Technical Information:
  David Mead    (202) 606-7154                    USDL-98-460
  Jim Thomas    (202) 606-7155                    Transmission of This
Media contact:                                    Material is Embargoed
  Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902               Until: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Internet Address:http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Wednesday, November 18, 1998
                                  
                    U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                               -OCTOBER 1998-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.2 percent in October, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The monthly increase, the second in a row, again was led by a rise in the
price index for imported petroleum.  The index for nonpetroleum imports was
unchanged in October.  Export prices continued to decline in October, falling
0.1 percent for the 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 
                                                                                                                                  
1997                                                             
October            0.2      5.6      -0.3       -0.4     -1.8       -0.2 
November          -0.4     -3.5      -0.2        0.0      0.7       -0.1 
December          -1.0     -6.8      -0.4       -0.4     -0.8       -0.4 
1998                                                             
January           -1.3    -10.0      -0.6       -0.7     -2.7       -0.4 
February          -0.9     -6.5      -0.4       -0.3     -1.5       -0.2 
March             -0.8     -9.0      -0.3       -0.3     -0.5       -0.3 
April             -0.3      0.4      -0.3       -0.4     -1.6       -0.2 
May               -0.1      0.5      -0.2        0.1      1.0       -0.1 
June              -0.6     -4.4      -0.4       -0.5      0.0       -0.5 
July              -0.9     -5.4 r    -0.4       -0.3 r    0.3       -0.4 r
August            -0.4 r   -0.4 r    -0.4       -0.5     -4.1 r     -0.1 
September          0.1 r    3.6 r    -0.2       -0.5     -3.0 r     -0.2 r
October            0.2      5.0       0.0       -0.1      0.2       -0.1 
                                                                 
October 1996-97   -3.7     -16.2     -2.2       -1.1      -5.9      -0.4 
October 1997-98   -6.4     -31.9     -3.9       -4.0     -11.5      -3.0 
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


                               Import Goods
                                  
      The 0.2 percent increase in import prices in October follows a revised
0.1 percent rise in the previous month.  Prior to September, the index for
overall import prices had declined for 10 consecutive months.  Over the past
12 months, import prices were down 6.4 percent.  In both September and
October, increasing petroleum prices drove the overall increase in import
prices; the index of imported petroleum prices rose 5.0 percent in October
after increasing 3.6 percent in September.  For the year ended in October,
however, petroleum prices declined 31.9 percent.  The index for nonpetroleum
import prices was unchanged in October after declining in each of the prior
12 months.  From October 1997 to October 1998, the index decreased 3.9
percent.
                                  
      Prices for imported capital goods, down 0.1 percent, continued to
decrease as declining prices for computers and computer equipment more than
offset the effects of a weakened U.S. dollar on most other capital goods
prices.  The decline, however, was the smallest monthly drop since the index
turned down in July 1997.  For the year ended in October, capital goods
prices fell 6.1 percent.  The import price index for nonpetroleum industrial
supplies and materials also fell in October, decreasing 1.0 percent.  Over
the past 12 months, nonpetroleum industrial supplies and material prices were
down 7.4 percent.
                                  
      In contrast, the index of imported consumer goods prices, which had
decreased or remained unchanged in each of the seven preceding months, rose
0.3 percent in October.  The increase paralleled the recent turnaround in the
U.S. dollar.  The October rise was the largest in this index since a 0.4
percent increase in December 1995.  Despite the increase last month, prices
for imported consumer goods fell 1.2 percent over the year ended in October.
The import indexes for automotive vehicles and foods, feeds, and beverages
also rose in October, up 0.2 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.  For the
October 1997-98 period, prices for automotive vehicles and foods, feeds, and
beverages decreased 0.6 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.
                                  
                                  Export Goods
                                  
      Prices for overall U.S. exports fell 0.1 percent in October as a small
increase in the index for agricultural prices was not large enough to offset
continued declines in nonagricultural prices.  Export prices declined
steadily throughout most of the past year and were down 4.0 percent over the
last 12 months.  Agricultural export prices posted a 0.2 percent rise in
October after declining 3.0 percent in September and 4.1 percent in August.
Despite the October increase, the index was down 11.5 percent for the year.
In contrast, the index for nonagricultural export prices declined 0.1 percent
in October, similar to the movements in the two preceding months.  Prices for
nonagricultural exports have declined in each of the past 12 months and were
down 3.0 percent over the year.
                                  
      Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell 0.6
percent in October, continuing a year-long trend of decreasing prices.
For the year ended in October, the index was down 7.6 percent.  Capital goods
export prices also fell in October, dropping 0.1 percent after posting no
change in September.  Exported capital goods have either decreased or been
unchanged for 14 consecutive months and were down 2.2 percent for the year
ended in October.
                                  
