Technical Information:
 Jim Thomas    (202) 606-7155                     USDL-98-493
 Bill Alterman  (202) 606-7108                    Transmission of This
Media contact:                                    Material is Embargoed
 Kathryn Hoyle    (202) 606-5902                  Until: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Internet Address:http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Wednesday, December 16, 1998
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                           -NOVEMBER 1998-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 0.3 percent in November, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The
decline, attributable to a sharp drop in petroleum prices, followed
increases of 0.2 percent in each of the previous two months.  Prices for
nonpetroleum imports increased slightly in November for the second
consecutive month.  Export prices edged up 0.1 percent in November, after
decreasing for five consecutive months.

                 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 
                                                   
                                                                 
                                                                 
1997                                                             
November           -0.4     -3.5       -0.2       0.0       0.7      -0.1 
December           -1.0     -6.8       -0.4      -0.4      -0.8      -0.4 
1998                                                             
January            -1.3    -10.0       -0.6      -0.7      -2.7      -0.4 
February           -0.9     -6.5       -0.4      -0.3      -1.5      -0.2 
March              -0.8     -9.0       -0.3      -0.3      -0.5      -0.3 
April              -0.3      0.4       -0.3      -0.4      -1.6      -0.2 
May                -0.1      0.5       -0.2       0.1       1.0      -0.1 
June               -0.6     -4.4       -0.4      -0.5       0.0      -0.5 
July               -0.9     -5.4       -0.4      -0.3       0.3      -0.4 
August             -0.4     -0.6 r     -0.4      -0.5      -4.1      -0.1 
September           0.2 r    6.4 r     -0.2      -0.5      -2.9 r    -0.3 r
October             0.2      3.0 r      0.1 r    -0.1       0.1 r     0.0 r
November           -0.3     -7.7        0.1       0.1       2.0      -0.1 
                                                                 
November 1996-97   -3.9    -18.5       -2.3      -0.7      -3.0      -0.5 
November 1997-98   -6.3    -34.4       -3.5      -3.9     -10.4      -3.0 
 
r = revised to reflect late imports and corrections by respondents.                                           



                            Import Goods
                                  
     The 0.3 percent decrease in import prices was attributable to a 7.7
percent drop in petroleum prices that more than offset an increase in
nonpetroleum import prices.  The decline for the petroleum index was the
largest drop since March and followed gains of 3.0 percent and 6.4 percent
for October and September, respectively.  Over the past 12 months, petroleum
prices declined 34.4 percent, after falling 18.5 percent over the November
1996-97 period.  In contrast, the index for nonpetroleum import prices rose
0.1 percent for the second consecutive month, the first time since 1995 that
this component advanced two months in a row.  Despite the recent modest gains,
the index for nonpetroleum imports fell 3.5 percent for the year ended in
November.
                                  
    Prices for each of the major finished goods areas, as well as nonpetroleum
industrial supplies materials, rose in November, but were down over the past
12 months.  The gains posted this month paralleled the recent weakening of
the U.S. dollar.  The indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles,
parts, and engines rose for the second consecutive month, up 0.2 percent and
0.3 percent, respectively, in November.  Both indexes, however, were down
slightly for the year.  Prices for capital goods edged up 0.1 percent, marking
only the second monthly increase in two years; for the year ended in November,
the index fell 5.5 percent.  Prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and
materials also rose 0.1 percent in November, after recording declines in the
previous five months.  Over the past 12 months, the index decreased 7.6
percent.
                                  
      In contrast, due in part to a turnaround in vegetable prices, the index
for food, feeds, and beverages declined 1.2 percent in November, after
recording gains in the previous two months.  Over the past 12 months, the
index for food, feeds, and beverages dropped 2.8 percent.


                            Export Goods
                                  
      Prices for overall U.S. exports, up 0.1 percent, rose for the first time
since May, as an increase in the index for agricultural prices offset a dip
in nonagricultural prices.  For the year ended in November, the index for
export prices fell 3.9 percent.  Led by rising prices for grains and oilseeds,
agricultural export prices rose 2.0 percent in November, the largest increase
recorded for this index since February 1997.  Over the past 12 months,
agricultural prices fell 10.4 percent.  In contrast, after recording no
change in October, the index for nonagricultural export prices resumed a
downward trend, falling 0.1 percent in November.  During each of the last 17
months, prices for nonagricultural exports have either decreased or posted no
change, on average.  Prices for nonagricultural exports were down 3.0 percent
for the year ended in November.
                                  
      Prices for capital goods dipped 0.1 percent in November, after recording
no change in October.  The index for exported capital goods has either
decreased or been unchanged for 15 consecutive months and was down 2.3 percent
for the year.  Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials
also fell 0.1 percent in November, the 16th consecutive monthly decrease.
Over the November 1997-98 period, the index was down 7.3 percent.
                                  
