U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – NOVEMBER 2015 

Prices for U.S. imports fell 0.4 percent in November following a 0.3-percent decline in October, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A decrease in import fuel prices drove the November decline in 

the price index for overall imports. U.S. export prices declined 0.6 percent in November, after a 0.2-percent 

decrease the previous month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: November 2014 – November 2015 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: November 2014 – November 2015

 Percent change

-1.8

-2.5

-3.2

-0.4 -0.2 -0.2

1.1

0.1

-0.9

-1.8

-1.1

-0.3 -0.4

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Nov'14 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'15

-3.1

-5.6

-8.9

-10.2

-10.8 -10.5

-9.7 -9.9

-10.5

-11.4 -11.6

-10.7

-9.4

-13

-12

-11

-10

-9

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

Nov'14 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'15

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, December 10, 2015 

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

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

USDL-15-2331
2

All Imports: Overall import prices decreased 0.4 percent in November, after falling 0.3 percent in October 

and 1.1 percent in September. Import prices have trended down throughout 2015, declining each month with 

the exception of May and June. Prices for imports fell 9.4 percent for the year ended in November, and have 

not increased on a 12-month basis since the index rose 0.9 percent in July 2014. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices resumed a downward trend in November, declining 2.5 percent following a 0.1-

percent uptick the previous month. The price index for import fuel decreased 24.9 percent between June and 

September. A 2.5-percent drop in petroleum prices and a 4.6-percent decline in natural gas prices both 

contributed to the November decline in overall import fuel prices. Prices for overall fuel fell 43.2 percent 

over the past 12 months, after decreasing 15.9 percent between November 2013 and November 2014. 

Petroleum prices declined 44.5 percent over the past year, while prices for natural gas fell 32.3 percent. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports also decreased in November, falling 0.2 

percent following 0.3-percent declines in each of the previous 4 months. Lower prices for nonfuel industrial 

supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; capital goods; and automotive vehicles all factored into 

the November decline in nonfuel import prices. Prices for nonfuel imports decreased 3.2 percent for the year 

ended in November. Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; foods, feeds, and beverages; and 

each of the major finished goods categories all fell over the past 12 months. 

 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories 

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: November 2014 – November 2015 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: November 2014 – November 2015 

 Percent change

All Exports: Prices for U.S exports declined 0.6 percent in November, following a 0.2-percent decline in 

October and a 0.6-percent decrease in September. Lower prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural 

exports contributed to the November decline in overall export prices. The price index for overall exports 

only recorded 1 monthly advance over the past year and declined 6.3 percent between November 2014 and 

November 2015. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices decreased 1.1 percent in November, after rising 0.1 percent the 

previous month. In November, the decline was led by a 6.6-percent drop in nut prices and a 2.4-percent 

decrease in soybean prices which more than offset a 4.0-percent advance in fruit prices. Prices for 

agricultural exports fell 12.8 percent over the past year. A 24.5-percent decrease in meat prices was the 

primary factor for the 12-month drop in overall agricultural prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 0.6 percent in 

November, following a 0.3-percent drop in October. In November, falling prices for nonagricultural 

industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and automotive vehicles more than offset higher consumer 

goods prices. Nonagricultural prices fell 5.7 percent over the past year. 

 

-0.9 -0.9

-1.7

-0.2

0.0

-0.6

0.5

-0.3 -0.4

-1.4

-0.6

-0.2

-0.6

-2

-1

0

1

Nov'14 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'15

-1.7

-3.0

-5.0

-5.8

-6.7 -6.3 -6.0 -5.8 -6.2

-7.1 -7.3

-6.7

-6.3

-9

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

Nov'14 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov'15
4

SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China declined 0.3 percent in November, matching 

a 0.3-percent decrease in May. Those were the largest monthly drops since the index fell 0.6 percent in May 

2013. Import prices from China decreased 1.5 percent over the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year 

drop since the index declined 1.7 percent for the year ended in January 2010. The price indexes for imports 

from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all fell in November declining 0.5 percent, 0.4 percent, and 

0.3 percent, respectively. All were led by lower fuel prices. Prices for imports from Japan recorded no 

change for the second consecutive month in November. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices fell 0.9 

percent in November, after declining 1.0 percent in October. Both declines were driven by lower prices for 

unfinished metals and chemicals. Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 10.5 percent over 

the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 11.3 percent between October 2008 and 

October 2009. 

