Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, March 14, 2012 

Technical information: (202) 691-7101 • MXPinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/mxp 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov 

USDL-12-0449

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – FEBRUARY 2012 

U.S. import prices increased 0.4 percent in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as 

higher fuel prices more than offset declining nonfuel prices. The price index for imports was unchanged in 

the two previous months. U.S. export prices also rose 0.4 percent in February after a 0.2 percent advance in 

January. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: February 2011– February 2012 

 Percent change 

1.7

3.0

2.6

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.4

-0.1 -0.4

0.7

0.0 0.0

0.4

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Feb'11 Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'12

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: February 2011– February 2012 

 Percent change

7.6

10.3

11.9

12.9

13.6 13.7

12.9 12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.5

0

4

8

12

16

Feb'11 Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'12
 

All Imports: The 0.4 percent February increase marked only the second time that import prices have 

recorded a monthly advance greater than 0.1 percent since the index rose 2.6 percent in April 2011. Prices 

for overall imports increased 5.5 percent over the past 12 months, the smallest year-over-year rise since the 

index advanced 5.3 percent between December 2009 and December 2010. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel increased 1.4 percent in February after remaining unchanged 

in January and falling 0.5 percent in December. Fuel prices advanced 15.2 percent for the year ended in 

February. Both the monthly and 12-month rise in fuel prices were driven by higher petroleum prices which 

advanced 1.8 percent in February and 18.4 percent over the past 12 months. In contrast, natural gas prices 

fell for the third consecutive month, declining a further 10.1 percent in February after recording decreases of 

6.8 percent and 4.0 percent the two previous months. Prices for natural gas fell 36.5 percent over the past 

year, the largest 12-month drop in the index since a 49.1 percent decrease in October 2009. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices edged down 0.1 percent in February after ticking up 

0.1 percent in January. In February, a 3.0 percent drop in food prices and a 0.1 percent decline in capital 

goods prices more than offset higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials. The price index for 

nonfuel imports rose 2.3 percent for the year ended in February. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: February 2011– February 2012 

 Percent change 

1.3 1.5

0.8 0.4

0.1

-0.4

0.4 0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.2 0.4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Feb'11 Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'12

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: February 2011– February 2012 

 Percent change

8.7

9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1 9.8 9.4 9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.5

1.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Feb'11 Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb'12

All Exports: The 0.4 percent advance in export prices in February marked the largest monthly increase 

since a 0.5 percent rise in September. Higher nonagricultural prices more than offset a decline in the price 

index for agricultural exports. Despite recording the largest monthly increase in five months, overall export 

prices rose only 1.5 percent over the past 12 months, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 0.4 percent 

rise for the November 2008-09 period. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices fell 0.9 percent in February after rising 1.1 percent the previous 

month. The decline was led by lower prices for fruits, cotton, and vegetables, down 6.8 percent, 7.1 percent, 

and 6.5 percent, respectively. Corn and soybean prices, which had driven the increase in agricultural prices 

in January recorded little movement in February. Prices for corn edged down 0.2 percent for the month, 

while soybeans prices rose 0.4 percent. Overall agricultural prices decreased 6.2 percent over the past year. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: In contrast, prices for nonagricultural exports increased 0.5 percent in 

February after recording no change in January. Higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials and each of the major finished goods areas contributed to the increase. The price index for 

nonagricultural exports advanced 2.6 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

3
4

SELECTED FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices increased 1.1 

percent in February following a 0.9 percent decline the previous month. A turnaround in metals prices led 

the increase in February after contributing to the decline in January. In February, unfinished metals prices 

advanced 2.3 percent while finished metals prices rose 1.6 percent. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices recorded little change overall in February. Prices for capital goods 

edged down 0.1 percent, driven by a 1.2 percent drop in the price index for oil drilling, mining, and 

construction machinery. Automotive vehicles prices and prices for consumer goods were unchanged. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 3.0 percent in February after 

rising 2.3 percent in January. The decline was led by a 25.5 percent drop in vegetable prices, which 

followed a 13.8 percent increase the previous month. The price indexes for coffee, food oils, and fish also 

recorded decreases in February. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China ticked up 0.1 percent in February following a 0.3 

percent increase the previous month. Prices for imports from China have not recorded a monthly decline 

since June 2010, and advanced 5.1 percent from June 2010 to February 2012. Import prices from Canada 

and Japan also rose in February, increasing 0.7 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, the price 

index for imports from Mexico fell 0.6 percent while prices of imports from the European Union edged 

down 0.1 percent. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose for the third consecutive month in February, 

advancing 0.3 percent after a 0.2 percent rise in January and a 1.6 percent increase in December. The 

