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                    U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                              - OCTOBER 2006 -

        The U.S. Import Price Index declined 2.0 percent for the second 
consecutive month in October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. 
Department of Labor reported today. The decrease was again led by declining 
petroleum prices, which fell 8.3 percent in October following a decrease of 9.7 
percent in September. Export prices fell 0.4 percent in October, after declining 
by the same amount the previous month.   
        

               Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                              by End Use category
                           -not seasonally adjusted-

                           IMPORTS                       EXPORTS

 Month                                Non-                Agri-    Nonagri-
                   All    Petroleum petroleum    All     cultural  cultural
                 Imports   Imports   Imports   Exports   Exports    Exports
2005
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       0.6        0.7
June               0.1      -1.1       0.4       0.7       2.6        0.6
July               0.8       3.6 r     0.0 r     0.4       1.9        0.2
August             0.7 r     1.5 r     0.5       0.4       0.9        0.4 r
September         -2.0 r    -9.7 r     0.2 r    -0.4 r    -0.5 r     -0.3 r
October           -2.0      -8.3      -0.6      -0.4       1.1       -0.5

October 2004-05    8.2      31.2       3.8       3.7       4.8        3.6
October 2005-06   -0.2      -2.9       0.5       2.8       5.4        2.6

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods
        
     The 2.0 percent decreases in September and October followed increases 
in each of the prior five months and led import prices down 0.2 percent for the 
year ended in October.  Once again lower petroleum prices, which felt 8.3 
percent for the month, were the largest contributing factor to the drop. Despite 
increasing 23.8 percent from February to August, petroleum prices declined 
2.9 percent over the past 12 months.  The price index for nonpetroleum imports 
decreased 0.6 percent in October, the first monthly decline since March, but 
rose 0.5 percent over the past year.     
        
     The October decrease in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 2.7 percent 
decline in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials.  
A sharp drop in natural gas prices was the primary contributor to the decline, 
although a downturn in metals prices as well as lower building materials prices 
also factored into the decrease.  Unfinished metal prices, which were up 36.8 
percent over the past year, fell 1.0 percent in October.                    
                  
     The price indexes for automotive vehicles, consumer goods, and foods, 
feeds, and beverages all rose in October, increasing 0.3 percent, 0.1 percent, 
and 0.2 percent, respectively.  The increase in automotive vehicles prices was 
the largest monthly gain since a similar 0.3 percent increase in October 2004, 
and was attributable to year-end model changeovers.    

     Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 percent in October because of lower 
prices for computers, peripherals, and semiconductors.  Excluding computer 
prices, prices for capital goods rose 0.2 percent for the month.  


Export Goods 

     Export prices declined 0.4 percent in October following a similar 0.4 
percent drop in September, marking the first time the index has decreased in 
consecutive months in over three years.  A 0.5 percent decrease in 
nonagricultural prices more than offset a 1.1 percent increase in the price index 
for agricultural exports.  Agricultural prices resumed an upward trend after 
declining 0.5 percent in September.  The October increase was led by higher 
prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans.  Prices for agricultural exports increased 
5.4 percent over the past 12 months.  The decrease in nonagricultural prices 
followed a 0.3 percent decline in September, which was the first monthly drop 
for the index since November 2005.  Despite the October decreases, the price 
indexes for both nonagricultural exports and overall exports increased for the 
October 2005-2006 period, rising 2.6 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively.                 
        
     A 1.8 percent decrease in prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials drove the October decline in nonagricultural prices.  The drop in 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices, which followed a 1.2 
percent decrease in September, was the largest monthly decline for the index in 
11 months.  A drop in fuel prices was the biggest reason for the decline, but 
lower metals and chemical prices were also contributing factors.          
                  
     In contrast, prices for each of the major finished goods areas either rose or 
were unchanged in October.  Capital goods prices and prices for automotive 
vehicles increased 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, while the price 
index for consumer goods recorded no change for the month. 


Imports by Locality of Origin 
   
     Import prices from Canada fell 3.4 percent in October after declining 
2.3 percent the previous month.  The decrease was the largest one-month drop 
since April 2003 and was driven by lower fuel prices.  Prices of imports from 
Canada decreased 5.9 percent for the year ended in October.  Declining fuel 
prices also led the price index for imports from Mexico down in October.  The 
index, which fell 1.6 percent for the month, rose 5.6 percent over the past year.
        
