Technical Information
    Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155        USDL-96-439
    Bill Alterman      (202) 606-7108       For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
  Media contact:                            Tuesday,  October 22, 1996
    Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902


                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                          -SEPTEMBER 1996-

     The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.8 percent in September, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today.  The increase, attributable to both rising petroleum and
nonpetroleum import prices, followed a modest 0.1 percent gain in
September.  In contrast, the U.S. Export Price Index, down 0.8
percent in September, fell for the fourth consecutive month.

         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
                                                                   
                                                                   
1995                                                               
September       0.0      1.9     -0.2      0.2       3.0      -0.2 
October        -0.5     -2.1     -0.3      0.1       1.9      -0.2 
November        0.2      0.5      0.2     -0.1       2.2      -0.3 
December        0.4      4.5      0.0      0.0       0.8      -0.2 
1996                                                               
January         0.2      4.8     -0.3      0.5       1.7       0.3 
February       -0.2     -1.3      0.0     -0.2      -0.2      -0.3 
March           0.7      8.5     -0.3     -0.2       1.4      -0.3 
April           0.8      8.5      0.0      0.6       4.8       0.0 
May            -0.7     -3.8     -0.4      0.4       3.1      -0.1 
June           -1.0     -5.9 r   -0.5     -0.2 r    -2.2       0.1 
July           -0.1      2.0 r   -0.4     -0.5      -1.9      -0.2 
August          0.1 r    2.1 r   -0.1 r   -0.2 r    -0.2      -0.2 r
September       0.8      5.0      0.3     -0.8      -7.3       0.1 
                                                                   
Sept. 1994-95   3.8      5.8      3.5      5.4      16.0       4.1 
Sept. 1995-96   0.7     24.1     -1.6     -0.6       3.6      -1.2 
                                                                   
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

Import Goods

     The 0.8 percent rise in import prices in September followed four
months of generally flat or lower import prices.  For the year ended
in September, import prices were up 0.7 percent.  Prices for
petroleum imports led the September increase, advancing 5.0 percent
after rising 2.1 percent and 2.0 percent in August and July,
respectively.  Over the last 12 months, petroleum prices were up 24.1
percent.  Prices for nonpetroleum imports also rose in September, up
0.3 percent, only the second time in the past year the index has
increased.  For the 12 months ended in September, nonpetroleum prices
were down 1.6 percent.

     Most of the major imported goods categories contributed to the
September increase in nonpetroleum import prices.  The index for
foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.9 percent after falling 4.6
percent over the prior three months.  Prices of nonpetroleum
industrial supplies and materials rose 0.6 percent in September, the
first increase since March, but were still down 3.2 percent over the
past 12 months.  September advances also were posted for the price
indexes of imported automotive vehicles and for consumer goods, up
0.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.  The increase in consumer
import prices was the first rise since December.

     In contrast, capital goods import prices continued to fall, down
0.1 percent.  For the year ended in September, the index has fallen
3.5 percent.

Export Goods

     The decline in export prices in September was attributable to
lower agricultural prices.  The index for agricultural exports fell
7.3 percent in September, the largest drop in this series since it
was first published monthly in 1989. The decline marked the fourth
consecutive monthly decrease and was led by the ongoing fall in the
index for agricultural foods, feeds, and beverages, down 9.3 percent
in September - as grain prices continued their downward trend.
Despite the recent downswing, over the past 12 months, the index for
agricultural exports rose 3.6 percent.

     In contrast, nonagricultural exports edged up 0.1 percent in
September , after falling 0.2 percent in each of  the previous two
months.  Over the past 12 months, the index fell 1.2 percent.    The
index for nonagricultural industrial supplies led the rise for this
component in September, up 0.6 percent, a reversal of the downward
trend recorded over the previous three months.  For the September
1995-1996 period, the index fell 4.6 percent.  Consumer goods also
rose in September, up 0.2 percent, following no change over the
preceding two months.  The consumer goods index was up 1.2 percent in
the past 12 months.  Automotive vehicle prices, which posted no
change last month, rose 1.3 percent for the 12-month period ended in
September.

     In contrast, the index for capital goods fell 0.1 percent last
month, after dropping 0.2 percent in August and 0.3 percent in July.
For the year ended in September, the index edged up 0.1 percent.

Imports by Locality of Origin

    Prices of goods imported from Japan were unchanged on average in
September. (See
table 7.)  The index had declined in each of the prior nine months
and was down 3.8 percent over the past year.

    Import prices from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries
continued to decline in September, falling 0.3 percent.  The index
was down 2.7 percent over the past 12 months.

    Prices of imports from Canada and the European Union both rose in
September, up 0.7 and 0.4 percent, respectively.  Import prices from
Canada, however, were down 1.2 percent over the past 12 months, while
average import prices from the European Union were up 1.9 percent
over the same period.

Import and Export Services

     The Import Air Freight Index continued to fall with a 0.3
percent decline in the September quarter.  The decrease was
attributable to a 1.4 percent drop in the Pacific region.  The index
for the Atlantic region increased 2.1 percent. (See table 9.)