      In contrast, prices for both automotive vehicles and consumer goods,
excluding autos, edged up 0.1 percent in November.  Over the past 12 months,
prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines rose 0.6 percent and
consumer goods, excluding autos, were down 0.5 percent.
                                  
                                  
                    Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
      The price index for imports from Japan rose 1.5 percent in November,
the largest increase in the index since May 1995.  The increase, the first
since March of this year, was attributable in part to the recent weakening of
the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen.  For the year ended in November,
the index for imports from Japan fell 3.5 percent.
                                  
      Prices of imports from the European Union also rose in November, up 0.3
percent after gaining 1.0 percent in October.  An increase in most European
currencies versus the U.S. dollar contributed to the advances.  For the
November 1997-98 period, the index registered no change.
                                  
      In contrast, the index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries continued to decline in November.  However, the 0.1 percent decline
was smaller than the average monthly decline of 0.8 percent over the previous
14 months.  For the year ended in November, the index was down 8.5 percent,
compared with a 4.7 percent drop during the prior 12-month period.
                                  
      Import prices from Canada also were down 0.1 percent in November, after
gaining 0.4 percent in October.  Over the last 12 months, the index fell 3.6
percent.
                                  
      The index for imports from Latin America also posted a turnaround in
November, declining 0.9 percent after gaining 0.8 percent and 1.1 percent in
October and September, respectively.  The November decrease primarily
reflected the downturn in prices for petroleum and petroleum products.
                                  
                                  
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for December are scheduled for
release on January 15, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).



Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                         October October   November    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.8    91.5      -6.3    -0.4      0.2      0.2   -0.3
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        93.497      92.8    92.9      -3.5    -0.4     -0.2      0.1   0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.916      96.4    95.2      -2.8    -2.4      1.5      1.0   -1.2

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.455      93.0    91.9      -3.5    -3.0      2.1      1.4   -1.2

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.461     105.2   103.8      -1.3    -0.9     -0.1      0.4   -1.3

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.885      87.1    85.4     -16.1    -0.7      1.3      0.2   -2.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.382      90.9    91.0      -7.6    -0.8     -0.4     -0.7   0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.688      91.7    91.4      -7.0     0.0     -0.8     -1.0   -0.3
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.694      90.0    90.6      -8.1    -1.5     -0.3     -0.1   0.7

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         7.649      80.0    75.1     -32.6    -1.2      5.4      2.3   -6.1

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         6.504      76.5    70.6     -34.4    -0.6      6.4      3.0   -7.7

1000         Crude...................................         5.087      75.4    68.1     -36.6    -0.4      9.1      3.4   -9.7

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.851      79.9    79.0      -6.4    -1.2     -0.2     -0.1   -1.1

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.912      88.6    89.2      -5.4    -1.1     -0.3      0.1   0.7

13        Selected building materials................         2.100     101.0   101.8      -6.0     1.4      0.2     -3.3   0.8

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.429      88.6    87.5      -9.2    -0.6     -1.3     -0.3   -1.2

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.481      92.9    92.8      -3.5     0.1      0.3     -0.3   -0.1

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.463      88.5    88.8      -5.7    -0.6     -0.8     -0.6   0.3

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.181      84.4    84.5      -5.5    -0.1     -0.5     -0.1   0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.411      92.9    93.5      -3.2     0.0     -1.6      0.3   0.6

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        22.956      81.5    81.5      -6.3    -0.1     -0.4     -0.1   0.0

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        18.843     100.8   101.1      -0.3    -0.2     -0.1      0.2   0.3

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.175      98.1    98.3      -0.8    -0.2     -0.1      0.3   0.2

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.605     101.2   101.3       0.5     0.0      0.0      0.4   0.1

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.440      95.0    95.3      -1.9    -0.2     -0.2      0.3   0.3

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.129      97.7    96.7      -3.4    -1.6      0.5      0.1   -1.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for August, September and October 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately.






Table 2   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                         October  October  November    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.7    94.8      -3.9    -0.5     -0.5     -0.1      0.1
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.561      87.1    88.8     -10.4    -4.1     -2.9      0.1      2.0
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.438      95.6    95.5      -3.0    -0.1     -0.3      0.0     -0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.665      88.6    90.8      -9.4    -3.7     -3.1      0.6      2.5

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         7.872      88.0    90.5     -10.1    -4.5     -3.2      0.5      2.8

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.793      96.1    95.4      -0.3     6.0     -2.2      1.3     -0.7

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.372      87.5    87.4      -7.5    -0.4     -1.0     -0.6     -0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.542      88.9    88.9      -5.7    -0.2     -1.0     -0.3      0.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        14.829      86.7    86.4      -8.8    -0.6     -1.0     -0.7     -0.3

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.689      84.6    82.9     -11.8    -1.5     -1.8     -1.6     -2.0

