Technical Information:
   Jim Thomas    (202) 606-7155                    USDL-98-417
   Bill Alterman    (202) 606-7108                 Transmission of This
Media contact:                                     Material is Embargoed
   Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902               Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Wednesday, October 14, 1998
                                  
                   U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                           -SEPTEMBER 1998-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index declined 0.1 percent in September, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The decrease was attributable to the ongoing decline in nonpetroleum import
prices.  The U.S. Export Price Index fell 0.5 percent in September, as both
agricultural and non-agricultural export prices declined.

             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                                                             
September          -0.1       0.2       0.0      -0.3      -0.1      -0.3 
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 r    -4.4 r    -0.4      -0.5 r     0.0      -0.5 
July               -0.9 r    -5.3 r    -0.4 r    -0.2 r     0.3      -0.3 
August             -0.3       0.9 r    -0.4 r    -0.5 r    -4.0 r    -0.1 
September          -0.1       1.1      -0.2      -0.5      -2.6      -0.3 
                                                                 
September 1996-97  -3.5     -15.0      -2.2      -0.9      -6.7      -0.2 
September 1997-98  -6.5     -32.2      -4.2      -4.1     -12.8      -3.1

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                  
                            Import Goods
                                  
     The 0.1 percent decrease last month continued the downward trend in
import prices, which fell 6.5 percent in the year ended in September.  For
the second consecutive month, falling prices for nonpetroleum imports
outweighed slight gains for petroleum prices.  The index for nonpetroleum
imports, which has posted only two monthly increases over the past three
years, was down 0.2 percent in September after falling 0.4 percent in each
of the previous three months.  In contrast, prices for petroleum imports
continued a modest turnaround, rising 1.1 percent in September after gaining
0.9 percent in August.  Despite these gains, over the past 12 months the
index for petroleum prices fell 32.2 percent.
                                  
     Declines in all the major finished goods areas, as well as industrial
supplies and materials, contributed to the decrease in nonpetroleum import
prices last month.   Imported capital goods prices continued to decline,
falling 0.5 percent in September.  Prices for capital goods fell 6.9 percent
for the year ended in September, compared to 6.7 percent over the September
1996-97 period.  Prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials
were also down in September, falling 0.4 percent after posting larger
decreases in the preceding three months.  The index fell 6.9 percent for the
year.  More modest declines were again posted for autos and consumer goods,
both down 0.1 percent in September after falling 0.2 percent in August.
Over the past year, these indexes fell 0.6 percent and 1.4 percent,
respectively.
                                  
     In contrast, foods, feeds, and beverages increased 1.6 percent in
September after decreasing 2.4 percent in August and 0.7 percent in July.
Over the past 12 months the index fell 4.0 percent.
                                  
                               Export Goods
                                  
     The price index for all exports decreased 0.5 percent for the second
month in a row.  For the year ended in September, export prices fell 4.1
percent.  The index for agricultural prices decreased 2.6 percent in
September after dropping 4.0 percent in August - with the decline again
largely attributable to falling prices for grains and oilseeds.  For the
12 months ended in September, agricultural export prices fell 12.8 percent.
                                  
     The index of nonagricultural exports decreased 0.3 percent in September
and was down 3.1 percent for the year.  The September decline in this index
was led by a 1.0 percent drop in prices for nonagricultural industrial
supplies and materials, which were down 7.6 percent for the year.  The index
of capital goods, the largest component of U.S. exports, dipped 0.1 percent
in September and was down 2.2 percent over the past year.
                                  
     Exported consumer goods and automotive vehicle prices continued to post
little movement for the third consecutive month.  The index for consumer
goods edged up a modest 0.1 percent, while the index for automotive vehicles
was unchanged in September.  Both recorded no change in August.  Over the
past year, consumer goods prices dipped 0.6 percent, while automotive
vehicle prices rose 0.3 percent.
                                                                                                                             
                                  
                        Imports by Locality of Origin
                                    
     The price index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
countries continued to fall, dropping 0.7 percent in September.  Over the
past 12 months, the index was down 9.3 percent, compared to a 3.7 percent
decline in the previous 12 months.  (See table 7.)  The price index of
imports from Japan continued a three-year downward trend, decreasing 0.5
percent in September.  Over the past 12 months the index declined 5.7
percent, compared with a 4.7 percent drop for the September 1996-97 period.
In addition, the price index for imports from Canada fell 0.5 percent last
month, after edging down 0.2 percent in August.  This index was down 4.3
percent on average for the year ended in September.
                                  
