 0.861 124.4 122.1 -10.0 4.7 -0.1 2.4 -1.8

IV PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND 

 TOBACCO............................................................... 2.270 112.4 112.9 1.8 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.4

21 Miscellaneous edible preparations............................... 0.433 108.5 108.5 -0.5 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.0

23 Residues and waste from the food 

 industries; prepared animal feed........................... 0.409 125.6 125.9 3.5 -0.2 0.7 -1.0 0.2

 2/ Other prepared foods................................................... 0.795 110.0 111.4 1.7 0.1 0.3 0.6 1.3

V MINERAL PRODUCTS...................................................... 4.756 236.3 245.1 28.5 2.3 -0.1 -0.9 3.7

27 Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, 

 bituminous substances and mineral wax............... 3.912 221.4 230.9 26.4 2.7 -0.5 0.8 4.3

VI PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED 

 INDUSTRIES........................................................... 12.379 124.3 124.7 7.0 1.3 1.5 1.1 0.3

28 Inorganic chemicals..................................................... 1.212 156.9 156.9 21.9 2.4 2.3 1.0 0.0

29 Organic chemicals....................................................... 4.425 141.5 142.4 10.5 2.5 3.0 2.8 0.6

30 Pharmaceutical products............................................. 2.430 109.4 109.4 2.3 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.0

31 Fertilizers..................................................................... 0.370 147.5 146.5 -3.2 -0.3 -0.5 0.6 -0.7

32 Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, 

 paints, varnish, putty, & inks................................. 0.632 109.1 109.4 3.1 1.2 0.2 -1.4 0.3

33 Essential oils and resinoids; 

 perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................................. 0.713 115.1 115.1 1.6 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.0

34 Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or 

 scouring products; candles, pastes....................... 0.414 109.5 109.6 5.4 0.9 0.5 0.0 0.1

37 Photographic or cinematographic goods...................... 0.369 104.6 104.4 0.5 0.3 -0.8 2.2 -0.2

38 Miscellaneous chemical products................................ 1.610 111.4 111.8 4.2 0.3 0.7 -0.3 0.4

VII PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER 

 AND ARTICLES THEREOF..................................... 5.977 129.7 130.9 9.7 1.2 0.7 0.9 0.9

39 Plastics and articles thereof......................................... 4.827 126.2 127.5 8.7 1.2 0.8 0.6 1.0

40 Rubber and articles thereof.......................................... 1.150 144.0 145.0 14.3 1.0 0.4 1.7 0.7

VIII RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS, 

 TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................................... 0.483 116.6 116.7 3.2 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

41 Raw hides and skins (other than 

 furskins) and leather............................................. 0.344 110.6 110.7 2.5 0.6 0.5 -0.2 0.1

IX WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, 

 BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK..................... 0.748 107.8 108.7 4.5 0.7 0.5 0.0 0.8

X WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND 

 PAPER PRODUCTS................................................... 2.693 106.4 106.7 5.4 0.4 1.1 0.9 0.3

47 Woodpulp and recovered paper................................... 0.582 98.7 99.9 5.5 1.3 0.8 1.8 1.2

48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 

 pulp, paper or paperboard..................................... 1.503 106.3 106.5 6.4 0.2 1.3 0.4 0.2

49 Printed material........................................................... 0.608 118.3 118.1 3.5 0.3 0.4 1.0 -0.2

See footnotes at end of table

July

2006
11

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Relative

Import- Annual Monthly

Harmo- ance Aug. April May June July

nized Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

System July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

XI TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................................ 2.703 101.3 102.4 2.0 -0.3 0.8 -0.6 1.1

52 Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof..... 0.726 92.2 95.5 4.8 -1.7 1.9 -2.1 3.6

61 Apparel & clothing knitted 

 or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100)............................ 0.320 94.6 94.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

 2/ Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)...... 1.657 114.6 114.8 1.1 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.2

XIII STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS, 

 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC......................................... 0.824 104.1 104.1 0.7 0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0

70 Glass and glassware................................................. 0.464 95.5 95.5 -0.8 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0

XIV PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS, 

 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................ 2.841 135.4 138.2 28.3 5.5 4.9 -4.6 2.1

XV BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS..... 5.617 155.0 157.5 20.5 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.6

72 Iron and steel............................................................ 1.192 176.7 183.1 22.4 1.3 3.2 1.6 3.6

73 Articles of iron or steel............................................... 1.332 137.6 138.0 10.0 0.4 0.1 2.2 0.3

74 Copper and articles thereof....................................... 0.795 241.2 250.8 62.4 9.1 1.7 4.6 4.0

76 Aluminum and articles thereof................................... 0.926 139.7 141.9 25.4 4.2 6.5 -4.3 1.6

82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and 

 forks, of base metal; parts thereof...................... 0.417 111.3 111.3 6.3 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.0

83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal......................... 0.448 125.7 125.7 7.6 0.6 0.7 1.5 0.0