      The price index for exported automotive vehicles rose 0.5 percent in
October, reflecting the introduction of new model passenger cars. (The
indexes in this release are not seasonally adjusted.)  The October rise was
the largest in this index since a 1.0 percent increase in October 1995.
Over the October 1997-98 period, the index was up 0.6 percent.
                                  
      The export index for consumer goods prices was unchanged in October and
was down 0.6 percent over the past 12 months.


                          Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
      The price index for imports from Japan fell a modest 0.1 percent in
October after declining an average of 0.5 percent in each of the past six
months.  Price declines for imports from Japan were moderated by a recent
increase in the value of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.  For the
year ended in October, the index fell 5.1 percent.
                                  
      Prices of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries also
continued to decline in October, falling 0.4 percent.  Over the past 12
months, the index was down 9.4 percent.
                                  
      In contrast, prices of imports from the European Union rose 1.0 percent
in October, in part due to the decline in the value of the U.S dollar against
most European currencies.  For the October 1997-98 period, the index
increased 0.2 percent.
                                  
      The price indexes for imports from Latin America and Canada also were
up in October, increasing 1.0 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.  For
the year ended in October, import prices from Canada were down 4.0 percent.

                                  
                             CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for November are scheduled for release
on December 16 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).
Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1997-October 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                         SeptembeSeptember  October    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.5    91.7      -6.4    -0.9     -0.4      0.1   0.2
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        93.816      92.7    92.7      -3.9    -0.4     -0.4     -0.2   0.0

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.883      95.4    96.5      -2.3    -0.8     -2.4      1.5   1.2

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.422      91.7    93.1      -3.3    -0.2     -3.0      2.1   1.5

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.461     104.8   105.3       0.1    -2.2     -0.9     -0.1   0.5

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.765      86.4    86.8     -15.3    -2.0     -0.6      0.6   0.5
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.582      91.6    90.7      -7.4    -0.9     -0.6     -0.4   -1.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.825      92.6    91.7      -7.1    -0.7      0.0     -0.8   -1.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.758      90.3    89.5      -7.6    -0.9     -1.3     -0.3   -0.9

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         7.359      76.7    79.1     -30.1    -4.3     -0.9      3.1   3.1

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         6.183      72.4    76.0     -31.9    -5.4     -0.4      3.6   5.0

1000         Crude...................................         4.784      70.6    74.6     -33.3    -4.1     -0.1      5.4   5.7

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.859      80.0    78.9      -5.7    -0.6     -1.2     -0.2   -1.4

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.938      88.6    88.8      -6.1    -1.4     -0.9     -0.4   0.2

13        Selected building materials................         2.179     104.4   101.0      -6.1     3.1      1.4      0.2   -3.3

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.463      88.9    88.7      -8.9    -2.5     -0.6     -1.3   -0.2

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.492      93.2    92.9      -4.0    -0.3      0.1      0.3   -0.3

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.475      89.0    88.4      -6.2    -1.4     -0.6     -0.8   -0.7

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.277      84.4    84.3      -6.1    -0.7     -0.4     -0.4   -0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.423      92.9    93.2      -3.7    -0.7      0.0     -1.3   0.3

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        23.038      81.4    81.3      -7.0    -0.8     -0.4     -0.4   -0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        18.882     100.6   100.8      -0.6    -0.1     -0.2     -0.1   0.2

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.192      97.8    98.1      -1.2    -0.1     -0.3      0.0   0.3

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.608     100.8   101.2       0.1    -0.1      0.0      0.0   0.4

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.451      94.7    95.0      -2.4    -0.2     -0.2     -0.2   0.3

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.133      97.6    97.7      -3.6     0.0     -1.6      0.5   0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for July, August and September 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 2   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1997-October 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                         SeptembeSeptember  October    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.8    94.7      -4.0    -0.3     -0.5     -0.5     -0.1
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.539      86.9    87.1     -11.5     0.3     -4.1     -3.0      0.2
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.461      95.7    95.6      -3.0    -0.4     -0.1     -0.2     -0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.607      88.1    88.6     -11.2     1.3     -3.7     -3.1      0.6

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         7.824      87.6    88.0     -12.1     0.7     -4.5     -3.2      0.5

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.783      94.9    96.1      -1.9     8.0      6.0     -2.2      1.3

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.490      88.0    87.5      -7.7    -1.2     -0.4     -1.0     -0.6
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.561      89.1    88.8      -6.3    -1.0     -0.2     -1.1     -0.3
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        14.928      87.3    86.7      -8.4    -1.3     -0.6     -1.0     -0.7

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.715      85.9    84.7      -9.0    -1.6     -1.5     -1.9     -1.4

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
              MATERIALS..............................        22.775      88.2    87.7      -7.6    -1.2     -0.2     -1.0     -0.6

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.137      92.9    93.4     -16.1    -5.1     -1.7     -1.3      0.5

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        19.144      86.8    86.3      -6.6    -0.9     -0.2     -1.0     -0.6