     In contrast, the indexes for imports from Latin America and the European
Union increased last month, rising 0.4 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.
The gains were attributable to an increase in prices for nonmanufactured
goods.
                                  

                         Import and Export Services
                                  
     The import air freight index resumed a downward trend, falling 1.5
percent from June to September, after a second quarter increase of 1.2
percent.  Over the past year, the index was down 9.4 percent.  In contrast,
the export air freight index recorded a 1.2 percent increase in the third
quarter.  Despite the upturn, the index was still down 1.0 percent for the
September 1997-98 period.
                                  
     The import air passenger fares index edged up 0.2 percent from June to
September after gaining 9.0 percent in the second quarter.  The index was up
1.2 percent for the year.  Export air passenger fares also continued to
increase, rising 0.3 percent in the third quarter.   For the year ended in
September, however, the index fell 4.6 percent.
                                  
     The import ocean liner freight index increased 0.4 percent in the third
quarter following a 7.9 percent increase from March to June.  Over the past
year the index was up 6.2 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 October are scheduled for release
on November 18 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).


Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, September 1997-September 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                          August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.5    91.4      -6.5    -0.6     -0.9     -0.3   -0.1
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        93.951      92.9    92.7      -4.2    -0.4     -0.4     -0.4   -0.2

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.815      94.1    95.6      -4.0     0.7     -0.7     -2.4   1.6

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.348      89.8    92.2      -5.8     0.1     -0.2     -3.0   2.7

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.467     105.3   104.5       0.4     2.4     -1.9     -0.8   -0.8

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.719      86.2    86.1     -14.8    -1.9     -2.0     -0.2   -0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.670      92.0    91.6      -6.9    -1.1     -0.9     -0.6   -0.4
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.883      93.2    92.7      -7.2    -1.8     -0.9      0.0   -0.5
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.787      90.7    90.2      -6.6    -0.2     -0.9     -1.2   -0.6

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         7.222      75.3    76.1     -29.0    -3.9     -4.3      0.3   1.1

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         6.050      70.9    71.7     -32.2    -4.4     -5.3      0.9   1.1

1000         Crude...................................         4.625      68.3    70.0     -33.4    -5.7     -4.0      1.6   2.5

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.865      80.3    79.2      -5.0     1.0     -0.6     -1.1   -1.4

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.964      89.1    88.7      -7.0    -0.2     -1.4     -0.8   -0.4

13        Selected building materials................         2.174     104.2   104.5      -6.4    -2.7      3.1      1.4   0.3

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.526      90.2    89.0      -9.6    -2.6     -2.5     -0.4   -1.3

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.487      92.9    93.3      -3.1     0.1     -0.3      0.1   0.4

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.481      89.4    88.6      -5.8     0.2     -1.9     -0.4   -0.9

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.387      84.7    84.3      -6.9    -0.7     -0.7     -0.4   -0.5

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.466      94.1    92.8      -4.1     0.1     -0.7      0.0   -1.4

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        23.107      81.7    81.4      -7.8    -0.8     -0.8     -0.4   -0.4

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        18.884     100.7   100.6      -0.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2   -0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.195      97.9    97.8      -1.4    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2   -0.1

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.602     100.8   100.8       0.0     0.2     -0.1      0.0   0.0

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.467      94.9    94.8      -2.7    -0.5     -0.2     -0.2   -0.1

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.127      97.1    97.7      -2.2    -0.6      0.0     -1.6   0.6



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 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, September 1997-September 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                          August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      95.4    94.9      -4.1    -0.5     -0.2     -0.5     -0.5
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.781      89.7    87.4     -12.8     0.0      0.3     -4.0     -2.6
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.219      96.0    95.7      -3.1    -0.5     -0.3     -0.1     -0.3

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.832      90.9    88.3     -13.3    -0.6      1.3     -3.7     -2.9

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         8.036      90.5    87.9     -14.0    -0.6      0.6     -4.4     -2.9