 

Finished Goods: The price indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each edged down 0.1 percent 

in November, following declines of 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, the previous month. Capital 

goods prices fell 2.3 percent on a 12-month basis for the second consecutive month, the largest year-overyear declines since the index fell 2.4 percent in December 2002. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages declined 0.5 percent in November, 

after falling 1.1 percent in October. Both decreases were driven by lower vegetable prices. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 3.7 percent in November, following a 5.2-

percent rise the previous month. The November advance was led by a 5.1-percent increase in European fares 

which more than offset a 0.7-percent drop in Asian fares. Overall import air passenger fares fell 2.2 percent 

over the past 12 months despite the recent increases. Import air freight prices rose 0.8 percent in November 

and fell 1.5 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices decreased 1.6 percent in November, following a 0.7-percent drop the previous month. Falling prices 

for fuel, metals, and chemicals drove the November decline. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in November. Capital goods prices edged down 0.1 

percent for the fourth consecutive month in November and have not recorded a monthly advance since the 

index rose 0.2 percent in February. Prices for automotive vehicles fell 0.2 percent. The last time the index 

fell more than 0.2 percent was a 0.3-percent drop in August 2012. In contrast, consumer goods prices ticked 

up 0.1 percent in November. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares declined 0.8 percent in November, following a 1.4-

percent decrease in October and an 11.5-percent drop in September. The November decline was driven by a 

1.0-percent decrease in Asian fares. Export air passenger fares fell 11.9 percent for the year ended in 

November. Export air freight prices rose 0.4 percent in November and decreased 1.1 percent over the past 

12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for December 2015 are scheduled for release on Thursday, January 14, 

2016 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 121.5 121.0 -9.4 -1.8 -1.1 -0.3 -0.4

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.450 98.8 98.6 -3.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 91.227 111.5 111.2 -3.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 90.468 115.5 115.3 -3.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.018 172.7 171.9 -5.0 0.3 -0.7 -1.1 -0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.668 190.6 189.7 -4.7 -0.1 -0.7 -1.5 -0.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.350 132.3 131.4 -6.1 1.8 -0.8 0.4 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 22.773 159.3 156.9 -28.0 -6.9 -4.2 -0.6 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 13.999 141.7 140.3 -11.2 -1.8 -0.8 -1.0 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.240 160.4 159.0 -10.5 -1.9 -1.0 -1.0 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 7.784 147.5 145.9 -11.2 -2.3 -0.8 -0.5 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.456 134.2 133.0 -11.2 -1.1 -0.7 -1.8 -0.9

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 9.534 157.7 153.8 -43.2 -12.7 -8.4 0.1 -2.5

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 8.775 169.3 165.1 -44.5 -13.5 -9.4 0.4 -2.5

Crude........................................ 10000 6.329 171.4 165.2 -46.1 -15.0 -9.8 2.3 -3.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.569 97.6 94.4 -25.8 0.2 4.8 -2.7 -3.3

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.407 81.2 77.5 -32.3 0.4 6.7 -3.7 -4.6

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.603 109.2 109.4 -3.0 0.1 0.0 -0.6 0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.923 153.4 152.3 -10.1 -1.3 -1.4 -1.9 -0.7

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.202 132.9 134.6 -4.3 -1.5 -1.7 -0.2 1.3

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.099 188.7 183.6 -19.8 -4.4 -0.9 -0.6 -2.7

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.698 147.8 146.9 -6.4 -1.0 -0.7 -0.8 -0.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.715 109.0 108.7 -2.8 -0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Capital goods................................... 2 28.116 90.2 90.1 -2.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.425 117.2 117.1 -2.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 22.190 82.7 82.6 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.501 136.9 137.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 15.695 110.7 110.6 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 27.399 107.2 107.2 -0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.097 119.2 119.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 12.796 95.4 95.3 -1.7 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.505 116.9 117.1 -2.8 -0.2 -0.6 0.2 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

All commodities................................... 100.000 122.0 121.3 -6.3 -1.4 -0.6 -0.2 -0.6

Agricultural commodities....................... 8.766 179.1 177.2 -12.8 -2.5 -1.4 0.1 -1.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 84.808 99.1 98.7 -2.8 -0.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 91.234 117.7 117.0 -5.7 -1.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.6