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
              MATERIALS..............................        22.682      87.8    87.7      -7.3    -0.2     -1.0     -0.5     -0.1

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.164      94.0    93.5     -15.5    -1.8     -1.2      1.2     -0.5

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        19.019      86.2    86.3      -6.5    -0.2     -1.0     -0.7      0.1

13        Selected building materials................         1.499      86.7    86.3      -3.4     0.9     -0.2     -0.1     -0.5

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.582      97.1    97.0      -2.3    -0.2     -0.1      0.0     -0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.522     100.0    99.7      -2.4    -0.3     -0.1     -0.1     -0.3

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.408      93.8    93.7      -2.8    -0.2     -0.1      0.0     -0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.119     102.8   102.9       0.6     0.0      0.0      0.4      0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.262     102.0   102.1      -0.5     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.1

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.484     102.0   102.1       0.1    -0.2      0.2      0.0      0.1

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.194     100.9   100.9      -1.2     0.4      0.0      0.0      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for August, September and October 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately.






Table 3   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                      October  October  November    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.8    91.5      -6.3    -0.4      0.2      0.2     -0.3

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.186      97.0    96.0      -3.4    -3.6      1.7      1.6     -1.0
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.348      95.5    94.8      -7.7     0.1     -0.6     -1.7     -0.7
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.091     104.2   102.4      -4.6    -2.1     -0.2      0.5     -1.7
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.274     114.1   110.0       6.0   -12.2      8.8      6.9     -3.6
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.549      73.9    75.0     -13.0     7.9     -2.5     -4.5      1.5
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.923      92.4    94.1      -5.0    -2.1     -1.1      1.2      1.8

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.913     109.9   109.7       1.2    -0.1      0.0      0.2     -0.2
11        Beverages..................................         0.769     106.6   106.4       1.2    -0.2      0.1      0.2     -0.2

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.751      83.8    83.0     -11.7    -1.8      0.0     -2.2     -1.0
23        Crude rubber (including synthetic and
             reclaimed)..............................         0.194      54.8    54.6     -23.3    -2.0      0.0      1.9     -0.4
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.993     102.5   103.1      -9.6     1.0      0.7     -4.5      0.6
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.343      58.1    56.8     -17.9    -3.3     -2.7     -4.4     -2.2
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.606      93.2    93.2      -9.1    -1.9     -1.4      0.3      0.0
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.285     103.8    96.9      -7.5   -11.0      4.3     -1.3     -6.6
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.331      86.7    85.5     -11.1    -0.7     -0.1     -0.3     -1.4

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         7.328      79.3    74.3     -33.5    -1.2      5.6      2.3     -6.3
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         6.173      76.2    70.1     -35.0    -0.3      6.8      3.0     -8.0
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.025     104.4   108.1     -27.8    -5.2     -0.4     -1.9      3.5

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.658      91.9    92.5      -2.8    -0.9     -0.2      0.0      0.7
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.593      90.6    91.7      -3.8    -0.7     -0.1     -0.9      1.2
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.686      94.6    95.0      -4.0    -1.6     -0.7      0.7      0.4
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.304      96.3    97.7       1.5     0.2      0.0      1.6      1.5
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.958      95.6    96.8       0.6    -0.1     -0.3      1.1      1.3
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.332      95.0    95.3      -1.3    -1.0      0.4      1.3      0.3
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.384      90.8    90.9      -0.8    -2.0      0.4     -0.9      0.1
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.499      74.1    74.2     -10.5    -2.1     -1.7     -0.1      0.1
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.668      99.1    99.3      -3.4    -0.1      0.2     -1.4      0.2

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.817      92.7    92.3      -4.5    -0.1     -0.4      0.0     -0.4
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.752      94.2    94.6      -0.8    -0.5      0.1     -0.1      0.4
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.567      94.8    97.2      -3.7     2.0     -1.2     -1.0      2.5
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.685      87.4    86.5      -3.6    -0.6      0.1      0.5     -1.0
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.451      96.5    96.8      -3.4     0.0     -0.1     -0.2      0.3
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.228     100.5   100.6      -1.6     0.2     -0.3      0.4      0.1
67        Iron and steel.............................         2.013      89.5    88.7      -7.9    -0.7     -0.8     -0.7     -0.9
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.886      85.9    83.8     -10.3    -0.1     -1.8     -0.5     -2.4
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.062      96.9    97.1      -1.2     0.0      0.4      0.3      0.2