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.796      97.1    94.6      -4.0    -1.1      8.1      6.0     -2.6

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.577      88.9    88.0      -7.5    -0.6     -1.2     -0.4     -1.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.603      90.1    89.2      -6.9    -0.9     -1.0     -0.2     -1.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        14.975      88.1    87.3      -7.8    -0.3     -1.3     -0.7     -0.9

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.745      88.0    87.0      -6.5     3.2     -1.6     -1.0     -1.1

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
              MATERIALS..............................        22.832      89.0    88.1      -7.6    -0.9     -1.1     -0.4     -1.0

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.152      94.1    92.8     -16.3    -1.4     -5.0     -1.8     -1.4

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        19.191      87.6    86.8      -6.5    -0.8     -0.9     -0.3     -0.9

13        Selected building materials................         1.489      86.7    86.7      -6.6    -0.7      0.3      0.5      0.0

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.412      97.4    97.3      -2.2    -0.5     -0.1     -0.2     -0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.505     100.3   100.3      -1.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.2      0.0

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.303      94.2    94.0      -2.8    -0.7     -0.1     -0.2     -0.2

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.009     102.4   102.4       0.3     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.170     101.9   102.0      -0.6    -0.4      0.0      0.0      0.1

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.427     101.8   101.9      -0.4    -0.2      0.1     -0.3      0.1

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.163     100.9   100.9      -1.0    -0.6     -0.2      0.4      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 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, September 1997-September 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.5    91.4      -6.5    -0.6     -0.9     -0.3     -0.1

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.075      94.1    95.8      -5.4     0.5     -0.5     -3.5      1.8
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.358      97.8    97.2      -6.4    -3.0     -0.6      0.1     -0.6
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.097     104.4   103.0      -1.4     2.1     -2.7     -2.0     -1.3
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.103      98.4   108.6       5.0     4.5      7.9    -11.9     10.4
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.592      79.4    77.4     -22.6    -4.6    -10.4      7.9     -2.5
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.925      92.3    91.3      -8.7    -1.2     -1.7     -2.1     -1.1

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.915     109.7   109.7       1.8     0.3      0.2     -0.1      0.0
11        Beverages..................................         0.771     106.3   106.4       2.0     0.4      0.2     -0.2      0.1

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.823      85.7    85.9     -11.1    -1.8     -0.5     -1.8      0.2
23        Crude rubber (including synthetic and
             reclaimed)..............................         0.191      53.8    53.4     -28.3     1.9     -6.6     -2.0     -0.7
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.037     106.6   107.3     -11.5    -5.1      4.2      1.0      0.7
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.370      62.5    61.2     -10.3     5.1     -2.3     -3.3     -2.1
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.614      94.2    93.7     -10.3    -2.2     -2.6     -1.9     -0.5
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.278     100.9   106.1       2.9    -2.5      0.3    -11.0      5.2
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.334      87.1    86.5     -10.6    -0.3     -4.4     -0.7     -0.7

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         6.910      74.5    75.4     -29.5    -4.1     -4.3      0.3      1.2
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         5.723      70.4    71.3     -32.4    -4.6     -5.2      1.1      1.3
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.056     107.2   107.9     -12.8    -2.1      0.6     -4.8      0.7

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.700      92.2    92.0      -4.4     0.0     -1.0     -0.5     -0.2
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.619      91.7    91.4      -5.9     0.3     -0.3     -0.3     -0.3
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.689      94.6    93.9      -5.8     0.6     -1.7     -1.6     -0.7
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.300      94.8    94.8       0.9     0.1     -0.3      0.2      0.0
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.955      94.9    94.6      -1.1    -0.1     -0.3     -0.1     -0.3
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.328      93.4    93.8      -3.2     0.2     -0.5     -1.0      0.4
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.387      91.2    91.7      -1.0    -0.1     -1.0     -2.0      0.5
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.520      77.0    76.0     -12.5    -1.1     -2.5     -0.1     -1.3
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.672      99.4    99.6      -3.5    -0.4     -2.0      0.0      0.2