     The Import Air Passenger Fares Index dropped 1.5 percent this
quarter.  Both the Pacific and Atlantic regions contributed to the
decline with decreases of 9.2 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
In contrast, the Export Air Passenger Fares Index climbed for the
third consecutive quarter, posting a 3.6 percent increase.  All of
the regional indexes contributed to the gain this quarter, most
notably the Atlantic region with an 8.2 percent increase and the
Canadian region with a 7.2 percent increase.

     The Import Ocean Liner Freight Index declined for the second
quarter in a row, dropping 1.2 percent.  Both the U.S. West Coast and
U.S. East Coast indexes moved downward with decreases of 2.4 percent
and 0.1 percent, respectively.

     The Crude Oil Tanker Freight Index declined for the third
consecutive quarter, dropping 14.2 percent in the September quarter.
The Gulf and Atlantic regions were major contributors with declines
of  15.9 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively.



                         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.....page  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. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  15
Table 9   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for October are scheduled for
release on November 22 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).

                           TECHNICAL NOTE

Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes
use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1990 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 1990=100 where possible.  Exceptions are for the recently instituted
HS indexes, which use a base of December 1992=100.  Net transaction
price data are collected every 3 months for approximately 22,000
products from over 9,000 companies and secondary sources.  Approximately
two-thirds of the items are also repriced in the intervening months.
(Current plans call for all items to be repriced monthly by 1996.)
Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  Historical index series and
additional information may be obtained from the Division of
International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue
NE, PSB 3955, Washington, D.C. 20212, (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
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.  The index for import electrical energy is lagged one month.

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
Harmonized Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census.  The prices used are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.)
factory or "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) 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 weighted by country or region 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 a base of December
1990=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are
updated 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 represent the second month of the quarter.

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous 3 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 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 can
also 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.


The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at
the two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the
mailing list for more detailed index and percent change tables,
please fill out the form below and mail or fax it to the following
address:
                                  
                                  
                            Division of International Prices
                            Bureau of Labor Statistics
                            PSB Building, Rm. 3955
                            2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                            Washington, DC 20212


Phone Number: (202) 606-7155        Fax Number: (202) 606-7179
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Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, September 1995-September 1996                         
                 1990=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
END       Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996 
USE                                                     August     August      Sept.    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1996       1996        1996     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    106.5       107.4      0.7    -1.0      -0.1       0.1       0.8
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                89.126    108.5       108.8     -1.6    -0.5      -0.4      -0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      5.866    114.9       117.1     -1.3    -2.6      -1.4      -0.8       1.9
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                 excluding distilled beverages            4.132    112.1       114.9     -1.9    -4.1      -1.2      -1.5       2.5
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                 beverages)                               1.734    121.8       122.2      0.0     1.0      -1.5       0.9       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               29.210    101.8       104.1      5.3    -2.4       0.1       0.7       2.3
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                        
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.336    108.4       109.0     -3.2    -0.4      -0.9       0.0       0.6
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                 DURABLE                                  9.368    106.3       107.6     -2.7     0.5      -1.8       0.1       1.2
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.968    111.0       111.0     -3.7    -1.2      -0.1      -0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                           12.070     92.2        96.6     23.7    -5.6       1.7       2.2       4.8
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products              10.875     90.3        94.8     24.1    -5.9       2.0       2.1       5.0
                                                                                                                                   
10000         Crude                                       7.929     88.7        92.8     26.3    -5.8       2.9       2.5       4.6
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     2.285    108.4       106.9    -19.2    -0.4      -0.7      -2.4      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                 supplies & materials                     5.730    110.4       110.2     -2.2    -0.7       0.0       0.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.984    135.6       140.8     12.3     3.3      -1.1       3.7       3.8
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                 durable goods                            4.350     98.5        99.1     -8.5     0.2      -2.8      -1.3       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                 goods                                    1.471    104.4       104.1     -2.3     0.2       0.2       0.4      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.321    103.0       103.9     -4.2    -2.2      -1.4      -0.6       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 23.495    102.7       102.6     -3.5    -0.5      -0.2      -0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                 equipment                                3.052    110.5       110.5     -1.6    -0.4      -0.1      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      17.872    100.1       100.0     -4.5    -0.6      -0.3      -0.5      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          19.919    115.3       115.6      0.3    -0.2       0.2       0.0       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         21.510    107.7       107.9      0.1    -0.3      -0.1       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.365    108.1       108.3      0.7    -0.1      -0.3       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        9.991    106.8       106.8     -0.5    -0.1      -0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.154    111.8       112.6     -2.3    -2.4       0.4      -0.4       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1990 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1996                                                                                            
            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, September 1995-September 1996                         
                 1990=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
END       Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996 
USE                                                     August     August      Sept.    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1996       1996        1996     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    109.6       108.7     -0.6    -0.2      -0.5      -0.2      -0.8
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       13.085    131.9       122.3      3.6    -2.2      -1.9      -0.2      -7.3
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    86.915    107.1       107.2     -1.2     0.1      -0.2      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                     11.775    136.1       124.5      3.8    -2.0      -1.5      -0.4      -8.5
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages            10.776    138.3       125.5      4.9    -2.4      -2.0      -0.6      -9.3
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.999    113.5       112.4     -7.2     3.4       3.3       0.9      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               28.009    108.3       109.0     -4.3    -0.4      -0.5      -0.4       0.6
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                DURABLE                                  10.842    112.3       113.1     -3.8    -0.4      -1.4      -0.5       0.7
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                NONDURABLE                               17.169    107.1       107.8     -4.6    -0.3       0.0      -0.3       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 2.309    109.2       111.0     -1.5    -0.9      -2.1       1.8       1.6
                                                                                                                                   
             NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                 
                MATERIALS                                25.701    108.2       108.8     -4.6    -0.3      -0.5      -0.6       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            3.506    102.1       104.0     10.4    -1.0      -0.4       0.7       1.9
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.533    106.3       106.5     -7.4    -0.1      -0.5      -0.9       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.662    142.0       144.1      0.1    -0.6      -0.4       0.9       1.5
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 39.570    105.4       105.3      0.1     0.3      -0.3      -0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.602    108.8       108.8     -0.1     0.0       0.2      -0.4       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      25.601    100.6       100.4     -1.4    -0.1      -0.6      -0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.976    109.2       109.2      1.3     0.0      -0.1       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         10.669    110.8       111.0      1.2     0.1       0.0       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     5.763    113.0       113.1      0.9     0.1      -0.2      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        4.400    108.6       108.9      1.1     0.5       0.2       0.2       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1990 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1996                                                                                            
            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, September 1995-September 1996                         
                  1990=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996 
Rev. 3                                                  August     August      Sept.    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1996       1996        1996     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    106.5       107.4      0.7    -1.0      -0.1       0.1       0.8
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.730    109.0       112.1     -1.9    -4.3      -0.7      -0.2       2.8
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.509     86.1        86.5      5.2    -1.0       0.6      10.1       0.5
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.244    119.9       120.5     -1.0     1.3      -2.0       1.0       0.5
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               0.194    109.4       107.7      2.8    -0.6      -5.7      -2.6      -1.6
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.304    112.6       121.8      6.0   -11.1       1.4      -1.3       8.2
06          Sugars, sugar preparations and honey          0.263     99.8        99.6     -2.2    -0.7      -0.4      -1.0      -0.2
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.839    125.1       128.3    -17.9    -5.7      -2.2      -5.6       2.6
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          1.098    120.3       120.9      4.3     0.1       0.5       0.2       0.5
11          Beverages                                     0.883    117.2       117.7      1.9     0.1       0.2       0.4       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        3.307    115.6       119.5     -6.7     0.6      -1.8       1.0       3.4
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.317    129.4       130.8    -11.4     0.1      -3.5      -4.6       1.1
24          Cork and wood                                 1.096    170.4       178.0     22.4     5.3      -2.0       8.3       4.5
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.429     72.5        74.9    -37.0     4.2       6.3      -2.4       3.3
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.846    101.2       103.6     -5.6     0.8      -5.8      -0.7       2.4
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                  11.584     90.6        95.1     23.5    -5.6       1.8       2.3       5.0
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                         10.615     90.8        95.2     24.0    -5.9       1.9       2.1       4.8
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 0.901     88.2        93.9     22.3    -2.6      -0.6       3.4       6.5
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         4.872    110.2       110.7     -1.2    -1.0       0.1      -0.1       0.5
51          Organic chemicals                             1.389    100.0       100.4     -0.2    -0.7       0.9      -0.4       0.4
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.700    112.9       113.2     -0.7    -1.4       0.6      -0.1       0.3
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials                                                                                 
               (9212=100)                                 0.299    110.3       110.7      1.9    -0.5      -0.5       0.5       0.4
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.704    126.3       128.2      0.5    -0.3      -0.3       0.6       1.5
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.325    123.8       122.5     -1.5    -2.2       0.5       0.7      -1.1
57          Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)          0.253    100.7       102.0     -6.1    -5.4      -1.2      -3.8       1.3
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)       0.509     99.9        98.6    -13.1     1.2      -0.7       1.7      -1.3
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.479    113.7       115.6      5.8    -0.3      -0.9      -0.4       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.918    109.0       108.7     -4.9    -0.2      -1.1      -0.7      -0.3
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.731    104.3       104.3     -1.9    -0.2      -0.6      -0.2       0.0
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           2.039    121.1       118.0    -12.9    -0.9      -2.4      -2.1      -2.6
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.448    114.4       114.0     -0.8    -0.1       0.4       0.1      -0.3
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.220    113.4       114.0      2.0    -0.3       0.1       0.2       0.5
67          Iron and steel                                2.067    105.8       106.3     -5.3    -0.2      -0.4      -0.2       0.5
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.776     91.4        90.8    -14.4     0.2      -4.6      -3.0      -0.7
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.969    111.6       111.4      0.5    -0.1       0.5       0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             44.087    107.6       107.7     -1.9    -0.3      -0.1      -0.2       0.1
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 3.006    116.9       117.2      1.0    -0.3      -0.3       0.2       0.3
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.891    121.5       121.7      0.0    -0.2      -0.2       0.2       0.2
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.374    116.5       117.3      0.4    -0.1       0.2      -0.1       0.7
75          Computer equipment and office machines        4.072     76.0        75.3     -9.8    -1.3      -0.3      -0.8      -0.9
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.206     94.8        94.7     -4.0    -0.2      -0.3      -0.4      -0.1
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            6.760    101.1       100.9     -5.7    -0.7      -0.6      -0.8      -0.2
78          Road vehicles                                16.940    117.5       117.9      0.4    -0.1       0.2       0.0       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           16.890    108.0       108.1      0.4    -0.2      -0.1       0.0       0.1
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                  0.319    104.5       105.0      0.5    -1.9       1.6       0.1       0.5
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.058    106.6       106.4      0.1     0.1       0.3      -0.3      -0.2
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.491    111.4       111.0     -0.9     0.3       0.5      -0.2      -0.4
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.267    104.1       104.2      1.1     0.0      -0.2      -0.2       0.1
85          Footwear                                      1.948    102.7       103.0      0.8     0.0      -0.9       0.4       0.3
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.439    117.0       117.0     -0.5    -0.8       0.5       0.4       0.0
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.446    110.9       111.3     -3.0    -0.7      -0.4       0.4       0.4
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.922    111.2       111.3      1.0    -0.1      -0.1       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
971          Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores                                                                                
                and concentrates) (9212=100)              0.207    111.5       112.1     -0.1    -0.3      -2.0       0.5       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1990 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1996                                                                                            
            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 separetely                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, September 1995-September 1996                         
                  1990=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996 
Rev. 3                                                  August     August      Sept.    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1996       1996        1996     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    109.6       108.7     -0.6    -0.2      -0.5      -0.2      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                         10.400    139.0       125.5      1.5    -2.1      -2.0      -0.7      -9.7
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.935    117.0       115.2     -4.2     3.2      -2.8       2.2      -1.5
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.799    110.7       109.7     -8.4     4.2       3.9       1.2      -0.9
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               5.145    164.0       131.1      2.0    -5.0      -3.7      -2.4     -20.1
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.775    129.0       129.4     -3.6     1.9      -0.3       0.4       0.3
08          feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.924    127.0       132.9     26.5    -5.2      -3.0       2.2       4.6
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          2.071    115.8       115.6      0.1     0.0       0.1       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        7.683    112.2       113.6     -8.2     0.2      -1.1       0.4       1.2
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.459    105.2       109.5     21.7     3.9       0.1       9.7       4.1
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.283    132.6       131.9     28.1    -1.5       2.7       1.5      -0.5
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.250    108.9       108.7     -7.5     0.6      -1.3       1.8      -0.2
24          Cork and wood                                 1.881    145.3       148.5     -0.1    -0.3      -0.7       0.6       2.2
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.896     89.2        90.0    -42.9     9.3       3.2      -1.7       0.9
26          Textile fibers and their waste                1.024    106.3       108.6    -11.4    -2.6      -5.8      -1.3       2.2
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.363     95.1        95.0     -3.7    -1.9       0.2      -0.2      -0.1
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            1.257     99.8       101.4    -14.0    -1.5      -5.1      -1.7       1.6
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   3.062     99.7       102.6     12.3    -1.4      -0.3       0.6       2.9
