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                    U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                              - DECEMBER 2003 -


     The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.2 percent in December, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The increase was led by a continued rise in petroleum prices.  Export prices
advanced for the fourth consecutive month, up 0.2 percent in December.
     
             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 
                                                                                
                                                                                
2002                                                                            
December           0.6        5.6        0.2       -0.2       -0.5      -0.2     
2003                                                                             
January            1.8       14.6        0.3        0.3        0.1       0.4     
February           1.7       11.3        0.3        0.6       -0.4       0.6     
March              0.6       -1.1        1.0        0.2       -0.4       0.3     
April             -3.1      -18.8       -1.0       -0.1        0.4      -0.1     
May               -0.7       -5.0       -0.2        0.1        2.5      -0.2     
June               0.9        5.4        0.4       -0.2       -0.5      -0.1     
July               0.5        5.2        0.0       -0.1       -0.1      -0.1     
August             0.0        1.8       -0.3        0.0       -1.0       0.1     
September         -0.5       -5.8 r      0.3 r      0.4        5.4 r    -0.1     
October            0.1 r      1.5 r     -0.1        0.3        2.4 r     0.1     
November           0.5 r      2.1 r      0.2 r      0.5        3.9 r     0.2     
December           0.2        1.8        0.1        0.2        0.7       0.2     
                                                                                 
December 2001-02   4.2       56.9        0.3        1.0        8.0       0.4     
December 2002-03   1.9        9.1        1.0        2.2       13.6       1.3     
                                                                                
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods
     
     The price index for overall imports rose for the third consecutive
month, rising 0.2 percent in December.  From December 2002-December 2003, the
index was up 1.9 percent, which followed a 4.2 percent increase over the
previous year.  The December increase was led by higher petroleum prices,
which were up 1.8 percent in December, after rising 2.1 percent in November
and 1.5 percent in October.  From December 2002-2003, import petroleum prices
rose 9.1 percent, after surging 56.9 percent during the previous year.
Prices for nonpetroleum imports edged up 0.1 percent in December, following a
0.2 percent increase in November.  Nonpetroleum import prices rose 1.0
percent over the past year.
     
     The 0.1 percent rise in the price index for nonpetroleum imports
reflected higher prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials
and for foods, feeds, and beverages, up 0.8 percent and 0.7 percent,
respectively.  Continued increases in metals prices contributed to the rise
in the index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, which was up
6.7 percent over the past 12 months.  Higher meat prices led the rise in the
foods, feeds, and beverages index, which was up 3.0 percent for the year.

     In contrast, the price index for imported capital goods dipped 0.2
percent in December, after increasing by the same amount in November.  The
decline in December was led by falling semiconductor prices, which continued
a downward trend.  For the year, capital goods prices were down 1.0 percent.

     Prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines and for consumer
goods were unchanged in December.  Over the past year, the indexes have
increased 0.7 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.


Export Goods

     Export prices increased 0.2 percent in December, following a 0.5 percent
rise in November.  Export prices rose 2.2 percent over the past 12 months,
following a 1.0 percent increase during the previous year.  Prices for both
agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the December
increase.  Prices for feedstuff, wheat, and soybeans led the 0.7 percent
increase in agricultural exports prices, which were up 13.6 percent over the
past 12 months.  The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.2 percent
in December, after increasing the same amount in November.  For the year,
nonagricultural prices were up 1.3 percent.
     
     The price indexes for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials,
for capital goods, and for consumer goods each increased in December.  Prices
for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials were up 0.6 percent,
led by higher prices for fuel oil and metals.  This index increased 5.9
percent over the December 2002-December 2003 period.  The price indexes for
capital goods and for consumer goods each rose 0.1 percent in December.  Over
the past 12 months, capital goods prices fell 0.5 percent, while consumer
goods prices increased 0.8 percent.  
     
     The price index for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines was the only
major export commodity price index to decrease, falling 0.1 percent in December.  
For the year, the index was up 0.5 percent.
     
                                      
               Summary of December-to-December Percent Changes
                                      
                         1994  1995  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003
All Commodity Imports     5.2   2.6   1.5  -5.2  -6.4   7.0   3.2  -9.1   4.2   1.9
  Excluding Petroleum     3.8   2.4  -1.8  -2.8  -3.3   0.0   1.3  -4.5   0.3   1.0
  Petroleum              20.3   6.0  33.7 -25.5 -40.8 137.2  17.6 -39.5  56.9   9.1
All Commodity Exports     3.9   3.3  -1.1  -1.2  -3.4   0.5   1.1  -2.5   1.0   2.2
  Excluding Agricultural  4.4   1.7  -0.4  -1.0  -2.7   1.2   0.9  -2.5   0.4   1.3
  Agricultural           -0.2  17.3  -6.9  -2.9  -9.3  -6.8   3.1  -1.8   8.0  13.6


Imports by Locality of Origin

     The price indexes for imports from the European Union and from Latin
America each rose in December, reflecting higher prices for petroleum
products.  Prices of imports from the European Union increased 0.4 percent
for the month and were up 3.3 percent over the December 2002-2003 period.
Import prices from Latin America rose 1.6 percent in December and were up 3.5
percent over the past 12 months.
     
     In contrast, prices for imports from Canada declined in December,
falling 0.2 percent.  Over the past year, however, the index was up 4.4
percent.
     
     The price indexes for imports from Japan and from the Asian Newly
Industrialized Countries both were unchanged in December.  For the year ended
in December, each index decreased 0.4 percent.
     
     
Import and Export Services

     The price index for import air passenger fares edged up 0.9 percent in
December, after dropping 7.4 percent in November and 9.1 percent in October.
Over the past 12 months, the index was down a modest 0.2 percent.  Prices for
export air passenger fares were unchanged in December, after declining 1.4
percent in November.  Export air passenger fares were up 14.7 percent for the
year ended in December.