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.933      93.2    92.7      -4.2    -0.7     -0.7     -0.1     -0.5
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.755      94.2    94.3      -0.8     0.3     -0.3     -0.5      0.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.583      97.0    96.0      -3.4     0.9      2.6      1.9     -1.0
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.682      86.9    86.1      -3.0    -0.1     -0.1     -0.6     -0.9
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related product...         1.460      96.8    96.6      -3.4    -0.1     -0.4      0.0     -0.2
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.234     100.4   100.0      -2.1    -0.1     -0.4      0.2     -0.4
67        Iron and steel.............................         2.054      91.0    90.4      -6.1    -1.2     -1.7     -0.4     -0.7
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.938      87.9    86.4     -10.8    -3.5     -3.2     -0.1     -1.7
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.055      96.2    96.6      -1.5     0.2     -0.3      0.0      0.4

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        47.901      91.1    90.9      -4.1    -0.4     -0.4     -0.3     -0.2
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.122      97.4    97.2      -1.6     0.0     -0.4     -0.1     -0.2
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.809      97.1    96.7      -1.7     0.0     -0.3     -0.2     -0.4
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.863      96.5    96.6      -0.7     0.0     -0.6      0.2      0.1
74        General industrial machinery and equip-
             ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s...         3.600      96.5    96.6      -0.6     0.3     -0.4      0.2      0.1
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.661      69.3    68.7     -12.1    -0.7     -0.9     -0.7     -0.9
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.648      88.8    88.6      -4.3    -1.3     -0.6     -0.1     -0.2
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.572      83.4    83.0      -7.0    -1.1     -0.9     -0.4     -0.5
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.520     100.8   100.7      -0.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2     -0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.295      98.3    98.2      -1.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2     -0.1
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.406      95.4    95.4       0.2     0.0     -0.6      0.0      0.0
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.312     100.3   100.1      -2.2    -2.6      0.3     -0.2     -0.2
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.531     100.0   100.0      -1.0     0.7      0.0     -1.1      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.218     102.7   102.8       0.0     0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.1
85        Footwear...................................         1.884     100.9   100.9       0.1     0.1      0.1      0.1      0.0
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.656      94.6    94.4      -2.6    -0.2     -0.3      0.0     -0.2
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.379      90.6    90.2      -3.6    -0.2     -0.1     -0.3     -0.4
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.909      95.5    95.2      -3.4     0.1     -0.4     -0.3     -0.3




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 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, September 1997-September 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      95.4    94.9      -4.1    -0.5     -0.2     -0.5     -0.5

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.185      89.6    87.0     -12.6    -0.4      1.4     -2.8     -2.9
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.212      98.4    96.0       0.8     4.4     -0.1      0.7     -2.4
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.610      97.3    95.4      -3.7    -1.6     11.6      8.0     -2.0
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.284      74.9    70.2     -26.1    -3.8     -0.4     -9.0     -6.3
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.498     102.2   101.0       3.5     2.1      3.3      0.6     -1.2
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.654      90.5    88.4     -26.8     1.6      1.4     -6.0     -2.3
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.402     105.0   106.3       1.2     0.1      0.0      0.0      1.2
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.525      95.8    96.3      -8.3    -1.7      0.2     -1.0      0.5

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.532      99.8    99.7      -1.3    -0.1     -0.2      0.1     -0.1
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.260      99.5    99.4      -1.6    -0.1     -0.2      0.0     -0.1

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.331      79.9    78.1     -14.7    -1.2      0.0     -2.6     -2.3
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.282      83.9    83.2     -16.9    -1.3     -3.5      2.6     -0.8
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         1.068      95.3    91.8     -23.6    -3.8      3.9    -10.6     -3.7
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.883      82.4    81.7     -10.1    -0.7      0.5      0.0     -0.8
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.767      64.5    62.6      -8.2     0.8      0.8      0.0     -2.9
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.787      76.9    76.3      -9.1     2.5     -1.0     -2.0     -0.8
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.341      96.9    96.9      -1.0     0.0      0.1     -0.2      0.0
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.772      72.6    69.8     -26.1    -4.0     -4.7     -0.5     -3.9
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.431      99.2    96.8      -3.8     0.2      0.0      0.2     -2.4

