Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-08-1804 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

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

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Thursday, December 11, 2008 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- NOVEMBER 2008 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index fell for the fourth consecutive month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, decreasing 6.7 percent in November as falling prices 

for both petroleum and nonpetroleum imports contributed to the decline. Export prices declined 3.2 

percent in November, the fourth consecutive monthly decrease. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices fell 6.7 percent in November after decreases of 5.4 percent, 3.5 percent, and 3.1 

percent in October, September, and August, respectively. The November decline was the largest onemonth drop since the index was first published monthly in December 1988 and the 17.4 percent decrease 

over the past four months was the largest four-month decline since the index was first published in 

September 1982. Import prices decreased 4.4 percent for the year ended in November; in contrast, 

prices for imports increased 21.4 percent from July 2007 to July 2008. The four-month decline in 

import prices was largely driven by falling petroleum prices, which decreased 25.8 percent in November 

after declining 19.8 percent, 11.2 percent, and 9.8 percent, respectively, in October, September, and 

August. The November drop in petroleum prices was the largest monthly decline since the index was 

first published monthly in December 1988 and the 52.3 percent decrease over the past four months was 

the largest four-month decline since the index was first published in June 1982. For the November 

2007-2008 period, petroleum prices fell 29.0 percent. 

The price index for nonpetroleum imports fell 1.8 percent in November, the largest decrease 

since the index was first published monthly in December 1988. Despite the recent declines, the index 

increased 2.4 percent over the past year. The November decrease was led by a 5.2 percent decline in 

prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, the largest one-month drop for that index 

since a 5.3 percent decrease in April 2003. Lower prices for metals drove the November decline in 

nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices. Falling prices for foods, feeds, and beverages, 

down 5.0 percent, also contributed to the decrease in nonpetroleum prices. 

Finished goods prices decreased as well. The price indexes for capital goods, automotive 

vehicles, and consumer goods fell 0.4 percent, 0.6 percent, and 0.3 percent, respectively, in November, 

paralleling the recent appreciation of the dollar. 

 

Export Goods 

Export prices fell 3.2 percent in November, the largest one-month decline since the index was 

first published monthly in December 1988. The decrease followed drops of 2.0 percent, 0.8 percent, and 

1.6 percent in October, September, and August, respectively. The 7.4 percent decrease over the past 

four months was the largest four-month decline since the index was first published in September 1983. 

As a result of the recent downward trend, export prices fell 0.2 percent over the past 12 months. The 

price index for agricultural exports fell 7.0 percent in November and 23.0 percent over the past four 

months, the largest four-month drop since the index was first published in March 1985. The November 

drop was led by falling prices for meat, corn, soybeans, and wheat. Agricultural prices, which had risen 

39.7 percent from July 2007 to July 2008, fell 2.8 percent for the year ended in November. 

Nonagricultural prices fell for the fourth consecutive month, declining 2.9 percent in November 

following decreases of 1.3 percent, 0.9 percent, and 0.7 percent, respectively, in October, September, 

and August. The November decline was the largest one-month drop for the index since first being 

published monthly in December 1988 and was led by an 8.2 percent drop in prices for nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials. That decline was driven by lower prices for fuels, chemicals, and 

metals. The price index for nonagricultural exports was unchanged over the past year. 

The major finished goods price indexes also decreased in November. Prices for consumer 

goods, capital goods, and automotive vehicles fell 0.9 percent, 0.2 percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

The sharp decline in fuel prices continued to impact import prices from Canada, Mexico, Latin 

America, the Asia Near East, and the European Union. Prices for imports from Canada fell 8.3 percent 

for the month and 1.8 percent over the past 12 months. The price indexes for imports from Mexico and 

Latin America declined 5.0 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively, in November, and 2.6 percent and 7.1 

percent, respectively, over the past year. Prices for imports from Asia Near East decreased 19.7 percent 

this month and 23.7 percent for the year ended in November. The price index for imports from the 

European Union fell 3.1 percent in November and, despite recent declines, increased 2.1 percent over 

the past 12 months. 

 

The price index for imports from China declined for the second consecutive month, falling 0.6 

percent in November, the largest decline since the index was first published in December 2003. Despite 

the recent downturn, the index rose 3.5 percent for the year ended in November. 