     The price index for import air freight declined 1.6 percent over the
last quarter of 2003, following an increase of 4.8 percent in the third
quarter.  From December 2002-December 2003, the index rose 7.5 percent.
Export air freight prices increased 0.3 percent from September to December
and were up 0.2 percent over the past 12 months.


     ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHANGES IN THE U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES

     Beginning with the release of January 2004 data on February 13, the U.S.
Import and Export Price Indexes will be reweighted using 2002 trade weights.
Previous practice was to update the weights every five years.  Import and
export price indexes will now be reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in
the weights.  The index reference base will remain fixed at calendar year
2000=100.  In addition, the U.S. carrier and foreign carrier air passenger
fares indexes found in table 11 will be replaced with indexes that measure
prices for inbound and outbound flights.
     
     
                            CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4    Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5    Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. Import and Export Quarterly Price Indexes for Services
Table 9    U.S. Import and Export Monthly Price Indexes for Services
Table 10   U.S. International Quarterly Price Indexes for Services
Table 11   U.S. International Monthly Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for January 2004 are scheduled for release
on February 13 at 8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.).



Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                  December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                    Index                     Percent Change
                                                                  Relative
                                                                   Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                    ance                         Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
 END                            Description                                                      2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
 USE                                                              November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                    2003       2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                     1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

         ALL COMMODITIES..........................................100.000      96.8      97.0     1.9    -0.5     0.1     0.5     0.2
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.......................... 89.185      97.4      97.5     1.0     0.3    -0.1     0.2     0.1

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................  4.147     102.5     103.2     3.0     0.5     0.2     0.5     0.7

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............  3.139     109.9     110.9     4.6     0.7     0.6     0.8     0.9

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)  1.008      86.0      85.8    -1.9     0.2    -1.5    -0.3    -0.2

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................ 26.503     100.7     101.9     7.7    -1.6     0.5     1.3     1.2
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM........................... 15.688     100.8     101.6     6.7     1.5    -0.2     0.7     0.8
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................  8.404      98.3      99.2     7.0     2.0     0.3     0.7     0.9
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................  7.285     103.7     104.4     6.4     0.9    -0.8     0.7     0.7

10               Fuels & lubricants............................... 12.323     101.7     103.7     9.5    -4.6     0.6     1.7     2.0

100                  Petroleum & petroleum products............... 10.815     100.8     102.6     9.1    -5.8     1.5     2.1     1.8

10000                        Crude................................  8.207     103.0     103.8     8.6    -6.5     1.4     3.1     0.8

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................  1.129      94.0      94.1     5.6    -0.7     0.0     0.0     0.1

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................  4.799     104.8     104.9     4.8     0.2     1.0     1.3     0.1

13               Selected building materials......................  2.067     108.5     107.7    13.4     7.4    -0.8    -0.8    -0.7

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......  3.201      96.2      98.6     7.8     0.5     1.1     1.9     2.5

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........  1.439      99.9     100.8     4.1     0.1     0.2     0.7     0.9

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............  1.546      98.2      98.3     1.2     0.2     0.2     0.5     0.1

2          CAPITAL GOODS.......................................... 28.361      93.2      93.0    -1.0    -0.1    -0.5     0.2    -0.2

20               Electric generating equipment....................  3.370      96.4      96.4     1.6    -0.8     0.4     0.2     0.0

21               Nonelectrical machinery.......................... 22.436      91.6      91.3    -1.6     0.0    -0.8     0.2    -0.3

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (200112=100)...............  2.554     102.6     102.8     1.8     0.1     0.1     0.3     0.2

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES................... 17.171     101.2     101.2     0.7    -0.1     0.7     0.0     0.0

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES..................................... 23.796      98.1      98.1     0.1     0.0    -0.1     0.3     0.0

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................ 11.568     100.1     100.1     0.4    -0.1     0.0     0.4     0.0

41               Durables, manufactured........................... 10.975      96.2      96.1    -0.4     0.0    -0.2     0.2    -0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................  1.253      95.9      96.2     0.8     0.1     0.1     0.1     0.3


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 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,
                  December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                     Relative
                                                                      Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                       ance                         Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
 END                             Description                                                        2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
 USE                                                                 November   November  December   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                       2003       2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                        1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

         ALL COMMODITIES.............................................100.000     100.6     100.8     2.2     0.4     0.3     0.5     0.2
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................  8.531     122.1     122.9    13.6     5.4     2.4     3.9     0.7
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES................................. 91.470      98.9      99.1     1.3    -0.1     0.1     0.2     0.2

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................  7.734     121.4     122.6    12.8     5.4     1.6     3.7     1.0

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................  7.139     122.8     124.1    13.3     6.2     1.7     3.8     1.1

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...  0.595     107.7     108.7     6.3    -2.7    -0.8     1.9     0.9

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................... 23.468     101.6     102.2     6.5     0.2     0.9     0.5     0.6
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................  9.507     102.1     103.1     6.7     0.5     0.9     0.8     1.0
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE....................................... 13.960     101.5     101.8     6.3     0.0     0.7     0.4     0.3

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........  1.392     119.0     117.2    15.0     1.7     5.7     4.9    -1.5

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS.................................. 22.076     100.7     101.3     5.9     0.1     0.6     0.3     0.6

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................  2.149      96.7      98.9     8.3    -2.8     0.1    -1.0     2.3

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials......... 18.766     101.5     102.1     5.9     0.4     0.6     0.4     0.6

13               Selected building materials.........................  1.161      99.1      99.4     3.3     0.4     0.4     0.3     0.3

2          CAPITAL GOODS............................................. 46.359      97.5      97.6    -0.5    -0.2    -0.1     0.1     0.1

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................  4.865     101.6     101.5    -0.4     0.1    -0.1     0.0    -0.1

21               Nonelectrical machinery............................. 34.063      94.1      94.3    -1.2    -0.2    -0.2     0.0     0.2

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (200112=100)..................  7.431     105.6     105.7     3.1     0.3     0.1     0.4     0.1