XVI MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV 

 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.. 32.270 93.8 93.4 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.4

84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 17.993 101.7 101.4 1.3 0.2 -0.1 0.3 -0.3

85 Electrical machinery and equipment 

 and parts and accessories thereof...................... 14.277 85.0 84.6 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5

XVII VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND 

 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.............. 13.341 111.7 111.8 2.4 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

87 Motor vehicles and their parts.................................... 8.820 104.8 104.8 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

XVIII OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL & 

 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES............. 6.283 102.2 102.3 0.7 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.1

XX MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES......... 1.427 101.5 101.7 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2

94 Furniture; stuffed furnishings; 

 lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 0.782 107.8 108.2 1.8 -0.1 0.1 0.8 0.4

95 Toys, games and sports equipment; parts 

 and accessories thereof..................................... 0.505 94.3 94.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

2 Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
12

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin 

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

 Index Percent Change

Annual Monthly

Percentage Aug. April May June July

Description of 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

U.S. August to to to to to

Imports 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

2/ Industrialized Countries................................................ 46.371 117.6 118.6 6.3 1.9 0.4 0.2 0.9

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 3.994 200.0 208.3 13.9 6.6 -2.4 5.3 4.2

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 41.944 111.2 111.8 5.2 1.4 0.8 -0.5 0.5

3/ Other Countries............................................................ 53.651 117.4 117.9 6.3 1.6 0.0 1.6 0.4

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 9.299 225.1 228.9 19.2 3.8 -0.6 4.6 1.7

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 44.152 102.0 101.9 2.5 0.9 0.2 0.7 -0.1

 Canada......................................................................... 17.089 131.5 133.8 8.3 2.7 -0.5 0.8 1.7

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 3.239 199.9 210.2 12.0 7.3 -2.8 5.7 5.2

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 13.575 119.1 119.8 6.9 1.3 0.3 -0.7 0.6

4/ European Union............................................................ 18.654 121.1 121.1 5.9 1.5 1.7 0.2 0.0

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 0.367 242.5 245.0 25.1 -1.1 3.1 4.6 1.0

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 18.150 118.6 118.7 5.1 1.6 1.5 0.1 0.1

 France (Dec. 2003=100)............................................... 1.971 104.0 104.1 2.2 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.1

 Germany (Dec. 2003=100)........................................... 5.187 104.5 104.6 1.5 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.1

 United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)................................. 2.947 120.4 120.5 6.3 0.6 1.4 0.4 0.1

5/ Latin America............................................................... 17.406 146.4 147.3 12.2 2.1 0.5 2.2 0.6

 Nonmanufactured Articles....................................... 4.158 229.8 235.5 21.9 2.2 -1.5 6.0 2.5

 Manufactured Articles.............................................. 13.173 130.3 129.9 8.3 2.0 1.4 0.5 -0.3

 Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)............................................... 10.594 121.7 123.8 9.5 1.4 -0.4 2.1 1.7

6/ Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)........................................ 34.090 98.8 98.9 -1.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

 China (Dec. 2003=100)................................................ 13.773 97.5 97.6 -1.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.1

 Japan........................................................................... 8.920 94.5 94.6 -1.3 0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.1

7/ Asian NICs................................................................... 7.216 89.5 89.5 -0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0

8/ ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100).............................................. 6.086 99.0 98.7 0.7 0.1 0.4 1.4 -0.3

9/ Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100).................................. 3.547 193.3 194.5 11.5 3.9 2.0 2.6 0.6

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2004 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, Asia Newly Industrialized Countries, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.

7 Asia 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.

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
13

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Transportation Services

 August 2005-August 2006 2000=100, unless otherwise noted

Index Percent Change

Relative

import- Annual Monthly

ance Aug. April May June July

Description 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006

July August to to to to to

2006 2006 Aug. May June July Aug.

1/ 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

AIR FREIGHT

 Import Air Freight..................................................... 100.000 133.5 132.6 n.a. 1.1 3.0 -1.3 -0.7

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 38.904 130.4 130.5 n.a. 2.6 5.4 -0.8 0.1

 Asia..................................................................... 49.204 117.5 115.7 n.a. 0.0 2.0 -1.9 -1.5

 Export Air Freight..................................................... 100.000 115.6 116.6 n.a. 1.0 1.0 -0.3 0.9

 Inbound Air Freight................................................... 100.000 128.1 128.4 n.a. 1.9 1.7 -0.9 0.2

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 39.178 124.8 126.1 n.a. 3.5 3.3 -0.8 1.0

 Asia..................................................................... 48.515 111.5 110.9 n.a. 1.0 0.7 -1.1 -0.5

 Outbound Air Freight................................................ 100.000 116.5 116.2 n.a. 1.8 1.4 -0.6 -0.3

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 42.030 131.8 132.6 n.a. 3.1 1.4 -1.6 0.6

