U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MAY 2014 

U.S. import prices ticked up 0.1 percent in May, after a 0.5-percent downturn in April, the U.S. Bureau of 

Labor Statistics reported today. Higher fuel prices drove the increase in May, after declining fuel prices led 

the decrease the previous month. The price index for U.S. exports also rose 0.1 percent in May following a 

1.0-percent decrease in April. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: May 2013 – May 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: May 2013 – May 2014

 Percent change

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 12, 2014 

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

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

USDL-14-1077
2

All Imports: Prices for U.S. imports resumed an upward trend, increasing 0.1 percent in May, after falling 

0.5 percent the previous month. Prior to April, import prices rose 1.9 percent over the first quarter of 2014. 

Import prices advanced 0.4 percent over the past 12 months, driven by higher fuel prices which more than 

offset a decline in nonfuel prices. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices rose 0.5 percent in May following a 2.7-percent drop the previous month. The 

May increase was led by a 1.1-percent rise in petroleum prices which more than offset a 13.8-percent drop 

in natural gas prices. The May drop in the price index for natural gas followed a 26.8-percent decline in 

April. Import fuel prices advanced 3.0 percent over the past year, and both higher petroleum and natural gas 

prices contributed to the overall increase. Petroleum prices rose 3.0 percent for the year ended in May, and 

natural gas prices, despite the recent drops, advanced 7.9 percent over the same period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices were unchanged in May, after ticking up 0.1 percent 

the previous month. In May, lower foods, feeds, and beverages prices and nonfuel industrial supplies and 

materials prices offset price increases for capital goods and consumer goods. The price index for nonfuel 

imports declined 0.2 percent over the past 12 months. A 2.2-percent drop in nonfuel industrial supplies and 

materials prices, a 0.7-percent decline in automotive vehicles prices, and a 0.3-percent decrease in capital 

goods prices more than offset higher foods, feeds, and beverages and consumer goods prices over the year. 

Table A. Percent change in import and export price indexes, selected categories 

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: May 2013 – May 2014 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: May 2013 – May 2014 

 Percent change

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports ticked up 0.1 percent in May, after decreasing 1.0 percent in 

April, and increasing 0.9 percent in March and 0.8 percent in February. In May, rising prices for both 

agricultural exports and nonagricultural exports contributed to the advance. Export prices rose 0.5 percent 

over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since the index advanced 0.8 percent between June 2012 

and June 2013. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural export prices advanced 0.5 percent in May following a 1.5-percent 

increase in April. In May, higher prices for wheat, meat, and fruit, up 4.6 percent, 1.6 percent, and 2.6 

percent, respectively, drove the overall increase in agricultural export prices. The price index for agricultural 

exports also rose for the year ended in May, increasing 1.6 percent. Rising prices for meat and fruit more 

than offset a 19.6-percent drop in corn prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports rose 0.1 percent in May following a 

1.4 percent decline in April. In May, nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices edged down 0.1 

percent, while capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent. The price indexes for both automotive vehicles 

and consumer goods recorded no change. Nonagricultural prices advanced 0.5 percent over the past year led 

by higher prices for capital goods, nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, and automotive 

vehicles. 

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May'13 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May'14
4

SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China increased 0.3 percent in May, the largest monthly 

advance since a 0.3-percent rise in January 2012. The May increase was driven by a 0.7-percent increase in 

the index for computer and electronic product manufacturing. Prices for imports from China also rose over 

the year, increasing 0.5 percent, the first 12-month advance since the index rose 0.3 percent between 

September 2011 and September 2012. The price index for imports from the European Union increased 0.3 

percent in May, after rising 0.6 percent the previous month. In contrast, import prices from Canada, Mexico, 

and Japan all declined in May. Prices for imports from Canada fell 0.8 percent, led by lower natural gas 

prices. Import prices from Mexico declined 0.3 percent in May, while the price index for imports from 

Japan edged down 0.1 percent for the same period. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials decreased 

0.1 percent in May, after recording no change in April. The May decline was led by a 2.6-percent drop in 

gold prices and a 0.4-percent decrease in the price index for import chemicals. 