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        47.653      91.0    91.2      -3.3    -0.2     -0.3      0.1      0.2
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.113      97.4    98.1      -1.3    -0.2     -0.1      0.2      0.7
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.819      97.8    98.7      -0.3    -0.2     -0.4      1.1      0.9
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.868      97.4    97.9      -0.4     0.2      0.1      0.8      0.5
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.630      97.6    98.3       1.0     0.2      0.1      1.0      0.7
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.439      67.2    66.7     -13.0    -0.7     -0.9     -2.2     -0.7
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.611      88.4    88.4      -3.8     0.1     -0.2     -0.5      0.0
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.570      83.7    84.2      -4.0     0.0     -0.7      0.6      0.6
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.499     101.0   101.4      -0.2    -0.2     -0.1      0.3      0.4

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.247      98.5    98.6      -1.1    -0.2      0.0      0.2      0.1
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.402      94.7    95.1      -1.0     0.0      0.1     -0.8      0.4
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.304     100.0   100.2      -2.8    -0.2     -0.2     -0.1      0.2
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.533     100.7   100.4      -0.3    -1.1      0.1      0.6     -0.3
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.205     102.9   102.8       0.0     0.1      0.2      0.0     -0.1
85        Footwear...................................         1.887     101.4   101.5       0.5     0.1      0.0      0.5      0.1
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.657      95.0    95.2      -1.2     0.0     -0.2      0.5      0.2
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.376      90.7    91.4      -1.3    -0.3     -0.6      0.7      0.8
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.884      95.4    95.7      -2.5    -0.3     -0.3      0.2      0.3




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for August, September and October 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 4   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                      October  October  November    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.7    94.8      -3.9    -0.5     -0.5     -0.1      0.1

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.084      87.7    89.3      -8.5    -2.9     -3.2      1.2      1.8
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.163      93.8    91.1      -5.2     0.5     -2.1     -2.6     -2.9
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.612      97.0    96.2       0.7     8.0     -1.2      1.1     -0.8
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.257      73.4    78.1     -17.7    -9.0     -6.3      4.6      6.4
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.466      99.4    99.9       7.0     0.6     -2.9      0.2      0.5
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.627      86.2    89.2     -22.2    -6.0     -2.3     -2.5      3.5
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.412     106.7   106.7       2.0     0.0      1.2      0.4      0.0
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.547      99.2    98.4      -2.1    -1.0      0.5      3.0     -0.8

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.547     100.0   100.5      -0.4     0.1     -0.1      0.3      0.5
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.273      99.8   100.4      -0.4     0.0     -0.1      0.4      0.6

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.082      75.6    75.8     -14.7    -2.6     -2.5     -3.0      0.3
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.274      80.9    80.1     -22.7     2.6     -0.5     -3.1     -1.0
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.992      87.9    93.3     -21.1   -10.6     -3.7     -4.2      6.1
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.891      82.5    81.3      -5.2     0.0     -0.2      0.4     -1.5
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.708      59.1    57.6     -15.7     0.0     -2.8     -5.7     -2.5
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.759      73.7    71.4     -12.1    -2.0     -0.8     -3.4     -3.1
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.337      95.1    95.1      -2.8    -0.2      0.0     -1.9      0.0
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.724      67.5    68.1     -20.7    -0.5     -4.0     -3.2      0.9
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.397      90.8    91.6     -10.0     0.2     -7.1     -1.5      0.9

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         1.892      94.4    94.2     -15.9    -1.7     -1.4      1.1     -0.2
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.701      99.4    99.3      -2.5    -0.4     -0.1      0.0     -0.1
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.060      93.7    93.4     -22.2    -2.4     -2.3      3.2     -0.3

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.501     102.8   102.9      -3.7    -1.0     -0.7      0.1      0.1

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.733      91.5    91.4      -4.0    -0.1     -0.3     -0.3     -0.1
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.327      74.2    74.0     -11.5    -0.5     -1.1     -1.2     -0.3
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.895     102.7   102.7       3.5     0.0     -0.2     -0.5      0.0
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.500      99.8   100.0      -2.6    -1.3      0.3      0.2      0.2
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.266     101.0   101.0       0.1     0.0      0.0     -0.6      0.0
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.782     102.8   101.5      -0.6     0.0      1.3      0.1     -1.3
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.596      97.8    97.0       3.2     2.7     -0.1     -0.1     -0.8
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.764      87.2    87.4      -6.6    -1.0     -0.3     -0.5      0.2
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.840      97.1    96.3      -2.2     0.4     -0.3     -0.2     -0.8
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.763     100.5   101.1      -1.8     0.0     -0.4      0.5      0.6