 Asia..................................................................... 42.786 109.4 108.0 n.a. 1.6 1.7 0.2 -1.3

AIR PASSENGER FARES

 Import Air Passenger Fares..................................... 100.000 139.4 138.3 5.6 1.1 11.4 2.0 -0.8

 Europe................................................................. 61.249 133.6 133.0 4.6 0.9 13.8 0.3 -0.4

 Asia..................................................................... 14.768 137.9 133.2 2.3 2.0 16.7 4.2 -3.4

 Latin America/Caribbean..................................... 9.577 122.6 123.2 4.6 2.7 1.0 5.1 0.5

 Export Air Passenger Fares..................................... 100.000 146.5 154.1 -0.5 5.6 0.1 5.2 5.2

 Europe................................................................. 32.762 185.1 189.7 0.3 2.2 3.2 9.2 2.5

 Asia..................................................................... 34.080 116.2 134.9 -4.7 11.0 -3.6 2.7 16.1

 Latin America/Caribbean..................................... 17.726 158.3 151.0 4.6 1.2 0.5 6.2 -4.6

 Inbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)....... 100.000 128.6 133.9 3.2 5.5 1.2 6.3 4.1

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 43.128 136.7 140.0 3.2 2.4 4.1 10.7 2.4

 Asia (Dec. 2003=100)......................................... 28.301 113.2 128.9 -1.2 11.8 -3.4 2.5 13.9

 Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......... 13.963 123.6 119.3 7.3 1.6 1.0 5.3 -3.5

 Canada (Dec. 2003=100).................................... 9.532 162.7 158.2 13.6 6.9 3.8 0.7 -2.8

 Outbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100).... 100.000 131.0 131.3 5.7 1.2 9.1 1.8 0.2

 Europe (Dec. 2003=100)..................................... 53.074 139.6 139.3 4.3 0.8 14.0 0.4 -0.2

 Asia (Dec. 2003=100)......................................... 15.604 124.8 127.2 2.7 3.9 10.0 3.2 1.9

 Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......... 18.042 112.7 113.3 7.8 1.2 0.2 2.5 0.5

 Canada (Dec. 2003=100).................................... 8.208 158.3 163.9 24.4 2.9 1.3 1.9 3.5

CRUDE OIL TANKER FREIGHT

2/ Inbound Crude Oil Tanker Freight............................ 100.000 n.a. n.a. n.a. -18.0 12.2 n.a. n.a.

OCEAN LINER FREIGHT

 Inbound Ocean Liner Freight................................... 100.000 112.7 113.9 -11.4 -6.2 -2.3 -1.9 1.1

 U.S. East Coast................................................... 40.728 118.2 118.9 -5.5 -4.3 -0.7 -1.7 0.6

 From Atlantic................................................. 18.056 120.3 120.4 -2.7 -8.0 -0.9 0.0 0.1

 From Pacific.................................................. 16.776 119.9 120.8 -4.1 -1.7 -0.1 -0.2 0.8

 U.S. West Coast.................................................. 59.272 109.7 111.4 -15.0 -7.4 -3.3 -2.1 1.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2000 trade values.

2 Publication of the Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes is lagged two months, as are the relative importance figures.

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

 n.a. Not available

July

2006
14

TECHNICAL NOTE 

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes 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, respectively, by end use for the Bureau of Economic Analysis 

System, industry for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and product category for 

the Harmonized System (HS). While classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, a 

couple of notes are in order for classifying items by industry. In the NAICS tables, for both imports and 

exports, items are classified by output industry, not input industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 

(plastics and rubber products) would 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 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. 

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. 

Services Price Indexes -- Price indexes for internationally traded services 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.). The Air Passenger 

Fares Indexes are calculated from data collected from a commercial airline reservation system. These data 

exclude frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. The Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes are 

calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy, and the publication of these indexes is 

lagged two months. The Air Freight and Ocean Liner Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from companies. Fact sheets specifying detailed information for each services industry are available 

at http://www.bls.gov/mxp/ under “Publications and Other Documentation.” 
15

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 price elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are 

useful for terms of trade analysis. 

Mailing List -- If you wish to be added to the mailing list to receive a copy of the U.S. Import and Export 

Price Index News Release, please either call the IPP information line at (202) 691-7101 or send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov) to provide your name and mailing address. You may also contact the IPP at the 

following address: 

 Division of International Prices 

 Bureau of Labor Statistics 

 PSB Building, Rm. 3955 

 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. 

 Washington, DC 20212-0001 

The information you provide will be used to register you for delivery of selected publications. The Bureau 

of Labor Statistics (BLS) is authorized to request this information under 5 United States Code (USC) Section 

301. Furnishing such information is voluntary, however, BLS may not be able to register you for the 

subscription service if you fail to do so. As part of helping us assess the quality of our customer service, 

BLS may contact subscribers with a customer service survey. 

In addition, the IPP news release is now 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). To access data using Anonymous FTP, use the Internet address 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).