February advance was primarily driven by a 1.3 percent increase in Asian fares. In contrast, import air 

freight prices fell for the sixth consecutive month in February, declining a further 1.2 percent. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices advanced 1.2 percent in February following a 0.4 percent decline in January. Higher prices for 

nonferrous metals, chemicals, and steelmaking materials—up 4.4 percent, 0.9 percent, and 7.0 percent, 

respectively—all contributed to the February increase in the price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials. 

 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories increased for the second consecutive month 

in February. Capital goods prices rose 0.2 percent following a 0.3 percent advance in January, driven by a 

1.0 percent increase in prices for transportation equipment, excluding motor vehicles. The price index for 

consumer goods advanced 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month, and prices for automotive vehicles 

rose 0.2 percent in February following a 0.2 percent increase the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares dropped 11.2 percent in February after rising 2.3 

percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, in each of the two previous months. The decrease in February was 

primarily led by a 17.8 percent drop in Asian fares and an 11.4 percent decline in Latin American/Caribbean 

fares. Export air freight prices increased 0.3 percent in February after a 1.6 percent advance in January. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for March 2012 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, April 

11, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.2 142.7 5.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.4

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 70.454 103.2 103.5 2.4 -0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 76.732 116.4 116.2 1.6 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 75.640 120.6 120.5 2.3 -0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.186 176.4 171.1 2.0 -0.2 -0.5 2.3 -3.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.025 198.9 191.8 1.5 0.1 -0.5 2.5 -3.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.161 125.5 124.3 4.0 -1.2 -0.3 1.5 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 37.378 262.5 265.8 11.0 1.7 -0.4 -0.3 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.110 165.7 166.3 -0.5 -1.3 -0.5 -1.3 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.018 188.2 190.2 3.3 -1.7 -0.2 -0.9 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.756 178.3 180.9 2.1 -2.5 0.0 -0.9 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.262 150.8 149.5 -3.5 0.1 -1.1 -1.8 -0.9

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 24.359 355.9 360.9 15.2 3.4 -0.5 0.0 1.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 23.267 398.3 405.4 18.4 3.5 -0.4 0.3 1.8

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.472 406.9 412.8 17.2 4.4 0.3 -0.4 1.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.791 108.4 98.2 -34.0 2.5 -4.2 -5.8 -9.4

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.690 94.6 85.0 -36.5 3.6 -4.0 -6.8 -10.1

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.579 112.5 112.1 -2.9 -0.9 -1.2 -2.0 -0.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.790 174.3 175.1 7.3 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5 0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.969 131.3 131.9 1.6 -0.1 0.4 0.5 0.5

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.686 272.0 278.3 -0.4 -5.1 0.2 -2.1 2.3

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.513 161.0 163.5 5.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.7 1.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.481 114.7 114.8 3.1 -0.4 -0.5 -0.4 0.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.109 93.5 93.4 1.1 0.1 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.849 118.6 118.6 3.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.648 86.7 86.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.612 131.6 131.6 6.2 0.9 0.9 1.2 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.423 113.8 113.8 3.6 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 23.904 107.3 107.3 2.3 0.1 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.460 114.3 114.0 2.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.158 99.8 99.9 1.0 0.1 0.3 -0.5 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.286 118.6 119.8 11.6 -0.5 4.2 -0.6 1.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.3 132.8 1.5 0.1 -0.5 0.2 0.4

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.743 202.7 200.8 -6.2 1.7 -2.3 1.1 -0.9

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.327 102.3 102.9 1.4 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.6