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................... 10.863     101.9     101.8     0.5     0.0     0.1     0.0    -0.1

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................ 11.539     100.0     100.1     0.8     0.0     0.4     0.2     0.1

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................  5.634      99.4      99.4     0.7    -0.2     0.5     0.4     0.0

41               Durables, manufactured..............................  5.248     100.4     100.5     0.9     0.2     0.2     0.1     0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods (200112=100).........  0.657     100.9     101.7     1.0     0.3     0.6    -0.4     0.8



     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 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,
                  December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                     Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
SITC                            Description                                                       2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
Rev. 3                                                             November   November  December   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2003       2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                      1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

         ALL COMMODITIES...........................................100.000      96.8      97.0     1.9    -0.5     0.1     0.5     0.2

0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS...................................  3.237     100.1     101.0     2.2     0.5     0.3    -0.2     0.9
01               Meat and meat preparations........................  0.400     118.6     122.9    15.1     4.3     2.7     2.4     3.6
03               Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                        and preparations thereof...................  0.690      79.2      79.0    -4.2    -0.1    -2.8    -0.9    -0.3
05               Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried........  0.887     108.7     108.6     2.8    -0.5     1.2     2.3    -0.1
07               Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereo  0.396      93.0      95.3    -4.6     2.1    -3.1    -2.6     2.5
      2/   Other food and live animals.............................  0.864     110.3     111.4     4.9    -0.2     2.5    -2.3     1.0

1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO...................................  0.849     104.4     104.4     1.7     0.0     0.3     0.1     0.0
11               Beverages.........................................  0.745     104.2     104.3     1.9     0.0     0.3     0.0     0.1

2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.................  2.070     106.1     108.2    14.5     5.6    -1.3     1.3     2.0
24               Cork and wood.....................................  0.745     103.2     108.0    14.9    13.8    -6.0    -2.8     4.7
25               Woodpulp and recovered paper......................  0.275      92.6      94.3    19.5    -1.6     0.4     2.0     1.8
28               Metalliferous ores and metal scrap................  0.351     108.5     110.3    16.5     0.8     0.5     4.1     1.7
29               Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s.......  0.223      94.8      99.6    -1.8    -1.1    -0.6    -0.3     5.1
      2/   Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels...........  0.226     102.3     105.3    10.6    -0.5     1.5     1.0     2.9

3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                     MATERIALS..................................... 12.260     103.0     104.8    10.4    -4.7    -0.3     1.8     1.7
33               Petroleum, petroleum products and related material 10.866     102.1     103.8    10.2    -5.9     0.6     2.1     1.7
34               Gas, natural and manufactured.....................  1.394     105.5     108.1    11.4     5.1    -7.2    -0.7     2.5

5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S...................  6.542     101.1     101.4     3.3     0.0     0.9     1.0     0.3
51               Organic chemicals.................................  2.476      98.4      98.8     0.3     0.7     0.5     0.9     0.4
52               Inorganic chemicals...............................  0.601     111.8     114.8    12.0    -0.6     3.2     2.8     2.7
53               Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials............  0.230      98.0      97.9     1.2    -0.6    -0.1     0.4    -0.1
54               Medicinal and pharmaceutical products.............  1.332     103.1     102.9     3.7    -0.6     0.2     1.0    -0.2
55               Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps.....  0.285      91.6      91.5    -7.8    -0.2    -0.4     0.4    -0.1
57               Plastics in primary forms.........................  0.596     105.3     105.1    10.9    -0.4     2.6    -0.1    -0.2
58               Plastics in nonprimary forms......................  0.376     101.4     101.6     2.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.2
59               Chemical materials and products, n.e.s............  0.470      93.2      93.3     1.9    -0.1     0.5     1.0     0.1

6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                     BY MATERIAL................................... 11.449      97.3      97.5     4.1     0.3     0.7     0.9     0.2
62               Rubber manufactures, n.e.s........................  0.650      98.6      98.7    -0.6     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.1
63               Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture...  0.773     119.5     111.8    24.5     6.5     4.6     0.5    -6.4
64               Paper and paperboard, cut to size.................  1.251      94.2      93.8     0.9    -0.4     0.2    -0.5    -0.4
65               Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
                        articles, n.e.s., and related prod.........  1.351     101.8     101.8     4.1    -0.5     0.3     0.9     0.0
66               Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s...........  2.204      98.0      98.0     0.3     0.0     0.1     0.1     0.0
67               Iron and steel....................................  1.584     101.9     103.8     1.9    -1.4     0.7     1.3     1.9
68               Nonferrous metals.................................  1.618      85.1      87.4    13.1     2.0     1.6     3.8     2.7
69               Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.....................  1.902      99.1      99.4     1.1     0.1     0.1     0.5     0.3

7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT....................... 46.015      95.4      95.2    -0.9    -0.1    -0.2     0.1    -0.2
71               Power generating machinery and equipment..........  2.965      99.9      99.9     1.2    -0.3     0.1     0.1     0.0
72               Machinery specialized for particular industries...  2.032     103.3     103.4     4.2    -0.3     0.3     0.8     0.1
73               Metalworking machinery............................  0.707     105.1     105.0     3.6    -0.8     0.1     1.4    -0.1
74               General industrial machinery,
                        equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s..........  3.091     100.9     101.1     2.5    -0.2     0.2     0.5     0.2
75               Computer equipment and office machines............  6.386      78.4      78.1    -7.2    -0.1    -2.4    -0.3    -0.4
76               Telecommunications & sound recording
                        & reproducing apparatus & equipment........  5.462      87.7      87.6    -4.8    -0.2    -1.0     0.0    -0.1
77               Electrical machinery and equipment................  9.230      96.0      95.3    -0.3     0.0     0.0     0.0    -0.7
78               Road vehicles..................................... 14.385     101.4     101.4     0.9    -0.1     0.7     0.1     0.0