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     1.207     99.4        98.2     -0.3     0.2      -0.6      -0.1      -1.2
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.704     96.3       102.0     21.9    -2.9      -0.3       1.2       5.9
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.339    114.0       120.5      4.3    -1.8      -1.7       2.2       5.7
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.708    109.9       109.7     -2.4    -0.3       0.1      -0.7      -0.2
51          Organic chemicals                             2.575     98.7        98.8    -13.2    -1.9       0.1      -3.3       0.1
52          Inorganic chemicals (9212=100)                1.072    118.1       117.5      1.6     1.6      -2.2       0.0      -0.5
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials                                                                                 
               (9312=100)                                 0.446    103.2       103.2      0.0    -0.2      -0.1       0.2       0.0
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.139    110.6       110.7      1.3     0.0      -0.1       0.1       0.1
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.567    112.1       112.9      1.8     0.3       0.0       0.3       0.7
57          Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)          1.942    129.1       128.9      1.9     0.0       0.8       0.2      -0.2
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)       0.703    107.8       106.2     -3.3     0.8       0.6      -1.2      -1.5
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.604    118.3       118.2      2.0     0.1       1.0      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.316    111.2       111.5     -3.6    -0.6      -0.6      -0.4       0.3
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.625    119.3       119.3      1.1     0.3      -0.1      -0.3       0.0
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture (9212=100)                       0.377     96.6        96.5     -9.6    -0.7      -1.5      -0.2      -0.1
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.333    106.3       106.9    -14.5    -2.5      -0.3      -0.5       0.6
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.271    112.3       111.8      2.1    -0.8       0.6       0.8      -0.4
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.304     99.4       100.6    -11.7    -1.6      -3.2      -2.9       1.2
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.708    114.3       115.1      1.0    -0.6      -0.5      -0.2       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.004    105.2       105.2      0.2     0.3      -0.4      -0.1       0.0
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.445    120.3       120.4      4.6     0.8      -0.3       0.2       0.1
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.449    116.2       116.3      2.2    -0.3       0.3       0.1       0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.803    114.5       114.8      1.9     0.8       0.0      -0.1       0.3
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      4.577    114.8       114.9      2.0     0.5       0.2       0.0       0.1
75          Computer equipment and office machines        4.743     69.6        68.7     -8.6     0.0      -1.7      -0.7      -1.3
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        2.585    106.5       106.6      0.4     0.4      -0.3      -0.7       0.1
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            7.833    101.1       101.2     -2.9    -0.8      -1.0      -0.2       0.1
78          Road vehicles                                 7.912    109.2       109.2      1.0     0.1      -0.1       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            9.704    108.9       108.9      0.8     0.4       0.0       0.0       0.0
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.417    102.5       103.0      1.7     0.1       0.4      -0.4       0.5
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.589    115.8       115.8      1.8     0.5      -0.1       0.4       0.0
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     3.589    103.1       103.0      0.5     0.2       0.0      -0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
971          Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores                                                                                
                and concentrates) (9212=100)              0.712    111.3       113.0      1.2     0.2      -1.7      -0.4       1.5
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1990 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1996                                                                                            
            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 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, September 1995-September 1996                         
                 December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                    
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
nized     Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996 
System                                                  August     August      Sept.    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1996       1996        1996     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.674     98.5        99.3     -1.8    -0.1      -0.8       1.4       0.8
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.364     80.3        82.1     -2.6    -1.9       1.4       2.8       2.2
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.982    112.7       112.9     -1.6     1.6      -2.2       0.9       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.745    118.2       124.1    -12.2   -10.7      -0.2      -4.4       5.0
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.250     n.a.       125.4     15.0   -29.8      n.a.      n.a.      n.a.
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.439    101.0        98.5     -5.1    -2.8      -0.7      -0.8      -2.5
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.641    149.8       152.2    -23.0    -6.9      -1.8      -7.0       1.6
      3/    Other vegetable products                      0.415    119.4       120.4    -16.2   -10.0       0.9      -4.9       0.8
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.252    146.6       145.4      7.1    -1.2      -0.2       0.1      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.651    111.7       112.8      3.0    -0.2      -0.7      -0.2       1.0
16          Edible preps of meat, fish, and other                                                                                  
               aquatic invertebrates                      0.273    111.2       112.5      2.8     1.5      -0.5       1.7       1.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.476    126.2       125.9      7.3    -0.5      -0.2      -1.0      -0.2
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               1.034    104.8       105.4      2.2     0.1       0.4       0.5       0.6
      3/    Other prepared foodstuffs                     0.414    112.7       117.5      5.9    -0.2      -5.1      -1.1       4.3
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                              15.032    112.6       118.1     22.5    -5.4       1.6       2.2       4.9
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.341     90.6        91.9     -1.5     0.6      -0.3       0.3       1.4
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax     14.451    113.5       119.1     23.9    -5.6       1.8       2.3       4.9
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  4.731    111.2       111.9      1.5    -0.8      -0.1       0.0       0.6
28          Inorganic chemicals                           1.040    118.9       120.1      1.4    -0.4      -1.1      -0.4       1.0
29          Organic chemicals                             1.722    108.9       109.3      1.4    -0.6       0.7      -0.1       0.4
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.360    117.2       120.1      3.3    -0.3       0.1       0.7       2.5
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.281    110.2       110.7      1.6    -0.6      -0.5       0.5       0.5
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.364    104.1       104.5     -1.6    -2.0       0.5       1.0       0.4
      3/    Essential oils & perfumes; cleaning                                                                                    
               preps; glues & starches; & explosives      0.499    109.4       109.0     -0.1    -1.9       0.0      -0.2      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.513    106.8       106.9     -4.6    -0.4      -0.8      -0.6       0.1
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.436    103.9       103.8     -4.9    -0.8      -0.4      -0.2      -0.1
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.077    110.8       111.1     -4.1    -0.1      -1.4      -1.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.141    110.4       108.4      1.0     0.4       0.6       1.5      -1.8
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.848    104.7       104.6      0.0     0.2       0.7      -0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.367    127.0       131.9     14.2     3.7      -1.5       4.1       3.9
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.045    118.5       117.3    -16.7     0.1      -0.5      -1.6      -1.0
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.563     99.6       102.7    -36.3     4.0       6.3      -2.3       3.1
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  2.135    126.8       123.8    -11.9    -0.8      -2.2      -1.8      -2.4
49          Printed matter                                0.347    108.7       108.5      1.8     0.2      -0.1       1.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.090    103.5       103.6      0.4     0.0      -0.2      -0.2       0.1
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          1.603    103.1       103.6      1.3     0.4      -0.4      -0.8       0.5
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      2.990    102.1       102.3      1.3     0.0      -0.3      -0.1       0.2
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.301    110.4       109.9     -0.4    -0.5      -0.1      -0.1      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.129    101.6       101.8      0.7    -0.1      -0.8       0.4       0.2
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.911    101.4       101.6      0.7    -0.1      -0.9       0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.054    108.3       108.4      2.3    -0.2       0.0       0.0       0.1
70          Glass and glassware                           0.385    110.0       110.2      3.2    -0.2      -0.3      -0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.399    105.0       105.1     -0.9    -0.2      -0.7       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.969    110.8       110.7     -7.3     0.1      -1.8      -0.8      -0.1
72          Iron and steel                                1.728    110.9       111.3     -6.6     0.2      -0.4      -0.5       0.4
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.414    108.6       108.4     -0.9     0.0      -0.1       0.3      -0.2
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.481    102.4       103.8    -23.8     2.2     -12.8      -4.0       1.4
75          Nickel and articles thereof                   0.268    115.4       114.9    -19.3    -1.2      -4.8      -5.6      -0.4
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.901    125.2       125.2    -10.5    -0.1      -1.3      -1.2       0.0
79          Zinc and articles thereof                     0.194     91.7        91.4     -1.2    -0.4      -1.4       0.3      -0.3
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.368    108.3       108.2      2.0     0.0       1.1       0.6      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       24.142     98.3        98.2     -3.7    -0.6      -0.1      -0.4      -0.1
