Technical Information:                             USDL-06-1785 
   (202) 691-7101                                  Transmission of This
Media contact:                                     Material Is Embargoed
   (202) 691-5902                                  Until 8:30 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address:  http://www.bls.gov/mxp          Friday, October 13, 2006


                      U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                               - SEPTEMBER 2006 -


     The U.S. Import Price Index fell 2.1 percent in September, the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The 
decline was the first in six months and was driven by a 10.3 percent drop in 
petroleum prices.  Export prices decreased 0.5 percent in September, the first 
decline for the index since November 2005.   
        
              Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                             by End Use category
                          -not seasonally adjusted-

                            IMPORTS                       EXPORTS

 Month                                  Non-               Agri-    Nonagri-
                    All    Petroleum petroleum    All     cultural  cultural
                  Imports   Imports   Imports   Exports   Exports    Exports

2005
September           2.1       6.9       0.9       0.8      -1.4        1.0
October             0.1      -3.1       1.0       0.7       0.3        0.8
November           -1.9      -9.4      -0.1      -0.6      -0.2       -0.7
December            0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.1      -0.5        0.2

2006
January             1.2       5.8       0.3       0.7       0.6        0.7
February           -0.8      -1.0      -0.7       0.1      -0.7        0.2
March              -0.1       0.6      -0.3       0.2      -0.1        0.2
April               2.1      11.3       0.1       0.7      -0.4        0.7
May                 1.8       6.4       0.7       0.7       0.6        0.7
June                0.1      -1.1       0.4       0.7       2.6 r      0.6
July                0.8 r     3.9 r     0.1 r     0.4       1.9        0.2 r
August              0.8       2.1 r     0.5       0.4       0.9 r      0.5 r
September          -2.1     -10.3       0.1      -0.5      -0.7       -0.5

September 2004-05   9.9      50.4       2.7       3.6       3.3        3.6
September 2005-06   2.0       2.9       2.0       3.7       4.4        3.7

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods
        
     Prices for overall imports fell 2.1 percent in September, the largest one-
month decrease in the index since a 3.1 percent drop in April 2003.  The 
decline was led by a 10.3 percent decrease in petroleum prices, which had been 
up in five of the previous six months.  The September decrease in petroleum 
prices was the largest monthly drop since the index fell 11.4 percent in 
December 2004.  In contrast, nonpetroleum prices edged up 0.1 percent in 
September, the sixth consecutive month the index increased.  For the year 
ended in September, the price index for nonpetroleum imports rose 2.0 percent, 
the same increase as overall import prices for the September 2005-2006 period.
        
     The modest September increase in nonpetroleum prices was primarily 
driven by a 0.4 percent advance in prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies 
and materials.  A 3.1 percent increase in unfinished metals prices led the 
advance in prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, with 
higher prices for building materials and textile supplies also contributing.  
Partially offsetting those increases were decreasing prices for natural gas and 
chemicals.  The price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials 
rose 6.6 percent over the past 12 months.  Prices for foods, feeds, and 
beverages also increased, up 0.4 percent in September and 6.3 percent over the 
past year.              
                  
     More modest increases in the price indexes for consumer goods and 
automotive vehicles also contributed to the September advance in 
nonpetroleum prices.  Consumer goods prices and prices for automotive 
vehicles each advanced 0.1 percent for the month, and 0.9 percent and 0.6 
percent for the year ended in September, respectively.  

     The price index for capital goods was unchanged in September and declined 
0.2 percent over the past 12 months.


Export Goods 

     Export prices fell 0.5 percent in September as a 0.7 percent decrease in 
agricultural prices and a 0.5 percent drop in the price index for nonagricultural 
goods each factored into the decline.  The September drop in export prices was 
the first in 10 months and followed increases of 0.4 percent the previous two 
months.  The decline in agricultural prices followed increases in each of the 
four previous months as lower prices for soybeans, vegetables, and cotton all 
contributed to the decrease.  Despite the drop, agricultural prices increased 4.4 
percent for the year ended in September.  Nonagricultural prices also rose over 
the past 12 months, advancing 3.7 percent for the period.                 
        
     The September decrease in nonagricultural prices was led by a 1.8 
percent decline in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 
materials.  Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices were driven 
by a sharp decline in fuel prices, with lower chemicals prices also contributing 
to the decrease.  In contrast, metal prices continued to rise.  Prices for 
nonagricultural supplies and materials rose 9.5 percent over the past year.       
                  
     Prices for the major finished goods areas were either up or unchanged in 
September.  The price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles 
each rose 0.1 percent in September, and increased 2.1 percent and 1.4 percent 
for the September 2005-2006 period, respectively.  Capital goods prices were 
unchanged in September, although excluding computer prices, prices for 
capital goods advanced 0.1 percent.  The price index for overall capital goods 
rose 0.7 percent for the year ended in September.


