Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, April 12, 2011 

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

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

USDL-11-0510

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MARCH 2011 

U.S. import prices rose 2.7 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, following a 

1.4 percent advance in February. The March increase was driven by both higher fuel and nonfuel prices. The 

price index for U.S. exports increased 1.5 percent in March after rising 1.4 percent the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2010 – March 2011 

 Percent change 

0.4

1.1

-0.8

-1.2

0.0

0.4

0.0

1.1

1.7

1.4 1.5 1.4

2.7

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Mar'10 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'11

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2010 – March 2011 

 Percent change

11.2 11.2

8.5

4.3

4.9

3.8 3.6 3.9 4.1

5.3 5.6

7.2

9.7

0

5

10

Mar'10 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'11
 

All Imports: Import prices continued a six-month upward trend in March, rising 2.7 percent. The increase 

was the largest one-month advance since a similar 2.7 percent rise in June 2009. Prices of imports rose 9.7 

percent for the year ended in March, the largest 12-month rise since April 2010. Rising fuel and nonfuel 

prices each contributed to the increase over the past year. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel jumped 9.0 percent in March, the largest monthly rise since a 

16.0 percent advance in June 2009. Fuel prices increased 28.7 percent for the year ended in March, driven 

by a 36.6 percent advance over the past six months. Higher petroleum prices drove both the March increase 

in fuel prices and the rise over the past 12 months, increasing 10.5 percent in March and 31.3 percent over 

the past year. In contrast, natural gas prices declined 14.0 percent in March and fell 11.6 percent over the 

past 12 months. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices rose 0.6 percent in March following a 0.5 percent 

advance the month before. Rising prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, and foods, feeds, and 

beverages each contributed to the March increase. Import prices, excluding fuel advanced 4.2 percent for the 

March 2010-11 period, the largest 12-month increase since a 4.8 percent rise for the year ended October 

2008. A 14.2 percent increase in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices and an 18.9 percent rise in 

foods, feeds, and beverage prices led the recent 12 month advance in nonfuel prices. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2010 – March 2011 

 Percent change 

0.7

1.1

0.5

-0.7

-0.2

0.8 0.6

0.8

1.5

0.7

1.2 1.4 1.5

-2

-1

0

1

2

Mar'10 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'11

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2010 – March 2011 

 Percent change

4.9

5.5 5.6

3.7 3.9 4.1

4.9

5.8 6.5 6.5 6.9

8.7

9.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Mar'10 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'11

All Exports: Export prices advanced 1.5 percent in March after rising 1.4 percent in February. The March 

increase matched a similar 1.5 percent advance in November 2010, and those were the largest increases 

since July 2008. Prices for overall exports rose 9.5 percent for the year ended in March, the largest 12-

month advance since July 2008. Higher prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed 

to both the monthly and 12-month increases in overall export prices. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports rose 2.3 percent in March, led by a 9.2 

percent increase in corn prices and a 10.5 percent advance in cotton prices. Agricultural prices rose 34.0 

percent over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since a 39.7 percent advance in July 2008. Rising 

corn and cotton prices, up 77.7 percent and 153.8 percent, respectively, were the largest contributors to the 

12-month increase in agricultural prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports advanced 1.3 percent in March, the 

largest increase since a similar 1.3 percent rise in April 2010. Prices for all of the major goods categories 

increased in March. A 3.2 percent increase for nonagricultural industrial supplies materials prices was the 

largest contributor to the overall advance. The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 7.0 percent over 

the past 12 months. 

 

3
4

 

SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices increased 2.0 

percent in March, led by a 3.8 percent advance in unfinished metals prices. A 6.5 percent advance in iron 

and steel mill products was the largest factor for the higher metals prices in March. A 1.2 percent increase in 

chemicals prices in March also contributed to the overall increase in industrial supplies and materials prices. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in March. Consumer goods prices declined 0.2 percent, 

led by a 3.2 percent decrease in the price index for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products. Capital 

goods prices edged down 0.1 percent in March, driven by a 0.9 percent decline in the price index for 

computers, peripherals and semiconductors. In contrast, the price index for automotive vehicles rose 0.2 

percent in March. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages advanced 4.2 percent in March, the 

largest monthly rise since a 4.3 percent increase in July 1994. A 26.8 percent jump in vegetable prices, 

drove the overall March advance in foods, feeds, and beverages prices. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China rose 0.6 percent in March, the largest monthly 

increase since a 0.8 percent advance in July 2008. Prices for imports from China increased 2.6 percent over 

the past 12 months, the largest 12 month advance since a 2.8 percent rise between December 2007 and 