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 12.858     98.1        98.0     -2.8    -0.6       0.1      -0.1      -0.1
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     11.284     98.6        98.4     -4.8    -0.5      -0.5      -0.6      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             17.398    109.9       110.3      0.6    -0.1       0.3       0.0       0.4
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               16.171    110.1       110.5      0.5    -0.1       0.2       0.0       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.367    108.4       108.5     -2.3    -0.4      -0.2       0.2       0.1
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        2.823    108.0       108.0     -2.4    -0.3      -0.2       0.2       0.0
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.382    109.7       111.2     -0.9    -1.4      -0.3       0.3       1.4
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.238    101.0       101.0      0.3    -0.1      -0.1      -0.1       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.268    100.3       100.2     -0.9    -0.4       0.1      -0.2      -0.1
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.687    101.0       101.1      1.9     0.2      -0.2       0.0       0.1
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.282    104.0       104.6     -3.5    -0.1      -1.0       0.1       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                                                       
            1990 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1996                                                                                            
            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, September 1995-September 1996                         
                 December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                    
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
nized     Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996 
System                                                  August     August      Sept.    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1996       1996        1996     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  2.042    118.8       116.0     -4.5     3.9       1.9       2.1      -2.4
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      0.822    107.9       104.6     -6.9     2.1      -2.2       2.2      -3.1
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.841    128.7       127.5     -9.1     4.4       4.7       0.9      -0.9
03R          Other fish, crustaceans & aquatic                                                                                     
                invertebrates                             0.467    143.9       141.1    -14.3     3.8       6.8      -0.3      -1.9
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             8.424    154.6       133.5      4.9    -3.1      -2.1      -1.4     -13.6
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.376    107.7       105.4      1.7     1.9      -1.7      -3.4      -2.1
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.949    130.0       134.0     -8.3     2.0      -1.2       1.9       3.1
10          Cereals                                       5.237    174.5       135.8      2.5    -4.7      -3.4      -2.4     -22.2
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.582    140.4       139.9     25.7    -1.3       2.7       1.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.372    114.7       119.8      1.9    -2.2      -1.8       0.7       4.4
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.802    108.1       109.4      5.4    -0.7      -1.1       0.3       1.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.338    113.7       112.2      1.3     2.9      -1.8      -1.5      -1.3
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.223    101.1       101.6      2.1     0.4       0.1      -0.1       0.5
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.823    118.3       124.0     26.8    -5.4      -3.5       2.1       4.8
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               4.319    114.4       118.0      8.3    -1.1      -1.3      -0.1       3.1
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      3.645    117.2       120.7     13.2    -1.3      -0.2       0.6       3.0
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  9.276    113.0       113.1     -2.2    -0.4      -0.1      -1.0       0.1
28          Inorganic chemicals                           1.305    120.9       120.4      1.6     1.2      -1.5      -0.1      -0.4
29          Organic chemicals                             3.264    111.1       111.3     -9.4    -1.8      -0.2      -3.0       0.2
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.730    106.8       106.9      0.4     0.0       0.0       0.1       0.1
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.418    102.4       102.4      0.0    -0.1      -0.1       0.2       0.0
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.384    107.7       108.4      1.6     0.1      -0.2       0.4       0.6
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.247    112.4       112.8      1.1     0.3       0.3       0.1       0.4
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.508     98.3        98.4     -1.4     1.6       0.0       0.1       0.1
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.382    113.6       113.7      2.3     0.0       1.1      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.152    115.9       115.5      0.2     0.3       0.4      -0.1      -0.3
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.291    117.6       117.1      0.6     0.3       0.7      -0.3      -0.4
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.861    109.8       109.8     -1.4     0.5      -0.5       0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.835    112.0       115.0      9.5     1.3      -0.3       6.6       2.7
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.633    105.2       108.8      6.6    -4.1      -0.1       8.8       3.4
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.864    113.5       115.4     -2.0    -0.3      -0.9       0.6       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.432    110.0       110.5    -23.2     1.8       0.7      -0.6       0.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           1.142    111.6       112.6    -42.0     8.9       2.7      -1.7       0.9
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.428    110.5       111.2    -14.3    -2.3      -0.6      -0.5       0.6
49          Printed material                              0.862    107.0       106.6      3.5     0.1       0.3       0.5      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.137    114.3       115.3     -4.9    -1.0      -2.7      -0.4       0.9
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            1.124    131.8       135.5    -10.7    -2.8      -6.6      -1.6       2.8
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.830    108.9       110.4      1.7    -0.1      -1.1       0.1       1.4
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        5.019    114.9       115.4     -6.5    -1.2      -2.0      -1.0       0.4
72          Iron and steel                                1.222    121.1       120.3     -7.2    -0.4      -1.2      -1.0      -0.7
73          Articles of iron or steel                     0.986    110.6       110.6      0.6    -1.9      -0.5       0.5       0.0
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.467     97.3        98.2    -22.0    -1.1     -13.0      -4.7       0.9
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 1.206    119.9       120.2    -12.7    -1.9      -1.7      -1.3       0.3
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.329    108.4       108.7     -0.4     2.0      -0.4      -0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      28.797     96.5        96.3     -1.2     0.0      -0.6      -0.2      -0.2
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 17.787     95.8        95.5     -0.9     0.2      -0.5      -0.2      -0.3
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       11.010     97.5        97.5     -1.9    -0.4      -0.8      -0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.663    107.5       107.5      2.1     0.7       0.1       0.1       0.0
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                8.027    104.6       104.6      1.2     0.1      -0.1       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       4.739    104.8       104.9      1.2     0.5      -0.2       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.262    103.1       103.1      0.8     0.1       0.2      -0.1       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.595    104.5       104.8      1.7     0.1       0.5      -0.3       0.3
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.495    100.1        99.8     -0.4     0.0       0.0       0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                                                       
            1990 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1996                                                                                            
            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,September 1995-September 1996                           
        December  1990=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                   
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    Sept.   May          June        July     Aug.   
    Description 1/                                                                1995    1996         1996        1996     1996   
                                                    1990       Aug.      Sept.    to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1996      1996     Sept.   June         July        Aug.     Sept.  
                                                               2/                 1996    1996         1996        1996     1996   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                59.3    109.9     110.5     -0.7    -0.5         -0.1         0.0      0.5  
       Manufactured Goods                              55.5    111.9     112.4     -1.4    -0.4         -0.2         0.0      0.4  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            3.5    107.3     108.7     14.4    -2.9          0.8         1.1      1.3  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               40.7     92.5      94.1      3.5    -1.3          0.0         0.1      1.7  
       Manufactured Goods                              30.2    102.2     102.6     -0.6    -0.3         -0.5        -0.3      0.4  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                           10.4     84.3      89.5     19.5    -4.9          2.0         1.2      6.2  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.1    103.2     103.9     -1.2    -0.1         -0.3        -0.2      0.7  
       Manufactured Goods                              15.7    104.7     105.5     -2.9     0.3         -0.5        -0.4      0.8  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            2.2    109.1     108.9     13.8    -2.4          1.7         1.3     -0.2  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.8    107.9     108.3      1.9    -0.3         -0.1         0.3      0.4  
       Manufactured Goods                              17.3    108.9     109.2      1.5    -0.2         -0.1         0.4      0.3  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            0.5    110.2     113.5     19.3    -5.6          0.8         1.5      3.0  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              18.5    115.1     115.1     -3.8    -0.7         -0.3        -0.2      0.0  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               12.5     97.7      97.4     -2.7    -0.2         -0.5        -0.3     -0.3  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
     1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                          
                                                                                       