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.872      96.5    96.6      -2.3    -0.2     -0.5     -0.3      0.1
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.702     104.1   105.9       3.7     0.5     -0.5      1.9      1.7
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.301      91.5    93.1       2.2     3.5     -0.2     -1.3      1.7
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.515      81.1    81.7      -4.1    -0.6     -1.1     -0.2      0.7
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.419     100.3   100.3      -2.5    -1.1     -0.6     -1.0      0.0
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.377     107.1   107.1       0.8     0.2      0.0      0.3      0.0
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.088      97.9    97.5      -5.9    -0.2     -0.4     -1.8     -0.4
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.233      85.7    85.4      -8.6    -0.8     -1.4      0.2     -0.4
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.086     106.6   106.5       1.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        51.083      98.2    98.2      -1.9    -0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.429     106.9   107.9       1.5     0.0      0.2     -0.1      0.9
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.870     105.5   105.5       1.0     0.0      0.2      0.0      0.0
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.026     108.7   108.7       3.1     0.0     -0.2      0.3      0.0
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.232     106.5   106.4       0.9     0.2     -0.1      0.1     -0.1
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.057      74.5    74.6      -9.8    -0.8     -0.9     -0.3      0.1
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.866      98.1    97.9      -1.5     0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.2
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.584      91.1    90.6      -4.5    -0.2      0.0      0.0     -0.5
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.395     102.2   102.3       0.4     0.0      0.0      0.2      0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.475     100.7   100.9      -0.9    -0.2      0.0      0.1      0.2
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.656     104.1   104.1       0.3    -0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.305     102.5   102.5      -0.8    -1.1      0.1      0.0      0.0
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.838     103.9   104.1       0.8    -0.1      0.0      0.1      0.2
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.924      93.4    94.6      -3.7    -0.1     -0.3      1.0      1.3
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.276      98.2    98.2      -2.1     0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.0
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.476     102.1   102.1       0.8     0.0     -0.3     -0.2      0.0




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for August, September and October 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 5   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
             1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                      October  October  November    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.625      99.7    99.1      -5.2    -2.1      0.3      0.3     -0.6
02      Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.279      94.3    95.3      -5.1    -0.1      0.4     -1.8      1.1
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.966     105.7   103.0      -5.0    -2.1      0.4      0.9     -2.6
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.379      92.6    95.5      -5.5    -3.6      0.2      0.4      3.1

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.703      93.5    89.5      -3.6    -7.2      5.2      3.4     -4.3
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.463     161.7   132.0       2.2   -25.4     23.8     20.5    -18.4
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.471      99.0   103.6       7.6    -2.6      2.0     -1.4      4.6
09      Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.368      71.6    72.9     -13.3     6.1     -3.1     -3.9      1.8
     3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.402      87.5    84.2     -10.3    -6.4      2.7     -0.1     -3.8

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         2.163     100.2   100.0      -1.9    -0.2      0.2     -0.4     -0.2
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.281      88.6    89.3       1.9    -0.9     -1.0      0.9      0.8
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.791     104.1   105.3       1.2     0.4      0.4     -0.8      1.2
     3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.091      98.3    97.0      -4.8    -0.5      0.4     -0.6     -1.3

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         7.976      80.7    76.1     -31.8    -1.1      4.9      2.2     -5.7
26      Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.309     101.5   101.5      -0.9    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         7.433      79.5    74.7     -33.3    -1.2      5.4      2.3     -6.0

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         5.345      95.3    95.8      -2.6    -0.6     -0.4      0.3      0.5
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.855      97.4    97.5      -5.9    -1.8     -0.9      0.9      0.1
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.027      91.5    92.1      -3.5    -0.4     -0.7      0.1      0.7
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.589     102.4   104.0       1.6    -0.1     -0.4      1.8      1.6
32      Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
           pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.301      94.5    95.9       1.1     0.1      0.0      1.6      1.5
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.364      95.1    95.1      -3.2     0.0     -0.3     -0.6      0.0
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............
           (9612=100)................................         0.411      91.6    91.9      -6.0    -0.3     -0.3     -2.8      0.3
     3/ Other products of the chemical or............
           allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.798      96.3    95.9       0.7    -0.6     -0.3      1.5     -0.4

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.764      85.8    86.0      -5.1    -0.9     -0.3      0.0      0.2
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         1.728      88.8    89.0      -4.8    -1.0     -0.7     -0.2      0.2
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.036      81.2    81.5      -5.6    -0.7      0.2      0.0      0.4

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.058     102.5   102.8      -0.2    -0.6     -0.1      0.6      0.3
42      Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
           etc. of various materials.................         0.890     100.7   100.7      -0.3    -0.8     -0.2      0.6      0.0

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
           AND WICKER................................         1.603      98.1    99.0      -7.6     1.6      0.2     -4.0      0.9

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.415      82.2    81.5      -5.3    -1.0     -0.1     -0.4     -0.9
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.344      58.7    57.1     -18.2    -3.1     -2.7     -4.6     -2.7
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.701      88.1    87.4      -3.4    -0.5      0.3      0.1     -0.8
49      Printed matter...............................         0.370      98.9    99.4      -0.7    -0.6      0.5      0.8      0.5