Imports by Locality of Origin 
   
     The price indexes for imports from Canada and from Mexico decreased 
in September, declining 2.0 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.  In each 
case, a downturn in fuel prices drove the decrease.  Despite the September 
declines, prices for imports from Canada advanced 1.9 percent over the past 
year, while prices for imports from Mexico rose 6.2 percent.
        
     Prices for imports from the European Union edged down 0.1 percent in 
September, also led by lower fuel prices.  The price index for imports from the 
European Union increased 4.1 percent over the past year.
        
     Prices for imports from China and from Japan also fell in September.  
The 0.2 percent decline in the prices for imports from China followed increases 
in the previous two months.  The price index for imports from Japan fell 0.1 
percent for the third consecutive month.  For the year ended in September, 
prices for imports from China declined 1.0 percent while prices for imports 
from Japan fell 1.5 percent.          
   

Import and Export Services

     Both import and export air passenger fares declined in September, led by 
seasonal drops in European and Asian fares.  Import air passenger fares 
decreased 5.4 percent, while export air passenger fares fell 7.6 percent.  
Despite the decreases, the price indexes for import and export air passenger 
fares rose for the year ended in September, up 5.6 percent and 2.1 percent, 
respectively.      

     Import air freight prices increased 0.5 percent in September after declining in 
each of the previous two months.  A 1.4 percent advance in European air 
freight prices led the increase.  The price index for export air freight prices 
increased 1.4 percent in September and 6.6 percent over the past year.  


                                CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for October are scheduled for release on November 9 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.).  


Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  September 2005-September 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                    Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         Sept.   May     June    July    Aug.
 END                            Description                                                       2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                August    August   September   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2006      2006      2006     Sept.   June    July    Aug.    Sept.
                                                                      1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES.......................................... 100.000    119.2      116.7     2.0     0.1     0.8     0.8    -2.1
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..........................  78.755    104.8      104.9     2.0     0.4     0.1     0.5     0.1
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS
                (Dec. 2001=100)...................................  76.490    107.5      107.8     2.9     0.6     0.0     0.3     0.3

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................   4.261    120.9      121.4     6.3    -0.1     0.0     2.5     0.4

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............   3.204    130.3      131.0     6.9    -0.2    -0.3     3.1     0.5

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)   1.057    100.0       99.9     4.5     0.4     1.0     0.5    -0.1

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................  38.289    184.3      174.1     4.1    -0.1     1.7     1.8    -5.5
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...........................  17.044    134.6      135.2     6.6     1.2    -1.0     1.5     0.4
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)...............  14.779    142.9      144.4    12.4     2.4    -1.0     0.5     1.0
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................   9.630    137.9      140.3    17.8     3.0    -1.7     0.9     1.7
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................   7.414    129.7      128.1    -5.4    -1.2     0.1     2.3    -1.2

10               Fuels & lubricants...............................  23.509    244.6      220.9    -0.5    -1.6     3.5     2.7    -9.7
100                  Petroleum & petroleum products...............  21.244    257.3      230.8     2.9    -1.1     3.9     2.1   -10.3
10000                        Crude................................  15.382    257.0      231.7     3.7    -0.6     4.5     1.1    -9.8

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................   0.915    112.5      112.8     8.1     0.8     0.3     0.8     0.3

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................   4.326    120.4      120.1     2.4     0.9     0.4    -0.6    -0.2

13               Selected building materials......................   1.926    115.2      117.1    -0.4    -2.3    -0.3    -1.4     1.6

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......   4.489    188.9      194.8    41.0     7.2    -4.5     2.4     3.1

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........   1.611    128.9      128.2     9.3     1.8     2.6     0.3    -0.5

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............   1.512    101.6      101.6     0.9     0.1     0.2     0.3     0.0

2          CAPITAL GOODS..........................................  20.576     91.3       91.3    -0.2     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.0

20               Electric generating equipment....................   2.463    102.1      102.7     3.7     1.2     0.2    -0.2     0.6

21               Nonelectrical machinery..........................  16.498     87.9       87.9    -0.9     0.1     0.1     0.0     0.0

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)............   1.615    108.2      108.4     1.9     0.3     0.2     0.1     0.2

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................  14.002    104.1      104.2     0.6     0.2     0.2     0.0     0.1

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES.....................................  22.872    100.5      100.6     0.9     0.1     0.6     0.1     0.1

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................  10.835    103.1      103.0    -0.1     0.1     0.4     0.1    -0.1

41               Durables, manufactured...........................  10.907     97.9       98.0     1.9     0.1     0.8     0.1     0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................   1.130    100.2      100.5    -0.1     0.2     1.1     0.5     0.3


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
             n.a.  Not available