In contrast, import prices from Japan rose 0.3 percent in November following a 0.4 percent 

increase the previous month. The index advanced 1.9 percent for the November 2007-2008 period. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares fell for the third time in the past four months, decreasing 5.0 percent 

in November. The November decline was led by a 7.0 percent drop in European fares. Export air 

passenger fares declined for the third consecutive month, falling 4.5 percent in November after 

decreasing 3.8 percent and 11.0 percent in October and September, respectively. The 18.2 percent 

decline over the past three months was the largest three-month drop since the index was first published 

in September 1986. For the year ended in November, however, import air passenger fares rose 22.9 

percent while export air passenger fares advanced 4.0 percent. 

Prices for import air freight decreased for the fourth consecutive month, falling 4.6 percent in 

November. Despite the recent declines, the index increased 5.4 percent over the past 12 months. A 12.3 

percent drop in European air freight prices in November led the overall decline. The price index for 

export air freight fell 1.6 percent in November and 4.7 percent over the past three months; however, the 

index advanced 12.9 percent over the past year. 

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 December are scheduled for release on January 14 at 

8:30 A.M. (EST) 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 130.6 121.9 -4.4 -3.1 -3.5 -5.4 -6.7

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.731 113.1 111.1 2.4 -0.4 -0.9 -0.9 -1.8

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 77.820 116.0 113.9 2.6 0.2 -0.4 -0.8 -1.8

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.564 146.0 138.7 4.0 0.5 -1.6 -1.4 -5.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.541 162.4 152.9 3.9 0.2 -1.8 -1.5 -5.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.023 108.9 106.7 4.1 1.6 -1.2 -0.6 -2.0

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 38.383 217.8 182.8 -14.1 -6.9 -7.9 -12.7 -16.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 18.115 162.4 154.0 5.1 -2.4 -3.0 -3.1 -5.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 16.204 174.1 164.2 6.3 0.2 -1.3 -3.2 -5.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.437 162.5 151.5 2.0 -0.3 -2.7 -4.5 -6.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.767 161.3 156.4 9.4 -5.1 -3.3 -1.3 -3.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 22.180 282.7 215.9 -26.8 -10.4 -11.5 -18.6 -23.6

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.270 298.9 221.8 -29.0 -9.8 -11.2 -19.8 -25.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.807 306.2 232.2 -26.9 -9.7 -13.0 -20.6 -24.2

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.659 185.1 183.2 1.1 -19.1 -16.4 -3.1 -1.0

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.473 176.6 174.5 -0.8 -20.7 -18.6 -3.8 -1.2

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.755 116.2 115.1 6.6 0.7 0.1 -3.0 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 5.083 161.7 155.2 16.1 1.4 1.7 -0.4 -4.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.814 120.6 119.1 3.0 0.7 0.5 -1.7 -1.2

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.900 237.5 209.5 -2.5 -1.1 -5.1 -7.4 -11.8

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 2.026 156.0 147.6 7.4 0.2 -1.4 -2.5 -5.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.626 110.8 110.6 7.1 1.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 21.135 93.2 92.8 0.8 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.4

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.736 112.1 111.4 3.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.6 -0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.764 88.2 87.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.6

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.635 118.3 118.7 3.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 13.155 108.3 107.7 1.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.6

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 22.762 105.2 104.9 2.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 10.497 108.2 108.1 2.7 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.147 102.0 101.7 2.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.118 105.9 103.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.7 -2.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 122.4 118.5 -0.2 -1.6 -0.8 -2.0 -3.2

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.196 172.4 160.4 -2.8 -9.6 0.1 -8.4 -7.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.803 118.8 115.4 0.0 -0.7 -0.9 -1.3 -2.9

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.375 174.4 164.4 -0.9 -10.4 0.3 -8.3 -5.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.694 178.1 166.8 -1.8 -11.1 0.5 -9.0 -6.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.681 143.4 145.6 9.4 -0.9 -1.4 -0.1 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 30.465 162.0 148.6 -3.4 -2.1 -2.7 -4.3 -8.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.228 159.9 149.5 -6.2 0.0 -4.7 -4.3 -6.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 19.235 164.1 148.9 -1.6 -3.4 -1.6 -4.3 -9.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.502 148.5 133.5 -7.9 -1.2 -2.1 -5.7 -10.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 28.963 163.0 149.7 -3.2 -2.2 -2.7 -4.2 -8.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 4.861 240.1 200.1 -10.9 -11.7 -3.0 -10.3 -16.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.060 155.7 145.2 -1.8 0.1 -2.8 -3.1 -6.7