8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES..................... 17.044      99.8      99.8     0.8     0.0     0.0     0.2     0.0
81               Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
                        & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.................  0.423      94.2      93.0    -2.7     0.3    -0.5    -0.4    -1.3
82               Furniture and parts thereof.......................  1.671     100.4     100.2     0.8     0.0    -0.1     0.1    -0.2
83               Travel goods, handbags and similar containers.....  0.401     102.9     104.1     4.5     1.2     0.0     0.0     1.2
84               Articles of apparel and clothing accessories......  5.678     100.4     100.3    -0.2    -0.1     0.0    -0.1    -0.1
85               Footwear..........................................  1.307     100.1     100.2     0.6     0.1     0.1     0.1     0.1
87               Professional, scientific and controlling
                        instruments and apparatus, n.e.s...........  1.925      99.7     100.1     1.9    -0.2     0.2     0.2     0.4
88               Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                        supplies and optical goods, n.e.s..........  1.263      99.8      99.8     1.3    -0.4     0.1     0.5     0.0
89               Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s........  4.376      98.8      98.8     1.3     0.1     0.1     0.4     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 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  4     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                  December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                     Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
SITC                            Description                                                       2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
Rev. 3                                                             November   November  December   to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2003       2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                      1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

         ALL COMMODITIES...........................................100.000     100.6     100.8     2.2     0.4     0.3     0.5     0.2

0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS...................................  6.125     115.2     116.3     9.9     4.2     0.1     2.7     1.0
01               Meat and meat preparations........................  1.212     125.0     121.2    34.2     7.6     4.9     1.7    -3.0
03               Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                        and preparations thereof...................  0.401     101.7     102.6     0.9    -4.8    -3.5     2.0     0.9
04               Cereals and cereal preparations...................  1.847     125.6     131.1     3.8     7.3    -3.9     5.2     4.4
05               Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried........  1.118     102.7     103.1     4.9     1.7     1.8    -0.5     0.4
08               Feeding stuff for animals (not
                        including unmilled cereals)................  0.665     122.1     124.0    19.8     6.3     1.2     7.1     1.6
09               Miscellaneous edible products and preparations....  0.404     101.2     100.9     0.4     0.0     0.1     0.1    -0.3
      2/   Other food and live animals.............................  0.478     105.0     105.3     4.8     1.0     1.0     0.3     0.3

1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO...................................  0.908     100.2     100.4     1.7    -0.1     0.9     1.5     0.2
12               Tobacco and tobacco manufactures..................  0.695      99.2      99.3     1.5     0.0     1.2     1.8     0.1

2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.................  4.442     115.9     116.4    18.2     3.8     4.6     4.3     0.4
22               Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits...................  1.116     150.9     152.5    31.2    10.9    12.9    10.4     1.1
24               Cork and wood.....................................  0.539      92.4      93.8     3.9     0.8     0.4     0.4     1.5
25               Woodpulp and recovered paper......................  0.570      91.9      91.5     7.4     4.1     2.3     1.2    -0.4
26               Textile fibers and their waste....................  0.548     128.5     121.2    23.3     2.4    10.8     5.8    -5.7
28               Metalliferous ores and metal scrap................  0.730     127.0     133.8    38.9     1.8     1.0     4.9     5.4
      2/   Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels...........  0.939     110.8     110.5     5.2     1.4     0.3     0.2    -0.3

3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                     MATERIALS.....................................  1.905     106.5     110.6    11.2    -5.4    -0.5    -1.6     3.8
32               Coal, coke and briquettes.........................  0.341     111.6     112.9    -0.7     0.4     0.0     0.0     1.2
33               Petroleum, petroleum products and related material  1.358     101.2     106.2    15.2    -7.8    -0.1    -2.8     4.9

5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S................... 11.077     100.9     101.0     4.6     0.3     0.4     0.2     0.1
51               Organic chemicals.................................  2.559     101.8     101.6     7.1     0.9     0.7     0.7    -0.2
52               Inorganic chemicals...............................  0.725      99.0      99.3     2.5     0.3    -0.3     0.2     0.3
53               Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials............  0.551      98.9      98.4     0.4     0.0     0.1     0.0    -0.5
54               Medicinal and pharmaceutical products.............  1.862     106.6     106.6     5.3    -0.1     0.6     0.6     0.0
55               Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps.....  0.729      99.2      99.7     2.5     0.6     0.8     0.2     0.5
56               Fertilizers.......................................  0.391     120.6     121.7    16.7     1.2     0.0    -1.8     0.9
57               Plastics in primary forms.........................  1.751      95.6      96.2     3.6     0.6    -0.1     0.3     0.6
58               Plastics in nonprimary forms......................  0.797      97.0      97.0     1.1    -0.2     0.0    -1.2     0.0
59               Chemical materials and products, n.e.s............  1.713     102.6     102.7     3.9     0.0     0.5     0.2     0.1

6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                     BY MATERIAL...................................  9.684     100.7     100.7     1.7     0.2     0.1     0.4     0.0
62               Rubber manufactures, n.e.s........................  0.786     109.8     109.6     3.8    -0.3     0.1     0.5    -0.2
64               Uncoated Paper/paperboard, and linerboard.........  1.429      97.8      97.4     0.6     0.0    -0.9     0.4    -0.4
65               Textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles, n.e.s  1.493     102.5     102.5     1.4    -0.5     0.0     0.4     0.0
66               Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s...........  1.390      99.7      99.7    -1.6    -0.7     0.0     0.2     0.0
67               Iron and steel....................................  0.905     107.8     107.9     3.5     0.7     1.3     0.3     0.1
68               Nonferrous metals.................................  0.917      83.4      85.0     1.8     0.9     0.4     1.8     1.9
69               Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.....................  2.300     104.8     104.7     1.4    -0.1     0.0     0.4    -0.1
      2/   Other manufactured goods classified
                  chiefly by material (200112=100).................  0.465     117.3     115.8    12.3     6.2     1.7    -0.5    -1.3