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         1.886      94.8    93.5     -16.4    -1.4     -6.6     -1.7     -1.4
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.697      99.6    99.8      -2.1     0.0     -0.1     -0.4      0.2
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.045      93.0    90.6     -25.6    -1.7    -10.7     -2.5     -2.6

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.500     103.4   102.6       8.1     1.2     -3.2     -1.0     -0.8

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.716      92.0    91.7      -4.0    -0.5     -0.4     -0.2     -0.3
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.364      75.9    75.1     -10.3    -0.8     -1.2     -0.4     -1.1
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.894     103.4   103.2       4.6    -0.6     -0.1      0.0     -0.2
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.494      99.3    99.6      -3.0     0.4     -0.1     -1.3      0.3
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.264     101.6   101.6       0.4     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.766     101.4   102.7      -1.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      1.3
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.574      94.9    95.7       0.7     1.3     -0.7     -0.5      0.8
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.768      88.1    87.7      -6.4    -1.8     -0.2     -0.7     -0.5
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.838      97.6    97.3      -1.6    -1.2     -0.7      0.4     -0.3
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.753     100.6   100.2      -3.3     0.2     -0.2      0.2     -0.4

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.876      97.2    96.8      -1.9    -0.3     -0.4     -0.3     -0.4
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.688     102.7   102.2       0.3     0.3      0.3      0.5     -0.5
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.299      91.6    93.2       2.1    -1.1      0.6      1.7      1.7
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.522      82.2    81.3      -4.4    -0.4     -1.3     -0.6     -1.1
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related product...         1.431     101.9   101.3      -1.9     0.6     -0.2     -1.1     -0.6
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.363     106.8   106.8       0.7    -0.2     -0.1      0.2      0.0
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.104     100.1    99.7      -3.1     0.1     -0.2     -0.2     -0.4
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.239      86.7    85.6      -8.2    -5.9     -0.8     -0.8     -1.3
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.074     106.8   106.7       2.3     2.4     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        50.851      98.5    98.3      -1.8    -0.5     -0.1     -0.1     -0.2
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.398     106.9   107.0       0.8     0.1     -0.2      0.0      0.1
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.827     105.3   105.5       1.0     0.1      0.1      0.0      0.2
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.015     108.3   108.4       3.7     0.6     -0.1      0.0      0.1
74        General industrial machinery and equip-
             ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s...         5.196     106.5   106.4       1.1    -0.1      0.2      0.2     -0.1
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.083      75.3    74.6     -10.9    -3.2     -0.7     -0.9     -0.9
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.841      98.1    98.1      -1.1     0.0     -0.6      0.0      0.0
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.594      91.8    91.7      -3.6    -0.5     -0.1     -0.2     -0.1
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.307     102.0   102.0       0.3     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.386     100.6   100.6      -1.2    -0.3      0.0     -0.2      0.0
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.652     104.2   104.1       0.6    -0.5      0.3     -0.1     -0.1
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.294     102.3   102.6      -0.9     0.0     -0.3     -1.2      0.3
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.804     103.8   103.8       0.4     0.0      0.1     -0.1      0.0
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.911      92.8    92.4      -6.3    -0.4     -0.9     -0.1     -0.4
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.250      98.3    98.2      -2.2    -0.7      0.1      0.1     -0.1
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.475     102.6   102.4       1.3     0.2     -0.2      0.0     -0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 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, September 1997-September 1998
             1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.623      99.2    99.0      -3.9    -1.0     -1.9     -2.1     -0.2
02      Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.284      95.6    96.1      -5.2    -3.2     -0.5     -0.1      0.5
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.961     104.7   104.0      -0.6     1.2     -1.9     -2.0     -0.7
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.378      92.0    92.2     -10.5    -4.2     -3.0     -3.6      0.2

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.569      85.8    91.3      -3.7     0.6      3.5     -7.3      6.4
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.310     108.0   140.7     n.a.      6.0     31.2    -25.7     30.3
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.470      98.4   100.0       2.6     4.8     -1.1     -2.6      1.6
09      Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.396      76.9    74.5     -20.1    -5.9     -8.6      6.1     -3.1
     3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.393      85.3    88.0      -8.1    -1.3     -0.4     -6.4      3.2