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.042 116.6 116.1 2.0 0.6 0.2 1.0 -0.4

Capital goods..................................... 2 39.289 101.8 101.6 1.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.753 109.7 109.2 1.9 -0.1 0.3 0.2 -0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 27.634 93.7 93.5 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.902 131.1 131.0 5.2 0.1 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.737 108.2 108.1 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.3 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.133 109.8 108.8 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.5 -0.9

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.567 108.7 106.6 -1.3 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3 -1.9

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.558 110.0 109.9 5.3 1.1 1.4 1.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 19.001 139.7 110.3 -22.7 -9.5 -12.2 -17.8 -21.0

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.676 134.3 124.8 4.5 1.6 -2.4 -4.0 -7.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.176 135.7 128.8 4.7 1.4 -1.8 -5.4 -5.1

Mining.............................................. 21 17.325 140.1 108.7 -24.9 -10.3 -12.9 -18.9 -22.4

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.413 129.8 128.0 22.4 1.9 2.0 0.8 -1.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.397 112.2 108.8 0.6 -0.8 -0.7 -1.8 -3.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 9.818 109.3 107.5 1.8 0.1 -0.6 -0.2 -1.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.508 128.2 120.3 3.9 0.2 -1.7 -1.1 -6.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.810 106.1 105.7 1.7 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.4

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.442 113.1 111.8 3.3 0.5 -0.6 -0.5 -1.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.739 102.2 102.3 1.8 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.891 102.0 102.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.429 106.3 106.1 2.9 0.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.345 125.4 115.6 -1.4 -3.0 -0.8 -5.0 -7.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.113 95.5 93.7 0.9 1.1 0.7 -4.3 -1.9

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.283 112.3 111.4 8.6 1.1 0.1 -1.7 -0.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.401 137.2 98.7 -30.7 -11.3 -4.9 -17.1 -28.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.589 129.8 127.4 11.6 0.9 1.2 -0.1 -1.8

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.707 113.6 113.2 7.4 0.5 0.4 -0.5 -0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.155 118.8 119.1 9.1 -0.5 0.1 2.7 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.234 108.6 106.8 1.0 -0.1 -0.7 -0.8 -1.7

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.759 164.0 146.2 -1.9 -1.4 -4.5 -6.8 -10.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.674 121.9 120.9 8.8 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.8

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.631 111.1 110.5 3.9 0.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.5

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.448 91.9 91.5 -3.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.749 114.6 113.9 5.2 0.1 0.3 0.4 -0.6

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.906 105.2 104.7 1.7 0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.5

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.494 111.3 110.4 7.9 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.8

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.574 111.0 110.4 2.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.243 131.6 124.1 -7.8 -13.3 -0.8 -10.7 -5.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.975 147.7 138.8 -7.8 -14.8 0.2 -12.3 -6.0

Crop production................................. 111 4.632 152.5 142.7 -8.3 -15.5 0.3 -13.0 -6.4

Mining.............................................. 21 1.268 95.9 91.6 -7.7 -6.8 -5.0 -3.5 -4.5

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.847 96.0 92.6 -7.5 1.4 -2.6 -3.0 -3.5

Manufactured articles.............................. 91.418 111.9 109.1 1.5 -0.5 -0.6 -1.1 -2.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.981 124.2 120.6 6.3 -0.2 -0.6 -1.5 -2.9

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.630 140.0 134.2 9.0 -0.2 -1.0 -2.1 -4.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.486 104.0 104.0 0.4 -0.8 -1.2 -0.4 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.470 101.3 101.3 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.638 123.5 114.8 0.1 -2.3 -1.0 -2.8 -7.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.524 112.6 111.4 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.1 -1.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.958 116.5 115.3 3.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 -1.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.326 156.5 123.8 -16.1 -13.5 -3.2 -13.1 -20.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.682 122.3 114.6 2.2 0.2 -1.0 -1.5 -6.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.221 112.3 111.5 5.2 0.5 0.8 0.4 -0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.832 111.4 112.1 5.1 0.3 0.8 1.2 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 60.799 106.6 105.9 1.5 0.1 -0.4 -0.4 -0.7