13        Selected building materials................         1.494      86.5    86.2      -5.5     0.2      0.9     -0.6     -0.3

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.580      97.2    97.1      -2.2    -0.3     -0.2      0.0     -0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.531     100.3   100.2      -1.7     0.0     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.405      93.8    93.8      -2.8    -0.4     -0.2     -0.1      0.0

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.068     102.3   102.8       0.6     0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.5

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.255     102.0   102.0      -0.6     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.480     102.0   102.0      -0.1     0.0     -0.2      0.2      0.0

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.192     100.9   100.9      -1.3    -0.2      0.4      0.0      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for July, August and September 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 3   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1997-October 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                      SeptembeSeptember  October    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.5    91.7      -6.4    -0.9     -0.4      0.1      0.2

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.137      95.5    97.1      -3.3    -0.6     -3.6      1.7      1.7
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.356      97.2    95.5      -7.0    -0.6      0.1     -0.6     -1.7
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.091     103.7   104.4      -2.8    -3.0     -2.1     -0.2      0.7
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.197     106.7   114.7      11.3     7.9    -12.2      8.8      7.5
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.577      77.4    73.6     -20.1   -10.4      7.9     -2.5     -4.9
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.916      91.3    92.4      -7.5    -1.7     -2.1     -1.1      1.2

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.916     109.7   109.9       1.9     0.2     -0.1      0.0      0.2
11        Beverages..................................         0.772     106.4   106.6       2.1     0.2     -0.2      0.1      0.2

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.824      85.7    83.8     -11.6    -0.5     -1.8      0.0     -2.2
23        Crude rubber (including synthetic and
             reclaimed)..............................         0.191      53.8    54.8     -24.3    -6.6     -2.0      0.0      1.9
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.044     107.3   102.4      -9.5     4.2      1.0      0.7     -4.6
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.360      60.8    58.1     -15.8    -2.3     -3.3     -2.7     -4.4
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.606      92.9    93.2     -10.1    -2.6     -1.9     -1.4      0.3
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.290     105.2   103.8      -8.3     0.3    -11.0      4.3     -1.3
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.333      87.0    86.7     -10.2    -4.4     -0.7     -0.1     -0.3

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         7.044      75.9    78.4     -30.7    -4.3     -0.9      3.1      3.3
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         5.858      72.1    75.7     -32.1    -5.3     -0.1      3.9      5.0
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.056     107.1   100.3     -24.0     0.6     -5.2      0.3     -6.3

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.687      92.0    92.1      -3.7    -0.7     -0.6     -0.3      0.1
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.619      91.7    91.1      -4.4    -0.2     -0.3     -0.1     -0.7
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.684      93.9    94.6      -5.1    -1.7     -1.6     -0.7      0.7
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.301      94.8    96.3       2.2    -0.3      0.2      0.0      1.6
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.952      94.6    95.6      -0.6    -0.3     -0.1     -0.3      1.1
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.329      93.8    94.5      -3.0    -0.5     -1.0      0.4      0.7
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.389      91.6    90.8      -2.0    -1.0     -2.0      0.4     -0.9
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.505      74.7    74.6     -13.2    -2.5     -0.9     -2.2     -0.1
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.680     100.5    99.0      -3.7    -1.0     -0.1      0.2     -1.5

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.877      92.7    92.6      -4.2    -0.9     -0.1     -0.4     -0.1
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.756      94.3    94.2      -1.2    -0.3     -0.5      0.1     -0.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.575      95.8    94.8      -5.1     2.5      2.0     -1.2     -1.0
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.684      87.0    86.3      -2.8    -0.1     -0.6      0.1     -0.8
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.459      96.7    96.5      -3.5    -0.4      0.0     -0.1     -0.2
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.228     100.1   100.4      -1.8    -0.4      0.2     -0.3      0.3
67        Iron and steel.............................         2.036      90.1    89.9      -6.5    -1.7     -0.7     -0.8     -0.2
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.903      86.3    85.9      -9.9    -3.2     -0.1     -1.8     -0.5
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.064      96.6    96.9      -1.6    -0.3      0.0      0.4      0.3

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        47.790      90.9    90.9      -3.8    -0.4     -0.3     -0.2      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.120      97.3    97.6      -1.4    -0.4     -0.1     -0.1      0.3
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.798      96.7    97.8      -0.8    -0.3     -0.2     -0.4      1.1
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.864      96.6    97.5      -0.4    -0.6      0.2      0.1      0.9
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.606      96.6    97.6       0.2    -0.4      0.2      0.1      1.0
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.609      68.7    67.4     -12.6    -0.9     -0.7     -0.9     -1.9
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.642      88.6    88.3      -4.3    -0.6     -0.1     -0.2     -0.3
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.525      83.0    83.5      -5.8    -0.8     -0.5     -0.5      0.6
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.520     100.7   101.0      -0.6    -0.1     -0.2     -0.1      0.3