7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT....................... 52.671      97.8      97.9    -0.6    -0.1    -0.1     0.0     0.1
71               Power generating machinery and equipment..........  4.829     108.5     108.7     3.4     0.1     0.4     0.6     0.2
72               Machinery specialized for particular industries...  4.478     103.2     103.3     1.6    -0.1     0.0     0.1     0.1
73               Metalworking machinery............................  0.892     100.9     100.9     0.4    -0.2     0.1     0.0     0.0
74               General industrial machinery,
                        equipment, & parts, n.e.s..................  4.788     102.8     102.9     1.3     0.1     0.0     0.2     0.1
75               Computer equipment and office machines............  6.816      88.1      88.6     0.0    -0.2     0.1     0.2     0.6
76               Telecommunications & sound recording
                        & reproducing apparatus & equipment........  4.116      92.7      92.5    -3.4    -0.1    -0.2    -0.4    -0.2
77               Electrical machinery and equipment................ 13.146      88.6      88.5    -4.7    -0.4    -0.7    -0.2    -0.1
78               Road vehicles.....................................  8.162     101.6     101.5     0.5     0.1     0.1     0.1    -0.1

8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES..................... 11.766     101.1     101.1     0.5    -0.1     0.1     0.3     0.0
82               Furniture and parts thereof.......................  0.713     102.5     102.5     1.1     0.5     0.0    -0.1     0.0
84               Articles of apparel and clothing accessories......  1.121      97.0      97.0    -0.2     0.0     0.2     0.0     0.0
87               Professional, scientific and controlling
                        instruments and apparatus, n.e.s...........  4.426     102.3     102.4     0.7    -0.1    -0.1     0.2     0.1
88               Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                        supplies and optical goods, n.e.s..........  1.109      95.5      95.5    -2.0    -0.2     0.3     0.8     0.0
89               Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s........  4.007     101.6     101.7     0.6    -0.3     0.2     0.2     0.1
      2/   Other miscellaneous manufactured articles...............  0.391     106.0     106.1     4.1     0.6     0.4     0.6     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 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  5     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                  December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                     Relative
                                                                      Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                 ance                         Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
nized                            Description                                                        2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
System                                                               November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                       2003       2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                        1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................  1.262      95.1      96.5     4.0    -0.1     1.1    -2.0     1.5
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................  0.352     119.9     124.1    15.4     4.2     2.5     2.6     3.5
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................  0.557      79.0      78.7    -4.7    -0.4    -3.0    -1.0    -0.4
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................  0.353     115.8     118.2     8.3    -3.2     6.5    -7.4     2.1
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................  1.194     100.9     101.6    -1.9     0.5     0.0     0.5     0.7
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................  0.284     120.7     119.2     5.7    -1.3     2.2     7.5    -1.2
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................  0.339      97.2      97.8    -3.6    -0.1     0.8    -1.6     0.6
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................  0.229      80.7      81.7    -4.6     4.8    -3.4    -3.9     1.2
      2/         Other vegetable products............................  0.342     104.9     106.9    -4.2    -0.7     0.1     0.4     1.9
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................  1.944     105.7     106.3     0.6     0.2    -0.2    -0.1     0.6
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............  0.237     100.6     100.5     0.4     0.7     0.1    -0.3    -0.1
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................  0.754     102.7     102.3     0.7    -0.2     0.4     0.0    -0.4
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................  0.952     109.6     111.2     0.5     0.4    -0.7    -0.1     1.5

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS.......................................... 12.538     102.2     104.2    10.4    -4.7     0.2     1.7     2.0
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........ 12.316     101.2     103.2    10.5    -4.8     0.2     1.8     2.0
      2/         Other mineral products (200112=100).................  0.222     101.5     101.8     3.7     0.1     0.2     0.0     0.3

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  5.900     100.4     100.8     3.3     0.0     0.7     1.0     0.4
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................  0.672     110.2     113.5    14.6    -0.5     3.3     3.0     3.0
29               Organic chemicals...................................  2.628      97.7      98.3     1.8     0.4     0.3     0.7     0.6
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................  1.101     102.6     102.4     1.9    -0.6     0.3     0.9    -0.2
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............  0.232      97.4      97.3     0.7    -0.7    -0.1     0.6    -0.1
33               Essential oils and resinoids (200112=100)...........  0.241     102.8     102.7     1.3    -0.2    -0.7     0.6    -0.1
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............  0.221      96.7      96.5    -1.4    -0.1    -0.3    -0.2    -0.2
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................  0.361      93.9      93.9    -1.3    -0.3     0.2     0.4     0.0
      2/         Other products of the chemical or allied industries.  0.444     106.8     106.1     9.6     0.5     2.6     0.8    -0.7

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................  2.734     106.2     105.3     5.5     0.7     1.1     1.1    -0.8
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................  1.749     104.0     103.9     5.2     0.2     0.7     0.1    -0.1
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................  0.985     110.3     107.9     5.8     1.4     1.7     3.0    -2.2

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................  0.768     100.8     101.4     2.7     0.6     0.3     0.1     0.6
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................  0.639     101.4     102.1     3.0     0.7     0.0    -0.1     0.7
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................  1.616     115.2     112.3    20.0    10.5    -0.5    -0.9    -2.5

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................  1.868      95.4      95.4     3.2    -0.5     0.1    -0.1     0.0
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............  0.272      92.2      93.8    18.4    -1.5    -0.2     1.9     1.7
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................  1.257      93.4      93.1     0.9    -0.3     0.2    -0.5    -0.3
49               Printed matter......................................  0.338     112.2     112.2     1.4    -0.2     0.0    -0.2     0.0

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................  6.573      99.8      99.8     0.2    -0.1     0.0     0.1     0.0
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............  2.326     100.0      99.9    -0.6     0.1    -0.1    -0.1    -0.1
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........  2.875      99.6      99.4    -0.4    -0.2    -0.1     0.1    -0.2
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................  0.377      94.0      94.0    -0.8     0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.0
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................  0.995     102.8     103.1     3.9    -0.5     0.6     1.0     0.3