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.536 137.6 126.3 -1.7 0.1 -6.4 -5.2 -8.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.777 119.4 119.1 5.6 0.8 -0.3 0.8 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.135 111.4 111.4 4.8 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.239 93.6 93.2 -3.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.627 107.5 107.1 1.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 16.569 107.7 107.9 2.8 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.574 112.1 111.9 6.6 1.3 1.3 1.4 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.135 138.7 130.0 4.6 3.4 -3.5 -2.9 -6.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.271 169.7 157.1 6.1 2.7 -1.8 -2.1 -7.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.552 105.1 102.1 3.5 2.3 -2.3 -1.5 -2.9

Vegetable products................................ II 1.360 157.5 150.2 5.0 1.4 -1.1 -3.1 -4.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.379 240.2 237.5 21.5 2.7 -1.4 10.8 -1.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.407 109.0 102.7 -0.2 6.2 1.5 -6.6 -5.8

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.236 153.7 147.3 -1.5 -0.8 -1.0 -9.9 -4.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.181 137.3 134.3 5.3 0.1 -1.4 -2.3 -2.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.180 109.0 103.3 – 0.7 -1.8 -2.9 -5.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.234 139.1 134.0 1.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.5 -3.7

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.778 115.1 114.7 2.7 0.1 -2.2 -1.9 -0.3

Mineral products.................................... V 22.040 281.4 217.9 -24.9 -10.3 -11.3 -18.2 -22.6

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.2007=100)... 25 0.209 103.1 102.4 – 0.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 21.411 280.7 215.6 -26.0 -10.5 -11.6 -18.6 -23.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.818 144.8 139.8 10.0 1.2 1.9 -0.3 -3.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.121 293.1 284.5 37.7 5.0 7.2 -0.5 -2.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.484 134.1 124.8 -1.3 0.7 0.1 -0.3 -6.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.252 113.5 113.1 3.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.162 105.6 105.1 2.7 0.7 2.2 -3.6 -0.5

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.405 125.1 122.5 7.6 0.5 -1.5 0.7 -2.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.408 100.2 99.1 -0.1 0.9 -1.7 -0.5 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.966 138.1 133.6 6.7 0.9 0.1 0.1 -3.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.948 134.7 131.5 7.5 1.1 0.1 -0.3 -2.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.018 144.8 137.8 5.2 0.6 0.1 0.8 -4.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.580 114.0 114.2 3.8 0.1 -0.4 1.0 0.2

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

various materials................................ 42 0.533 114.6 114.8 3.9 0.0 -0.4 1.1 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.149 116.7 114.5 0.6 1.2 0.7 -4.5 -1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.428 115.7 114.9 7.2 1.1 0.0 -1.6 -0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.010 114.4 114.0 12.8 1.8 -0.2 0.4 -0.3

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.251 119.3 119.3 1.4 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.925 103.9 103.7 0.8 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.773 100.5 100.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.939 102.6 102.7 0.0 0.2 -0.4 0.3 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.501 95.8 95.7 3.1 0.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.185 106.4 106.2 3.7 0.1 -0.2 0.2 -0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 0.994 105.4 105.2 2.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.996 123.2 123.4 9.0 -0.7 -0.2 3.6 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.370 119.6 119.5 13.6 -0.2 0.2 3.3 -0.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.322 132.8 132.9 9.8 -1.8 -0.2 7.9 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.305 115.8 116.4 3.2 0.1 -0.7 0.0 0.5

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.533 139.3 130.5 -6.8 -2.0 -7.6 -2.2 -6.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 7.219 194.4 178.2 3.5 0.0 -2.0 -4.8 -8.3

Iron and steel...................................... 72 2.339 280.7 258.5 24.6 -1.0 -1.0 -9.0 -7.9

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.865 165.5 162.4 22.2 0.7 -0.1 -0.7 -1.9

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.770 280.1 214.0 -32.0 1.4 -6.3 -8.0 -23.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.962 143.7 126.4 -9.1 1.2 -4.1 -5.4 -12.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.364 117.0 116.4 4.9 0.4 0.2 0.4 -0.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.454 132.2 132.2 4.7 0.3 0.2 1.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 23.583 88.5 88.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.111 88.7 88.1 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.7

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.472 88.4 88.3 0.5 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.115 109.7 109.0 1.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.6

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 11.227 108.8 108.1 1.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.798 112.5 112.7 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 2.816 101.5 101.3 1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.520 99.4 99.3 1.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.223 122.6 120.8 3.1 0.2 -0.4 0.8 -1.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.714 107.5 107.3 5.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.165 113.2 112.7 6.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.352 99.7 99.9 3.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.197 112.5 112.2 4.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.711 177.8 157.7 2.3 1.6 -0.4 -1.3 -11.3