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.126 180.5 178.9 -13.0 -2.9 -1.4 0.6 -0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.456 181.1 179.5 -13.7 -2.9 -1.5 0.4 -0.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.670 181.3 180.1 -4.3 -3.2 0.0 2.0 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 29.924 144.6 142.3 -15.0 -3.6 -1.5 -0.8 -1.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.799 152.6 150.5 -8.8 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 19.126 141.0 138.6 -18.2 -4.1 -2.3 -1.1 -1.7

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.310 172.3 168.8 -6.9 -0.4 -1.0 -1.4 -2.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 28.614 143.7 141.4 -15.4 -3.7 -1.6 -0.7 -1.6

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 7.066 156.1 152.6 -32.0 -8.4 -5.0 -1.2 -2.2

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 20.561 151.3 149.1 -8.4 -2.0 -0.3 -0.6 -1.5

Selected building materials.................. 13 0.987 113.2 113.8 -6.5 -1.5 -0.9 0.3 0.5

Capital goods................................... 2 38.790 107.2 107.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 3.877 112.9 112.8 -2.3 0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 26.495 94.7 94.7 -0.6 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.417 162.1 162.0 2.5 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.429 113.8 113.6 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 12.731 111.9 112.0 -2.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.642 107.7 107.7 -3.1 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.433 109.9 110.0 -1.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 9.052 87.1 84.6 -39.2 -11.3 -6.6 1.0 -2.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.052 171.4 171.4 -5.5 -0.3 0.3 -2.5 0.0

Crop production............................... 111 1.669 183.8 182.8 -4.0 -0.3 0.8 -1.4 -0.5

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.195 77.5 81.3 – -2.0 -2.5 -11.0 4.9

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)..... 113 0.108 61.3 60.3 -11.2 2.0 -0.6 -6.8 -1.6

Mining............................................ 21 7.000 76.9 74.1 -44.8 -13.9 -8.5 2.1 -3.6

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.210 97.0 96.8 -18.0 0.0 -0.9 -0.3 -0.2

Manufactured articles............................ 90.656 109.7 109.5 -4.7 -0.6 -0.5 -0.5 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 12.200 123.4 123.1 -2.5 0.1 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.324 149.1 148.3 -7.4 0.5 -1.2 -1.1 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.124 118.3 118.2 0.7 -0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.413 100.2 99.4 -3.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.8

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.904 111.3 110.9 -2.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.4 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.479 111.6 111.6 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.957 124.6 124.6 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 17.202 116.9 116.8 -11.3 -2.0 -1.8 -1.3 -0.1

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.705 109.4 111.4 -6.9 -2.3 -2.6 -0.5 1.8

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.114 106.7 106.6 -3.9 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 2.298 78.0 78.7 -39.1 -9.7 -8.9 -5.0 0.9

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.638 131.3 130.8 -5.2 -0.6 -0.7 -0.9 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.236 118.6 118.5 -2.9 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 1.002 130.2 130.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 61.254 104.2 104.0 -3.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 3.781 127.6 124.6 -18.3 -3.6 -1.1 -0.5 -2.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.073 124.8 124.2 -2.7 -0.2 0.1 -0.7 -0.5

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.392 118.5 118.5 -1.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 18.092 77.6 77.5 -2.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 4.813 117.1 116.9 -2.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 16.885 109.8 109.8 -1.4 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.619 115.5 115.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.600 119.1 119.2 -2.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.165 124.9 120.8 -17.3 -3.9 -2.7 -1.1 -3.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.173 158.6 156.0 -9.0 -5.1 -2.5 1.7 -1.6

Crop production............................... 111 3.934 164.6 161.9 -9.0 -5.2 -2.6 1.8 -1.6

Mining............................................ 21 1.992 65.7 61.2 -31.2 -1.5 -3.0 -6.7 -6.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.117 80.4 79.6 -17.0 -3.1 -2.3 -2.0 -1.0

Manufactured articles............................ 92.421 112.5 112.1 -5.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.851 134.8 133.8 -12.8 -0.4 -0.4 -1.2 -0.7

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.657 151.3 150.0 -15.9 -0.5 -0.5 -1.3 -0.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.574 106.6 106.9 -4.5 -0.5 -1.4 -2.0 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 23.814 109.2 108.2 -13.5 -3.1 -1.5 -0.5 -0.9