 

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories either recorded increases or no change in 

May. Capital goods prices advanced 0.2 percent in May following a 0.1-percent drop in April. The May rise 

was led by a 2.7-percent increase in computer prices. Consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent in May 

and prices for automotive vehicles were unchanged, after each rose 0.2 percent the previous month. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for import foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.8 percent for 

the second consecutive month following a 3.5-percent increase in March. The May decline was driven by a 

9.3-percent drop in fruit prices. 

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares rose 2.1 percent in May, led by an 8.3-

percent increase in Asian fares. The May advance in import air passenger fares was the largest monthly 

increase since a 7.1-percent rise in December 2013. Import air passenger fares rose 5.0 percent for the year 

ended in May. In contrast, prices for import air freight fell 0.3 percent in May and advanced 1.7 percent 

over the past year. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for export nonagricultural industrial supplies 

and materials declined 0.1 percent in May, after falling 3.9 percent in April. In May, lower metal and 

chemical prices were the main contributors to the decrease. 

 

Finished Goods: Export finished goods prices were mostly unchanged in May. Capital goods prices ticked 

up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month in May. The price indexes for consumer goods and 

automotive vehicles each recorded no change in May following 0.3-percent and 0.4-percent advances, 

respectively, the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 2.6 percent in May. The rise was driven by 

an 8.3-percent increase in Asian fares. The price index for export air freight rose 6.0 percent in May and 8.7 

percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2014 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 15, 

2014 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2013 to May

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 139.7 139.9 0.4 1.1 0.4 -0.5 0.1

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 74.865 102.3 102.4 -0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 81.335 116.0 115.9 -0.2 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 80.188 119.7 119.7 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 5.323 180.5 179.1 2.9 -0.7 3.5 -0.8 -0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.043 197.2 196.1 1.7 -1.0 4.5 -0.7 -0.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.280 142.6 140.4 6.8 0.3 0.1 -0.9 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 32.791 250.7 251.4 0.9 3.7 0.9 -1.6 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.126 163.5 162.0 -1.9 1.8 1.4 -2.4 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 12.979 180.7 180.6 -2.2 0.4 0.7 0.0 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.804 168.1 168.3 -2.4 0.8 0.6 0.0 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.175 157.4 153.9 -1.2 3.2 2.3 -5.1 -2.2

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 19.812 340.5 342.3 3.0 5.9 1.0 -2.7 0.5

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 18.666 374.2 378.5 3.0 5.2 0.6 -1.2 1.1

Crude........................................ 10000 14.248 389.0 392.3 2.8 5.3 0.6 0.2 0.8

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.978 168.2 148.6 5.8 19.6 8.4 -23.9 -11.7

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.837 160.3 138.2 7.9 22.1 10.2 -26.8 -13.8

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.531 112.5 113.7 0.4 0.3 -0.8 -0.2 1.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.717 171.5 170.7 -2.0 -0.1 0.9 0.0 -0.5

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.040 142.1 141.2 -4.9 0.5 -0.1 -0.6 -0.6

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.542 240.3 240.8 -2.9 1.2 1.0 0.5 0.2

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.626 156.4 157.3 -1.0 0.3 0.7 -0.6 0.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.523 111.8 111.7 -1.8 0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Capital goods................................... 2 24.816 92.2 92.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Electric generating equipment............... 20 2.986 119.1 119.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 19.900 84.9 85.2 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 1.931 136.1 136.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 13.547 113.4 113.4 -0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 23.523 108.3 108.4 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 11.352 118.2 118.5 2.2 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.3

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 10.969 97.9 97.8 -1.3 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.202 121.7 121.7 4.1 1.4 0.2 1.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: May 2013 to May

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

All commodities................................... 100.000 133.5 133.6 0.5 0.8 0.9 -1.0 0.1

Agricultural commodities....................... 10.275 224.9 226.0 1.6 1.4 2.8 1.5 0.5

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 80.741 102.6 102.6 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 89.726 126.9 127.0 0.5 0.6 0.8 -1.4 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 9.394 225.0 226.1 1.8 1.3 2.7 1.9 0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 8.765 228.7 230.4 1.7 1.3 2.9 1.8 0.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.629 191.8 187.6 3.1 1.5 -0.3 2.6 -2.2