     2    Data for June, July and August 1996                                          
          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 Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.                      
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                          Table  8    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        September 1995-September 1996  1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                            
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Sept.   Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1995    1995     1995        1996     1996   
                                                    of         June      Sept.    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1996      1996     Sept.   Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
                                                                                  1996    1995     1996        1996     1996   
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight (Inbound) (9/90 = 100)              3308       109.2     109.8     -2.5     0.6     -2.8        -0.8      0.5  
     Atlantic (9/90 =100)                           1025        94.6      96.3     -4.5     0.7     -5.0        -1.9      1.8  
     Pacific (9/90 = 100)                           2028       118.4     117.6     -1.6     1.3     -1.7        -0.5     -0.7  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight (Outbound) (9/92 = 100)             2694        97.9      97.4     -1.5    -0.8     -0.5         0.3     -0.5  
     Atlantic (9/92 = 100)                          920        104.0     103.8     -2.5    -1.3     -1.9         0.9     -0.2  
     Pacific (9/92 = 100)                           1224        97.6      96.7      0.2     0.8      0.3         0.0     -0.9  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)              24233      127.4     131.1      3.6    -7.2      2.2         6.2      2.9  
1/   Atlantic                                       10075      125.9     133.5      6.6   -12.4      1.3        13.3      6.0  
1/   Pacific                                        7271       127.7     125.5     -0.6    -4.6      4.2         1.8     -1.7  
1/   Latin American / Caribbean                     4492       129.8     130.1      1.4    -1.2      2.5        -0.1      0.2  
     Canadian                                       1264       143.0     165.6     21.0     1.6      0.1         2.7     15.8  

    Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)           22669      122.5     125.5      3.4    -5.0     -0.7         7.0      2.4
     Atlantic                                       13156      121.1     125.8      5.4    -6.5     -1.6        10.3      3.9
     Pacific                                        5663       122.2     118.9     -4.6    -5.9     -0.3         4.5     -2.7
     Latin American / Caribbean                     2890       130.1     131.8      3.8     0.8      1.7        -0.1      1.3

    Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)              2153       126.9 r   109.6     -5.8    14.9     -3.2        -1.9 r  -13.6
     Atlantic                                       572        119.7 r   116.7     -3.1    -9.9     13.2        -2.5 r   -2.5  
     Gulf                                           1455       118.0 r    98.9     -8.9    25.4     -9.0        -4.8 r  -16.2  
                                                                                                                               
    Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                   8065       111.3     109.6     -3.4    -0.4      0.4        -1.9     -1.5  
     U.S. East Coast                                3769       116.7 r   115.9     -0.2     0.3      1.1        -0.9 r   -0.7  
      from Atlantic                                 1889       123.6 r   121.9      1.5    -0.1      4.7        -1.6 r   -1.4  
      from Pacific                                  1154       108.4 r   108.2     -4.8     0.0     -4.1        -0.6 r   -0.2  
     U.S. West Coast                                4296       106.6 r   104.1     -6.5    -1.1     -0.3        -2.9 r   -2.3  
      from Pacific                                  3943       107.9 r   105.3     -7.0    -1.1     -0.5        -3.1 r   -2.4  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                                                                                
                                                                                                                               