December 2008. The price indexes for imports from Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and Japan also 

rose in March. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 0.2 percent in March. Lower European fares 

offset increases in Latin American, and Asian fares. Despite the monthly decline, the index was still up 7.6 

percent for the year ending in March. Import air freight prices rose 0.2 percent in March, following a 1.8 

percent rise in February. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials increased 3.2 percent in March after rising 2.6 percent in February. The March 

advance was driven by an 8.9 percent increase in fuel prices and a 2.0 percent rise for nonferrous metals 

prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices rose 0.1 percent in March, led by a 0.9 percent increase in the price 

index for electric apparatus and parts and a 0.3 percent advance in computers, peripherals and 

semiconductor prices. Consumer goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles also rose in March, 

increasing 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 8.7 percent in March and 11.2 percent over the 

past year. Rising Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares led both the March and the 12-month increases 

for the index. Export air freight prices increased 2.9 percent in March following a 2.0 percent advance in 

February. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2011 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, May 10, 

2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2010 to March

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.9 138.5 9.7 1.4 1.5 1.4 2.7

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 69.487 101.1 101.4 – – 0.5 0.6 0.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 76.973 114.4 114.8 4.1 0.4 0.9 0.7 0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 75.263 117.8 118.5 4.2 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.6

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.776 168.1 175.2 18.9 1.3 2.6 0.7 4.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.510 189.6 199.2 20.1 1.3 2.8 1.0 5.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.266 119.5 120.9 14.5 1.2 2.0 -0.2 1.2

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 37.912 237.5 253.1 23.5 3.8 3.4 3.2 6.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.887 167.3 168.1 12.3 1.6 2.9 2.0 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.177 184.0 187.6 14.2 1.1 2.1 1.3 2.0

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.064 177.2 181.2 14.4 0.8 2.0 1.4 2.3

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.113 155.2 152.8 9.6 2.7 3.8 2.7 -1.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 24.735 309.6 337.6 28.7 5.6 4.1 4.2 9.0

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 23.025 337.8 373.2 31.3 5.5 3.8 4.0 10.5

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.227 347.3 379.9 31.0 5.9 4.3 4.0 9.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.336 151.0 131.8 -8.7 7.3 9.5 9.6 -12.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.211 136.0 117.0 -11.6 10.2 10.4 10.4 -14.0

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.650 115.5 116.3 8.1 0.0 0.2 -1.9 0.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.527 163.2 165.7 14.6 1.9 2.3 1.6 1.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.094 129.9 131.6 3.1 0.3 2.0 0.3 1.3

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.891 279.5 290.1 24.3 1.2 3.1 1.9 3.8

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.582 155.3 156.7 10.0 0.5 0.3 1.4 0.9

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.433 111.3 111.9 4.5 0.2 1.6 0.8 0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 21.755 92.3 92.2 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.3 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.719 114.7 115.2 3.8 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.177 86.4 86.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.858 122.9 123.1 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.7 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.399 109.7 109.9 1.6 -0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 25.156 105.0 104.8 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.5 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.348 111.0 110.3 1.2 0.4 0.1 0.5 -0.6

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.788 98.9 99.1 -1.0 -0.3 0.5 0.2 0.2

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.020 107.3 107.8 5.2 0.1 2.2 1.2 0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: March 2010 to March

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 130.8 132.7 9.5 0.7 1.2 1.4 1.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 12.032 213.9 218.9 34.0 2.0 3.0 4.6 2.3

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.216 101.5 102.2 – – 0.6 0.9 0.7

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 87.967 124.8 126.4 7.0 0.6 1.0 1.0 1.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.506 203.1 206.5 26.4 0.9 3.2 2.9 1.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.878 208.4 212.3 28.1 0.6 3.2 3.8 1.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.628 151.6 151.4 3.8 5.1 3.5 -9.1 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.390 182.3 188.3 21.4 1.8 2.5 3.0 3.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.279 183.3 185.7 15.8 1.4 2.4 2.4 1.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.111 182.6 190.5 24.8 2.1 2.6 3.4 4.3