     The price indexes for imports from Japan and China also decreased in 
October, declining 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.  The October drop 
in import prices from Japan was the third decline in the past four months and 
the index decreased 1.7 percent for the year ended in October.  The fall in 
prices from China followed a 0.2 percent decline in September and the index 
was down 1.3 percent over the past 12 months.           
   
     In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union increased 0.2 
percent in October as a 0.4 percent advance in manufactured articles prices 
more than offset a 5.5 percent decline in prices for nonmanufactured articles.  
Import prices from the European Union rose 4.7 percent for the October 2005-
2006 period.


Import and Export Services

     Import air passenger fares declined 4.1 percent in October, led down for the 
second consecutive month by lower seasonal European and Asian fares.  
Despite the decreases in September and October, import air passenger fares 
rose 5.9 percent over the past 12 months.  Export air passenger fares also fell in 
October, declining 1.9 percent following a 7.6 percent drop in September.  The 
index increased 3.0 percent for the year ended in October.      

     Both import and export air freight prices decreased in October after rising in September.  
Prices for import air freight edged down 0.2 percent following a 0.5 percent advance the 
previous month.  The price index for export air freight fell 0.7 percent in October after 
increasing 1.4 percent the month before.  


                       CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for November are scheduled for release on December 14 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.).  


Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  October 2005-October 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                    Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         Oct.    June    July    Aug.    Sept.
 END                            Description                                                       2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                              September September   October    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2006      2006      2006     Oct.    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.
                                                                      1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES.......................................... 100.000    116.6      114.3    -0.2     0.8     0.7    -2.0    -2.0
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..........................  80.571    104.9      104.3     0.5     0.0     0.5     0.2    -0.6
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS
                (Dec. 2001=100)...................................  78.314    107.7      107.6     2.5     0.0     0.3     0.2    -0.1

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................   4.355    120.9      121.1     5.2     0.1     2.1     0.2     0.2

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............   3.275    130.3      130.7     5.9    -0.2     2.7     0.3     0.3

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)   1.080     99.9       99.7     3.3     0.9     0.6    -0.1    -0.2

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................  36.954    174.1      164.3    -2.0     1.6     1.5    -5.2    -5.6
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...........................  17.525    135.4      131.7    -0.7    -0.9     1.6     0.4    -2.7
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)...............  15.268    144.4      143.3    10.3    -0.9     0.5     0.9    -0.8
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................   9.978    139.8      138.0    14.4    -1.8     0.9     1.5    -1.3
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................   7.547    129.1      123.2   -15.7     0.4     2.4    -0.8    -4.6

10               Fuels & lubricants...............................  21.687    220.7      200.8    -9.3     3.2     2.1    -9.1    -9.0
100                  Petroleum & petroleum products...............  19.429    230.3      211.2    -2.9     3.6     1.5    -9.7    -8.3
10000                        Crude................................  14.139    231.1      216.4     2.0     4.5     0.2    -9.3    -6.4

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................   0.940    113.0      113.3     7.5     0.5     0.8     0.2     0.3

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................   4.444    121.0      121.2     2.5     0.9    -0.6     0.0     0.2

13               Selected building materials......................   1.990    116.4      112.7    -6.1    -0.3    -1.4     1.0    -3.2

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......   4.711    194.0      192.1    36.8    -4.7     2.4     2.9    -1.0

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........   1.641    128.4      126.1     6.8     2.6     0.3    -0.4    -1.8

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............   1.542    101.4      101.8     0.9     0.1     0.3    -0.1     0.4

2          CAPITAL GOODS..........................................  21.014     91.3       91.2    -0.1     0.1     0.0     0.0    -0.1

20               Electric generating equipment....................   2.528    102.5      102.6     3.4     0.1    -0.2     0.5     0.1

21               Nonelectrical machinery..........................  16.831     87.8       87.7    -0.8     0.1     0.0    -0.1    -0.1

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)............   1.654    108.4      109.0     2.4     0.2     0.1     0.2     0.6

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................  14.317    104.1      104.4     0.7     0.2     0.0     0.0     0.3

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES.....................................  23.360    100.5      100.6     1.0     0.5     0.1     0.1     0.1

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................  11.058    103.0      102.9     0.0     0.4     0.0     0.0    -0.1

41               Durables, manufactured...........................  11.144     97.8       97.9     1.8     0.5     0.2     0.1     0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................   1.158    100.5      102.2     1.8     1.1     0.4     0.4     1.7