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.264     100.8   100.7      -1.1     0.1      0.1      0.0     -0.1
61      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.155     101.2   101.2      -0.3     0.0      0.0     -0.2      0.0
62      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.541     104.1   103.9       0.2     0.2      0.3      0.0     -0.2
63      Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
           clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.347      93.3    94.0      -4.6     0.0     -0.4      0.2      0.8
     3/ Other textile & textile......................
           articles (9612=100).......................         1.220      95.9    95.8      -5.0    -0.1      0.0      0.0     -0.1

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
           ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.209     101.7   101.8       0.5    -0.1      0.1      0.5      0.1
64      Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
           of such articles..........................         1.898     101.1   101.3       0.4    -0.1      0.0      0.6      0.2
     3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
           whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.311     103.4   103.2       1.0     0.0      0.0      0.3     -0.2

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
           GLASS ETC.................................         1.196     100.9   101.2      -0.9     0.2     -0.2      0.5      0.3
69      Ceramic products.............................         0.452      97.8    97.9      -1.0     0.0     -0.1      0.3      0.1
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.459      99.8   100.5      -1.7     0.4     -0.5      0.5      0.7

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.322      98.2    98.5       0.4     0.3     -0.8      0.1      0.3

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.714      87.1    86.1      -8.6    -0.6     -0.8     -0.2     -1.1
72      Iron and steel...............................         1.716      87.9    86.9      -8.8    -0.6     -1.3     -0.9     -1.1
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.322      94.0    93.6      -3.3     0.1      0.2      0.0     -0.4
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.410      71.6    70.7     -10.7     0.7     -0.3      0.3     -1.3
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.920      82.9    82.1     -12.2    -1.1     -0.7      0.7     -1.0
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.431     100.1   101.2      -0.5    -0.1      0.7     -0.1      1.1
     3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
           articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.439      82.7    77.2     -26.8    -3.1     -5.7     -2.0     -6.7

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.060      84.0    84.1      -5.6    -0.1     -0.5     -0.1      0.1
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        15.586      83.9    83.9      -6.6    -0.4     -0.4     -0.6      0.0
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.474      84.0    84.2      -4.5     0.1     -0.5      0.2      0.2

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        16.789     101.1   101.5      -0.2    -0.1     -0.1      0.3      0.4
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............        15.854     100.8   101.2      -0.2    -0.2      0.0      0.3      0.4

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.683      92.0    92.1      -1.3    -0.3     -0.2      0.5      0.1
90      Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
           medical instruments.......................         3.136      91.6    91.7      -1.8    -0.2     -0.2      0.4      0.1
91      Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.400      94.7    95.0       3.7    -0.2     -1.0      1.5      0.3

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.848      97.5    98.0      -1.8    -0.2     -0.2      0.2      0.5
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
           and lighting fittings nes;................         1.657      97.9    98.6      -1.7    -0.2     -0.1      0.2      0.7
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         1.889      97.7    97.9      -2.4    -0.2     -0.4      0.1      0.2
96      Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.302      93.7    95.6       2.0     0.0      0.0      0.4      2.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for August, September and October 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





Table 6   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                      October  October  November    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.954      93.9    92.2      -4.3     2.8     -3.5      0.2     -1.8
02      Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.069      90.4    87.8      -6.1     1.5     -2.3     -3.0     -2.9
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.526      91.3    90.8      -2.2     6.9     -3.9      1.9     -0.5
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.359      94.5    94.3      -1.6     0.4     -6.9      8.6     -0.2

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.554      81.8    85.6     -14.1    -7.2     -4.6      1.4      4.6
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.327      99.4    98.1      -6.5     0.8     -7.5      1.6     -1.3
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.774     101.5   100.6      13.3     0.5     -0.3      1.0     -0.9
10      Cereals......................................         2.031      70.9    75.9     -19.3   -10.0     -6.9      5.2      7.1
12      Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
           fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.177      90.4    96.0     -19.5    -9.7     -3.5     -4.2      6.2

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.544     103.7   104.0      -3.3    -0.9     -0.5     -0.1      0.3

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         3.452      96.9    97.4      -4.1    -0.9     -0.5      0.2      0.5
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.356      96.0    96.3       7.7     0.3     -0.8      0.8      0.3
21      Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.382     107.3   107.3       1.6    -0.3      1.1      0.5      0.0
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.342      99.1    98.9      -0.9     0.6      0.0      0.0     -0.2
23      Residues and waste from the food.............
           industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.569      84.3    85.9     -21.8    -5.3     -3.5     -0.1      1.9
24      Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
           substitutes...............................         1.285      99.8   100.5      -0.3     0.0     -0.1      0.4      0.7
     3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.517     100.1    99.7      -2.4     0.0      0.2     -0.2     -0.4

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.440      92.3    92.4     -15.0    -1.4     -1.7      0.1      0.1
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.942      95.1    94.9     -16.2    -1.9     -1.5      1.3     -0.2