Table  2     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  September 2005-September 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         Sept.   May     June    July    Aug.
 END                             Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                   August    August   September   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Sept.   June    July    Aug.    Sept.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    112.1      111.5     3.7     0.7     0.4     0.4    -0.5
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................   7.708    127.7      126.8     4.4     2.6     1.9     0.9    -0.7
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................  92.292    111.0      110.4     3.7     0.6     0.2     0.5    -0.5

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................   6.992    129.6      128.6     4.7     3.0     2.3     0.9    -0.8

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................   6.236    129.8      128.9     5.1     3.1     2.5     0.8    -0.7

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...   0.756    127.2      126.3     2.2     1.7     0.6     1.2    -0.7

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS...........................  30.865    141.5      139.0     9.1     1.7     0.4     1.6    -1.8
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................  11.174    147.7      148.3    20.2     2.7    -0.5     1.6     0.4
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE.......................................  19.692    138.3      134.1     3.3     1.1     1.0     1.5    -3.0

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........   1.472    118.7      118.1     1.5     0.8    -0.7     1.9    -0.5

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS..................................  29.393    143.0      140.4     9.5     1.7     0.5     1.5    -1.8

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................   5.190    207.8      184.7    -0.1     0.7     1.4     4.4   -11.1

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials.........  23.061    136.4      136.5    11.7     2.0     0.2     1.0     0.1

13               Selected building materials.........................   1.142    110.1      110.0     4.1     0.7     0.0     0.3    -0.1

2          CAPITAL GOODS.............................................  39.287     98.3       98.3     0.7     0.0     0.1    -0.2     0.0

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................   3.820    105.0      105.1     2.4     0.2     0.0     0.2     0.1

21               Nonelectrical machinery.............................  28.930     92.4       92.4    -0.3     0.0     0.0    -0.3     0.0

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)...............   6.537    117.4      117.5     4.4     0.2     0.0     0.3     0.1

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES......................  10.642    105.1      105.2     1.4     0.2     0.2     0.0     0.1

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................  12.214    103.9      104.0     2.1     0.3     0.3     0.1     0.1

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................   5.990    103.8      103.9     2.4     0.3     0.4     0.1     0.1

41               Durables, manufactured..............................   5.230    102.8      103.1     1.3     0.2     0.1     0.3     0.3


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
             n.a.  Not available


Table  3     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  September 2005-September 2006          2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         Sept.   May     June    July    Aug.
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                         August    August   September   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     Sept.   June    July    Aug.    Sept.
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................  19.369    118.1      108.6    n.a.    -1.1     3.7     2.4    -8.0

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   1.427    105.7      106.0    n.a.     2.0     0.9     6.3     0.3
111                  Agricultural products.............................   0.997    101.4      102.9    n.a.    -0.1    -0.4    11.2     1.5

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................  17.942    119.2      108.8    n.a.    -1.3     3.9     2.1    -8.7

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  80.009    104.0      103.4    n.a.     0.4     0.2     0.5    -0.6

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................  10.214    101.3      101.3    n.a.     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.0
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   2.449    103.3      103.4    n.a.    -0.1     0.3     0.6     0.1
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.794    101.7      101.7    n.a.     0.1     0.7     0.1     0.0
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   0.507    103.6      103.3    n.a.     1.1     0.0     0.2    -0.3
314                  Textile mill products.............................   0.718    101.0      101.0    n.a.     0.0     0.5     0.2     0.0
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   4.301    100.1      100.0    n.a.     0.0     0.2     0.1    -0.1
316                  Leather and allied products.......................   1.445    101.0      101.0    n.a.     0.4     0.3     0.1     0.0

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  17.852    108.3      104.4    n.a.    -0.8     0.9     1.4    -3.6
321                  Wood products.....................................   1.260     95.2       97.3    n.a.    -4.2    -0.7    -2.4     2.2
322                  Paper.............................................   1.444    104.8      105.1    n.a.     0.7     0.5     0.5     0.3
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   4.942    126.8      109.4    n.a.    -2.8     1.8     3.6   -13.7
325                  Chemicals.........................................   7.465    103.3      103.3    n.a.     0.3     1.1     1.1     0.0
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   1.573    102.5      102.7    n.a.     0.4     0.3     0.6     0.2
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   1.065    103.5      103.7    n.a.     0.5     0.3     0.0     0.2