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         2.175     100.4   100.6      -1.1     0.6     -1.2     -0.2      0.2
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.283      88.7    88.3      -2.5     1.8     -0.3     -0.9     -0.5
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.796     104.4   104.8       1.6     0.3     -0.1      0.4      0.4
     3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.096      98.5    98.7      -2.6     0.5     -2.1     -0.5      0.2

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         7.564      76.3    77.1     -27.7    -3.6     -4.0      0.3      1.0
26      Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.311     101.7   101.7      -0.7    -0.2     -0.2     -0.2      0.0
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         7.015      74.8    75.6     -29.1    -3.9     -4.2      0.3      1.1

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         5.367      95.4    95.0      -4.0     0.1     -0.9     -0.5     -0.4
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.857      97.4    96.5      -8.0     0.1     -2.1     -1.8     -0.9
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.051      92.3    91.8      -4.9     0.2     -0.4     -0.1     -0.5
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.583     101.0   100.6      -1.7    -0.1     -0.5     -0.1     -0.4
32      Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
           pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.298      93.0    93.0      -0.5     0.4     -0.3      0.1      0.0
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.369      96.0    95.7      -2.7    -0.1     -0.1      0.0     -0.3
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............
           (9612=100)................................         0.419      93.1    92.8      -4.7     0.2     -3.1     -0.3     -0.3
     3/ Other products of the chemical or............
           allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.790      95.1    94.8      -0.9    -0.1     -0.5     -0.7     -0.3

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.794      86.4    86.1      -6.0    -0.2     -1.1     -0.6     -0.3
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         1.757      90.0    89.5      -5.5    -0.7     -0.9     -0.6     -0.6
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.037      81.0    81.0      -6.8     0.5     -1.3     -0.7      0.0

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.057     102.0   101.8      -1.3     0.6     -0.1     -0.6     -0.2
42      Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
           etc. of various materials.................         0.851     100.3    99.9      -1.5     0.7     -0.1     -0.8     -0.4

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
           AND WICKER................................         1.672     102.0   102.3      -8.1    -3.5      3.8      1.6      0.3

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.439      82.7    82.1      -3.6     0.7     -0.7     -0.8     -0.7
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.371      63.2    61.9     -10.3     4.9     -1.8     -3.1     -2.1
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.701      87.8    87.2      -2.6    -0.1     -0.3     -0.3     -0.7
49      Printed matter...............................         0.367      97.6    98.1      -1.2     0.3     -1.6     -0.6      0.5

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.286     100.7   100.7      -1.1     0.0     -0.3      0.1      0.0
61      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.168     101.5   101.4       0.4    -0.7      0.2      0.1     -0.1
62      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.544     103.8   104.0      -0.2     0.5     -0.2      0.2      0.2
63      Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
           clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.349      93.5    92.7      -6.0    -0.4     -0.2      0.0     -0.9
     3/ Other textile & textile......................
           articles (9612=100).......................         1.225      95.9    95.6      -5.0     0.0     -1.5     -0.1     -0.3

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
           ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.204     101.1   101.1       0.2     0.2      0.2     -0.1      0.0
64      Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
           of such articles..........................         1.892     100.5   100.5       0.0     0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.0
     3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
           whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.312     103.1   103.1       1.4     0.0      1.6      0.0      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
           GLASS ETC.................................         1.196     100.6   100.4      -1.4    -0.1     -0.4      0.2     -0.2
69      Ceramic products.............................         0.453      97.6    97.5      -1.7    -0.3     -0.2      0.0     -0.1
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.460      99.8    99.2      -2.3    -0.3     -0.8      0.4     -0.6

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.347      98.9    98.1      -0.1    -1.5     -1.6      0.3     -0.8

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.800      88.1    87.3      -8.8    -0.9     -1.9     -0.5     -0.9
72      Iron and steel...............................         1.764      90.0    88.8      -6.8    -1.4     -2.0     -0.4     -1.3
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.325      93.9    94.1      -2.8     0.0     -1.1      0.2      0.2
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.412      71.6    71.4     -14.3    -1.2     -0.7      0.7     -0.3
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.923      82.9    82.3     -13.2    -1.8     -3.1     -1.1     -0.7
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.430      99.5   100.2      -1.6     0.8     -0.4     -0.1      0.7
     3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
           articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.477      89.5    85.1     -26.9    -1.7     -5.4     -3.1     -4.9