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................  1.531      99.5      99.5     0.4     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.0
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................  1.307     100.0     100.0     0.4     0.0     0.1     0.1     0.0
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................  0.224      97.0      96.8     0.3    -0.3     0.1     0.0    -0.2

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................  1.074     102.5     102.6     0.7    -0.2     0.2     0.2     0.1
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (200112=100)...............  0.302      99.2      98.9    -0.2    -0.7    -0.6     0.1    -0.3
69               Ceramic products....................................  0.374     104.3     104.9     2.4     0.2     0.5     0.4     0.6
70               Glass and glassware.................................  0.398     103.1     103.0    -0.3    -0.2     0.4     0.3    -0.1

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................  2.371      90.4      91.1     4.7     1.3     1.7     0.6     0.8

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................  4.974      99.5     101.2     6.9     0.1     0.3     1.7     1.7
72               Iron and steel......................................  1.338     104.1     107.8     6.4    -1.0     0.0     0.6     3.6
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................  1.231      99.5     100.0     4.0    -0.1     0.5     1.4     0.5
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................  0.466     102.8     104.5    16.2     0.8     1.2     3.5     1.7
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................  0.789      99.5     100.8     4.6     0.9     0.2     1.6     1.3
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........  0.394      98.8      98.9    -0.2     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.1
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................  0.426     103.8     103.8     2.9     0.5     0.7     0.8     0.0
      2/         Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
                       articles, including scrap.....................  0.331      83.1      87.4    30.6     1.1     1.0     7.5     5.2

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC................. 29.644      91.9      91.7    -1.8    -0.2    -0.6     0.1    -0.2
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof.. 14.488      91.4      91.3    -1.9    -0.2    -1.0     0.2    -0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........ 15.156      92.5      92.1    -1.7    -0.1    -0.3     0.0    -0.4

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...................... 16.230     101.7     101.7     0.9    -0.1     0.7     0.1     0.0
87               Motor vehicles and their parts...................... 14.628     101.3     101.3     0.8    -0.2     0.8     0.0     0.0
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (200212=100).........................  1.497     101.6     101.9     1.9     0.1     0.1     0.3     0.3

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................  3.634      99.6      99.8     1.5    -0.3     0.1     0.4     0.2
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................  3.184      98.9      99.2     1.6    -0.2     0.1     0.3     0.3
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................  0.327     106.5     106.3     1.2    -0.5     0.0     0.9    -0.2

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................  3.941      97.4      97.2    -0.2    -0.1    -0.3     0.1    -0.2
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........  2.065      98.4      98.1     0.5     0.0    -0.1     0.1    -0.3
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................  1.633      96.4      96.4    -0.8    -0.3    -0.5     0.1     0.0
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................  0.243      96.6      96.7    -1.9    -0.2     0.1     0.4     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 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,
                  December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                     Relative
                                                                      Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                 ance                         Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
nized                            Description                                                        2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
System                                                               November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                       2003       2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                        1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................  1.839     119.2     116.4    23.0     4.2     1.9     2.0    -2.3
02               Meat & edible meat offal............................  1.159     128.6     124.2    34.9     7.8     4.8     1.7    -3.4
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................  0.361     101.9     103.3     3.1    -6.2    -3.1     2.6     1.4
      2/         Other live animals and animal products..............  0.318     115.1     112.1    13.0     5.3    -1.9     1.9    -2.6
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................  3.980     125.9     129.2    10.1     7.1     1.9     4.7     2.6
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................  0.512      95.7      95.7     0.2     1.2     1.3    -0.3     0.0
10               Cereals.............................................  1.651     126.9     133.0     3.8     8.3    -4.3     5.6     4.8
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............  1.295     145.8     147.1    26.8     9.4    11.3     9.5     0.9
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS.........................  0.356     180.0     183.2    22.0     3.4     9.2    11.3     1.8
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................  2.709     107.0     108.0     7.7     1.7     1.0     2.5     0.9
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............  0.319     107.9     106.9     4.9    -0.3     1.8     0.2    -0.9
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................  0.345     100.9     100.6    -0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.1    -0.3
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............  0.627     127.2     132.3    27.0     8.2     1.1     8.3     4.0
24               Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes........  0.698      99.4      99.5     1.7     0.0     1.2     1.8     0.1
      2/         Other prepared foods................................  0.720     104.4     104.8     4.3     0.0     0.9     0.5     0.4

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................  2.304     105.7     108.5    11.2    -3.8    -0.3    -1.3     2.6
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........  1.864     103.8     107.1     8.2    -4.5    -0.6    -1.7     3.2

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  9.140     102.7     102.8     5.3     0.4     0.6     0.2     0.1
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................  0.814     102.2     102.4     5.7     0.0    -0.1    -0.3     0.2
29               Organic chemicals...................................  2.889     102.6     102.6     6.5     1.1     0.9     0.0     0.0
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................  1.492     105.6     105.6     5.4     0.1     0.7     0.7     0.0
31               Fertilizers.........................................  0.380     116.2     117.9    16.3     0.3    -0.3    -0.9     1.5
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............  0.570      99.1      98.6     0.3     0.0     0.0     0.1    -0.5
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................  0.535     101.0     101.2     2.5     1.0     1.2     0.3     0.2
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........  0.314     100.6     101.2     1.3     0.1     0.4     0.0     0.6
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............  0.457      99.8      99.5     4.1    -0.3     1.0     1.7    -0.3
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................  1.458     102.1     102.2     4.1     0.0     0.4     0.3     0.1

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................  4.775     101.7     101.9     3.9     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.2
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................  3.746      99.4      99.7     3.6    -0.1    -0.1     0.0     0.3
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................  1.029     110.5     110.1     4.6     0.0     0.4     0.4    -0.4