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 2.154 247.5 258.7 66.2 8.1 2.2 8.6 4.5

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.235 179.5 185.3 19.3 1.4 2.6 2.6 3.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.277 253.9 276.6 40.4 2.9 4.8 3.6 8.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.081 171.6 173.8 14.2 1.2 1.9 2.4 1.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.877 115.7 115.5 -0.4 -0.9 0.0 -0.4 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.991 103.9 104.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.360 110.7 111.2 1.3 0.0 0.5 0.4 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.483 93.9 93.9 -0.8 0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.148 144.0 144.2 3.7 0.6 1.1 0.6 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.757 109.2 109.6 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.356 113.3 114.0 3.4 -0.2 0.0 0.5 0.6

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.839 113.9 114.2 2.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.3 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.448 112.0 113.1 5.0 -0.2 0.1 0.9 1.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: March 2010 to March

2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 21.748 155.0 166.8 27.6 5.6 4.6 4.0 7.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.174 175.4 189.1 28.4 3.0 4.2 1.4 7.8

Crop production................................. 111 1.544 177.5 195.9 27.5 2.0 3.6 0.4 10.4

Mining.............................................. 21 19.574 152.7 164.2 27.5 5.9 4.6 4.4 7.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.370 145.5 145.4 10.2 0.1 3.3 0.2 -0.1

Manufactured articles.............................. 77.765 114.1 115.5 5.3 0.4 0.7 0.8 1.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.875 116.7 118.5 9.5 0.8 1.5 0.7 1.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.261 147.5 151.4 23.2 1.6 3.0 0.8 2.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.919 110.0 110.5 1.1 0.1 -0.4 0.1 0.5

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.837 108.5 114.4 13.8 1.5 1.0 0.7 5.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.017 105.0 105.9 4.3 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.9

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.470 109.5 109.5 2.9 0.1 0.6 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.610 130.9 135.4 11.0 1.4 1.3 1.4 3.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.675 108.6 110.8 4.9 0.5 3.4 0.2 2.0

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.192 110.4 110.9 6.8 -0.1 0.5 -0.7 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.695 148.2 170.9 32.6 4.4 1.7 3.7 15.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.407 131.7 130.2 3.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 -1.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.745 119.6 120.0 5.3 0.3 2.1 0.6 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.799 125.8 126.2 4.7 0.2 1.6 0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 48.279 108.4 108.7 2.5 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.631 181.5 186.7 21.3 1.2 2.6 1.9 2.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.507 122.5 123.4 5.8 0.7 0.6 0.3 0.7

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.497 116.8 117.3 3.6 0.1 0.9 0.9 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.293 84.6 84.2 -4.1 -0.5 -0.7 0.1 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.556 114.1 114.0 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.511 106.6 106.8 1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.220 108.3 109.3 3.3 0.6 0.2 0.7 0.9

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.064 118.1 118.5 5.6 0.3 2.5 0.8 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: March 2010 to March

2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 9.614 180.8 185.1 46.7 1.2 5.9 3.3 2.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 7.295 213.0 218.9 54.3 2.8 5.4 6.6 2.8

Crop production................................. 111 7.024 223.0 229.4 57.6 2.9 5.6 6.7 2.9

Mining.............................................. 21 2.319 113.9 115.0 26.9 -2.9 6.9 -5.6 1.0

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.559 134.3 135.0 36.5 -4.7 1.4 1.4 0.5

Manufactured articles.............................. 86.589 116.9 118.5 6.5 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.212 138.6 141.2 14.0 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.9

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.943 154.0 156.7 12.9 1.6 0.4 0.8 1.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.550 114.4 115.3 9.1 -0.3 -0.5 0.2 0.8

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.404 110.4 110.6 7.5 -0.4 2.6 2.8 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.131 129.0 132.9 13.4 1.0 1.0 2.5 3.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.405 118.7 120.8 8.1 -2.4 -2.8 5.0 1.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 2.006 125.2 125.2 10.4 -0.6 1.3 0.7 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.555 153.8 172.1 43.2 4.6 3.4 6.4 11.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.516 128.0 129.1 7.9 0.5 0.6 1.5 0.9