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.293      84.3    84.0      -7.1    -0.8     -0.7     -0.4     -0.4
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        15.791      84.7    84.4      -7.4    -0.3     -0.6     -0.4     -0.4
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.502      83.8    83.5      -6.7    -1.2     -0.9     -0.4     -0.4

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        16.805     100.9   100.8      -0.6     0.0     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............        15.869     100.5   100.5      -0.7     0.0     -0.2     -0.2      0.0

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.685      91.7    91.5      -2.2    -0.1     -0.1     -0.3     -0.2
90      Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
           medical instruments.......................         3.138      91.4    91.2      -2.5    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2     -0.2
91      Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.400      94.2    93.7      -0.4     0.5      1.2     -0.2     -0.5

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.863      97.5    97.3      -2.3    -1.0     -0.1     -0.2     -0.2
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
           and lighting fittings nes;................         1.661      97.8    97.7      -2.0    -2.0      0.0     -0.2     -0.1
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         1.900      98.0    97.6      -3.0    -0.2     -0.2     -0.2     -0.4
96      Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.302      93.3    93.3       0.5     0.1     -0.2      0.0      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 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, September 1997-September 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         2.005      97.1    94.4      -3.1     1.9      1.8      2.9     -2.8
02      Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.120      95.4    93.0      -0.2     4.7     -0.8      1.8     -2.5
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.534      93.3    89.2      -7.2    -1.2      9.3      6.9     -4.4
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.352      93.4    92.5      -5.5    -1.8      0.2      0.4     -1.0

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.679      84.6    81.1     -19.5    -2.5      1.1     -7.2     -4.1
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.345     105.7   102.9       4.9     0.7     -0.3      0.8     -2.6
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.764     100.8   101.4       5.0     3.1      4.7      0.5      0.6
10      Cereals......................................         2.057      72.4    67.4     -28.4    -4.3     -0.5    -10.0     -6.9
12      Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
           fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.263      97.8    94.5     -21.3    -2.8      2.5     -9.7     -3.4

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.544     104.3   103.8       8.6     0.5     -2.9     -0.9     -0.5

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         3.439      97.3    96.7      -6.1     0.1      0.4     -0.8     -0.6
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.354      96.1    95.2       6.6    -1.0      2.1      0.4     -0.9
21      Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.374     105.6   106.8      -0.5     0.0      0.0     -0.3      1.1
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.339      99.1    99.1      -0.7     0.8      0.0      0.6      0.0
23      Residues and waste from the food.............
           industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.586      87.5    84.4     -27.4     0.6      2.1     -5.3     -3.5
24      Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
           substitutes...............................         1.272      99.5    99.4      -1.6    -0.1     -0.3      0.0     -0.1
     3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.514     100.1   100.3      -1.7     0.1     -0.3      0.0      0.2

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.463      93.8    92.3     -17.4    -1.1     -5.6     -1.5     -1.6
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.935      95.4    93.9     -17.1    -1.3     -6.5     -1.9     -1.6

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         8.723      92.6    92.4      -4.4    -0.2     -0.5     -0.2     -0.2
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.962     102.3   101.9       0.3    -0.7     -0.2      0.0     -0.4
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.667      79.1    78.4     -10.4    -0.9     -1.1     -0.4     -0.9
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.941     104.0   104.1       3.5     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.1
31      Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.640      94.9    95.7       0.7     1.3     -0.7     -0.5      0.8
32      Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
           pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.507      99.5    99.7      -2.5     0.4     -0.1     -1.2      0.2
33      Essential oils and resinoids;................
           perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.547     103.2   103.9      -0.4    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.7
34      Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
           scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.323     102.7   104.8       1.7     0.0      0.3      0.1      2.0
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.387      83.4    82.7     -13.9    -0.9     -2.0     -0.4     -0.8
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.520      99.3    98.8      -4.2     0.0     -0.1      0.2     -0.5

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.236      91.8    91.5      -5.2    -1.2      0.0     -1.8     -0.3
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         3.319      90.2    89.9      -6.3    -1.5      0.0     -2.5     -0.3
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.917      98.1    97.6      -0.9     0.4      0.0      0.5     -0.5