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.916 123.7 122.7 -2.5 -1.9 1.6 -0.2 -0.8

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 4.760 90.9 89.2 -35.3 -10.4 -5.5 -1.2 -1.9

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 13.239 117.4 116.4 -7.7 -1.2 -0.8 -0.6 -0.9

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.256 116.4 116.5 -1.9 -0.5 -0.1 -0.5 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.839 112.3 112.4 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 61.756 111.7 111.4 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.675 134.0 131.5 -7.0 -4.0 1.2 0.2 -1.9

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.083 129.6 130.2 1.8 0.5 0.0 -0.2 0.5

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.775 125.3 125.5 1.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.457 85.2 84.9 -2.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.785 113.3 113.0 -1.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.922 121.8 121.7 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.392 110.1 110.1 0.8 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.666 122.3 122.4 -2.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.323 178.1 177.8 -11.7 1.4 -1.6 -3.0 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.306 221.2 218.9 -16.8 0.9 -1.0 -6.7 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.703 129.1 127.2 -8.8 3.2 -1.8 0.7 -1.5

Vegetable products............................... II 2.010 200.7 198.6 -2.7 -1.0 2.0 -1.2 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.609 498.6 479.1 16.0 1.4 11.1 -5.9 -3.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.492 94.7 95.3 -4.3 -2.9 -2.8 3.4 0.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.363 228.6 226.8 -11.7 0.2 -1.5 -0.6 -0.8

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.272 103.0 102.4 -8.7 1.9 -3.0 -0.1 -0.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.863 159.8 160.0 -1.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.180 85.0 85.3 -5.3 -5.5 0.1 -0.8 0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.265 114.0 115.9 4.5 -0.2 2.6 -1.7 1.7

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.288 132.2 132.0 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.332 152.8 155.7 -6.4 0.3 -2.1 -0.2 1.9

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.089 128.2 128.2 0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Mineral products.................................. V 9.447 158.4 154.4 -43.3 -12.7 -8.4 0.0 -2.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 9.208 155.5 151.4 -43.8 -12.9 -8.6 0.1 -2.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 8.860 146.4 146.0 -4.4 -0.4 -0.6 -0.6 -0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.661 287.4 283.6 -16.7 -0.1 -1.0 -1.4 -1.3

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.483 120.8 120.2 -10.0 -1.0 -2.4 -0.9 -0.5

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.654 138.3 138.3 3.1 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.327 91.6 92.4 -19.7 -7.1 -1.6 -8.9 0.9

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.209 97.9 97.9 -7.5 0.0 0.8 -1.5 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.570 90.4 90.4 -2.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.432 138.7 138.3 -5.6 -0.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.227 142.5 142.1 -5.6 -0.9 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.205 133.6 133.1 -5.7 0.0 -0.1 -1.0 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.738 127.1 127.0 -0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.699 130.0 130.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.734 133.5 135.9 -6.4 -2.1 -2.3 -0.4 1.8

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.696 91.5 93.2 – -2.2 -2.4 -0.4 1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.183 110.9 110.9 -1.9 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.789 105.2 104.9 -1.8 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.629 114.0 113.9 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.259 103.9 103.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 2.023 119.8 119.8 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.652 105.5 105.1 -2.4 -0.2 0.4 -0.5 -0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.553 123.6 123.6 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.351 122.8 122.8 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.927 132.0 132.1 -0.8 -0.2 -0.4 0.1 0.1

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.277 138.3 138.0 -2.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.327 130.0 130.0 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 3.038 165.2 163.7 -5.0 -2.9 0.7 0.8 -0.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.166 158.9 156.6 -13.8 -1.5 -1.3 -1.2 -1.4

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.029 166.8 159.9 -27.2 -1.2 -1.6 -3.6 -4.1

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.684 144.4 143.6 -7.2 -0.3 -0.6 -1.0 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.428 259.4 258.7 -18.0 -4.9 -4.8 1.3 -0.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.718 124.0 122.2 -15.1 -2.3 -1.3 -0.9 -1.5

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.455 127.1 126.2 -2.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.4 -0.7

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.534 137.4 137.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.4