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 33.407 179.0 178.8 0.2 1.7 1.8 -3.8 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 11.199 172.5 172.1 -3.0 0.0 0.9 0.4 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 22.209 183.4 183.3 1.9 2.6 2.3 -5.8 -0.1

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.510 209.3 207.3 0.8 1.9 2.3 -0.3 -1.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 31.898 178.0 177.9 0.1 1.7 1.8 -3.9 -0.1

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 9.866 259.9 260.5 3.7 4.6 4.1 -11.7 0.2

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 21.002 167.2 166.8 -1.5 0.4 0.7 0.1 -0.2

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.030 129.3 128.3 4.9 0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.8

Capital goods................................... 2 36.132 107.2 107.3 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.649 115.1 114.9 0.0 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 25.519 95.5 95.7 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 6.964 156.3 156.5 3.2 1.4 0.3 0.4 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 9.399 113.9 113.9 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 11.668 115.1 115.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.328 111.1 111.2 -3.1 -1.2 -0.2 0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 4.954 112.3 112.3 0.6 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: May 2013 to May

2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 17.535 172.9 172.3 3.7 5.6 2.0 -1.9 -0.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 1.930 190.6 185.3 5.4 -1.8 12.8 -1.2 -2.8

Crop production............................... 111 1.487 200.2 193.0 6.7 -2.7 16.7 -1.8 -3.6

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.147 83.8 85.0 -19.4 -1.9 -3.4 -3.7 1.4

Mining............................................ 21 15.605 170.7 170.6 3.5 6.5 0.8 -2.0 -0.1

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.252 125.4 125.5 -6.2 1.2 -0.6 0.5 0.1

Manufactured articles............................ 82.071 116.3 116.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 10.477 125.4 125.2 1.1 0.1 0.5 0.1 -0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.066 159.5 158.5 1.9 0.6 0.9 -0.4 -0.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.923 115.6 115.5 1.8 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.355 102.1 102.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.762 114.4 114.4 -1.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 3.722 111.0 111.2 0.9 -0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.648 123.3 123.4 1.6 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.502 137.5 138.4 1.2 1.2 0.4 -1.2 0.7

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.626 121.5 120.6 -6.7 0.6 -0.1 -1.1 -0.7

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 0.973 110.3 110.8 0.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 0.5

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 323 0.188 100.1 100.7 – 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.6

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 3.983 158.3 163.0 3.6 5.0 1.3 -5.2 3.0

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 8.955 137.8 137.9 1.8 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 1.942 123.1 122.9 -2.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.835 130.4 130.2 0.9 0.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 54.092 107.9 108.1 -0.6 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.140 157.5 158.2 -3.0 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.669 126.8 127.1 -1.0 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 6.869 121.4 121.5 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 15.906 80.0 80.2 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.066 118.2 118.2 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 14.396 111.9 111.9 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.345 115.2 115.2 0.7 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 4.701 121.9 121.9 0.8 0.2 0.7 -0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: May 2013 to May

2014

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 7.546 168.6 169.4 -1.5 6.9 8.2 -13.7 0.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 5.207 204.9 205.2 -2.7 1.2 3.8 0.6 0.1

Crop production............................... 111 4.803 212.3 213.7 -2.7 1.4 3.9 0.8 0.7

Mining............................................ 21 2.339 95.3 96.4 1.9 17.5 15.1 -34.4 1.2

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.326 99.1 98.4 -7.5 -0.9 -0.2 -1.1 -0.7

Manufactured articles............................ 90.532 120.9 120.9 0.4 0.4 0.4 -0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 7.201 157.2 158.1 4.8 0.7 1.2 1.9 0.6

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 5.083 181.6 183.1 6.1 0.6 1.5 2.6 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.548 124.2 123.1 -3.1 2.7 0.0 -0.6 -0.9

Leather and allied product manufacturing

(Dec. 2013=100)........................... 316 0.290 106.5 107.1 – 0.8 2.6 1.5 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 26.031 132.0 132.0 -0.4 0.4 0.7 -2.3 0.0