   Table  9     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        September 1995-September 1996  1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                            
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Sept.   Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1995    1995     1995        1996     1996   
                                                    of         June      Sept.    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1996      1996     Sept.   Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
                                                                                  1996    1995     1996        1996     1996   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight (9/90 = 100)                        2001       116.4     116.1     -0.9     2.0     -1.2        -1.4     -0.3  
     Atlantic (9/90 = 100)                          738         96.4      98.4     -1.3     1.5     -2.3        -2.5      2.1  
     Pacific (9/90 = 100)                           1102       134.0     132.1      0.8     3.9     -0.7        -0.9     -1.4  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares                             10450      124.0     122.1      0.5    -4.4     -0.8         7.5     -1.5
     Atlantic                                       6577       122.3     122.0      1.4    -6.5     -1.6        10.5     -0.2
     Pacific                                        2051       122.4     111.1     -7.4    -2.6     -1.0         5.8     -9.2
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1678       132.3     134.1      4.4     0.7      2.2         0.1      1.4

    Crude Oil Tanker Freight                        1985       129.3 r   110.9     -9.6    17.9     -9.4        -1.4 r  -14.2
     Atlantic                                       534        127.3 r   119.8     -3.6    -9.1     13.3        -0.5 r   -5.9  
     Gulf                                           1328       118.4 r    99.6    -14.5    29.5    -17.3        -5.1 r  -15.9  
                                                                                                                               
    Ocean Liner Freight                             6017       111.5 r   110.2     -2.8    -0.6      0.9        -1.9 r   -1.2  
     U.S. East Coast                                2832       117.9 r   117.8     -0.1    -0.2      1.2        -1.0 r   -0.1  
      from Atlantic                                 1336       126.1     126.4      2.9    -0.2      5.2        -2.2      0.2  
      from Pacific                                  1094       112.6 r   112.4     -3.7     0.0     -3.3        -0.2 r   -0.2  
     U.S. West Coast                                3185       106.0 r   103.5     -5.5    -1.0      0.6        -2.8 r   -2.4  
      from Pacific                                  2840       107.6 r   105.0     -6.2    -1.1      0.3        -3.1 r   -2.4  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares                             11867      123.5     127.9      1.4    -4.9      1.6         1.4      3.6  
1/   Atlantic                                       4159       126.1     136.5      8.0    -7.5      2.0         5.8      8.2  
1/   Pacific                                        4679       120.2     120.5     -4.8    -4.9      2.3        -2.4      0.2  
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1775       124.2     125.3      1.5     2.5     -0.8        -1.1      0.9  
     Canadian                                       619        139.3     149.3     14.8    -1.2      4.0         4.3      7.2  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                                                                                
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