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.947 109.1 109.2 2.5 0.1 0.3 1.1 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.702 110.6 110.4 -3.2 -0.4 -1.6 -0.1 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.245 110.2 110.7 2.7 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.931 167.4 171.0 22.9 2.0 3.0 1.3 2.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.465 124.6 124.9 3.6 0.4 0.9 0.9 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.468 115.7 116.0 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.110 90.5 90.2 -2.5 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.061 110.1 110.9 1.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2 0.7

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.076 113.2 113.5 2.3 0.3 0.7 0.4 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.831 113.2 114.5 4.9 0.1 -0.5 0.8 1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: March 2010 to March

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.363 164.2 167.2 22.7 2.4 2.9 2.1 1.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.321 206.8 212.1 21.5 3.5 3.6 3.5 2.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.713 121.4 122.8 21.0 1.6 2.3 -0.7 1.2

Vegetable products................................ II 1.777 195.3 214.2 25.9 1.6 3.1 0.0 9.7

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.311 293.1 396.8 16.2 5.7 1.7 -11.4 35.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.557 124.3 129.9 22.2 0.4 4.6 4.1 4.5

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.416 233.1 247.6 54.2 0.0 3.6 3.1 6.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.366 159.2 155.1 49.4 7.3 11.6 5.7 -2.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.592 150.6 154.6 10.3 0.3 0.8 0.1 2.7

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.235 103.3 107.3 7.3 0.5 2.6 4.7 3.9

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.273 128.2 129.3 15.0 -3.6 -0.2 -3.3 0.9

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.368 152.3 153.0 17.2 1.7 2.2 0.7 0.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.890 119.9 120.4 1.3 0.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.4

Mineral products.................................... V 24.289 310.3 338.4 28.1 5.5 4.0 4.2 9.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 23.966 306.7 334.9 28.3 5.6 4.0 4.2 9.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 9.068 146.4 144.9 4.0 0.8 1.0 0.9 -1.0

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.084 349.8 360.0 31.3 1.3 4.5 2.5 2.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.924 136.9 135.1 1.1 1.1 -0.5 0.7 -1.3

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.364 116.6 112.9 -4.2 0.3 0.3 0.5 -3.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.257 121.0 121.7 15.7 4.2 7.5 0.4 0.6

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.432 123.7 123.5 4.1 -0.3 -0.4 0.4 -0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.511 106.4 106.9 14.3 1.5 4.8 1.1 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.938 146.1 147.0 9.5 1.4 1.7 1.2 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.808 135.7 136.4 5.7 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.5

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.130 165.9 167.3 15.9 2.3 3.6 2.0 0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.533 116.6 116.7 2.3 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.503 116.7 116.9 1.7 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.708 130.8 133.2 4.4 0.4 3.2 0.4 1.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.307 113.5 113.8 5.3 0.0 0.2 -0.9 0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.874 107.3 107.3 5.1 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.143 108.2 110.0 6.8 0.9 1.2 0.8 1.7

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.023 102.6 102.6 4.5 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.869 106.1 107.9 4.4 0.7 0.9 0.6 1.7

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.621 102.4 110.0 19.2 2.4 1.1 0.8 7.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.229 109.8 109.8 3.4 0.0 0.6 0.3 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2010 to March

2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.047 108.7 108.7 3.3 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.726 127.4 127.9 3.0 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.249 120.1 119.8 1.8 0.8 0.2 0.4 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.211 139.2 141.2 0.9 0.4 0.1 0.1 1.4

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.267 121.8 122.1 6.1 -0.1 0.7 0.3 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.934 181.2 185.1 19.5 2.3 2.8 0.0 2.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.244 194.9 199.1 13.8 0.3 1.6 2.0 2.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.949 247.1 255.9 15.9 0.7 3.1 3.6 3.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.551 153.9 154.9 7.9 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.6

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.641 417.2 425.4 31.1 2.0 5.7 3.9 2.0

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.180 137.9 152.4 37.1 -4.3 2.1 5.5 10.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.910 149.2 152.1 14.3 -0.1 0.7 2.8 1.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.327 122.5 122.2 3.7 1.3 1.2 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.370 128.8 128.9 1.3 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.133 85.8 85.6 -1.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.980 88.6 88.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.5 -0.6