     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


Table  2     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  October 2005-October 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         Oct.    June    July    Aug.    Sept.
 END                             Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                 September September   October    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Oct.    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    111.7      111.3     2.8     0.4     0.4    -0.4    -0.4
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................   7.703    127.1      128.5     5.4     1.9     0.9    -0.5     1.1
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................  92.296    110.6      110.1     2.6     0.2     0.4    -0.3    -0.5

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................   6.983    128.9      130.4     6.0     2.3     0.8    -0.5     1.2

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................   6.233    129.2      131.0     6.6     2.5     0.7    -0.5     1.4

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...   0.750    125.8      125.0     1.0     0.5     1.0    -0.9    -0.6

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS...........................  30.550    139.5      137.2     5.5     0.3     1.4    -1.2    -1.6
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................  11.172    147.1      145.3    15.5    -0.8     1.2     0.2    -1.2
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE.......................................  19.378    135.6      132.9     0.2     1.0     1.5    -2.0    -2.0

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........   1.470    118.1      117.8     0.4    -0.6     1.8    -0.5    -0.3

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS..................................  29.079    141.0      138.5     5.7     0.4     1.4    -1.2    -1.8

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................   4.793    191.1      177.1    -7.5     1.4     4.1    -7.8    -7.3

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials.........  23.141    136.3      135.3     8.5     0.1     0.8     0.2    -0.7

13               Selected building materials.........................   1.145    110.0      110.3     4.3     0.0     0.3    -0.1     0.3

2          CAPITAL GOODS.............................................  39.514     98.5       98.7     1.0     0.1    -0.2     0.2     0.2

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................   3.837    105.1      106.0     2.6     0.0     0.1     0.2     0.9

21               Nonelectrical machinery.............................  29.098     92.5       92.7     0.1     0.0    -0.3     0.1     0.2

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)...............   6.579    117.7      118.1     4.4     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.3

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES......................  10.689    105.2      105.3     1.2     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.1

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................  12.264    103.9      103.9     1.9     0.2     0.1     0.1     0.0

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................   6.008    103.7      103.5     1.8     0.3     0.0     0.1    -0.2

41               Durables, manufactured..............................   5.259    103.0      103.2     1.8     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.2


     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


Table  3     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  October 2005-October 2006          December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         Oct.    June    July    Aug.    Sept.
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                       September September   October    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     Oct.    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................  18.171    108.4      100.3    n.a.     3.6     1.7    -7.5    -7.5

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   1.464    106.1      105.5    n.a.     0.9     6.4     0.3    -0.6
111                  Agricultural products.............................   1.028    102.3      102.6    n.a.    -0.4    11.0     1.1     0.3

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................  16.707    108.6       99.8    n.a.     3.9     1.4    -8.2    -8.1

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  81.182    103.2      102.5    n.a.     0.1     0.4    -0.6    -0.7

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................  10.424    101.2      101.2    n.a.     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.0
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   2.497    103.1      103.2    n.a.     0.2     0.5     0.0     0.1
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.812    101.8      101.9    n.a.     0.7     0.1     0.1     0.1
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   0.517    103.3      103.6    n.a.     0.0     0.2    -0.3     0.3
314                  Textile mill products.............................   0.732    100.8      100.7    n.a.     0.4     0.1     0.0    -0.1
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   4.390    100.0       99.9    n.a.     0.2     0.0     0.0    -0.1
316                  Leather and allied products.......................   1.476    100.9      100.9    n.a.     0.2     0.0     0.1     0.0

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  17.560    104.2      100.7    n.a.     0.9     1.2    -3.5    -3.4
321                  Wood products.....................................   1.307     96.7       92.0    n.a.    -0.7    -2.4     1.6    -4.9
322                  Paper.............................................   1.482    105.3      105.7    n.a.     0.7     0.6     0.2     0.4
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   4.347    109.1       95.3    n.a.     0.7     3.9   -13.3   -12.6
325                  Chemicals.........................................   7.615    103.2      103.3    n.a.     1.4     0.6     0.1     0.1
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   1.614    102.9      103.0    n.a.     0.3     0.6     0.4     0.1
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   1.091    103.7      103.9    n.a.     0.3     0.0     0.2     0.2