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.284      98.3    98.5      -1.4    -0.1     -0.2      0.0      0.2
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.407      95.5    94.7      -1.3    -0.6      0.0      0.1     -0.8
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.311     100.1   100.0      -2.9     0.3     -0.2     -0.2     -0.1
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.532     100.1   100.7      -0.3     0.0     -1.1      0.1      0.6
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.229     102.9   103.0      -0.1    -0.1      0.1      0.2      0.1
85        Footwear...................................         1.885     100.9   101.4       0.4     0.1      0.1      0.0      0.5
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.654      94.5    95.0      -1.3    -0.2      0.0     -0.2      0.5
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.372      90.1    90.7      -2.9    -0.1     -0.3     -0.6      0.7
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.895      95.2    95.3      -3.2    -0.4     -0.3     -0.3      0.1




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for July, August and September 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 4   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1997-October 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                      SeptembeSeptember  October    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.8    94.7      -4.0    -0.3     -0.5     -0.5     -0.1

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         6.996      86.7    87.7     -11.0     1.5     -2.9     -3.2      1.2
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.193      96.3    93.8      -1.5     0.1      0.5     -2.1     -2.6
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.605      95.9    97.0      -1.9    11.4      8.0     -1.2      1.1
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.155      70.2    73.4     -21.5    -0.4     -9.0     -6.3      4.6
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.461      99.2    99.8       1.6     3.3      0.6     -2.9      0.6
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.642      88.4    85.5     -26.5     1.4     -6.0     -2.3     -3.3
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.410     106.3   106.3       2.2     0.0      0.0      1.2      0.0
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.530      96.3    99.2      -4.7     0.2     -1.0      0.5      3.0

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.540      99.7   100.0      -0.8    -0.2      0.1     -0.1      0.3
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.267      99.4    99.8      -1.0    -0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.4

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.228      77.8    75.5     -14.9     0.0     -2.6     -2.6     -3.0
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.283      83.5    80.9     -20.4    -3.5      2.6     -0.5     -3.1
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         1.035      91.8    87.9     -18.8     3.9    -10.6     -3.7     -4.2
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.883      81.8    81.6      -7.9     0.5      0.0     -0.7     -0.2
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.750      62.7    58.9     -15.1     0.8      0.0     -2.8     -6.1
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.786      76.3    73.7     -11.6    -1.0     -2.0     -0.8     -3.4
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.343      96.9    95.1      -2.9     0.1     -0.2      0.0     -1.9
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.746      69.7    67.8     -24.7    -4.7     -0.5     -4.0     -2.7
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.403      92.2    91.6      -8.8     0.0      0.2     -7.1     -0.7

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         1.871      93.5    93.8     -16.7    -6.7     -1.7     -1.3      0.3
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.700      99.4    99.4      -2.7    -0.2     -0.4     -0.1      0.0
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.026      90.8    91.4     -24.6   -10.9     -2.4     -2.3      0.7

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.500     102.7   102.7       4.9    -3.2     -1.0     -0.7      0.0

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.762      91.8    91.6      -4.0    -0.4     -0.1     -0.3     -0.2
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.356      75.2    74.8     -10.6    -1.0     -0.4     -1.1     -0.5
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.898     103.2   103.3       4.9    -0.1      0.0     -0.2      0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.499      99.6    99.8      -2.8    -0.1     -1.3      0.3      0.2
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.273     101.6   101.0       0.2     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.6
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.780     102.7   102.8      -0.8     0.0      0.0      1.3      0.1
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.596      97.9    97.8       3.3    -0.7      2.7     -0.1     -0.1
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.769      87.6    87.0      -7.3    -0.1     -1.0     -0.3     -0.7
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.840      97.3    97.0      -1.7    -0.7      0.4     -0.3     -0.3
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.752     100.0   100.3      -3.0    -0.2      0.0     -0.4      0.3

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.893      96.8    96.5      -2.2    -0.4     -0.2     -0.5     -0.3
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.689     102.2   104.0       1.8     0.3      0.5     -0.5      1.8
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.305      92.7    91.5       0.0     0.2      3.5     -0.2     -1.3
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.516      81.3    81.1      -4.9    -1.3     -0.6     -1.1     -0.2
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.432     101.3   100.3      -2.8    -0.2     -1.1     -0.6     -1.0
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.372     106.8   107.1       0.9    -0.1      0.2      0.0      0.3
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.107      99.7    97.8      -5.2    -0.2     -0.2     -0.4     -1.9
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.231      85.6    85.7      -6.7    -0.8     -0.8     -1.3      0.1
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.087     106.7   106.6       1.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        51.040      98.2    98.2      -1.8    -0.3     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.427     107.0   106.9       0.7    -0.3      0.0      0.2     -0.1
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.863     105.5   105.5       1.0     0.1      0.0      0.2      0.0
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.023     108.4   108.7       3.9     0.2      0.0     -0.2      0.3
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.220     106.4   106.5       1.0     0.2      0.2     -0.1      0.1
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.074      74.7    74.5     -10.2    -0.7     -0.8     -0.9     -0.3
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.866      98.2    97.8      -1.7    -0.6      0.0      0.1     -0.4
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.585      91.2    91.2      -3.8    -0.9     -0.1      0.0      0.0
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.362     102.0   102.2       0.4     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.2