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.516      85.8    85.8     -10.5    -0.8     -2.4      1.4      0.0
41      Raw hides and skins (other than..............
           furskins) and leather.....................         0.361      80.8    80.7     -14.3    -2.2     -3.4      2.1     -0.1

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
           BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.208      84.9    84.8      -7.3    -0.8      0.5      0.4     -0.1

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         3.030      77.4    76.4      -3.5    -0.3     -0.3     -0.5     -1.3
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.711      62.0    59.9      -7.8     1.0      1.6     -0.5     -3.4
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.489      82.4    81.6      -4.1    -0.6     -1.4     -0.7     -1.0
49      Printed material.............................         0.830     108.4   108.3       1.6    -0.7      0.3     -0.1     -0.1

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.256      91.1    90.8      -3.7     0.7     -0.5     -1.2     -0.3
52      Cotton, including yarns and woven............
           fabrics thereof...........................         0.703      79.3    78.3      -6.6     5.8     -1.2     -2.2     -1.3

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
           CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.876     103.4   103.4       0.6     0.0     -0.3      0.0      0.0
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.504     101.8   101.9       0.5    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.1

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.882      94.2    91.5      -5.7    -7.1     -0.8     -0.5     -2.9

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.524      91.4    90.8      -6.0    -0.4     -1.1     -0.4     -0.7
72      Iron and steel...............................         0.886      82.8    80.6     -14.2    -1.5     -2.2     -0.8     -2.7
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.329     110.8   110.6       3.0     2.5      0.1     -0.2     -0.2
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.362      67.4    66.3     -18.7    -3.3     -1.3     -1.5     -1.6
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.827      80.9    81.0     -10.0    -3.6     -2.8     -0.2      0.1
82      Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
           forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.421     102.7   102.7      -0.6    -0.2      0.0     -1.2      0.0
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.386     100.8   100.8      -0.5    -0.1      0.0      0.5      0.0


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.888      93.9    93.7      -3.2    -0.8     -0.2     -0.1     -0.2
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        20.521      94.8    94.6      -3.1    -1.0     -0.1     -0.2     -0.2
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.367      92.7    92.7      -3.2    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2      0.0

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.148     105.2   105.2       0.6     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.774     102.1   102.1       0.3     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.528     102.0   102.2       0.0    -0.2      0.1     -0.1      0.2


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.829     102.5   102.4       0.2    -0.1      0.0      0.0     -0.1
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
           lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.901     104.4   104.3       1.0    -0.4      0.2     -0.1     -0.1
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         0.752     100.9   100.9      -0.2     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 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,  September 1997-September 1998
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                  Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
                           Description 1/                                                1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                              1995    Aug.      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1998      1998    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                                       2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

     3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      94.4    94.1      -3.3    -0.7     -0.3     -0.2     -0.3
          Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.1    94.9      -2.2    -0.4     -0.4     -0.2     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      85.6    85.2     -19.3    -3.9      0.3     -1.3     -0.5

     3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      91.5    91.6      -9.5    -1.0     -1.2     -0.4      0.1
          Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      93.6    93.1      -6.0    -0.5     -0.7     -0.2     -0.5
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      76.8    79.3     -25.5    -3.1     -3.8     -1.3      3.3

        Canada.......................................          18.9      95.9    95.4      -4.3    -1.0      0.1     -0.2     -0.5
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      97.5    97.0      -2.1    -0.7      0.1      0.1     -0.5
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      88.6    87.4     -19.1    -3.8      0.7     -2.0     -1.4

     4/ European Union...............................          17.0      99.7    99.8      -0.4     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.1
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     100.4   100.4       0.3     0.3     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      82.6    84.7     -20.1    -7.0     -2.3      4.0      2.5

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      92.8    93.2     n.a.     -0.7     -0.5     -1.1      0.4
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      97.1    96.5     n.a.      0.2     -0.5     -0.2     -0.6
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      80.8    84.0     n.a.     -3.5     -0.5     -3.7      4.0

        Japan........................................          16.6      87.6    87.2      -5.7    -0.7     -0.7     -0.3     -0.5

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      85.9    85.3      -9.3    -1.4     -1.0     -0.1     -0.7



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  June, July and August 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.



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