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.258 127.3 128.0 2.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.804 201.5 199.8 -1.8 2.1 -2.0 1.3 -0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.095 203.7 201.8 -3.3 2.3 -2.2 1.2 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.709 186.0 186.5 19.6 -1.2 0.7 1.2 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.540 183.6 185.7 1.9 -0.2 -0.8 -0.4 1.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.232 184.6 188.9 3.1 -1.5 0.5 -1.9 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.310 183.9 184.7 1.3 0.5 -1.5 0.4 0.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.648 200.7 198.5 -19.8 -1.4 -2.9 0.0 -1.1

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.893 183.2 185.4 3.3 -0.1 -0.7 -0.4 1.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.870 273.1 273.6 7.9 3.4 -2.9 1.2 0.2

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.092 171.8 174.7 1.9 -1.4 0.2 -1.1 1.7

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.931 115.4 116.4 0.2 0.1 -0.6 -0.2 0.9

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.525 104.9 105.1 1.1 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.543 112.9 113.3 2.4 -0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.052 94.4 94.4 0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.929 146.8 148.2 2.8 0.1 0.3 0.8 1.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.231 112.1 112.3 2.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.900 117.1 117.4 3.7 -0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.954 114.7 114.9 1.6 -0.2 0.3 0.7 0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.355 113.3 113.8 1.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 20.852 173.7 174.6 11.5 3.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.873 176.9 167.1 -4.4 -1.7 -0.2 1.0 -5.5

Crop production................................. 111 1.351 186.6 171.0 -3.7 -1.4 0.2 2.7 -8.4

Mining.............................................. 21 18.979 173.0 175.0 13.3 4.1 -0.1 -0.6 1.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.356 157.6 171.8 17.6 -2.7 -2.7 7.5 9.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 78.689 118.1 118.5 3.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.771 124.9 125.3 7.5 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.014 159.9 160.5 9.0 0.6 0.5 1.6 0.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.839 112.1 111.9 1.7 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.876 117.8 117.8 8.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.043 111.8 112.0 6.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.602 118.5 119.4 8.8 0.9 0.4 1.4 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.942 140.2 141.3 7.6 0.1 -0.9 0.4 0.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.573 108.1 108.8 0.2 -0.6 0.3 0.7 0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.072 110.3 110.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.6 -1.3 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.945 183.3 189.0 25.7 1.1 -2.4 3.1 3.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.567 133.1 132.8 1.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.9 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.873 127.2 127.2 6.4 0.1 -0.2 1.1 0.0

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.822 129.1 129.4 2.9 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 49.977 109.9 110.1 1.6 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.238 177.2 180.4 -0.7 -4.2 0.3 -2.5 1.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.519 129.3 130.0 6.3 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.5

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.537 120.2 120.5 3.2 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.458 83.1 83.0 -1.9 0.0 0.4 0.2 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.771 117.4 117.6 2.9 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.061 110.7 110.8 3.7 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.292 112.9 112.8 4.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.102 121.9 122.2 3.6 0.4 0.4 -1.1 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.377 165.9 162.9 -10.3 2.4 -2.8 0.3 -1.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.130 190.6 188.4 -11.5 3.4 -3.2 2.2 -1.2

Crop production................................. 111 5.719 197.9 195.1 -12.6 4.3 -3.4 2.5 -1.4

Mining.............................................. 21 2.247 112.8 108.8 -6.2 -0.2 -1.6 -4.4 -3.5

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.578 138.2 139.3 3.5 -0.9 -1.1 -2.2 0.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.636 120.1 120.7 3.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.3 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.977 142.3 142.8 2.7 -0.4 -0.8 -0.7 0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.854 162.4 162.7 5.1 -0.5 -1.0 -0.2 0.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.546 114.1 115.5 0.9 1.4 -0.6 -0.8 1.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.421 119.8 119.8 8.5 1.1 1.5 1.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.533 133.5 134.7 4.7 0.5 -0.8 0.8 0.9

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.408 114.9 116.0 -2.7 -0.2 0.4 0.3 1.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.842 118.8 118.6 -5.3 -1.7 -1.6 -0.7 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.258 167.5 171.4 11.4 4.3 -3.6 2.3 2.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.085 131.2 132.1 3.6 -0.5 0.3 0.2 0.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.185 116.7 117.1 7.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.6 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.755 111.0 110.9 0.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.126 112.8 113.1 2.4 -0.4 0.2 0.1 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.851 172.5 174.7 4.4 -2.7 1.3 -4.1 1.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.636 129.4 127.6 1.6 0.5 0.2 0.3 -1.4