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  51.943    103.1      103.4    n.a.     0.8    -0.1     0.3     0.3
331                  Primary metals....................................   5.157    131.4      135.0    n.a.     7.0    -3.3     2.3     2.7
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.418    104.4      104.9    n.a.     0.5     0.6     0.8     0.5
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................   6.149    102.2      102.4    n.a.     0.4     0.1    -0.1     0.2
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  13.704     97.8       97.7    n.a.    -0.2    -0.2    -0.1    -0.1
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.450    102.8      103.3    n.a.     1.0     0.3     0.0     0.5
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  14.863    100.5      100.6    n.a.     0.2     0.2     0.0     0.1
337                  Furniture and fixtures............................   1.448    100.4      100.6    n.a.     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.2
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.754    104.8      104.9    n.a.     0.3     2.2     0.2     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  4     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  September 2005-September 2006          2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         Sept.   May     June    July    Aug.
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                         August    August   September   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     Sept.   June    July    Aug.    Sept.
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................   6.064    107.3      104.4    n.a.     2.7     0.0     1.7    -2.7

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   4.178    107.3      104.9    n.a.     4.0     1.8     0.4    -2.2
111                  Agricultural products.............................   3.736    107.2      104.9    n.a.     4.6     1.9     0.4    -2.1

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................   1.886    107.2      103.3    n.a.     0.1    -4.1     4.8    -3.6
211                  Oil and gas.......................................   0.528     95.7       83.4    n.a.    -2.2    -0.5    18.7   -12.9
212                  Minerals and ores.................................   1.358    112.4      112.3    n.a.     0.8    -5.2     0.2    -0.1

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  91.571    103.3      102.9    n.a.     0.6     0.2     0.4    -0.4

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................   6.604    101.8      102.2    n.a.     0.6     0.8     1.4     0.4
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   3.803    103.7      104.5    n.a.     1.0     1.5     2.3     0.8
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.567    101.3      100.5    n.a.    -0.5     0.6     0.1    -0.8
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   1.040     96.7       96.8    n.a.     0.3     0.1     0.1     0.1
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   0.620    100.2      100.1    n.a.     0.1     0.0     0.2    -0.1

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  24.307    107.5      105.7    n.a.     1.1     0.8     0.9    -1.7
321                  Wood products.....................................   0.559    104.0      104.0    n.a.     0.8     0.4     0.7     0.0
322                  Paper.............................................   2.133    106.9      107.2    n.a.     0.9     0.8     0.4     0.3
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   3.024    129.8      112.1    n.a.     0.2     0.8     3.8   -13.6
325                  Chemicals.........................................  15.160    105.2      105.0    n.a.     1.3     0.9     0.7    -0.2
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   2.437    103.3      103.6    n.a.     0.1     0.4     0.5     0.3
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   0.891    102.5      103.0    n.a.     2.9     0.1     0.1     0.5

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  60.660    101.9      102.0    n.a.     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.1
331                  Primary metals....................................   3.969    120.0      119.9    n.a.     4.9    -1.4     2.6    -0.1
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.751    106.9      106.8    n.a.     0.2     1.2     0.3    -0.1
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................  12.032    102.2      102.3    n.a.     0.1     0.7     0.1     0.1
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  17.829     97.7       97.8    n.a.    -0.2    -0.5    -0.6     0.1
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.468    101.8      101.9    n.a.     0.3     0.1     0.4     0.1
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  16.090    101.9      101.9    n.a.     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.0
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.203    102.1      102.2    n.a.     0.2     0.1     0.1     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  5     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  September 2005-September 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Sept.   May     June    July    Aug.
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                                 August    August   September   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Sept.   June    July    Aug.    Sept.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.193    120.8      121.2     4.8     0.3     1.6     0.6     0.3
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................   0.339    140.7      140.8     1.1    -0.7     1.0     1.5     0.1
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.630     98.8       99.0     6.9     0.9     1.4     0.8     0.2
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................   0.225    153.9      155.7     4.7    -0.1     3.0    -1.7     1.2

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   1.130    119.5      120.0     9.8    -0.3     0.7     9.2     0.4
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................   0.320    162.4      162.1    18.5     3.7    -4.5    18.4    -0.2
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.292     88.0       87.6     2.6    -1.9    -2.7    10.7    -0.5
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................   0.239    125.3      129.4    18.5    -4.7     3.1     7.2     3.3
      2/         Other vegetable products............................   0.279    117.3      117.2     1.7     1.5     7.9     0.4    -0.1

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   1.995    119.3      119.3     3.7     0.6    -0.1    -0.3     0.0
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................   0.770    127.4      127.6     1.9     0.8    -0.8    -0.8     0.2
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............   0.252    118.6      118.9    16.9     0.9    -0.1     0.6     0.3
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................   0.760    110.6      110.4     3.0     0.5     0.7    -0.4    -0.2

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................  23.247    242.9      219.8    -0.6    -1.7     3.5     2.4    -9.5
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........  22.917    242.8      219.3    -0.9    -1.7     3.6     2.4    -9.7
      2/         Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..............   0.330    141.3      142.3    13.9     1.8     1.7     0.6     0.7