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.929 147.6 124.0 -0.6 3.5 -1.6 -2.6 -16.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.431 148.5 145.9 10.8 -0.5 -1.0 0.5 -1.8

Vegetable products................................ II 4.742 198.2 187.5 -3.5 -15.4 1.1 -11.6 -5.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.633 111.9 109.8 -13.1 2.3 -3.9 -6.1 -1.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.030 227.5 203.8 -7.4 -23.7 8.6 -15.0 -10.4

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.392 203.0 194.9 -0.1 -16.5 -4.4 -15.7 -4.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.353 133.4 132.8 3.9 -1.7 0.4 -2.5 -0.4

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.450 122.1 121.4 3.8 0.2 0.2 1.0 -0.6

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.537 178.6 176.1 1.7 -8.3 1.9 -11.8 -1.4

Mineral products.................................... V 4.939 291.3 250.3 -8.0 -11.4 -3.4 -10.2 -14.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.377 287.1 244.5 -7.4 -12.6 -3.4 -11.1 -14.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.994 144.2 135.6 2.0 -0.7 -0.9 -1.4 -6.0

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.317 211.8 209.4 25.1 1.6 2.0 0.9 -1.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.697 160.4 133.6 -9.5 -2.1 -2.1 -3.2 -16.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.519 116.9 113.9 -1.9 -0.8 -0.7 -0.5 -2.6

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.540 115.1 113.5 -2.8 1.7 -0.3 -0.3 -1.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.670 122.2 119.6 1.2 1.6 -0.8 -0.6 -2.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.419 122.3 121.5 8.5 1.2 1.2 -0.4 -0.7

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.694 130.5 130.9 8.7 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.639 148.8 142.8 6.3 1.8 -0.3 0.0 -4.0

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.497 141.8 136.2 4.6 1.7 -0.6 -0.4 -3.9

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.142 180.3 172.6 14.0 1.9 1.3 1.5 -4.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.387 113.3 111.0 -5.9 -0.5 -0.9 -1.6 -2.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.641 112.0 110.0 -1.0 0.3 -0.4 -0.2 -1.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.521 116.3 107.6 -6.0 0.1 -0.3 -1.4 -7.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.672 121.9 91.8 -25.1 0.0 -0.6 -6.3 -24.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.337 114.8 114.4 4.4 0.3 0.3 0.9 -0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.512 117.3 113.1 -6.8 -0.3 -1.3 -0.1 -3.6

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.222 107.3 104.5 -0.9 -0.1 -0.4 -1.9 -2.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.658 102.7 95.0 -8.4 -1.1 -2.0 -7.1 -7.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.812 113.5 113.5 2.4 0.3 0.4 1.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.431 99.5 99.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.834 174.9 165.7 -2.5 2.0 -6.2 -1.7 -5.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.589 165.7 154.1 -5.0 -0.4 -3.5 -6.0 -7.0

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2007 to

November 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2007 to

Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.395 205.4 185.2 -4.6 -0.9 -6.9 -11.3 -9.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.472 159.3 159.1 7.9 1.6 -0.6 -0.7 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.613 226.2 180.1 -24.9 -1.3 -3.6 -9.3 -20.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.855 126.1 108.8 -22.0 -1.5 -7.0 -9.0 -13.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.394 121.8 121.8 5.4 0.1 0.1 1.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.371 130.6 129.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 -1.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 30.458 94.9 94.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.073 104.3 104.3 1.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.385 84.6 84.5 -0.9 -0.2 0.0 -0.8 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 14.134 117.7 117.8 2.7 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.326 107.7 107.7 1.6 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.075 106.9 106.0 1.0 0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.8

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.439 108.8 108.3 2.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 -0.5

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.770 117.8 117.4 3.0 0.2 0.5 0.3 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.521 95.1 95.1 2.7 -0.3 0.2 0.7 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: November 2007 to November 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2007

to Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Sept. 2008

to Oct.