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         8.745      92.2    92.3      -4.2     0.0     -0.3     -0.3      0.1
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.957     100.9   100.8      -1.5     0.0     -0.4     -1.0     -0.1
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.626      77.4    77.2     -11.2    -0.4     -0.9     -1.3     -0.3
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.940     103.2   103.2       2.8     0.0      0.1     -0.9      0.0
31      Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.664      97.8    97.0       3.2     2.7     -0.1     -0.1     -0.8
32      Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
           pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.514     100.0   100.4      -2.0    -1.2      0.2      0.3      0.4
33      Essential oils and resinoids;................
           perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.555     104.0   103.7       0.4     0.0      0.7      0.1     -0.3
34      Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
           scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.333     105.1   103.3       0.2     0.1      2.0      0.3     -1.7
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.396      84.8    87.3      -8.3    -0.2     -1.0      2.5      2.9
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.532      99.4   100.3      -2.1     0.2     -0.6      0.7      0.9

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.246      91.4    91.7      -4.9    -1.9     -0.3      0.0      0.3
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         3.319      89.6    89.6      -6.6    -2.6     -0.3     -0.2      0.0
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.927      98.5   100.2       1.9     0.5     -0.5      0.9      1.7

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.507      83.7    82.7     -15.9     1.4      0.0     -2.4     -1.2
41      Raw hides and skins (other than..............
           furskins) and leather.....................         0.351      78.0    76.6     -21.4     2.1      0.0     -3.5     -1.8

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
           BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.217      85.0    84.4      -3.7     0.7     -0.1     -0.1     -0.7

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.974      75.5    75.6      -5.4    -0.5     -1.2     -1.3      0.1
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.655      56.7    55.7     -16.1    -0.5     -3.4     -5.3     -1.8
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.482      81.4    82.4      -3.7    -0.7     -1.0     -0.2      1.2
49      Printed material.............................         0.837     108.5   108.5       1.7    -0.2      0.3     -0.1      0.0

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.230      89.7    89.1      -4.6    -1.2     -0.3     -1.2     -0.7
52      Cotton, including yarns and woven............
           fabrics thereof...........................         0.674      75.5    73.0      -9.7    -2.2     -1.3     -3.6     -3.3

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
           CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.885     103.7   103.7       1.0     0.0     -0.2      0.5      0.0
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.513     102.9   102.8       1.6     0.0      0.1      1.0     -0.1

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.851      92.0    93.2      -4.8    -0.5     -2.9      0.5      1.3

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.495      90.2    90.0      -6.3    -0.4     -0.7     -0.7     -0.2
72      Iron and steel...............................         0.854      79.2    79.3     -14.6    -0.8     -2.7     -1.7      0.1
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.322     109.4   109.3       0.8    -0.2     -0.1     -1.2     -0.1
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.360      66.5    66.4     -14.3    -1.5     -1.6      0.3     -0.2
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.837      81.4    80.7     -10.9    -0.2     -0.1      0.7     -0.9
82      Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
           forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.423     102.3   102.3      -0.9    -1.2      0.0     -0.4      0.0
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.389     100.8   100.8      -0.7     0.5      0.0      0.0      0.0


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.986      93.4    93.3      -3.3    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        20.615      94.5    94.7      -2.6    -0.2     -0.2     -0.1      0.2
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.371      92.1    91.7      -4.2    -0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.4

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.276     105.4   105.4       0.5     0.0      0.0      0.2      0.0
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.867     102.4   102.4       0.4     0.0      0.0      0.3      0.0

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.575     102.2   102.2       0.2    -0.1      0.2      0.0      0.0


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.841     102.4   102.2      -0.2     0.0     -0.1      0.0     -0.2
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
           lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.906     104.2   104.1       0.2    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         0.758     100.9   100.5      -0.5     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.4



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for August, September and October 1998
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately





        Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,  November 1997-November 1998
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Nov.    July     Aug.    Sept.     Oct.
                           Description 1/                                                1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                              1995    Oct.      Nov.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1998      1998     Nov.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                                                                       2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

     3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      94.6    95.1      -2.4    -0.3     -0.1      0.4      0.5
          Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.2    95.9      -1.0    -0.2     -0.2      0.3      0.7
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      89.8    87.5     -20.3    -1.5      2.1      3.1     -2.6

     3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      91.9    91.0      -9.6    -0.7      0.4      0.2     -1.0
          Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      92.8    92.7      -5.4    -0.3     -0.4     -0.3     -0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      82.9    78.0     -28.0    -2.7      6.2      3.2     -5.9

        Canada.......................................          18.9      96.0    95.9      -3.6    -0.1     -0.3      0.4     -0.1
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      97.0    97.1      -1.1     0.0     -0.4      0.0      0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      93.1    91.0     -19.7    -2.3      1.4      4.0     -2.3

     4/ European Union...............................          17.0     100.7   101.0       0.0     0.0      0.0      1.0      0.3
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     101.4   101.9       1.1    -0.1      0.1      0.9      0.5
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      83.6    78.2     -28.1     3.4     -0.7      2.6     -6.5

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      93.9    93.1     n.a.     -1.7      1.1      0.8     -0.9
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      96.8    96.7     n.a.     -0.3     -0.5      0.3     -0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      85.8    82.9     n.a.     -6.2      6.9      2.1     -3.4

        Japan........................................          16.6      87.1    88.4      -3.5    -0.3     -0.5     -0.1      1.5

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      84.9    84.8      -8.5    -0.2     -0.7     -0.4     -0.1



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  August, September and October 1998
             have been revised to reflect the availability
             of late reports and corrections by respondents.