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 30.411 82.0 81.9 -2.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 15.449 87.1 87.0 -2.5 -0.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 14.962 77.2 77.1 -2.4 0.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.167 114.3 114.3 -1.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 12.798 112.9 112.9 -1.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.273 119.7 119.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 4.000 103.3 103.3 -0.9 -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.670 100.1 100.2 -0.7 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.266 140.3 141.0 -1.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.9 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.136 112.4 112.4 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.495 117.1 117.1 -1.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.375 103.9 103.9 -1.8 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.265 134.0 134.0 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.789 183.9 182.6 -24.8 -1.5 0.6 -2.0 -0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.041 141.7 140.3 -28.3 -1.6 1.1 -2.8 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.397 201.3 199.1 -3.6 -3.7 0.0 1.2 -1.1

Vegetable products............................... II 3.921 201.7 200.2 -10.1 -4.7 -2.6 2.0 -0.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.148 174.6 176.0 -2.1 1.0 -1.3 2.4 0.8

Cereals............................................ 10 1.014 195.9 193.3 -12.3 -12.7 -1.3 7.9 -1.3

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.334 193.8 188.1 -17.6 -4.1 -7.2 0.1 -2.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.197 91.4 93.0 -10.5 -5.2 -1.7 -0.9 1.8

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.928 149.9 149.6 -7.3 0.1 -1.3 -0.7 -0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.412 118.2 118.3 0.7 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.521 109.2 109.8 -2.1 1.7 -1.7 0.8 0.5

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.695 203.5 201.3 -13.2 0.2 -3.6 -3.4 -1.1

Mineral products.................................. V 6.851 177.1 171.5 -33.7 -8.0 -4.7 -2.2 -3.2

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.421 73.5 72.1 -24.4 -2.7 -2.4 -3.8 -1.9

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 6.244 170.5 164.9 -35.0 -8.5 -5.0 -2.2 -3.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.912 140.2 139.7 -5.3 -1.0 -0.8 -0.3 -0.4

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.912 183.5 182.9 6.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.832 136.9 136.4 -15.1 -1.3 -3.4 -1.0 -0.4

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.615 110.1 110.3 -3.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.804 135.4 135.5 1.9 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.485 112.4 112.7 -3.8 -2.2 0.3 -0.5 0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.940 151.7 151.0 -1.3 -1.8 1.8 0.1 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.151 139.0 137.2 -8.2 -0.7 -0.2 -1.3 -1.3

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.205 134.8 132.8 -8.4 -0.8 -0.1 -1.4 -1.5

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.946 156.6 155.6 -7.7 -0.3 -0.8 -0.7 -0.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.379 123.4 117.2 -25.7 -0.7 0.7 -4.0 -5.0

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.210 71.5 66.6 – -1.2 1.9 -6.9 -6.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.615 94.6 95.6 – -1.3 -0.9 0.7 1.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.294 123.5 122.6 -2.4 -1.6 0.8 0.1 -0.7

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.651 126.5 123.0 -4.7 -4.9 3.3 -0.3 -2.8

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.227 122.4 122.6 -1.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.416 98.9 98.9 – -0.3 0.0 0.5 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.813 121.3 120.5 -4.1 0.1 -0.6 -0.5 -0.7

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2014 to

November 2015 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July

2015 to

Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct.

2015

Oct.

2015 to

Nov.

2015

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.466 118.7 116.6 -6.2 -0.2 -1.3 -0.3 -1.8

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.840 122.2 122.3 1.8 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.433 98.8 98.8 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.726 226.8 223.7 -5.1 -3.3 1.3 0.4 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.086 145.8 143.8 -10.7 -1.5 -0.8 -0.6 -1.4

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.125 147.5 142.2 -22.5 -3.5 -1.4 -1.9 -3.6

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.464 167.0 161.4 -21.8 -7.1 -0.8 -0.3 -3.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.825 106.5 103.0 -17.3 -2.0 -2.8 -0.7 -3.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.342 148.6 148.6 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 29.513 96.5 96.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 17.811 113.2 113.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 11.702 78.5 78.3 -2.0 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.952 131.1 131.1 0.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.272 115.0 115.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.341 107.2 107.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.527 111.6 110.9 0.2 -0.7 0.4 0.5 -0.6

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.874 124.6 123.9 1.2 -0.2 0.2 0.6 -0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.492 89.8 89.8 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: November 2014 to November 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2014

to Nov.

2015

July 2015

to Aug.

2015

Aug. 2015

to Sept.

2015

Sept. 2015

to Oct.