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................  0.484     108.1     108.6     2.8     2.4     0.8    -0.5     0.5
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................  0.344     107.1     107.6    -0.4     3.6     0.4    -1.6     0.5
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................  0.847      98.6      99.3     7.1     2.5     0.6     0.4     0.7

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................  2.652      95.5      95.2     2.7     0.4     0.1     0.5    -0.3
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................  0.551      88.1      87.7     7.3     4.3     2.2     1.3    -0.5
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................  1.454      95.1      94.7     0.7    -0.1    -0.9     0.3    -0.4
49               Printed material....................................  0.648     108.0     108.1     3.5    -1.1     0.5     0.7     0.1

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................  2.970     100.6      99.7     3.7     0.0     1.7     0.7    -0.9
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...  0.537     106.7     101.7    19.8     2.8     9.8     5.1    -4.7
54               Manmade filaments, yarns and woven
                        fabrics (200112=100).........................  0.344     110.5     110.5    12.1    -0.5    -0.2     0.2     0.0
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (200112=100)....................  0.571      95.6      95.6    -1.2     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0
62               Apparel Articles & Accessories, not knitted.........  0.454      95.6      95.6    -0.2     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.0
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (200112=100).....  1.063     105.5     105.2    -0.7    -0.9     0.1    -0.4    -0.3

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................  0.816      98.5      98.5    -1.4    -1.7    -0.1     0.2     0.0
70               Glass and glassware.................................  0.496      96.4      96.4    -1.2    -0.4    -0.2     0.3     0.0

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................  1.974      96.0      97.6     9.7     1.8     3.3     0.0     1.7

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................  4.418     103.5     104.8     6.3     0.5     0.4     1.8     1.3
72               Iron and steel......................................  0.774     110.3     115.3    17.4     2.2     1.3     1.4     4.5
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................  1.289     104.7     104.7     1.9    -0.1     0.1     0.2     0.0
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................  0.489     103.7     106.2    16.4     1.5     1.1     5.3     2.4
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................  0.729      97.1      98.4     4.1     0.8    -0.3     2.5     1.3
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........  0.408     101.2     101.2    -1.6     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................  0.470     107.9     107.9     3.4     0.0    -0.3     0.0     0.0

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC............... 38.976      94.9      95.0    -1.2    -0.2    -0.2     0.0     0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof.. 21.035      99.4      99.7     1.3    -0.1     0.0     0.3     0.3
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............ 17.941      89.9      89.7    -4.3    -0.4    -0.6    -0.2    -0.2

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...................... 13.712     105.4     105.5     1.5     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.1
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................  8.427     101.6     101.5     0.6     0.1     0.1     0.1    -0.1

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................  6.270     101.5     101.5     0.6     0.0     0.0     0.3     0.0

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................  1.613     100.9     100.9    -0.3     0.5     0.0     0.1     0.0
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........  0.902     102.9     102.9     1.2     0.9    -0.1     0.0     0.0
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................  0.548      98.4      98.4    -2.1    -0.1     0.2     0.2     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 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,
             December 2002-December 2003         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                     Percent Change

                                                                                      Annual         Monthly
                                                       Percentage                      Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
                        Description                        of                          2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
                                                          U.S.    November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                        Imports     2003      2003     Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                           1/                          2003    2003    2003    2003    2003

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 51.536      99.3      99.4     2.8     0.0     0.2     0.5     0.1
         Manufactured Goods............................. 47.500      99.1      99.1     2.5     0.1     0.4     0.5     0.0
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  3.633     107.9     108.7     5.8    -1.9    -2.1     1.2     0.7


 3/ Other Countries..................................... 47.115      93.6      93.8     0.4    -0.7    -0.2     0.5     0.2
         Manufactured Goods............................. 39.179      94.5      94.7    -1.1     0.2    -0.5    -0.1     0.2
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  7.843     103.3     104.1     8.0    -5.6     1.5     3.0     0.8


    Canada.............................................. 18.515     103.8     103.6     4.4     0.4    -0.3     0.2    -0.2
         Manufactured Goods............................. 15.442     103.6     103.2     4.3     1.0     0.2     0.2    -0.4
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  2.749     108.5     109.4     4.3    -3.0    -2.7     0.0     0.8


 4/ European Union...................................... 17.316     103.8     104.2     3.3    -0.3     0.5     0.5     0.4
         Manufactured Goods............................. 16.884     104.1     104.5     3.1    -0.1     0.4     0.5     0.4
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  0.375     113.8     115.2    10.7    -1.1    -0.4     2.5     1.2


 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.310     100.8     102.4     3.5    -1.6     0.7     0.3     1.6
         Manufactured Goods............................. 13.644     104.0     105.7     1.8     0.1    -0.1    -0.3     1.6
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  3.634     107.5     108.9     9.7    -7.9     3.9     2.6     1.3


    Japan............................................... 12.262      94.2      94.2    -0.4    -0.4     0.1     0.3     0.0


 6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries................  9.281      90.9      90.9    -0.4     0.3    -0.8    -0.1     0.0



    1   Percentage of trade figures are based on 2000 trade values.
    2   Defined according to the BEA definition for Industrialized Countries which includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
    3   Defined according to the BEA definition for Other Countries, which 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 Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

    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. Import and Export Quarterly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
         December 2002-December 2003          2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                     Percent Change

                                                                                       Annual         Quarterly
                                                           Trade                        Dec.    Dec.   March    June   Sept.
                        Description                        (Mil.                        2002    2002    2003    2003    2003
                                                             of    September  December   to      to      to      to      to
                                                          Dollars)    2003     2003     Dec.   March    June   Sept.    Dec.
                                                             1/                         2003    2003    2003    2003    2003


    IMPORT

      Air Freight.......................................   4168     116.8     114.9     7.5     3.1     1.2     4.8    -1.6
             Atlantic...................................   1519     115.3     117.2    10.5     5.9     4.7    -2.0     1.6
             Pacific....................................   2412     115.2     110.4     6.4     1.6    -1.4    10.8    -4.2