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.484 131.3 132.2 12.5 -0.3 2.7 3.3 0.7

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.816 124.8 124.9 2.7 1.3 0.4 -0.6 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 7.295 164.9 165.7 4.1 1.8 1.9 -7.6 0.5

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.236 127.5 127.1 -3.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.152 118.9 119.1 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.3 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.769 113.1 113.3 2.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 57.300 113.1 113.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.705 150.3 148.7 -6.4 1.2 1.7 1.0 -1.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 2.766 131.4 131.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.5 0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.627 123.4 123.8 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 13.742 87.9 88.0 -0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.464 114.7 114.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 15.563 119.8 119.9 1.7 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.360 107.7 107.8 2.3 -1.4 1.0 0.5 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.074 125.6 125.4 3.1 0.4 1.1 0.5 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: May 2013 to May

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.328 201.0 198.9 12.3 1.0 1.7 1.3 -1.0

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.294 247.0 243.6 11.0 2.1 3.3 4.2 -1.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.728 147.5 146.1 10.7 0.4 0.1 -1.1 -0.9

Vegetable products............................... II 1.724 209.2 209.8 -1.5 -3.1 8.2 -1.3 0.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.375 354.1 406.9 15.2 -18.2 9.8 -1.7 14.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.511 127.2 111.2 -9.3 -1.1 16.8 -0.5 -12.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.326 232.7 246.8 2.7 7.1 7.9 -8.4 6.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.248 115.6 115.9 -0.8 -0.6 4.5 -1.2 0.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.485 160.4 159.9 1.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 -0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.164 87.5 89.3 -6.5 0.8 1.4 -0.1 2.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.237 108.4 107.1 22.1 -1.7 7.1 2.1 -1.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.244 131.3 131.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.304 168.3 169.1 2.6 2.4 -0.2 0.1 0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 0.937 126.0 126.0 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Mineral products.................................. V 19.689 342.8 344.9 3.0 6.1 1.1 -2.5 0.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 19.422 339.8 341.9 3.2 6.1 1.1 -2.6 0.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.166 152.9 152.9 1.7 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.0

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.637 323.8 331.4 -5.9 -2.1 1.2 6.0 2.3

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.415 136.8 135.3 -0.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.6 -1.1

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.331 133.1 133.7 7.0 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.5

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.325 112.4 111.0 -12.0 -0.9 5.3 -1.3 -1.2

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.174 102.2 102.1 8.7 0.6 0.9 0.8 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.464 93.4 93.4 -7.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.162 148.4 148.4 -2.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.014 149.8 149.8 1.4 0.1 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.148 147.5 147.4 -8.9 -0.6 -0.7 -0.7 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.616 128.2 128.7 2.2 0.2 0.8 -0.2 0.4

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.570 129.7 130.4 2.3 0.1 0.8 -0.1 0.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.657 147.5 146.1 -7.7 0.5 -0.1 -0.9 -0.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.036 113.2 113.9 0.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.3 0.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.686 107.3 107.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Printed matter (Dec. 2013=100)............... 49 0.193 99.6 100.8 – -0.2 -0.2 0.0 1.2

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 4.722 114.4 114.4 0.4 -0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 1.843 103.2 103.3 0.0 -0.5 0.6 0.4 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2013 to May

2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.713 119.3 119.3 1.7 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.548 107.9 108.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.324 121.7 121.9 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.143 121.2 121.3 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.772 132.9 132.6 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2001=100).................... 68 0.255 125.9 125.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.237 141.1 141.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.280 129.6 129.5 1.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 2.665 183.7 182.0 -4.7 1.2 2.8 0.1 -0.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.283 180.9 182.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.8

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.265 221.7 222.6 2.6 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.4

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.665 153.0 153.8 -1.7 -0.2 1.2 -0.7 0.5

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.430 323.5 329.0 -1.0 0.3 -3.4 -3.2 1.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.701 136.4 137.8 1.0 0.9 0.1 0.2 1.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.393 129.5 129.5 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.442 136.5 136.6 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.004 84.3 84.5 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 13.990 89.1 89.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.6