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.153 83.0 83.2 -2.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 8.768 111.0 111.3 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.773 109.9 110.2 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.909 115.5 115.6 1.4 0.2 0.0 1.3 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.233 104.2 104.3 3.1 0.2 2.3 0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.987 102.0 102.1 3.1 0.2 2.5 0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.182 125.0 125.0 2.2 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.563 108.0 108.4 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.744 110.9 111.6 2.1 0.5 -0.1 0.5 0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.613 101.8 102.0 0.8 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.206 128.0 128.4 8.2 0.3 2.2 0.2 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: March 2010 to March

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.869 184.2 190.8 16.4 0.3 1.0 2.2 3.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.156 151.7 157.3 17.7 -0.5 0.6 4.3 3.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.369 166.7 166.1 10.7 7.0 6.3 -9.5 -0.4

Vegetable products................................ II 6.218 249.9 253.4 39.9 1.2 6.1 4.4 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 1.003 134.2 136.5 9.3 2.0 4.0 0.1 1.7

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.405 296.2 309.7 69.0 -1.2 8.2 6.9 4.6

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.267 271.7 264.6 35.5 4.1 5.0 3.1 -2.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.544 157.2 158.3 56.1 12.3 7.6 4.2 0.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.637 147.0 148.0 6.9 0.6 -0.9 0.8 0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.340 105.3 106.7 4.1 1.1 -0.2 1.0 1.3

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.439 116.1 116.2 -2.1 0.1 -2.9 0.3 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.378 104.1 105.0 0.3 -0.7 -0.8 0.2 0.9

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.711 218.6 222.0 26.0 1.3 -1.4 0.8 1.6

Mineral products.................................... V 8.236 300.9 327.1 40.8 2.3 4.6 3.4 8.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 7.605 294.9 322.6 42.1 2.9 4.9 3.7 9.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.863 150.8 151.8 6.3 0.2 0.3 1.5 0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.032 196.7 198.1 16.3 0.9 1.7 -0.2 0.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.267 160.8 164.0 9.2 0.5 1.1 3.0 2.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.960 125.7 126.1 2.8 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.556 122.1 122.5 7.6 -3.4 0.3 3.1 0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.743 127.4 127.7 3.5 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.478 123.0 121.9 5.4 0.0 0.1 1.7 -0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.801 145.1 145.0 4.0 0.1 0.6 0.5 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.098 143.1 143.9 6.1 0.6 1.1 0.9 0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.150 136.7 137.4 6.4 0.6 1.1 1.0 0.5

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.948 171.4 173.0 5.0 0.2 0.9 0.6 0.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.417 128.8 132.6 13.6 1.6 1.5 2.4 3.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.517 109.8 109.7 1.5 -0.8 -0.7 0.8 -0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.759 127.2 127.9 12.2 0.0 1.4 1.4 0.6

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.972 154.5 156.4 25.9 0.4 2.0 3.3 1.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.295 119.4 119.8 8.7 -0.3 1.3 0.3 0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.492 118.0 118.0 1.6 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.475 156.6 164.8 46.6 4.4 2.0 7.0 5.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 1.202 264.5 292.2 136.0 10.1 2.4 14.9 10.5

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2010 to March

2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2010 to

Mar.

2011

Nov.

2010 to

Dec.

2010

Dec.

2010 to

Jan.

2011

Jan.

2011 to

Feb.

2011

Feb.

2011 to

Mar.

2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.689 115.6 115.6 -1.0 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.387 99.2 99.2 0.0 -0.5 0.9 0.1 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.784 242.1 248.9 25.4 2.1 1.8 0.5 2.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.952 183.3 186.0 15.8 1.5 4.2 4.7 1.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.993 240.4 245.2 28.9 4.2 7.8 12.1 2.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.245 164.2 166.9 6.5 0.1 1.9 0.7 1.6

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.764 284.4 285.7 24.2 2.5 7.4 2.3 0.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.965 135.9 138.1 12.1 -0.5 2.7 2.6 1.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.339 125.4 125.4 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.282 122.2 123.3 -0.9 0.5 -2.1 0.0 0.9

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.729 95.8 95.8 -0.3 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.596 107.2 107.4 0.4 0.1 0.4 -0.2 0.2

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.133 83.5 83.2 -1.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.785 122.8 123.1 1.7 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 6.025 109.0 109.2 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.898 105.7 105.7 -0.5 0.1 -1.0 -0.5 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.390 107.7 108.0 0.3 -0.4 0.2 0.3 0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.665 118.8 119.4 1.4 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.617 91.8 91.9 -1.4 -0.7 -0.1 0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: March 2010 to March 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2010

to Mar.