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  53.198    103.3      103.3    n.a.    -0.1     0.2     0.3     0.0
331                  Primary metals....................................   5.407    134.8      132.6    n.a.    -3.5     2.3     2.7    -1.6
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.480    104.8      104.6    n.a.     0.6     0.8     0.4    -0.2
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................   6.295    102.4      102.9    n.a.     0.2    -0.1     0.1     0.5
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  13.966     97.6       97.4    n.a.    -0.2    -0.1    -0.2    -0.2
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.545    103.4      103.4    n.a.     0.3     0.0     0.6     0.0
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  15.194    100.5      100.8    n.a.     0.2     0.0     0.0     0.3
337                  Furniture and fixtures............................   1.484    100.7      100.7    n.a.     0.1     0.0     0.3     0.0
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.826    104.1      104.7    n.a.     1.5     0.3     0.0     0.6


     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


Table  4     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  October 2005-October 2006          December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         Oct.    June    July    Aug.    Sept.
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                       September September   October    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     Oct.    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................   5.772    101.6      100.9    n.a.    -0.4     0.4    -3.7    -0.7

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   4.116    105.2      107.2    n.a.     1.8     0.4    -2.0     1.9
111                  Agricultural products.............................   3.686    105.2      107.5    n.a.     1.9     0.4    -1.9     2.2

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................   1.656     93.7       87.1    n.a.    -5.3     0.5    -7.7    -7.0
211                  Oil and gas.......................................   0.462     83.4       63.3    n.a.    -0.5    18.7   -12.9   -24.1
212                  Minerals and ores.................................   1.194     98.3       97.9    n.a.    -6.8    -5.6    -5.7    -0.4

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  91.834    103.1      102.8    n.a.     0.2     0.4    -0.2    -0.3

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................   6.655    102.0      102.2    n.a.     0.8     1.3     0.3     0.2
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   3.844    104.3      104.2    n.a.     1.5     2.2     0.7    -0.1
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.564    100.3       99.9    n.a.     0.6    -0.2    -0.7    -0.4
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   1.046     96.8       97.7    n.a.     0.1     0.1     0.1     0.9
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   0.623    100.1      100.1    n.a.     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  24.135    106.3      104.9    n.a.     0.8     0.9    -1.1    -1.3
321                  Wood products.....................................   0.562    104.0      104.1    n.a.     0.4     0.7     0.0     0.1
322                  Paper.............................................   2.151    107.2      107.6    n.a.     0.8     0.4     0.3     0.4
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   2.685    114.7      104.2    n.a.     1.0     3.4   -11.5    -9.2
325                  Chemicals.........................................  15.284    105.5      105.0    n.a.     0.9     0.7     0.3    -0.5
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   2.454    103.5      104.1    n.a.     0.4     0.4     0.3     0.6
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   0.896    102.6      102.5    n.a.     0.0     0.0     0.3    -0.1

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  61.044    102.1      102.1    n.a.     0.1     0.0     0.2     0.0
331                  Primary metals....................................   3.996    120.2      117.7    n.a.    -1.4     2.6     0.2    -2.1
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.761    106.7      107.1    n.a.     1.2     0.2    -0.1     0.4
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................  12.102    102.3      102.6    n.a.     0.7     0.1     0.1     0.3
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  17.961     98.0       97.9    n.a.    -0.5    -0.5     0.2    -0.1
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.476    101.5      102.4    n.a.     0.1     0.2    -0.1     0.9
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  16.197    102.1      102.3    n.a.     0.2     0.1     0.2     0.2
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.232    102.2      102.7    n.a.     0.1     0.1     0.1     0.5


     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


Table  5     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  October 2005-October 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Oct.    June    July    Aug.    Sept.
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                               September September   October    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Oct.    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.223    121.2      121.0     3.7     1.6     0.5     0.4    -0.2
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................   0.345    140.3      142.4     2.7     1.0     1.4    -0.1     1.5
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.645     99.0       98.5     5.1     1.3     0.9     0.2    -0.5
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................   0.233    156.2      154.3     1.9     3.0    -1.7     1.6    -1.2

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   1.156    119.6      120.8     8.3     0.7     9.1     0.2     1.0
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................   0.326    162.1      165.1    10.5    -4.5    18.4    -0.2     1.9
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.297     87.7       87.0     1.5    -2.7    10.7    -0.3    -0.8
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................   0.248    127.4      130.5    20.6     3.1     7.2     1.7     2.4
      2/         Other vegetable products............................   0.285    117.0      117.7     3.2     7.9     0.2     0.0     0.6