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 13.014 79.7 79.6 -1.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 12.073 116.2 116.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 11.059 114.9 115.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 0.913 120.0 119.7 -0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 3.425 104.5 104.5 0.7 -0.4 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.125 101.2 101.2 0.5 -0.5 0.4 -0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.243 144.8 144.7 2.8 -0.3 0.3 0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 3.541 113.3 113.3 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.059 117.4 117.4 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.249 105.7 105.7 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.232 135.5 135.1 -2.3 0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: May 2013 to May

2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

Live animals; animal products................. I 2.205 245.0 245.2 14.5 2.1 3.1 4.7 0.1

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.258 182.8 186.7 12.5 1.2 2.9 6.1 2.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.361 208.2 203.4 7.7 2.4 -0.6 2.9 -2.3

Vegetable products............................... II 4.807 258.3 261.1 -2.6 0.4 3.8 0.7 1.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.161 181.9 185.0 17.8 1.8 -0.5 -4.4 1.7

Cereals............................................ 10 1.200 265.5 270.6 -11.4 1.8 6.7 2.9 1.9

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.989 289.8 290.8 1.3 0.6 5.7 2.3 0.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.255 117.2 116.3 -14.9 -3.0 3.5 1.8 -0.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.945 170.1 170.3 2.6 0.6 0.5 1.3 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.351 119.2 119.2 5.4 -0.3 1.8 2.0 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.484 111.5 111.6 -1.3 -1.3 0.3 0.5 0.1

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.771 283.6 284.7 9.8 4.7 1.6 1.3 0.4

Mineral products.................................. V 9.629 300.5 301.7 2.9 4.7 4.5 -13.5 0.4

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.425 91.7 93.7 0.1 -1.3 -0.2 -1.0 2.2

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 9.023 298.1 299.0 3.2 5.1 4.8 -14.2 0.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.690 148.8 148.5 -3.9 -0.7 0.0 -0.5 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.874 172.2 173.6 -7.9 0.5 -0.6 -1.4 0.8

Organic chemicals............................... 29 3.059 160.8 160.8 -2.3 -0.4 -0.1 -1.1 0.0

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.556 115.4 115.4 -6.0 -2.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100).................... 31 0.304 85.3 84.9 -11.8 3.2 2.6 12.4 -0.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.702 133.3 133.5 -3.6 -1.8 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.459 119.8 119.6 0.2 0.0 -1.3 0.0 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.765 155.1 153.3 -2.0 -0.1 0.6 -1.8 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.182 150.9 150.5 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.205 145.5 145.2 1.7 0.5 0.3 0.2 -0.2

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.977 173.8 173.1 -5.6 -0.2 0.5 0.5 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.445 158.6 158.9 8.4 1.3 2.1 1.0 0.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.273 125.2 124.9 2.5 1.6 0.5 -0.7 -0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.693 132.1 130.7 1.3 2.6 0.3 0.6 -1.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.154 122.8 123.0 3.3 1.6 0.7 -1.7 0.2

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.939 136.3 135.9 3.7 0.7 0.8 -0.5 -0.3

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.638 157.4 156.0 7.2 2.0 3.2 -1.0 -0.9

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.739 119.9 120.3 1.8 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.378 98.3 98.8 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.5

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2013 to May

2014 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May

2013 to

May

2014

Jan.

2014 to

Feb.

2014

Feb.

2014 to

Mar.

2014

Mar.

2014 to

Apr.

2014

Apr.

2014 to

May

2014

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.481 253.8 250.2 -4.2 1.4 3.0 1.8 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.286 164.5 165.7 0.0 -0.8 -0.1 -0.5 0.7

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.416 191.0 194.3 4.0 -2.2 1.7 0.8 1.7

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.586 223.4 224.3 -2.8 -2.5 0.1 -4.1 0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.807 117.1 119.4 -2.8 1.1 -1.6 -2.3 2.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.397 137.9 139.3 4.9 0.0 0.4 -1.1 1.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.310 147.1 147.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 27.664 97.4 97.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.709 112.7 112.9 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 10.955 80.9 80.8 -1.2 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 13.363 129.7 129.9 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 8.695 114.9 115.0 1.1 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 5.978 107.7 107.8 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.411 110.8 110.5 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.4 -0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.784 122.4 121.7 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.5 -0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.474 89.5 89.5 -1.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 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: May 2013 to May 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May 2013

to May

2014

Jan. 2014

to Feb.