2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.888 130.9 123.7 -0.3 -1.6 -3.2 -3.1 -5.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.201 240.6 201.0 -11.3 -9.8 -13.9 -13.8 -16.5

Manufactured articles......................... 38.251 122.5 117.6 1.1 -0.1 -1.1 -1.4 -4.0

Other Countries3

............................... 57.112 129.9 120.4 -5.9 -3.4 -3.9 -6.5 -7.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.058 277.6 216.1 -23.6 -9.1 -11.2 -17.7 -22.2

Manufactured articles......................... 44.837 108.9 106.4 0.4 -0.6 -0.6 -2.1 -2.3

Canada............................................ 16.032 153.8 141.0 -1.8 -2.9 -5.1 -3.9 -8.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.711 237.9 199.2 -11.3 -10.5 -14.4 -13.0 -16.3

Manufactured articles......................... 12.028 138.5 131.0 1.8 0.9 -0.6 -0.1 -5.4

European Union4

............................... 17.355 129.8 125.8 2.1 -0.7 -1.3 -1.4 -3.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.249 262.7 215.9 -23.6 -9.4 -12.4 -22.8 -17.8

Manufactured articles......................... 16.987 127.1 123.4 2.5 -0.5 -1.2 -0.9 -2.9

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.844 120.7 118.6 7.4 0.7 -0.4 0.0 -1.7

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.732 110.9 109.1 0.4 -0.2 -1.1 -0.9 -1.6

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.684 128.9 120.8 -3.1 -3.2 -4.2 -3.7 -6.3

Latin America5

.................................. 18.032 164.8 151.1 -7.1 -4.5 -5.3 -8.8 -8.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.151 286.6 230.3 -21.2 -9.7 -10.4 -17.7 -19.6

Manufactured articles......................... 12.786 139.2 135.7 0.4 -0.9 -2.0 -3.6 -2.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.710 140.2 133.2 -2.6 -2.5 -2.7 -6.6 -5.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 33.822 102.3 101.7 1.8 0.1 -1.1 -0.2 -0.6

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 15.926 103.6 103.0 3.5 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.6

Japan.............................................. 8.032 95.4 95.7 1.9 0.0 -0.5 0.4 0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.887 92.5 92.0 2.7 1.7 -0.7 -0.8 -0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 6.041 100.0 98.6 0.3 -1.0 -1.2 -1.5 -1.4

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 3.928 222.9 178.9 -23.7 -7.6 -9.1 -16.0 -19.7

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2007 to November 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20081

Index Percent change

Oct.

2008

Nov.

2008

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2007

to Nov.

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 152.6 145.6 5.4 -0.2 -3.2 -2.9 -4.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 28.795 160.0 140.4 -1.7 1.6 -7.7 -5.2 -12.3

Asia.................................................... 59.663 126.9 125.8 6.3 -1.7 -0.6 -1.4 -0.9

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 141.6 139.4 12.9 2.2 -1.4 -1.9 -1.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 42.870 134.4 130.0 18.6 2.3 -1.6 -3.9 -3.3

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 148.3 143.2 6.8 0.2 -2.5 -2.2 -3.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.920 155.3 141.3 1.8 1.5 -6.0 -4.0 -9.0

Asia.................................................... 56.269 122.5 122.0 8.2 -1.0 -0.2 -1.1 -0.4

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 142.8 139.1 15.0 0.3 -1.7 -2.9 -2.6

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.657 162.6 158.9 15.5 1.5 -2.3 -3.4 -2.3

Asia.................................................... 40.777 127.7 123.9 14.7 -1.0 -1.1 -3.0 -3.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 165.9 157.6 22.9 -3.0 -6.9 2.9 -5.0

Europe................................................. 46.223 176.1 163.7 33.9 -1.7 -10.1 4.1 -7.0

Asia.................................................... 23.661 136.3 138.3 20.2 -5.7 -7.8 0.9 1.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 10.723 129.7 129.4 1.9 -1.0 -13.0 -3.3 -0.2

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 165.3 157.9 4.0 6.0 -11.0 -3.8 -4.5

Europe................................................. 30.427 202.5 191.7 8.7 -0.4 -10.9 -4.4 -5.3

Asia.................................................... 35.059 140.4 139.4 17.2 19.7 -14.9 -3.9 -0.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 20.081 166.9 159.7 -6.8 4.4 -8.3 -1.2 -4.3

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2006 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2005 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, 

with a two-year lag in the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More 

detailed index series and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by 

calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 

calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. 

The scope of the service being priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does 

not include any ground transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two 

definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 

International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets 

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

"Publications and Other Documentation."

14
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

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

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp). Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access to 

either a large volume of time series data or other IPP-related documentation. The FTP site can be 

accessed at ftp://ftp.bls.gov. For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For IPP data requests, send e-mail to (mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

15