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.035    119.1      118.8     3.6    -0.2    -0.4     0.0    -0.3
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................   0.788    127.6      127.3     2.4    -0.7    -0.9     0.2    -0.2
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............   0.254    117.4      117.4    14.9    -0.4    -0.2     0.1     0.0
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................   0.776    110.5      110.0     2.5     0.5    -0.2     0.0    -0.5

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................  21.467    219.5      199.9    -9.3     3.3     1.8    -8.9    -8.9
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........  21.128    219.1      199.2    -9.5     3.3     1.8    -9.0    -9.1
      2/         Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..............   0.339    142.1      143.1    14.2     1.7     0.6     0.6     0.7

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................   6.927    114.9      115.6     1.5     0.5     0.1    -0.3     0.6
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.728    159.9      166.3     7.9     1.6     0.5     3.0     4.0
29               Organic chemicals...................................   2.730    116.7      117.5     4.1     1.4    -1.2    -1.4     0.7
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   1.932    105.8      105.1    -5.2    -0.3    -0.1    -0.3    -0.7
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............   0.174    101.4      101.4     0.8    -0.1    -0.1     2.8     0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)........   0.382    109.5      111.3     3.8     0.9     1.6     0.0     1.6
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   0.397     94.2       94.6     1.8     0.8     0.9     0.3     0.4

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   2.853    121.8      122.1     5.9     1.7     0.1    -0.3     0.2
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   1.870    119.8      120.9     4.7     1.4     0.7     0.3     0.9
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   0.983    125.8      124.4     8.5     2.1    -0.9    -1.6    -1.1

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.621    105.7      105.7     1.7     0.3     0.1     0.1     0.0
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................   0.533    105.8      105.8     1.7     0.5     0.1     0.1     0.0

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   1.398    119.2      113.3   -10.2    -0.6    -2.0     1.4    -4.9

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   1.675    109.5      109.6     5.3     0.7     0.6     0.2     0.1
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............   0.229    125.1      125.7    19.1     2.7     3.2     1.4     0.5
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.176    106.9      106.9     3.7     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.0
49               Printed matter......................................   0.269    114.7      115.0     2.0     0.8     0.2     0.3     0.3

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   5.451    101.1      101.1     0.4     0.3     0.0     0.1     0.0
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............   1.977    100.1      100.1     0.4    -0.1     0.2    -0.1     0.0
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........   2.197     99.6       99.4    -0.8     0.5    -0.1     0.0    -0.2
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................   0.489     94.5       94.4     1.5     0.9     0.0     0.0    -0.1
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................   0.788    110.8      111.6     3.0     0.5     0.2     0.5     0.7

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................   1.236    100.7      100.7     0.5     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.0
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................   1.040    101.2      101.2     0.5     0.1     0.0     0.1     0.0
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................   0.196     97.7       97.7     0.4    -0.5     0.0     0.0     0.0

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.961    109.3      109.4     3.4     0.4     0.0     0.3     0.1
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)............   0.320    103.7      104.1     3.3     0.2    -0.1     0.3     0.4
69               Ceramic products....................................   0.305    113.4      113.2     1.6     1.2     0.1     0.3    -0.2
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.336    109.7      109.7     5.3    -0.4     0.2     0.2     0.0

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.758    125.5      124.3    20.7    -2.1     1.9     0.6    -1.0

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................   6.594    161.9      160.9    22.1    -0.6     1.5     1.7    -0.6
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.735    186.8      187.3    18.7     2.2     0.7     4.4     0.3
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.426    125.9      125.8     1.3     0.7     0.1    -0.2    -0.1
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.873    307.0      287.7    74.9    -1.2     5.2     1.3    -6.3
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   1.010    139.5      140.1    20.8    -4.9    -1.0    -1.3     0.4
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.376    107.0      107.3     2.6    -0.8     0.1     0.1     0.3
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.463    122.1      122.3     9.4     0.6     1.3     1.1     0.2
      2/         Other base metals and articles of base metals.......   0.711    228.5      230.5    77.0    -3.6     6.2     5.7     0.9

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.................  23.334     88.1       88.0    -0.6     0.1    -0.1     0.0    -0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  12.122     88.4       88.3    -0.6     0.1     0.0     0.0    -0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........  11.212     87.9       87.8    -0.3     0.1    -0.2     0.1    -0.1