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.144 120.2 120.3 4.0 0.2 0.0 2.0 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.404 89.3 89.3 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.209 111.6 112.2 1.9 -0.4 -0.4 0.5 0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.361 115.6 116.2 2.7 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.5

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.231 123.3 123.7 8.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.6 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.178 169.8 168.5 3.3 -0.6 -0.2 2.0 -0.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.274 220.8 218.2 5.5 3.0 -0.5 2.6 -1.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.622 124.2 122.4 0.9 -2.4 -0.8 2.2 -1.4

Vegetable products................................ II 1.701 218.0 204.7 4.8 -1.1 1.8 3.0 -6.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.365 365.9 248.8 -15.1 0.5 -4.1 19.4 -32.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.461 116.9 118.9 -4.3 -0.6 -0.2 2.9 1.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.455 298.8 288.8 23.9 -1.0 2.9 1.0 -3.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.263 135.7 130.6 -17.0 2.1 1.6 1.2 -3.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.372 158.3 158.3 5.2 0.3 -0.6 0.6 0.0

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.182 85.4 86.9 -15.9 2.2 -12.0 0.6 1.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.222 124.9 124.8 -1.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.356 177.8 176.1 15.4 4.2 2.4 2.1 -1.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.795 122.8 122.6 2.3 0.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 24.059 358.0 363.6 15.8 3.3 -0.5 0.1 1.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 23.712 353.7 358.7 15.5 3.4 -0.5 0.0 1.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.095 147.9 146.7 0.3 0.2 -0.5 -1.0 -0.8

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.902 365.7 353.8 0.7 2.7 -1.8 -5.2 -3.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.405 137.8 138.4 1.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.5 0.4

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.936 114.7 113.1 -2.7 0.0 0.1 -1.5 -1.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.434 137.8 138.6 14.5 0.6 -4.2 -4.8 0.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.178 103.4 103.1 – – – 3.4 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.413 125.4 124.0 0.2 -0.6 -0.7 0.7 -1.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.472 103.4 103.2 -3.3 -1.6 0.3 -1.2 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.064 151.9 152.2 4.2 -0.5 -0.5 -0.1 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.859 143.2 142.9 5.2 -0.4 0.6 0.2 -0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.205 168.6 170.1 2.7 -0.7 -2.3 -0.4 0.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.579 125.6 126.8 8.6 0.5 0.1 1.9 1.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.532 126.3 127.6 9.1 0.6 0.1 2.0 1.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.602 130.7 131.5 0.5 -0.5 0.2 0.6 0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.173 113.0 113.0 -0.4 -0.1 -0.6 -1.1 0.0

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.169 95.6 96.1 – – – -4.4 0.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.794 109.1 108.7 1.3 0.5 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.190 115.7 116.0 7.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.3 0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.010 106.5 106.6 3.9 -0.5 -0.2 0.3 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.899 117.6 118.0 11.2 0.2 -0.2 0.7 0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.644 112.0 112.1 9.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.7 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.311 117.7 118.1 7.5 1.1 0.5 0.6 0.3

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.114 116.7 117.1 7.6 1.0 0.6 0.6 0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.745 131.2 131.1 2.9 0.3 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.238 124.1 124.3 3.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.224 141.2 141.2 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.283 126.5 126.1 3.5 0.6 0.4 0.6 -0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.275 203.1 206.1 13.7 -2.1 2.6 -1.9 1.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.830 189.3 191.1 -1.9 -2.2 -0.5 0.1 1.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.134 246.8 245.2 -0.4 -2.9 -0.6 0.2 -0.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.406 161.3 160.6 4.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.437 344.2 367.1 -12.0 -5.5 0.4 1.3 6.7

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.135 104.9 111.2 -19.4 -7.5 -2.4 -1.6 6.0

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.695 138.3 141.0 -5.5 -2.6 -2.4 -1.3 2.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.356 126.8 126.7 3.5 0.0 0.4 2.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.398 132.3 133.0 3.6 0.0 -0.1 0.5 0.5