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.453     100.6   100.7      -1.1     0.0     -0.2      0.0      0.1
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.656     104.1   104.1       0.3     0.3     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.305     102.5   102.5      -0.8    -0.3     -1.1      0.1      0.0
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.829     103.8   103.9       0.6     0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.913      92.4    93.5      -4.8    -0.9     -0.1     -0.4      1.2
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.275      98.3    98.2      -2.2     0.1      0.1      0.0     -0.1
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.476     102.3   102.1       1.0    -0.2      0.0     -0.3     -0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for July, August and September 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 5   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1997-October 1998
             1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                      SeptembeSeptember  October    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.627      99.4    99.7      -4.6    -2.0     -2.1      0.3      0.3
02      Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.285      96.0    94.3      -5.9    -0.5     -0.1      0.4     -1.8
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.962     104.8   105.7      -1.9    -2.1     -2.1      0.4      0.9
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.379      92.2    92.6      -9.8    -3.0     -3.6      0.2      0.4

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.653      90.4    93.8       0.5     3.5     -7.2      5.2      3.8
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.385     134.2   164.5      35.4    31.2    -25.4     23.8     22.6
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.480     100.4    98.8       2.2    -1.1     -2.6      2.0     -1.6
09      Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.384      74.5    71.6     -17.2    -8.6      6.1     -3.1     -3.9
     3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.404      87.6    87.5     -10.3    -0.4     -6.4      2.7     -0.1

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         2.180     100.6   100.2      -1.7    -1.2     -0.2      0.2     -0.4
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.280      87.8    88.6      -1.0    -0.3     -0.9     -1.0      0.9
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.800     104.9   104.1       1.2     0.0      0.4      0.4     -0.8
     3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.101      98.9    98.4      -3.8    -2.1     -0.5      0.4     -0.5

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         7.694      77.6    79.8     -29.1    -4.0     -0.9      2.9      2.8
26      Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.310     101.6   101.5      -1.0    -0.2     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         7.148      76.2    78.6     -30.4    -4.2     -0.9      3.1      3.1

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         5.350      95.1    95.5      -3.1    -0.8     -0.5     -0.4      0.4
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.850      96.5    97.4      -6.8    -2.1     -1.8     -0.9      0.9
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.041      91.8    91.9      -4.0    -0.4     -0.1     -0.5      0.1
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.581     100.6   102.4       0.2    -0.5     -0.1     -0.4      1.8
32      Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
           pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.298      93.0    94.5       0.9    -0.3      0.1      0.0      1.6
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.367      95.7    95.1      -3.2    -0.1      0.0     -0.3     -0.6
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............
           (9612=100)................................         0.424      94.2    91.6      -6.3    -1.7     -0.3     -0.3     -2.8
     3/ Other products of the chemical or............
           allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.789      94.8    96.1       0.9    -0.5     -0.7     -0.3      1.4

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.779      85.9    85.8      -6.1    -1.1     -0.7     -0.5     -0.1
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         1.740      89.1    88.9      -5.9    -0.9     -0.8     -0.8     -0.2
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.039      81.2    81.2      -6.3    -1.3     -0.7      0.2      0.0

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.056     101.9   102.5      -0.8    -0.1     -0.6     -0.1      0.6
42      Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
           etc. of various materials.................         0.850     100.1   100.7      -0.8    -0.1     -0.8     -0.2      0.6

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
           AND WICKER................................         1.675     102.2    98.1      -7.6     3.8      1.6      0.2     -4.0

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.434      82.5    81.7      -4.4    -0.7     -1.0     -0.1     -1.0
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.361      61.5    58.7     -15.9    -1.8     -3.1     -2.7     -4.6
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.704      88.0    87.4      -2.5    -0.3     -0.5      0.3     -0.7
49      Printed matter...............................         0.369      98.1    98.9      -0.9    -1.6     -0.6      0.5      0.8

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.294     100.8   100.8      -1.2    -0.3      0.1      0.1      0.0
61      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.168     101.4   101.2      -0.3     0.2      0.1     -0.1     -0.2
62      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.553     104.1   104.2       0.0    -0.2      0.2      0.3      0.1
63      Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
           clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.348      93.1    93.2      -5.4    -0.2      0.0     -0.4      0.1
     3/ Other textile & textile......................
           articles (9612=100).......................         1.225      95.9    95.9      -4.8    -1.5     -0.1      0.0      0.0