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................   6.793    115.1      114.6     0.7     0.9     0.4     0.1    -0.4
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.688    154.5      158.6     6.2     0.3     1.6     0.0     2.7
29               Organic chemicals...................................   2.708    118.2      116.3     2.6     2.0     1.4    -1.3    -1.6
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   1.899    106.2      105.9    -5.0     0.5    -0.2    -0.1    -0.3
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............   0.166     98.6       98.6    -1.8     0.3    -0.1    -0.1     0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)........   0.374    109.5      109.5     1.9    -0.1     0.9     1.6     0.0
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   0.387     93.8       93.8     1.2     0.7     0.5     1.0     0.0

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   2.780    121.3      120.6     5.9     1.5     0.8     0.2    -0.6
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   1.807    118.3      118.7     4.3     0.3     0.1     1.0     0.3
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   0.973    127.2      124.3     8.8     3.8     2.1    -1.4    -2.3

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.607    105.6      105.7     1.6     0.6     0.3     0.1     0.1
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................   0.520    105.6      105.7     1.5     0.6     0.4     0.1     0.1

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   1.348    117.5      120.3    -2.3    -3.4    -0.6    -2.1     2.4

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   1.633    109.1      109.3     5.7     0.6     0.6     0.5     0.2
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............   0.222    123.4      125.2    23.0     1.1     2.7     3.2     1.5
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.150    106.7      106.7     3.9     0.7     0.2     0.0     0.0
49               Printed matter......................................   0.262    113.9      113.9     1.2     0.2     0.5     0.0     0.0

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   5.339    101.1      101.1     0.4     0.1     0.3     0.1     0.0
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............   1.942    100.4      100.2     0.4     0.0     0.0     0.3    -0.2
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........   2.150     99.6       99.6    -0.7    -0.1     0.5    -0.1     0.0
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................   0.479     94.6       94.6     1.9    -0.1     1.0     0.0     0.0
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................   0.768    110.2      110.9     2.7     0.6     0.5     0.2     0.6

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................   1.212    100.9      100.9     0.7     0.3     0.2     0.1     0.0
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................   1.021    101.4      101.4     0.7     0.3     0.4     0.0     0.0
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................   0.191     97.7       97.7     0.4     0.5    -0.5     0.0     0.0

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.939    109.0      109.3     3.7     0.3     0.4     0.0     0.3
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)............   0.312    103.4      103.5     3.8     0.3     0.2    -0.1     0.1
69               Ceramic products....................................   0.298    113.1      113.4     1.8     0.3     1.2     0.1     0.3
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.329    109.5      109.7     5.4     0.4    -0.4     0.2     0.2

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.712    126.1      126.9    25.4     2.2    -1.0     1.9     0.6

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................   6.351    159.3      162.1    23.4     5.1    -0.5     1.4     1.8
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.633    179.6      187.8    17.3     4.6     2.5     0.8     4.6
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.400    126.2      125.8     1.5     0.8     0.7     0.2    -0.3
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.844    303.1      307.0    90.6    15.1    -1.2     5.2     1.3
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   1.001    141.3      139.5    21.8     5.4    -4.9    -1.0    -1.3
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.367    106.8      106.9     2.0     0.3    -0.9     0.1     0.1
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.446    120.2      121.7     8.8     0.9     0.6     0.8     1.2
      2/         Other base metals and articles of base metals.......   0.659    216.2      228.5    77.8     9.7    -3.6     6.2     5.7

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.................  22.854     88.1       88.2    -0.6     0.2     0.1    -0.1     0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  11.873     88.4       88.4    -0.7     0.1     0.1     0.0     0.0
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........  10.981     87.9       88.0    -0.3     0.2     0.1    -0.1     0.1

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  12.941    105.0      105.1     0.5     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.1
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................  11.922    104.4      104.5     0.5     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.1
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (Dec. 2002=100)......................   0.885    106.7      107.0     1.2     0.5     0.0     0.1     0.3

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   3.030     99.4       99.4    -0.6     0.2    -0.2     0.0     0.0
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................   2.694     98.0       98.0    -1.1     0.2    -0.3     0.0     0.0
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................   0.241    111.8      111.8     4.4     0.1    -0.1     0.0     0.0

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   3.682     99.6       99.7     0.4     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.1
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........   2.134    103.4      103.4     0.0     0.4     0.1     0.0     0.0
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   1.339     94.7       94.8     0.9     0.0     0.2     0.2     0.1
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................   0.209    102.8      102.9     1.8     0.5     0.1     0.0     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.
     2   Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  6     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  September 2005-September 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Sept.   May     June    July    Aug.
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                                 August    August   September   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Sept.   June    July    Aug.    Sept.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.379    135.0      134.9     0.2     2.7     4.2     3.5    -0.1
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.456    125.2      123.6     2.7     1.3     0.7     1.3    -1.3