2014

Feb. 2014

to Mar.

2014

Mar. 2014

to Apr.

2014

Apr. 2014

to May

2014

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 133.7 133.9 1.3 2.1 1.0 -1.0 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles................... 13.217 257.1 252.7 5.0 15.0 3.6 -4.9 -1.7

Manufactured articles........................ 86.218 123.9 124.3 0.6 0.4 0.6 -0.4 0.3

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 138.3 138.5 0.1 0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles................... 20.043 347.8 349.0 2.0 2.2 0.8 0.1 0.3

Manufactured articles........................ 79.707 109.8 109.9 -0.3 0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Canada.......................................... 100.000 156.2 155.0 0.9 5.0 1.7 -2.4 -0.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 33.948 249.2 244.9 6.2 15.4 3.9 -5.1 -1.7

Manufactured articles........................ 65.206 135.2 134.9 -1.7 0.3 0.5 -1.0 -0.2

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 138.6 139.0 2.7 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3

Manufactured articles........................ 99.308 134.8 135.2 2.7 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 122.3 122.6 0.6 0.4 -0.8 0.0 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 119.3 119.4 3.1 -0.2 0.3 0.5 0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 130.5 131.1 2.7 -0.2 0.2 0.7 0.5

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 172.9 173.2 -0.5 0.9 0.1 -0.3 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles................... 29.060 369.0 369.4 -0.3 1.8 1.3 -0.1 0.1

Manufactured articles........................ 70.536 130.7 131.0 -0.3 0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 142.3 141.9 -1.7 -0.3 1.1 -0.1 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 17.296 202.8 199.7 -1.9 -0.6 6.7 0.2 -1.5

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 82.455 92.7 92.7 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 102.7 102.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 103.7 104.0 0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Japan............................................ 100.000 99.1 99.0 -1.9 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 88.8 88.8 -2.6 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 104.1 104.2 -0.5 -0.4 0.2 -0.4 0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 268.9 269.2 1.7 3.4 0.8 0.7 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

9 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: May 2013 to

May 2014

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20141

Index Percent change

Apr.

2014

May

2014

Annual Monthly

May 2013

to May

2014

Jan. 2014

to Feb.

2014

Feb. 2014

to Mar.

2014

Mar. 2014

to Apr.

2014

Apr. 2014

to May

2014

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 175.8 175.3 1.7 -0.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 28.237 180.2 180.3 9.9 -0.5 -0.2 -0.6 0.1

Asia.................................................. 67.476 151.5 150.8 -0.7 -0.7 0.4 -0.5 -0.5

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 151.5 160.6 8.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 6.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 35.680 135.9 143.2 7.8 0.4 -0.1 0.1 5.4

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 164.3 165.0 1.9 -0.7 1.0 -0.2 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.301 159.3 159.4 7.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Asia.................................................. 62.240 146.4 147.3 0.3 -1.0 1.7 -0.3 0.6

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 148.3 153.1 3.9 0.0 0.4 -0.2 3.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 33.318 165.7 171.6 6.8 0.0 0.0 -0.1 3.6

Asia.................................................. 47.263 141.0 145.3 3.0 0.1 0.7 -0.4 3.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 191.0 195.0 5.0 0.3 -3.4 0.3 2.1

Europe............................................... 42.171 209.4 217.3 4.3 3.2 -5.1 -1.4 3.8

Asia.................................................. 23.370 146.1 158.2 1.9 -3.4 -3.4 -1.2 8.3

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 9.218 174.1 168.4 2.1 -1.4 1.8 3.2 -3.3

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 183.9 188.6 -0.7 -12.5 3.6 3.0 2.6

Europe............................................... 27.536 224.7 234.3 5.7 0.0 2.9 3.8 4.3

Asia.................................................. 28.347 152.5 165.1 -0.8 -21.3 4.1 2.1 8.3

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 19.336 194.8 196.0 7.5 -7.6 1.8 -4.0 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2012 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
15 

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."
16 

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). 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.