2015

Oct. 2015

to Nov.

2015

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 117.1 116.6 -9.1 -2.1 -1.4 0.1 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles................... 7.252 121.4 118.1 -41.6 -16.4 -7.7 5.5 -2.7

Manufactured articles........................ 92.362 116.4 116.2 -4.9 -0.8 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 119.7 119.2 -9.4 -1.6 -1.0 -0.3 -0.4

Nonmanufactured articles................... 10.231 181.8 176.0 -37.5 -9.7 -5.9 0.7 -3.2

Manufactured articles........................ 89.547 103.9 103.7 -4.3 -0.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2

Canada.......................................... 100.000 118.0 117.4 -18.0 -5.1 -3.0 0.2 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles................... 20.805 115.8 112.7 -42.3 -17.0 -7.9 5.9 -2.7

Manufactured articles........................ 78.563 122.8 122.9 -7.8 -1.2 -1.7 -1.2 0.1

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 132.8 132.3 -3.9 -0.5 -1.1 0.2 -0.4

Manufactured articles........................ 99.407 129.3 128.9 -3.7 -0.5 -1.1 0.1 -0.3

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 121.5 121.3 -1.5 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 116.9 116.8 -1.4 -0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 121.0 120.8 -5.0 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 142.0 140.8 -12.7 -2.6 -1.2 -0.4 -0.8

Nonmanufactured articles................... 17.457 203.5 196.7 -34.1 -10.6 -3.4 2.1 -3.3

Manufactured articles........................ 82.142 121.1 120.8 -6.1 -0.7 -0.8 -1.0 -0.2

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 127.7 127.3 -7.3 -1.3 -0.8 -0.3 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 9.359 111.2 107.0 -35.1 -11.1 -6.3 2.6 -3.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 90.325 89.6 89.6 -3.0 0.0 -0.2 -0.7 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 99.6 99.4 -2.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 102.3 102.0 -1.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.2 95.2 -3.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 85.9 85.4 -3.6 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.6

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 98.1 98.0 -3.6 0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 150.0 146.3 -35.7 -7.7 -7.3 -1.1 -2.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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: November

2014 to November 2015

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20151

Index Percent change

Oct.

2015

Nov.

2015

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2014 to

Nov.

2015

July 2015

to Aug.

2015

Aug.

2015 to

Sept.

2015

Sept.

2015 to

Oct. 2015

Oct. 2015

to Nov.

2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 166.1 167.4 -1.5 -1.7 -2.2 5.1 0.8

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 23.083 147.1 144.4 -15.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.4 -1.8

Asia.................................................. 65.567 150.5 153.6 4.1 -2.3 -3.3 8.0 2.1

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 156.1 156.7 -1.1 -0.5 -0.6 -0.3 0.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 33.074 148.9 149.4 4.5 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5 0.3

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 155.2 156.0 -3.6 -1.7 -0.9 2.7 0.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 25.473 137.8 137.3 -10.4 -1.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.4

Asia.................................................. 60.600 140.9 142.5 -1.8 -2.4 -2.1 4.8 1.1

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 145.0 145.0 -5.1 -1.0 -0.6 -2.3 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 31.960 158.4 157.7 -8.4 0.8 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4

Asia.................................................. 43.728 136.0 136.5 -5.6 -1.9 -0.6 -4.6 0.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 188.6 195.6 -2.2 -5.1 -4.5 5.2 3.7

Europe............................................... 44.082 221.3 232.6 2.6 -8.9 3.9 3.8 5.1

Asia.................................................. 22.848 142.2 141.2 -4.8 -4.6 -7.7 5.1 -0.7

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.506 149.0 149.3 -11.3 -0.4 -9.2 0.1 0.2

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 154.6 153.3 -11.9 1.5 -11.5 -1.4 -0.8

Europe............................................... 31.610 206.4 211.7 -2.3 -10.1 -0.3 -3.4 2.6

Asia.................................................. 27.835 134.1 132.7 -12.9 20.6 -23.0 0.4 -1.0

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 21.870 152.3 154.5 -14.5 -1.8 -13.5 2.4 1.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) to produce the 

NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry. The index for crude 

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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 indexes and excluded from 

the export air passenger fares indexes. 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 www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP Publications."
16 

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

for the import price indexes. Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 

revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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. 

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 

email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 

 

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

page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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.