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
           ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.206     101.2   101.7       0.5     0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.5
64      Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
           of such articles..........................         1.894     100.5   101.1       0.3     0.0     -0.1      0.0      0.6
     3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
           whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.312     103.1   103.4       1.4     1.6      0.0      0.0      0.3

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
           GLASS ETC.................................         1.195     100.4   100.8      -1.3    -0.4      0.2     -0.2      0.4
69      Ceramic products.............................         0.453      97.5    97.8      -1.5    -0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.3
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.458      99.3    99.8      -2.2    -0.8      0.4     -0.5      0.5

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.330      98.1    98.2       0.2    -1.6      0.3     -0.8      0.1

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.746      87.3    87.2      -8.5    -1.9     -0.6     -0.8     -0.1
72      Iron and steel...............................         1.739      88.7    88.2      -7.3    -2.0     -0.6     -1.3     -0.6
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.327      94.0    94.0      -3.2    -1.1      0.1      0.2      0.0
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.411      71.4    71.7     -10.3    -0.7      0.7     -0.3      0.4
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.916      82.3    82.8     -11.3    -3.1     -1.1     -0.7      0.6
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.433     100.2   100.1      -1.9    -0.4     -0.1      0.7     -0.1
     3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
           articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.450      84.4    82.7     -29.7    -5.4     -3.1     -5.7     -2.0

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.184      84.0    83.9      -6.3    -0.7     -0.4     -0.4     -0.1
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        15.733      84.4    84.1      -6.3    -0.6     -0.4     -0.4     -0.4
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.451      83.5    83.7      -6.1    -0.9     -0.2     -0.5      0.2

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        16.803     100.8   101.1      -0.5    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.3
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............        15.866     100.5   100.8      -0.6    -0.2     -0.2      0.0      0.3

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.677      91.5    92.0      -1.8    -0.1     -0.3     -0.2      0.5
90      Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
           medical instruments.......................         3.133      91.2    91.6      -2.0    -0.3     -0.2     -0.2      0.4
91      Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.396      93.3    94.7       0.2     1.2     -0.2     -1.0      1.5

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.855      97.3    97.5      -2.3    -0.1     -0.2     -0.2      0.2
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
           and lighting fittings nes;................         1.660      97.7    97.9      -2.3     0.0     -0.2     -0.1      0.2
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         1.893      97.6    97.7      -2.6    -0.2     -0.2     -0.4      0.1
96      Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.302      93.3    93.6      -0.4    -0.2      0.0      0.0      0.3



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for July, August and September 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 6   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1997-October 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                      SeptembeSeptember  October    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.947      93.7    93.9      -3.0     1.9      2.8     -3.5      0.2
02      Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.101      93.2    90.4      -2.7    -0.5      1.5     -2.3     -3.0
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.516      89.6    91.3      -4.0     9.1      6.9     -3.9      1.9
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.330      87.0    94.5      -2.3     0.2      0.4     -6.9      8.6

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.489      80.7    81.9     -16.5     1.1     -7.2     -4.6      1.5
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.321      97.8   100.2       5.6    -0.3      0.8     -7.5      2.5
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.767     100.5   101.5       0.1     4.7      0.5     -0.3      1.0
10      Cereals......................................         1.928      67.4    70.9     -23.4    -0.5    -10.0     -6.9      5.2
12      Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
           fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.228      94.4    90.5     -17.9     2.5     -9.7     -3.5     -4.1

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.545     103.8   103.6       5.2    -2.9     -0.9     -0.5     -0.2

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         3.441      96.7    96.7      -5.6     0.4     -0.9     -0.5      0.0
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.353      95.2    96.0       4.8     2.1      0.3     -0.8      0.8
21      Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.381     106.8   106.8       0.6     0.0     -0.3      1.1      0.0
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.342      99.1    99.1      -0.5     0.0      0.6      0.0      0.0
23      Residues and waste from the food.............
           industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.569      84.4    83.6     -25.5     2.1     -5.3     -3.5     -0.9
24      Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
           substitutes...............................         1.279      99.4    99.8      -1.0    -0.3      0.0     -0.1      0.4
     3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.518     100.3   100.1      -2.2    -0.3      0.0      0.2     -0.2

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.436      92.2    91.7     -17.1    -5.7     -1.4     -1.7     -0.5
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.916      93.9    94.2     -17.4    -6.6     -1.9     -1.5      0.3

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         8.769      92.5    92.5      -3.9    -0.5      0.0     -0.3      0.0
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.965     101.9   101.9       0.5    -0.2      0.0     -0.4      0.0
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.661      78.5    77.9     -10.4    -1.1     -0.3     -0.9     -0.8
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.948     104.1   103.1       2.8     0.1      0.0      0.1     -1.0
31      Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.664      97.9    97.8       3.3    -0.7      2.7     -0.1     -0.1
32      Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
           pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.511      99.7   100.0      -2.3    -0.1     -1.2      0.2      0.3
33      Essential oils and resinoids;................
           perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.554     103.9   104.0      -0.1     0.0      0.0      0.7      0.1
34      Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
           scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.332     104.8   105.1       2.0     0.3      0.1      2.0      0.3
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.386      82.7    85.0     -10.6    -2.0     -0.4     -0.8      2.8
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.520      98.7    99.2      -3.6    -0.1      0.2     -0.6      0.5