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   3.753    136.0      134.1     8.2     4.6     1.8     1.9    -1.4
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.701    122.1      118.6    -4.1     3.5     7.3    -0.7    -2.9
10               Cereals.............................................   1.626    138.6      140.9    21.2     5.4     2.3    -1.1     1.7
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............   0.841    122.1      118.5    -4.2    -0.1     2.4    -1.8    -2.9

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.286    113.8      114.1     3.1     0.2     0.4     0.8     0.3
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................   0.431    108.5      108.7    -0.2     0.1     0.4     0.0     0.2
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............   0.408    125.7      126.3     4.6     0.7    -1.2     0.2     0.5
      2/         Other prepared foods................................   0.805    111.9      111.7     2.1     0.3     0.6     1.7    -0.2

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................   4.914    245.4      225.0     1.9    -0.1    -0.8     3.7    -8.3
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........   4.066    231.3      208.1    -4.6    -0.5     1.0     4.3   -10.0

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  12.322    124.4      124.0     5.4     1.3     0.9     0.4    -0.3
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   1.191    155.1      154.7    19.6     2.3     0.5    -0.6    -0.3
29               Organic chemicals...................................   4.422    142.1      141.0     7.4     2.6     2.2     1.4    -0.8
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   2.418    109.4      109.6     2.3     0.6     0.3     0.0     0.2
31               Fertilizers.........................................   0.366    146.5      144.5    -8.0    -0.5     0.6    -0.7    -1.4
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............   0.631    109.6      109.6     3.4     0.2    -1.3     0.3     0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................   0.710    115.1      115.3     1.8     0.5     0.3     0.0     0.2
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........   0.409    108.9      107.2     2.4     0.5     0.0    -0.5    -1.6
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............   0.367    104.4      104.6     0.2    -0.8     2.2    -0.2     0.2
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   1.605    111.6      111.8     4.1     0.6    -0.3     0.3     0.2

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   6.005    131.0      131.4     8.3     0.8     0.9     0.8     0.3
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   4.854    127.6      127.9     7.0     1.0     0.8     0.8     0.2
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   1.151    145.1      146.1    14.5     0.4     1.6     0.9     0.7

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.483    117.2      117.9     4.5    -0.1    -0.1     0.4     0.6
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................   0.345    111.4      112.2     4.3     0.5    -0.1     0.6     0.7

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   0.750    108.7      108.3     4.4     0.5     0.0     0.8    -0.4

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   2.687    106.7      107.3     5.5     1.1     0.9     0.3     0.6
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.586     99.9      101.6     6.8     0.8     1.8     1.2     1.7
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.498    106.5      106.7     5.7     1.3     0.4     0.2     0.2
49               Printed material....................................   0.603    118.1      118.4     3.4     0.4     1.0    -0.2     0.3

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   2.707    102.0      101.4     0.9     0.8    -0.6     0.7    -0.6
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...   0.742     94.9       92.2     0.0     1.9    -2.1     2.9    -2.8
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100).................   0.319     94.6       94.6    -0.3     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)..   1.646    114.5      114.8     1.7     0.4     0.0    -0.1     0.3

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.820    104.1      104.6     1.1     0.9     0.0     0.0     0.5
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.461     95.5       96.4     0.0     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.9

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.871    137.6      138.1    26.5     4.7    -4.8     1.9     0.4

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................   5.670    157.3      158.0    20.6     2.1     2.0     1.5     0.4
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.219    181.7      184.2    23.2     3.0     1.5     3.1     1.4
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.331    138.1      138.1    10.0     0.1     2.2     0.4     0.0
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.823    250.8      251.2    63.5     1.7     4.6     4.0     0.2
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   0.936    141.9      139.8    21.4     6.5    -4.3     1.6    -1.5
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.414    111.3      111.3     6.2     0.0     0.6     0.0     0.0
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.445    125.3      124.8     6.5     0.7     1.4    -0.2    -0.4

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...............  32.043     93.6       93.6    -0.1     0.0     0.0    -0.2     0.0
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  17.916    101.8      102.1     2.0     0.0     0.3     0.0     0.3
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............  14.127     84.6       84.4    -2.5    -0.1    -0.4    -0.5    -0.2

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.279    111.8      111.8     2.1     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.0
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................   8.772    104.8      104.8     1.1     0.0     0.2     0.0     0.0

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   6.251    102.3      102.4     0.6     0.1    -0.2     0.1     0.1