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.649 86.2 86.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.362 89.8 89.9 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.9 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.287 82.8 82.7 -0.5 -0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.069 115.0 115.1 3.6 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.296 114.2 114.3 3.9 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.686 116.1 116.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.167 103.8 103.9 -0.3 0.2 0.5 -2.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.917 101.3 101.5 -0.5 0.1 0.5 -2.2 0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.189 127.6 127.6 2.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.623 111.3 111.4 3.1 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.922 114.5 114.4 3.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.505 104.8 104.9 3.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.196 132.6 133.5 4.3 0.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.939 205.7 204.1 10.9 -0.1 -0.1 -1.0 -0.8

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.119 168.6 168.8 11.3 0.2 -0.6 -0.8 0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.405 202.1 202.1 21.6 -1.0 2.0 0.6 0.0

Vegetable products................................ II 5.596 235.9 233.5 -6.6 4.8 -2.4 1.6 -1.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.832 132.3 127.2 -5.2 4.8 6.7 -4.6 -3.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.172 279.8 279.4 -5.7 6.3 -7.1 3.2 -0.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.979 243.3 244.6 -10.0 4.1 -3.3 5.2 0.5

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.474 147.3 144.4 -8.1 -1.8 -1.7 1.1 -2.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.596 149.0 150.1 1.8 -1.3 -1.1 0.1 0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.321 109.6 110.0 4.7 0.2 -0.9 0.4 0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.391 106.0 105.9 1.6 -0.3 0.1 0.8 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.708 202.2 205.0 -6.4 -4.7 -2.4 -1.7 1.4

Mineral products.................................... V 8.812 320.6 322.8 7.4 2.9 -2.8 0.8 0.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.201 317.5 318.6 8.2 3.2 -3.1 1.1 0.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.306 154.5 155.2 3.5 0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.977 178.8 177.6 -8.7 0.2 1.2 -9.7 -0.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.474 167.6 170.8 6.6 0.4 0.8 0.5 1.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.183 124.6 124.8 0.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.8 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.761 134.9 135.3 6.0 -0.3 0.2 1.1 0.3

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.474 124.1 122.9 -0.1 1.3 -0.1 -0.5 -1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.789 153.8 153.7 5.9 0.1 0.4 1.9 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.467 147.7 149.3 4.3 -2.3 -0.1 0.3 1.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.399 138.9 140.1 2.5 -2.0 0.1 0.7 0.9

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.068 188.7 192.3 12.1 -3.8 -1.1 -1.3 1.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.352 123.4 126.2 -2.0 -4.9 -2.4 2.1 2.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.527 105.8 107.8 -1.9 0.2 -1.6 -1.8 1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.321 117.1 117.7 -7.5 -3.8 -2.7 0.3 0.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.631 122.9 126.2 -18.4 -10.2 -7.3 1.5 2.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.238 117.2 116.6 -2.3 -0.8 -0.7 -0.1 -0.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.452 119.4 119.4 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.017 132.3 130.4 -16.8 -0.7 -1.9 0.0 -1.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.672 166.3 158.3 -40.2 -2.5 -5.5 -1.5 -4.8

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.742 116.6 116.9 1.2 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.405 98.7 98.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2011 to

February 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb.

2011 to

Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.380 283.8 291.2 20.0 -1.6 1.5 -4.0 2.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.620 175.8 178.9 -2.8 -1.1 -0.2 1.1 1.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.752 219.5 227.9 -5.1 -5.1 0.0 3.2 3.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.380 173.6 170.7 3.4 0.8 -0.1 0.8 -1.7

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.653 248.0 261.5 -8.1 6.0 0.6 -0.4 5.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.836 126.5 128.8 -5.2 -0.9 -2.0 0.5 1.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.380 129.0 129.2 3.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.320 136.2 136.7 5.6 0.0 0.4 -0.1 0.4

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.646 96.4 96.5 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.962 109.0 109.4 2.0 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.4