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.243      91.4    91.3      -5.4     0.0     -1.9     -0.3     -0.1
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         3.325      89.8    89.5      -6.8     0.0     -2.6     -0.3     -0.3
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.918      97.6    98.5      -0.1     0.0      0.5     -0.5      0.9

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.520      85.8    83.7     -13.9    -2.4      1.4      0.0     -2.4
41      Raw hides and skins (other than..............
           furskins) and leather.....................         0.364      80.8    78.0     -18.7    -3.4      2.1      0.0     -3.5

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
           BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.213      84.7    84.4      -6.0     0.5      0.7     -0.6     -0.4

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         3.012      76.5    75.4      -5.7    -0.3     -0.5     -1.2     -1.4
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.692      59.9    56.6     -15.4     1.6     -0.5     -3.4     -5.5
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.483      81.6    81.5      -4.7    -1.4     -0.7     -1.0     -0.1
49      Printed material.............................         0.838     108.6   108.5       1.7     0.3     -0.2      0.3     -0.1

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.267      90.8    89.7      -4.7    -0.5     -1.2     -0.3     -1.2
52      Cotton, including yarns and woven............
           fabrics thereof...........................         0.698      78.3    75.5      -9.4    -1.2     -2.2     -1.3     -3.6

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
           CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.880     103.2   103.7       0.8    -0.3      0.0     -0.2      0.5
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.508     101.9   102.9       1.5     0.0      0.0      0.1      1.0

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.839      91.5    92.0      -5.7    -0.8     -0.5     -2.9      0.5

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.525      90.8    90.2      -5.9    -1.1     -0.4     -0.7     -0.7
72      Iron and steel...............................         0.868      80.6    79.2     -14.8    -2.2     -0.8     -2.7     -1.7
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.337     110.7   109.4       0.7     0.1     -0.2     -0.1     -1.2
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.359      66.3    66.6     -14.4    -1.3     -1.5     -1.6      0.5
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.833      81.0    81.4      -8.4    -2.8     -0.2      0.1      0.5
82      Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
           forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.424     102.7   102.3      -1.0     0.0     -1.2      0.0     -0.4
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.389     100.8   100.8      -0.5     0.0      0.5      0.0      0.0


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.996      93.5    93.5      -3.2    -0.4     -0.1     -0.2      0.0
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        20.616      94.6    94.5      -2.9    -0.1     -0.2     -0.2     -0.1
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.380      92.2    92.1      -3.7    -1.0      0.0     -0.1     -0.1

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.239     105.2   105.4       0.7     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.2
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.833     102.1   102.4       0.5     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.3

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.573     102.2   102.2       0.1     0.1     -0.1      0.2      0.0


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.840     102.4   102.4       0.2     0.0      0.0     -0.1      0.0
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
           lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.906     104.3   104.2       0.6     0.2     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         0.757     100.9   100.9       0.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for July, August and September 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





        Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,  October 1997-October 1998
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Oct.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                           Description 1/                                                1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                              1995    Sept.     Oct.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1998      1998     Oct.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                                                                       2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

     3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      94.1    94.5      -2.9    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2      0.4
          Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      94.9    95.2      -1.7    -0.4     -0.2     -0.2      0.3
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      86.0    87.5     -20.2     0.2     -1.5      0.8      1.7

     3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      91.5    91.9      -9.9    -1.2     -0.7      0.2      0.4
          Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      93.1    92.9      -6.0    -0.7     -0.2     -0.5     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      78.8    82.4     -26.6    -4.0     -2.4      4.0      4.6

        Canada.......................................          18.9      95.5    95.7      -4.0     0.0     -0.1     -0.4      0.2
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      97.0    97.0      -1.4     0.1      0.1     -0.5      0.0
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      88.2    90.2     -20.0     0.7     -2.3     -0.1      2.3

     4/ European Union...............................          17.0      99.8   100.8       0.2    -0.2      0.0      0.1      1.0
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     100.5   101.4       1.0    -0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.9
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      82.1    84.9     -21.0    -2.3      3.4      0.0      3.4

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      92.8    93.7     n.a.     -0.5     -1.6      0.5      1.0
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      96.5    96.9     n.a.     -0.5     -0.3     -0.5      0.4
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      82.7    84.6     n.a.     -0.6     -6.0      4.9      2.3

        Japan........................................          16.6      87.2    87.1      -5.1    -0.7     -0.3     -0.5     -0.1

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      85.3    85.0      -9.4    -1.0     -0.1     -0.7     -0.4



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  July, August and September 1998
             have been revised to reflect the availability
             of late reports and corrections by respondents.