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   1.422    101.6      101.7     0.9     0.1     0.4     0.1     0.1
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........   0.780    108.0      108.1     1.6     0.2     0.7     0.3     0.1
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   0.503     94.3       94.3    -0.1     0.2    -0.1     0.0     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.
     2   Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  7     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin
                  September 2005-September 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                           Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                       Percentage                        Sept.     May      June     July     Aug.
                        Description                        of                            2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                          U.S.    August   September      to        to       to       to       to
                                                        Imports    2006       2006       Sept.     June     July     Aug.     Sept.
                                                           1/                            2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 46.371   118.5      117.7        3.7       0.4     -0.2      1.1     -0.7
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.994   205.9      190.3       -6.3      -2.4      2.1      6.1     -7.6
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 41.944   111.8      112.0        5.0       0.8     -0.4      0.4      0.2

 3/ Other Countries..................................... 53.651   117.7      114.7        2.3       0.0      1.6      0.3     -2.5
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  9.299   228.3      208.3        4.3      -0.6      4.3      1.6     -8.8
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 44.152   101.8      101.4        2.1       0.1      0.7     -0.1     -0.4

    Canada.............................................. 17.089   133.2      130.6        1.9      -0.5      0.0      2.0     -2.0
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.239   207.0      191.0       -9.4      -2.8      2.3      7.0     -7.7
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.575   119.8      119.6        5.7       0.3     -0.7      0.5     -0.2

 4/ European Union...................................... 18.654   120.6      120.5        4.1       1.3      0.1      0.1     -0.1
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  0.367   238.8      219.2        4.5       3.1      0.5      2.5     -8.2
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 18.150   118.3      118.4        4.0       1.0      0.1      0.2      0.1

    France (Dec. 2003=100)..............................  1.971   103.9      104.1        1.9       0.4      0.0      0.1      0.2

    Germany (Dec. 2003=100).............................  5.187   104.6      105.1        1.5       0.5      0.8      0.1      0.5

    United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)......................  2.947   119.9      119.0        3.4       1.4     -0.3      0.3     -0.8

 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.406   145.5      141.4        5.7       0.1      2.0     -0.1     -2.8
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  4.158   231.4      211.9        3.3      -1.2      4.8      1.6     -8.4
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.173   128.7      128.4        6.9       0.8      0.7     -0.8     -0.2

    Mexico (Dec. 2003=100).............................. 10.594   124.6      121.5        6.2      -0.4      2.3      2.1     -2.5

 6/ Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 34.090    98.9       98.8       -0.8       0.2      0.2      0.0     -0.1

    China (Dec. 2003=100)............................... 13.773    97.6       97.4       -1.0      -0.2      0.1      0.1     -0.2

    Japan...............................................  8.920    94.5       94.4       -1.5       0.2     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

 7/ Asian NICs..........................................  7.216    89.6       89.4       -0.3       0.1      0.6     -0.1     -0.2

 8/ ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)...............................  6.086    98.9       98.2        0.4       0.4      1.4     -0.1     -0.7

 9/ Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)......................  3.547   191.5      177.6        1.4       2.0      2.8     -1.1     -7.3


1   Percentage of trade figures are based on 2004 trade values.
2   Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
3   Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
4   Includes European Union countries.
5   Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
6   Includes China, Japan, Asia Newly Industrialized Countries, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.
7   Asia Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
8   Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
9   Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            Regions are not mutually exclusive.
            n.a.  Not available


Table  8     U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Transportation Services
                  September 2005-September 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                         Index                         Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                          ance                           Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
                        Description                                                      2005     2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                         August    August   September     to       to       to       to       to
                                                          2006      2006      2006       Sept.    June     July     Aug.     Sept.
                                                           1/                            2006     2006     2006     2006     2006

    AIR FREIGHT
      Import Air Freight................................ 100.000    132.6     133.3       2.8      3.0     -1.2     -0.7      0.5
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  39.178    130.5     132.3       7.9      5.4     -0.8      0.1      1.4
           Asia.........................................  48.801    115.7     115.5      -1.7      2.0     -1.9     -1.5     -0.2

      Export Air Freight................................ 100.000    116.6     118.2       6.6      1.0     -0.3      0.9      1.4

      Inbound Air Freight............................... 100.000    128.3     128.8       1.0      1.7     -0.9      0.2      0.4
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  39.533    126.1     127.1       4.9      3.3     -0.8      1.0      0.8
           Asia.........................................  48.109    110.7     110.8      -2.8      0.7     -1.1     -0.7      0.1

      Outbound Air Freight.............................. 100.000    116.3     117.0       4.1      1.4     -0.5     -0.3      0.6
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  42.468    132.9     133.0       5.5      1.4     -1.4      0.6      0.1
           Asia.........................................  42.286    108.0     107.4       0.9      1.7      0.2     -1.3     -0.6

    AIR PASSENGER FARES
      Import Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    138.3     130.9       5.6     11.4      2.0     -0.8     -5.4
           Europe.......................................  61.509    133.0     127.9       5.1     13.8      0.3     -0.4     -3.8
           Asia.........................................  14.376    133.2     112.9       3.8     16.7      4.2     -3.4    -15.2
           Latin America/Caribbean......................   9.703    123.2     118.8       6.1      1.0      5.1      0.5     -3.6