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.225    105.0      105.4     0.7     0.1     0.0     0.0     0.4
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................  12.182    104.4      104.8     0.6     0.1     0.0     0.0     0.4
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (Dec. 2002=100)......................   0.906    107.0      107.5     1.9     0.0     0.1     0.3     0.5

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   3.099     99.5       99.8    -0.1    -0.2     0.0     0.1     0.3
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................   2.756     98.1       98.3    -0.6    -0.3     0.0     0.1     0.2
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................   0.247    111.8      113.3     4.9    -0.1     0.0     0.0     1.3

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   3.771     99.9      100.1     0.7     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.2
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........   2.191    103.8      104.2     0.8     0.2     0.0     0.3     0.4
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   1.369     94.8       94.9     0.9     0.2     0.2     0.1     0.1
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................   0.211    101.7      101.8     0.2    -0.9     0.0    -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


Table  6     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  October 2005-October 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Oct.    June    July    Aug.    Sept.
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                               September September   October    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Oct.    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.389    135.5      135.0     0.0     4.3     3.4     0.4    -0.4
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.452    123.6      120.6    -0.7     0.7     1.2    -1.3    -2.4

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   3.708    133.9      137.4    10.2     2.0     1.0    -0.8     2.6
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.683    118.6      110.3   -11.9     7.3    -0.7    -2.9    -7.0
10               Cereals.............................................   1.659    140.9      150.6    23.4     2.3    -1.1     1.7     6.9
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............   0.819    118.5      120.6     0.8     2.4    -1.8    -2.9     1.8

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.293    113.8      114.2     3.8     0.4     0.7     0.1     0.4
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................   0.433    108.7      108.8    -0.1     0.4     0.0     0.2     0.1
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............   0.411    126.5      129.6     8.7    -1.2     0.3     0.6     2.5
      2/         Other prepared foods................................   0.801    111.1      110.4     2.2     0.5     1.5    -0.4    -0.6

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................   4.491    223.5      207.4   -10.7    -1.0     3.1    -8.1    -7.2
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........   3.712    210.5      192.1   -16.6     1.0     4.3    -9.0    -8.7

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  12.418    125.0      124.8     5.5     0.9     0.4     0.5    -0.2
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   1.221    158.9      160.2    24.8     0.6     0.3     1.3     0.8
29               Organic chemicals...................................   4.439    142.6      140.9     5.8     2.0     1.1     0.9    -1.2
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   2.422    109.6      109.4     2.1     0.3     0.0     0.2    -0.2
31               Fertilizers.........................................   0.370    148.2      150.2    -5.5     2.9    -0.7    -1.1     1.3
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............   0.633    109.8      109.9     3.5    -1.2     0.3     0.1     0.1
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................   0.705    114.3      115.8     2.5    -0.2    -0.4     0.2     1.3
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........   0.407    108.3      108.0     3.3     0.1    -0.6    -0.6    -0.3
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............   0.368    104.7      104.4     0.4     2.2    -0.2     0.3    -0.3
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   1.616    112.4      113.2     4.3     0.2     0.4     0.2     0.7

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   6.012    130.7      129.7     2.8     0.5     0.8     0.2    -0.8
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   4.872    127.6      126.4     1.0     0.4     1.0     0.2    -0.9
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   1.140    143.2      143.3    11.1     0.9     0.1     0.1     0.1

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.487    117.9      120.6     6.8    -0.1     0.4     0.6     2.3
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................   0.348    112.2      115.9     7.6    -0.1     0.6     0.7     3.3

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   0.750    108.3      108.5     4.6     0.0     0.8    -0.4     0.2

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   2.711    107.3      107.2     5.7     0.9     0.3     0.6    -0.1
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.598    101.6      102.0     8.1     1.8     1.2     1.7     0.4
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.506    106.7      106.9     6.6     0.4     0.2     0.2     0.2
49               Printed material....................................   0.607    118.4      117.4     2.2     1.0    -0.2     0.3    -0.8

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   2.703    101.5      101.1     0.2    -0.5     0.7    -0.6    -0.4
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...   0.726     92.4       90.8    -1.0    -2.1     2.9    -2.6    -1.7
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100).................   0.320     94.7       94.6    -0.4     0.0     0.0     0.1    -0.1
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)..   1.658    114.9      115.1     1.0     0.1    -0.1     0.3     0.2