2011

Nov. 2010

to Dec.

2010

Dec. 2010

to Jan.

2011

Jan. 2011

to Feb.

2011

Feb. 2011

to Mar.

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 129.1 130.9 4.1 1.1 -0.2 1.0 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 227.3 235.7 12.4 7.5 2.9 1.2 3.7

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 121.0 122.3 2.9 0.2 -0.7 0.8 1.1

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 133.4 137.9 11.0 1.4 1.7 1.7 3.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 317.1 344.9 32.2 4.8 5.0 4.6 8.8

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 108.2 109.8 4.6 0.4 0.7 0.7 1.5

Canada............................................ 14.271 151.8 155.5 8.2 2.6 1.1 1.3 2.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 220.9 228.9 11.9 7.8 3.2 1.2 3.6

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 137.5 140.0 6.3 0.6 0.1 1.3 1.8

European Union4

............................... 17.186 131.2 132.6 3.4 0.0 1.0 0.6 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 280.1 300.1 18.9 4.5 2.1 0.1 7.1

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 128.4 129.6 3.0 -0.1 0.9 0.6 0.9

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 122.2 117.9 -3.0 -0.3 0.2 0.5 -3.5

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 114.0 114.6 1.5 -0.2 0.2 1.2 0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 131.1 131.5 4.5 0.9 1.7 0.4 0.3

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 169.7 176.6 12.2 1.7 2.2 1.3 4.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 335.3 365.2 27.5 4.7 3.9 2.6 8.9

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 134.4 136.1 4.5 0.2 1.2 0.7 1.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 143.6 147.9 7.2 0.9 1.3 1.3 3.0

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 180.0 201.8 30.4 5.7 4.7 2.3 12.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 97.0 97.4 1.0 -0.5 0.4 0.9 0.4

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 102.9 103.6 3.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.7

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 102.1 102.7 2.6 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.6

Japan.............................................. 6.198 100.8 101.0 3.0 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.555 89.7 91.1 4.7 1.1 0.8 0.6 1.6

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 103.4 104.3 9.2 1.9 2.0 1.0 0.9

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.795 247.1 263.9 27.2 4.5 4.1 6.2 6.8

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2010

to March 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20111

Index Percent change

Feb.

2011

Mar.

2011

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2010

to Mar.

2011

Nov. 2010

to Dec.

2010

Dec. 2010

to Jan.

2011

Jan. 2011

to Feb.

2011

Feb. 2011

to Mar.

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 170.2 170.5 7.7 0.2 -1.7 1.8 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.382 144.0 148.5 12.1 0.3 -0.6 1.6 3.1

Asia.................................................... 74.036 156.1 154.9 6.0 0.2 -2.0 1.9 -0.8

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 135.3 139.2 12.3 0.7 3.5 2.0 2.9

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.610 121.8 125.8 10.2 1.7 3.0 0.9 3.3

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 154.5 155.9 8.0 0.4 -0.5 1.2 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.805 134.3 138.7 12.0 0.4 0.1 1.3 3.3

Asia.................................................... 65.481 141.7 141.3 6.1 0.1 -0.8 1.3 -0.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 132.1 135.7 14.9 1.2 2.9 1.8 2.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 36.887 150.8 154.8 13.7 1.7 1.4 1.3 2.7

Asia.................................................... 44.420 122.4 125.6 15.9 0.9 4.4 2.6 2.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 161.5 161.2 7.6 2.1 -2.6 -2.4 -0.2

Europe................................................. 38.871 172.1 166.1 2.2 -5.8 3.6 -2.7 -3.5

Asia.................................................... 25.113 134.7 137.8 9.0 9.8 -9.4 -5.2 2.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 14.723 158.5 163.1 20.0 9.2 -7.8 0.5 2.9

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 161.4 175.4 11.2 3.7 5.6 -9.6 8.7

Europe................................................. 28.988 182.0 182.2 -7.3 2.2 -2.3 -1.6 0.1

Asia.................................................... 30.198 147.3 163.5 14.4 -1.1 11.7 -16.4 11.0

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.187 176.4 189.8 17.3 9.9 4.7 -10.9 7.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16