      Export Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    154.1     142.4       2.1      0.1      5.2      5.2     -7.6
           Europe.......................................  31.921    189.7     174.9       6.0      3.2      9.2      2.5     -7.8
           Asia.........................................  37.609    134.9     114.4      -4.3     -3.6      2.7     16.1    -15.2
           Latin America/Caribbean......................  16.071    151.0     153.3       7.5      0.5      6.2     -4.6      1.5

      Inbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)....... 100.000    133.9     123.9       4.7      1.2      6.3      4.1     -7.5
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  42.436    140.0     126.6       6.7      4.1     10.7      2.4     -9.6
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  30.936    128.9     113.0      -1.4     -3.4      2.5     13.9    -12.3
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  12.942    119.3     120.9       9.9      1.0      5.3     -3.5      1.3
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   8.897    158.2     162.8       7.8      3.8      0.7     -2.8      2.9

      Outbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)...... 100.000    131.3     126.4       5.2      9.1      1.8      0.2     -3.7
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  52.796    139.3     135.0       4.2     14.0      0.4     -0.2     -3.1
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  15.866    127.2     112.2       3.8     10.0      3.2      1.9    -11.8
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  18.091    113.3     112.4       6.8      0.2      2.5      0.5     -0.8
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   8.476    163.9     164.0      17.6      1.3      1.9      3.5      0.1

    CRUDE OIL TANKER FREIGHT
 2/   Inbound Crude Oil Tanker Freight.................. 100.000     n.a.      n.a.      n.a.     12.2      1.8     n.a.     n.a.

    OCEAN LINER FREIGHT
      Inbound Ocean Liner Freight....................... 100.000    113.9     114.2     -10.7     -2.3     -1.9      1.1      0.3
           U.S. East Coast..............................  40.502    118.9     119.1      -4.7     -0.7     -1.7      0.6      0.2
                 From Atlantic..........................  17.873    120.4     120.5      -2.0     -0.9      0.0      0.1      0.1
                 From Pacific...........................  16.719    120.8     121.2      -3.4     -0.1     -0.2      0.8      0.3
           U.S. West Coast..............................  59.498    111.4     111.6     -14.4     -3.3     -2.1      1.5      0.2


    1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 trade values.
    2   Publication of the Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes is lagged two months, as are the relative importance figures.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available
	
                                        
						TECHNICAL NOTE


Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres formula and 
are not seasonally adjusted.  Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag 
in the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More detailed index series and 
additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using three 
classification systems.  Items are classified, respectively, by end use for the Bureau of Economic Analysis 
System, industry for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and product category for the 
Harmonized System (HS).  While classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, a couple 
of notes are in order for classifying items by industry.  In the NAICS tables, for both imports and exports, 
items are classified by output industry, not input industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics 
and rubber products) would include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  
The NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI to produce the NAICS 
primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are 
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port 
transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is 
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification system of 
the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory or 
"free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  Prices 
used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected for 
the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin using a 
nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  Nonmanufactured goods are 
defined as NAICS 11 and 21, and manufactured goods are defined as NAICS 31-33.  

Services Price Indexes -- Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 
International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.).  The Air Passenger Fares 
Indexes are calculated from data collected from a commercial airline reservation system.  These data exclude 
frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. The Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes are calculated 
from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy, and the publication of these indexes is lagged two 
months. The Air Freight and Ocean Liner Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected directly from 
companies.  Fact sheets specifying detailed information for each services industry are available at 
http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "Publications and Other Documentation."   

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further data 
revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision in the 
releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  Other published 
indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes 
are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while International indexes are more appropriate for 
market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price 
elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful for terms of trade 
analysis.

Mailing List -- If you wish to be added to the mailing list to receive a copy of the U.S. Import and Export Price 
Index News Release, please either call the IPP information line at (202) 691-7101 or send e-mail to 
(mxpinfo@bls.gov) to provide your name and mailing address.  You may also contact the IPP at the following address:

				Division of International Prices
				Bureau of Labor Statistics
				PSB Building, Rm. 3955 
				2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
				Washington, DC 20212-0001

The information you provide will be used to register you for delivery of selected publications.  The Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) is authorized to request this information under 5 United States Code (USC) Section 301.  
Furnishing such information is voluntary, however, BLS may not be able to register you for the subscription service 
if you fail to do so.  As part of helping us assess the quality of our customer service, BLS may contact 
subscribers with a customer service survey.

In addition, the IPP news release is now available through an e-mail subscription service at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp).  
To access data using Anonymous FTP, use the Internet address at (ftp://ftp.bls.gov).  For technical assistance in 
using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to (labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For IPP 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.