    EXPORT

      Air Freight.......................................   2836      95.1      95.4     0.2     1.2    -1.1    -0.1     0.3


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised one quarter after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available





Table  9    U.S. Import and Export Monthly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
         December 2002-December 2003         2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                     Percent Change

                                                                                      Annual         Monthly
                                                           Trade                       Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
                        Description                        (Mil.                       2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
                                                             of   November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                          Dollars)   2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                             1/                        2003    2003    2003    2003    2003


    IMPORT

      Air Passenger Fares...............................  18253     106.0     107.0    -0.2    -2.9    -9.1    -7.4     0.9
             Europe.....................................  11250      97.4      95.9    -3.2    -2.8   -13.5   -11.5    -1.5
             Asia.......................................   2626     109.3     118.8     4.0    -9.6    -1.1    -0.5     8.7
             Latin America / Caribbean..................   1916     106.5     108.3     1.7    -5.8    -1.1     0.4     1.7

    EXPORT


      Air Passenger Fares...............................  20319     118.4     118.4    14.7    -7.6     1.8    -1.4     0.0
             Europe.....................................   5394     139.2     139.9    18.5   -12.6     4.3    -4.8     0.5
             Asia.......................................   8936     104.6     103.5    12.7    -8.9     0.9    -0.1    -1.1
             Latin America / Caribbean..................   3474     126.4     127.1     8.9     0.7     0.3     1.8     0.6


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available





Table 10       U.S. International Quarterly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
         December 2002-December 2003          2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                     Percent Change

                                                                                      Annual         Quarterly
                                                           Trade                       Dec.    Dec.   March    June   Sept.
                        Description                        (Mil.                       2002    2002    2003    2003    2003
                                                             of   September  December   to      to      to      to      to
                                                          Dollars)   2003      2003    Dec.   March    June   Sept.    Dec.
                                                             1/                        2003    2003    2003    2003    2003


      Air Freight (Inbound).............................   7483     112.5     112.9     6.6     2.7     0.6     2.8     0.4
           Atlantic.....................................   2607     118.9     121.5    10.2     5.3     4.6    -2.1     2.2
           Pacific......................................   4314     108.2     107.1     4.8     1.4    -2.5     7.1    -1.0

      Air Freight (Outbound)............................   5193      95.5      94.7    -0.7     1.9    -1.9     0.1    -0.8
           Atlantic.....................................   2094      96.6      95.6    -2.0     0.8    -1.3    -0.5    -1.0
           Pacific......................................   2639      95.7      95.0    -0.1     2.6    -2.4     0.4    -0.7

      Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound).....................  17817     116.2     117.7    26.2     0.8    23.5     0.1     1.3
           U.S. East Coast..............................   6938     107.0     110.3    12.0     1.5     8.4    -1.3     3.1
                 from Atlantic..........................   3022     105.4     113.1     4.5    -3.7     1.2     0.0     7.3
                 from Pacific...........................   2817     110.3     109.6    26.7     5.3    21.1     0.0    -0.6
           U.S. West Coast..............................  10879     122.7     123.0    36.1     0.2    34.1     1.0     0.2


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised one quarter after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available





Table  11    U.S. International Monthly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
         December 2002-December 2003         2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                     Percent Change

                                                                                      Annual         Monthly
                                                           Trade                       Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.
                        Description                        (Mil.                       2002    2003    2003    2003    2003
                                                             of    November  December   to      to      to      to      to
                                                          Dollars)   2003      2003    Dec.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                             1/                        2003    2003    2003    2003    2003


      Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)................  45965     116.4     118.2     9.5    -6.0    -1.2    -1.6     1.5
           Europe.......................................  16000     118.6     121.4     6.4    -7.9    -4.3    -5.8     2.4
           Asia.........................................  13499     109.3     110.0    10.1    -7.8    -0.4    -0.4     0.6
           Latin America / Caribbean....................  10764     126.6     129.1     8.9    -3.2     1.1     2.0     2.0
           Canada.......................................   3519     137.3     136.7    22.2    -1.0     3.2     2.4    -0.4

      Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier).............  39205     116.5     116.4     8.6    -5.9    -2.6    -4.2    -0.1
           Europe.......................................  21511     119.1     118.7     8.1    -6.6    -3.6    -6.8    -0.3
           Asia.........................................   8446     107.2     107.2     7.5   -10.1    -2.2    -1.0     0.0
           Latin America / Caribbean....................   4107     114.7     111.0     3.1    -2.7     0.0    -0.7    -3.2
           Canada (200212=100)..........................   2368     113.3     115.4    15.4    -0.4     0.9     1.2     1.9

      Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)................   3434      n.a.      n.a.    n.a.    -6.9     4.3    n.a.    n.a.


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    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 weighted with 2000
trade weights.  The merchandise price indexes are published using
three classifications:  the Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of
Economic Analysis End Use System, and the Standard International Trade
Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  Price indexes for
internationally traded services are presented using two definitions:
Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. and
foreign residents) and International (which represents all
transactions with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of
nationality).  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where
possible.  Net transaction price data are collected every month for
over 20,000 products from over 6,000 companies and secondary sources.
Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More detailed index series and
additional information may be obtained from the Division of
International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 691-7101.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 2000
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 2000
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.
The indexes use 2000 weights and a base of 2000=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes for air
passenger fares and crude oil tanker freight are calculated on a
monthly basis.  Indexes for air freight and ocean liner freight are
calculated on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes
will not sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all
categories are shown in the tables.  Revenue figures for air passenger
indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and those sold by
consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are calculated
from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the
publication of these indexes is lagged two months.

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 and quarterly data may be
revised one quarter after original publication.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system
is the structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the
construction of the foreign trade sector of the National Income and
Product Accounts.  Indexes published using the Harmonized System and
the Standard International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both
international structures, are useful for general market analysis.  For
trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used
for deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are
more appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price
elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region
of origin are useful for terms of trade analysis.



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