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.822    104.1      103.9     1.1    -0.1    -0.2     0.3    -0.2
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.463     95.5       95.2     0.0    -0.2    -0.2     0.5    -0.3

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.890    138.1      135.8    20.1    -4.8     1.9     0.4    -1.7

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................   5.715    158.0      156.5    17.1     2.0     1.4     0.6    -0.9
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.241    184.4      177.0    11.9     1.5     2.6     2.0    -4.0
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.335    138.1      137.9     9.7     2.2     0.4     0.0    -0.1
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.827    251.2      248.4    55.4     4.6     4.0     0.2    -1.1
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   0.925    139.8      140.1    21.8    -4.3     1.6    -1.5     0.2
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.416    111.3      112.9     7.1     0.6     0.0     0.0     1.4
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.444    124.8      124.9     6.7     1.4    -0.2    -0.4     0.1

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...............  32.195     93.7       93.9     0.2     0.0    -0.2     0.1     0.2
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  18.022    102.1      102.2     2.1     0.3     0.1     0.2     0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............  14.173     84.6       84.7    -2.3    -0.4    -0.5     0.0     0.1

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.347    112.0      112.2     2.2     0.2     0.1     0.2     0.2
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................   8.804    104.8      105.0     1.0     0.2     0.0     0.0     0.2

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   6.280    102.4      102.6     1.0    -0.2     0.1     0.1     0.2

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   1.425    101.6      101.6     1.5     0.3     0.1     0.1     0.0
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........   0.778    107.6      107.9     2.3     0.5     0.1     0.0     0.3
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   0.507     94.8       94.3     0.5    -0.1     0.3     0.2    -0.5


     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


Table  7     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin
                  October 2005-October 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                           Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                       Percentage                        Oct.      June     July     Aug.     Sept.
                        Description                        of                            2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                          U.S.   September  October       to        to       to       to       to
                                                        Imports    2006       2006       Oct.      July     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.
                                                           1/                            2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 46.371   117.1      114.3       -1.1      -0.3      0.6     -0.6     -2.4
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.994   183.9      164.5      -24.3       2.1      4.2     -9.0    -10.5
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 41.944   111.8      110.2        2.1      -0.5      0.1      0.4     -1.4

 3/ Other Countries..................................... 53.651   115.3      112.9        0.8       1.6      0.2     -1.9     -2.1
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  9.299   212.4      198.8        3.5       4.3      1.1     -6.5     -6.4
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 44.152   101.4      100.7        0.0       0.7     -0.2     -0.3     -0.7

    Canada.............................................. 17.089   129.6      125.2       -5.9       0.4      1.2     -2.3     -3.4
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.239   182.7      161.4      -29.8       2.3      4.8     -9.9    -11.7
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.575   119.9      118.6        2.9      -0.2      0.2      0.0     -1.1

 4/ European Union...................................... 18.654   120.6      120.9        4.7       0.1      0.0      0.1      0.2
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  0.367   227.5      215.1        1.3       0.5      1.4     -3.7     -5.5
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 18.150   118.3      118.8        4.6       0.1      0.1      0.1      0.4

    France (Dec. 2003=100)..............................  1.971   104.1      105.1        3.2       0.0      0.1      0.2      1.0

    Germany (Dec. 2003=100).............................  5.187   104.9      105.2        1.5       0.8      0.0      0.4      0.3

    United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)......................  2.947   119.7      119.2        3.2      -0.3      0.1      0.1     -0.4

 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.406   142.3      139.1        3.8       2.0     -0.3     -1.9     -2.2
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  4.158   216.0      203.2        5.4       4.7      0.7     -5.8     -5.9
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.173   128.5      127.7        3.1       0.8     -0.9     -0.2     -0.6

    Mexico (Dec. 2003=100).............................. 10.594   121.9      119.9        5.6       2.3      2.1     -2.2     -1.6

 6/ Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 34.090    98.8       98.5       -0.9       0.1      0.1     -0.1     -0.3

    China (Dec. 2003=100)............................... 13.773    97.4       97.3       -1.3       0.1      0.1     -0.2     -0.1

    Japan...............................................  8.920    94.4       94.1       -1.7      -0.2      0.0     -0.1     -0.3

 7/ Asian NICs..........................................  7.216    89.3       89.3        0.0       0.6     -0.1     -0.3      0.0

 8/ ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)...............................  6.086    99.0       98.3        0.9       2.4     -0.3     -0.6     -0.7