        3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

        4    Includes EU  15 countries.

        5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.





        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
             September 1997-September 1998  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      Sept.   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1997     1998     1998
                                                               of     June      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998    Sept.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                                                                                         1998    1997     1998     1998     1998


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     81.5   80.3       -9.4    -2.3     -7.0      1.2     -1.5
          Atlantic                                              1278     87.8   87.4        1.2     4.4     -4.9      2.3     -0.5
          Pacific                                               1674     76.7   74.9      -18.1    -7.4     -9.9      0.5     -2.3

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    112.6   112.8       1.2    -6.5     -1.0      9.0      0.2
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    117.3   119.2      -2.4   -17.8     -1.5     18.6      1.6
     1/   Pacific                                               2340    105.9   99.0       -1.5     5.7     -7.4      7.7     -6.5
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    106.3   109.3       3.2    -0.7      1.6     -0.6      2.8

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     81.6    n.a.     n.a.      3.9     -0.1    -14.6    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    100.8   101.2       6.2    -1.9     -0.1      7.9      0.4
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271     99.2   100.3       2.0    -1.6     -0.2      2.8      1.1
           from Atlantic                                        1952     96.7   97.4       -0.9    -1.6      0.5     -0.5      0.7
           from Pacific                                         1774    101.2   103.1       6.3    -2.3      0.0      6.8      1.9
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.5   101.3       9.6    -1.9     -0.1     12.2     -0.2

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     94.5   95.6       -1.0    -3.4      1.7     -0.4      1.2

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     95.1   95.4       -4.6    -7.9      2.4      0.8      0.3
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    110.7   115.2       5.2    -7.4      0.3      8.8      4.1
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     77.7   76.4      -11.6    -9.6      1.9     -2.4     -1.7
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    109.0   113.2       5.3    -0.9      0.8      1.6      3.9
          Canadian                                              1006    160.2   154.9      -1.7    -6.7     13.0     -3.6     -3.3



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                           n.a.    Not available.





        Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
             September 1997-September 1998    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      Sept.   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1997     1998     1998
                                                               of     June      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998    Sept.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                                                                                         1998    1997     1998     1998     1998


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     83.4   81.8       -7.6    -2.3     -4.2      0.6     -1.9
          Atlantic                                              1880     88.4   88.0        2.8     4.7     -4.7      3.5     -0.5
          Pacific                                               3151     80.3   77.9      -14.4    -6.7     -4.2     -1.2     -3.0

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     96.0   95.8       -3.8    -1.9     -0.5     -1.2     -0.2
          Atlantic                                              2080    102.2   103.3       2.2     0.0     -0.1      1.2      1.1
          Pacific                                               3222     92.4   91.4       -8.3    -3.4     -0.8     -3.2     -1.1

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    107.8   107.3      -1.7    -8.9     -0.2      8.6     -0.5
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811    116.8   120.4       1.2   -17.8     -3.7     24.0      3.1
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     93.6   89.5       -6.7    -5.9     -0.3      4.1     -4.4
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    111.6   117.2       6.1    -1.2      1.5      0.7      5.0
          Canadian                                              1367    167.9   162.6       0.2    -5.0     12.7     -3.3     -3.2

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    102.4   104.2      -0.4    -4.7     -2.1      4.9      1.8
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    111.9   118.3       6.0    -9.9     -1.7     13.3      5.7
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     82.8   79.7      -12.4    -2.0     -5.0     -2.2     -3.7
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    105.1   107.7       3.2     0.4      0.5     -0.2      2.5

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     87.4    n.a.     n.a.      5.5      0.3    -15.6    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    103.2   105.0      10.6    -2.1      0.1     11.0      1.7
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410     97.5   98.4        1.4    -1.3     -0.3      2.2      0.9
           from Atlantic                                        2647     94.8   95.4       -0.6    -1.3      0.4     -0.4      0.6
           from Pacific                                         1874     98.8   100.6       5.7    -2.2      0.0      6.1      1.8
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    107.3   109.7      18.2    -2.8      0.4     18.4      2.2



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                           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 1995 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 1995=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) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 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 1995 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.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes 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 one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

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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