        3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

        4    Includes EU  15 countries.

        5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.





        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
             September 1997-September 1998  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      Sept.   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1997     1998     1998
                                                               of     June      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998    Sept.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                                                                                         1998    1997     1998     1998     1998


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     81.5   80.3       -9.4    -2.3     -7.0      1.2     -1.5
          Atlantic                                              1278     87.8   87.4        1.2     4.4     -4.9      2.3     -0.5
          Pacific                                               1674     76.7   74.9      -18.1    -7.4     -9.9      0.5     -2.3

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    112.6   112.8       1.2    -6.5     -1.0      9.0      0.2
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    117.3   119.2      -2.4   -17.8     -1.5     18.6      1.6
     1/   Pacific                                               2340    105.9   99.0       -1.5     5.7     -7.4      7.7     -6.5
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    106.3   109.3       3.2    -0.7      1.6     -0.6      2.8

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     81.6    n.a.     n.a.      3.9     -0.1    -14.6    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    100.8   101.2       6.2    -1.9     -0.1      7.9      0.4
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271     99.2   100.3       2.0    -1.6     -0.2      2.8      1.1
           from Atlantic                                        1952     96.7   97.4       -0.9    -1.6      0.5     -0.5      0.7
           from Pacific                                         1774    101.2   103.1       6.3    -2.3      0.0      6.8      1.9
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.5   101.3       9.6    -1.9     -0.1     12.2     -0.2

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     94.5   95.6       -1.0    -3.4      1.7     -0.4      1.2

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     95.1   95.4       -4.6    -7.9      2.4      0.8      0.3
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    110.7   115.2       5.2    -7.4      0.3      8.8      4.1
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     77.7   76.4      -11.6    -9.6      1.9     -2.4     -1.7
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    109.0   113.2       5.3    -0.9      0.8      1.6      3.9
          Canadian                                              1006    160.2   154.9      -1.7    -6.7     13.0     -3.6     -3.3



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                           n.a.    Not available.






        Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
             September 1997-September 1998    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      Sept.   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1997     1998     1998
                                                               of     June      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998    Sept.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                                                                                         1998    1997     1998     1998     1998


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     83.4   81.8       -7.6    -2.3     -4.2      0.6     -1.9
          Atlantic                                              1880     88.4   88.0        2.8     4.7     -4.7      3.5     -0.5
          Pacific                                               3151     80.3   77.9      -14.4    -6.7     -4.2     -1.2     -3.0

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     96.0   95.8       -3.8    -1.9     -0.5     -1.2     -0.2
          Atlantic                                              2080    102.2   103.3       2.2     0.0     -0.1      1.2      1.1
          Pacific                                               3222     92.4   91.4       -8.3    -3.4     -0.8     -3.2     -1.1

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    107.8   107.3      -1.7    -8.9     -0.2      8.6     -0.5
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811    116.8   120.4       1.2   -17.8     -3.7     24.0      3.1
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     93.6   89.5       -6.7    -5.9     -0.3      4.1     -4.4
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    111.6   117.2       6.1    -1.2      1.5      0.7      5.0
          Canadian                                              1367    167.9   162.6       0.2    -5.0     12.7     -3.3     -3.2

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    102.4   104.2      -0.4    -4.7     -2.1      4.9      1.8
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    111.9   118.3       6.0    -9.9     -1.7     13.3      5.7
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     82.8   79.7      -12.4    -2.0     -5.0     -2.2     -3.7
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    105.1   107.7       3.2     0.4      0.5     -0.2      2.5

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     87.4    n.a.     n.a.      5.5      0.3    -15.6    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    103.2   105.0      10.6    -2.1      0.1     11.0      1.7
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410     97.5   98.4        1.4    -1.3     -0.3      2.2      0.9
           from Atlantic                                        2647     94.8   95.4       -0.6    -1.3      0.4     -0.4      0.6
           from Pacific                                         1874     98.8   100.6       5.7    -2.2      0.0      6.1      1.8
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    107.3   109.7      18.2    -2.8      0.4     18.4      2.2



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                           n.a.    Not available.
                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 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 1995 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.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, 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.



The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the
two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list
for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form
below and mail or fax it to the following address:


                       Division of International Prices
                       Bureau of Labor Statistics
                       PSB Building, Rm. 3955                                                                      
                       2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                       Washington, DC 20212


     Phone Number: (202) 606-7155           Fax Number: (202) 606-7179

         
                              IPP Order Form
                                                                                                                                        
Please add my name to the mailing list for the following publications.

1. Monthly News Release            ______

2. Harmonized System Indexes       ______

3. SITC Indexes                    ______

4. BEA End-Use Indexes             ______

5. Locality of Origin Indexes      ------

6. Services Indexes                ------

Name______________________________________________

Address___________________________________________
              ____________________________________
              ____________________________________ 
              ____________________________________
     
Phone Number  (           ) ______________________