 9/ Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)......................  3.547   182.7      174.7        3.2       2.9     -0.4     -5.4     -4.4


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


Table  8     U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Transportation Services
                  October 2005-October 2006     2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                         Index                         Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         import-                       Annual            Monthly
                                                          ance                          Oct.      June     July     Aug.     Sept.
                        Description                                                     2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                        September  September  October    to        to       to       to       to
                                                          2006       2006      2006     Oct.      July     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.
                                                           1/                           2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

    AIR FREIGHT
      Import Air Freight................................ 100.000    133.1     132.9      n.a.     -1.3     -0.7      0.5     -0.2
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  39.454    131.8     130.8      n.a.     -1.1      0.0      1.4     -0.8
           Asia.........................................  48.537    115.5     115.9      n.a.     -1.9     -1.5     -0.2      0.3

      Export Air Freight................................ 100.000    118.2     117.4      n.a.     -0.3      0.9      1.4     -0.7

      Inbound Air Freight............................... 100.000    128.8     127.7      n.a.     -0.9      0.1      0.5     -0.9
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  39.625    126.9     124.8      n.a.     -1.0      1.0      0.8     -1.7
           Asia.........................................  47.943    110.8     110.5      n.a.     -1.1     -0.7      0.1     -0.3

      Outbound Air Freight.............................. 100.000    117.0     116.3      n.a.     -0.5     -0.3      0.6     -0.6
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  42.221    133.0     130.5      n.a.     -1.4      0.6      0.1     -1.9
           Asia.........................................  41.813    107.4     106.8      n.a.      0.2     -1.3     -0.6     -0.6

    AIR PASSENGER FARES
      Import Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    130.9     125.5       5.9      2.0     -0.8     -5.4     -4.1
           Europe.......................................  62.447    127.9     119.2       5.0      0.3     -0.4     -3.8     -6.8
           Asia.........................................  12.875    112.9     110.3       1.9      4.2     -3.4    -15.2     -2.3
           Latin America/Caribbean......................   9.880    118.8     120.9       9.1      5.1      0.5     -3.6      1.8

      Export Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    142.4     139.7       3.0      5.2      5.2     -7.6     -1.9
           Europe.......................................  31.860    174.9     173.2       7.1      9.2      2.5     -7.8     -1.0
           Asia.........................................  34.505    114.4     109.3      -2.4      2.7     16.1    -15.2     -4.5
           Latin America/Caribbean......................  17.662    153.3     154.5      10.5      6.2     -4.6      1.5      0.8

      Inbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)....... 100.000    123.9     122.2       5.7      6.3      4.1     -7.5     -1.4
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  41.432    126.6     126.1       8.5     10.7      2.4     -9.6     -0.4
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  29.301    113.0     107.8       0.1      2.5     13.9    -12.3     -4.6
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  14.166    120.9     122.2      12.0      5.3     -3.5      1.3      1.1
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   9.893    162.8     162.3       2.3      0.7     -2.8      2.9     -0.3

      Outbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)...... 100.000    126.4     121.1       5.9      1.8      0.2     -3.7     -4.2
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  53.191    135.0     124.3       5.5      0.4     -0.2     -3.1     -7.9
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  14.538    112.2     109.9       1.9      3.2      1.9    -11.8     -2.0
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  18.649    112.4     113.0       6.9      2.5      0.5     -0.8      0.5
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   8.819    164.0     164.0      15.1      1.9      3.5      0.1      0.0

    CRUDE OIL TANKER FREIGHT
 2/   Inbound Crude Oil Tanker Freight.................. 100.000     n.a.      n.a.      n.a.      1.8      2.2     n.a.     n.a.

    OCEAN LINER FREIGHT
      Inbound Ocean Liner Freight....................... 100.000    114.2     113.9     -12.0     -1.9      1.1      0.3     -0.3
           U.S. East Coast..............................  40.503    119.1     118.4      -8.4     -1.7      0.6      0.2     -0.6
                 From Atlantic..........................  17.846    120.5     119.0     -10.1      0.0      0.1      0.1     -1.2
                 From Pacific...........................  16.744    121.2     121.1      -3.5     -0.2      0.8      0.3     -0.1
           U.S. West Coast..............................  59.497    111.6     111.6     -14.4     -2.1      1.5      0.2      0.0


    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
	
                                        
						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."   

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.

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