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.684 82.7 82.6 -1.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.963 125.7 126.0 2.6 0.1 0.2 0.9 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.268 112.4 112.6 3.4 0.1 0.0 1.1 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.765 104.6 105.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.9 0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.332 108.2 108.3 0.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.693 118.5 119.2 0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.517 90.0 89.6 -2.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: February 2011 to February 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb. 2011

to Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Dec. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Jan. 2012

to Feb.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 38.296 132.4 132.9 2.9 0.5 0.0 -0.6 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.447 241.6 242.0 7.2 5.3 0.0 -1.9 0.2

Manufactured articles......................... 33.487 123.5 123.9 2.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.3

Other Countries3

............................... 61.704 142.2 142.8 6.5 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.907 362.7 365.9 13.5 3.1 0.0 -0.4 0.9

Manufactured articles......................... 48.593 112.2 112.5 3.9 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.3

Canada............................................ 14.414 154.4 155.5 2.4 1.0 0.3 -0.6 0.7

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.027 231.7 230.2 5.0 5.9 0.1 -1.8 -0.6

Manufactured articles......................... 10.122 137.6 139.4 1.1 -1.3 0.3 -0.1 1.3

European Union4

............................... 15.813 135.0 134.8 2.7 -0.1 -0.3 -1.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.262 361.2 365.0 30.3 0.4 -2.0 -0.8 1.1

Manufactured articles......................... 15.467 131.5 131.2 2.2 -0.1 -0.3 -1.1 -0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.736 120.9 120.7 -1.2 0.1 0.5 -0.2 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.265 114.4 114.5 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.9 0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.397 131.0 131.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -1.1 0.3

Latin America5

.................................. 19.049 183.4 183.8 7.5 2.0 0.1 1.0 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.633 405.8 405.3 18.5 5.9 0.5 1.5 -0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 13.328 135.2 135.8 1.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.7 0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 12.091 149.6 148.7 3.4 1.0 -0.1 1.1 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.017 219.6 213.4 17.8 5.6 -0.6 3.8 -2.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 10.028 96.2 96.3 -0.7 -0.4 0.1 0.3 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.659 104.8 104.9 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.583 105.4 105.5 3.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.1

Japan.............................................. 6.349 102.3 102.5 1.6 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.471 90.6 90.6 1.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.652 105.2 105.7 2.2 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.5

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.948 273.9 277.0 12.7 -0.3 -1.1 0.4 1.1

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: February

2011 to February 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Jan.

20121

Index Percent change

Jan.

2012

Feb.

2012

Annual Monthly

Feb. 2011

to Feb.

2012

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Dec. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Jan. 2012

to Feb.

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 171.2 169.2 -1.3 -1.8 -0.5 -3.3 -1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.925 164.4 161.7 12.1 -3.3 -0.3 -2.3 -1.6

Asia.................................................... 70.485 150.3 148.6 -5.6 -1.3 -0.6 -3.8 -1.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 146.5 146.9 8.6 -0.9 0.1 1.6 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.959 131.5 132.2 8.5 -1.1 -0.6 1.5 0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 157.3 155.7 0.5 -0.7 -0.9 -2.1 -1.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.173 147.1 145.6 8.3 -2.4 0.1 -1.6 -1.0

Asia.................................................... 63.326 140.9 138.9 -2.5 -0.1 -1.6 -2.6 -1.4

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 144.1 144.6 9.2 -0.6 0.7 -0.3 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.953 162.3 163.4 8.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 0.7

Asia.................................................... 48.940 135.0 135.2 10.2 -1.0 1.1 -0.1 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 179.9 180.5 11.8 -0.7 1.6 0.2 0.3

Europe................................................. 38.652 184.8 185.1 7.6 -3.5 -2.0 4.8 0.2

Asia.................................................... 27.223 155.9 157.9 17.2 2.5 4.8 -4.1 1.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.397 178.6 177.6 12.1 1.2 8.0 -4.4 -0.6

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 195.4 173.6 7.6 -2.3 3.8 2.3 -11.2

Europe................................................. 24.932 208.5 207.2 13.8 -7.3 -2.7 0.8 -0.6

Asia.................................................... 30.369 190.0 156.2 6.0 1.6 2.7 6.2 -17.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.440 212.4 188.1 6.6 1.7 7.3 3.7 -11.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 

the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More detailed index series 

and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 

from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 

priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 

Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 

represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

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

Publications."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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